Pre-Commencement and Commencement activities are always exciting, and they always feel a bit bittersweet as the students we have supported and watched grow complete their final requirements and join the Buffalo State community for their Commencement day. This year we instituted several components that added new aspects to our activities.
Graduates at Commencement 2017
On the Friday before Commencement, we held our inaugural Commencement Preview and Celebration to allow our graduating seniors to become familiar with the ceremony and to review all the dos and don’ts related to the event. After a thorough orientation by Provost Perreault, Director of Events Management Mike Lewis, and Head Marshal Rita Zientek, as well as a video glimpse into the activities, seniors marched over to the Houston Gym to have a bit of food and fun and to participate in a champagne toast in their honor. They then left to celebrate with family and friends and to prepare for the big day on Saturday.
Commencement Preview and Celebration in Houston Gym
Highlights from 2017 Commencement
The two undergraduate ceremonies were separated by schools for the first time this year. The first Commencement at 9:00 a.m. was for seniors graduating from the School of Education and the School of the Professions, as well as individualized studies graduates. We then reconvened at 1:00 p.m. to graduate seniors in the School of Arts and Humanities and the School of Natural and Social Sciences. And finally, at 5:00 p.m., we convened for the Master’s Hooding and C.A.S. Ceremony to graduate all those students completing master’s degrees and certificates of advanced study. The new configuration allowed faculty and staff members to better deploy themselves throughout the day’s activities.
Undergraduate student speaker Jon Battison
There were many highlights throughout the day. The undergraduate student speaker, Jon Battison, was earnest and spoke of his outstanding education at Buffalo State. During our first ceremony, we were able to Skype in Adam Winters, a graduate who is deployed in Southwest Asia, to be part of the ceremony.
Graduate Sgt. Adam Winters and Kate Conway-Turner talk via Skype
Our Commencement speaker for both undergraduate ceremonies, Ed Feibischoff, ’79, an Emmy Award–winning sports producer, was well received by all. He told graduates that if they persist and work hard, they can do anything they desire. U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer also delivered remarks to students at the 1:00 p.m. ceremony.
Ed Feibischoff, ’79, at the afternoon undergraduate ceremony
Undergraduate speaker U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer
During the master’s ceremony, our graduate student speaker, Heather McCarthy, challenged graduates not only to “do well, but to do good,” thus reinforcing the Buffalo State message of civic engagement and social responsibility. Our graduate Commencement speaker, Bahira Sherif Trask, professor of human development and family studies at the University of Delaware, challenged graduates to understand that they are citizens of a global community and the importance of what that means in today’s world.
Graduate Commencement speaker Bahira Sherif Trask
At the master’s ceremony
Even as we are now past our Commencement and pre-Commencement activities, I still smile as I reflect on the many ways we hosted and celebrated our graduating students. I also relish the thoughts of how Buffalo State graduates are moving out into the world with the tools, knowledge, and dispositions that are needed to work, lead, and prepare for our evolving future. Graduates, I will miss you, and I thank all the faculty and staff members at Buffalo State who have done so much to support you, teach you, and guide you to launch on May 13, 2017.
#Congratulations graduates! We were moved and inspired by student moderator Yvonne Hamisi, student speakers speakers Namrata Jacob and Charisse DelVecchio, powerful keynote speaker Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, and alumni speaker Ellen Sturgis! Extra special thanks to all family members, faculty, and staff who came to celebrate the big day!
