Buffalo State University’s 152nd Commencement Is Year-End Highlight

Nearly 1,700 undergraduate and graduate students crossed the stage this weekend during Buffalo State University’s 152nd annual Commencement celebration on Saturday, May 18.

Degree candidates were honored at three ceremonies: School of the Professions at 9:00 a.m., School of Arts and Sciences at 1:00 p.m., and School of Education and Individualized and Multidisciplinary Studies at 5:00 p.m.

Class of 2024 graduates Uttam Lakshmi Mounika Goruganthu, Seth G. Rueger, and Catherine J. Sarich were honored at the 1:00 p.m. ceremony with the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence in recognition of their academic and extracurricular achievements, leadership, and service.

Shenese K. Patterson, recipient of the President’s Medal for Outstanding Graduate Student, delivered the student address at the 9:00 a.m. ceremony; Zoe E. Goñez, recipient of the President’s Medal for Outstanding Undergraduate Student, delivered the student address at the 1:00 p.m. ceremony; and Leslie M. Lawrence delivered the student address at the 5:00 p.m. ceremony.

Each ceremony’s keynote speaker also received the Buffalo State Distinguished Alumnus Award:

• Anne Constantino, ’80, CEO of Telos Consulting Group LLC, 9:00 a.m. ceremony
• Sheila Rayam, ’90, executive editor of the Buffalo News, 1:00 p.m. ceremony
• Darren J. Brown-Hall, ’96, ’98, superintendent of the Williamsville Central School District, 5:00 p.m. ceremony.

In addition, the President’s Distinguished Service Award was presented to Charlene M. Fontana, SSJ, ’04, retired assistant to the director of student life at Buffalo State University (9:00 a.m.); Cindy Abbott Letro, community leader, volunteer, philanthropist, and former chair of the Burchfield Penney Art Center (1:00 p.m.); and Sharon M. Belton-Cottman, president of the Buffalo Board of Education (5:00 p.m.).

Congratulations to the Class of 2024 and all award recipients!

Photos by Jesse Steffan-Colucci, Buffalo State photographer.