The 7th Annual Excellence in Education Awards—a Hollywood‑style evening honoring Buffalo’s educators and school leaders presented by Friends For a Better Buffalo and in part by Buffalo State University—were held at the Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall on Saturday, May 2.
This annual awards ceremony shines a light on those who elevate education across Buffalo’s public, private, and charter schools. The night was a true awards-show affair complete with red carpet photo opportunities, an awards ceremony, and an exclusive after-party celebration.
Four Buffalo State alumni were awarded at the event. Of the nominees, 38 were Buffalo State alumni (bolded names indicate winners).
- Marc Adams, ’21, ’23
- Ahmed Akbar, ’20, ’22
- John Augustine, ’86, ’01
- Noemi Bailey, ’06, ’10
- Robert Baxter, ’94, ’03
- Christopher Bigouette, ’19
- Armetha Brown, ’95, ’03
- Bradford Brown, ’95
- Jill Burruano, ’05
- Karen Camp, ’87
- Courtney Champlin, ’05
- Julia Connerton, ’25
- Chelsea Culverhouse, ’98, ’06
- Elizabeth Dirr, ’89
- Kim Donoghue, ’88
- Kimberly Farrell, ’94
- Vera Gracievski, ’02
- Jennifer Hammer, ’93
- Orlando Hill, ’15, ’23
- Michelle Hope-Barnes, ’02, ’05
- Theresa Land, ’97
- Genah Lasbby, ’13
- Victoria Lewis, ’20, ’23
- Catherine Lipsitz, ’11
- Juanita McClain, ’16, ’20
- Maureen McDonnell, ’02
- Marcia Nigro, ’06, ’09
- Kristina Polino, ’12
- Matthew Roll, ’01, ’08
- Norma Rosario, ’03, ’08
- Maria Ruiz, ’15
- Kristen Szantor, ’90, ’97
- Corey Talford, ’18
- Kaylynn Torres, ’19, ’22
- Sarah Vittoria, ’99, ’04, ’12
- Christie Walker, ’23
- Erich Wheeler, ’09
- Khyvana Wilson-Dowell, ’17, ’20
Related
WGRZ: Buffalo's biggest night in education celebration
Pictured at top: President Bonita R. Durand, Ph.D.
Photos by Tamara Horstman-Riphahn.

