Buffalo State College 2018-2019 Annual Report - 7

thesis or project. This year's fair included virtual
presentations from distance learners within the
International Center on Creativity who live in
Florida, Brazil, and the Netherlands.

Buffalo State College conferred degrees
on more than 1,830 undergraduate and
580 graduate students during its 147th
commencement celebration on May 18 in the

BUFFALO STATE'S 22ND ANNUAL FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP GALA

Sports Arena. Jesse L. Martin, actor and singer,
and Sophia Veffer, '71, Holocaust survivor and
retired special education teacher, each received
a SUNY honorary degree. The Distinguished
Alumnus Award was granted to Michele Fairchild
Marko, '72, nutrition professional and community
leader, while Morgan Williams Bryant, '03, senior
vice president for community engagement and
member services of the Girl Scouts of Western
New York, and Mo Sumbundu, '13, '17, assistant
director of the Regional Economic Development
Council of Western New York, each received the
Young Alumnus Achievement Award.

the LEED-certified Science and Mathematics
Complex. Sponsored by the New York State
Master Teacher Program at Buffalo State and
the Western New York Youth Climate Action
(WNYYCA) group, the summit brought together
130 youth from more than 20 school districts
COMMENCEMENT CELEBRATION

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, '83, announced
that the city has entered into a Designated
Developer Agreement (DDA) with Buffalo
State College-via the college's affiliate BSCR
Corporation-to redevelop the city's auto
impound lot, which is located to the immediate
west of campus at 166-170 Dart Street. The
DDA provides an 18-month period for the college
to develop a plan for the 8.8-acre parcel, which
will further the strategic vision of the college and
enhance the campus and surrounding neighborhood. The final development plan is subject to
Buffalo Common Council review and approval.

Buffalo State has arranged facilities for
current and future START-UP NY companies
at sites near campus. These companies include
Unilant LLC and Normel Tech LLC, software
development companies; ENrG Inc., a manufacturer
of ceramics for industrial and technology uses;
and Barrel + Brine, a maker of fermented food
and drink such as kimchi, pickles, and kombucha.
START-UP NY, a program administered by
Empire State Development, offers start-up
businesses the opportunity to operate tax-free
for 10 years on or near eligible university or
college campuses in New York State.

Buffalo State College 2018-2019 Annual Report 7

Buffalo State hosted the third annual WNY
Youth Climate Action Summit on June 1 in

across Western New York and beyond to
investigate the multifaceted issues surrounding
climate change.
Buffalo State College 2018-2019 Annual Report

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Buffalo State College 2018-2019 Annual Report
