medaille commencement program 2010
DESCRIPTION
Commencement Program for undergraduate and graduate ceremonies, Friday, May 21, 2010TRANSCRIPT
for the GRADUATE and
UNDERGRADUATE
CLASSES of 2010Friday, the twenty-first day of May
Two thousand and ten
Kleinhans Music Hall
Buffalo, New York
Commencement
2010 C O M M E N C E M E N T
B U F FA L O , N E W Y O R K2
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Charles E. Moran, Jr. Chair, Board of Trustees
Richard T. Jurasek, Ph.D.President of the College
Stuart H. AngertBoard Vice Chair
Dominick F. Antonelli
Stephen L. Cicchinelli ’98
Peter J. Freyburger, D.V.M.
Andrés Garcia ’82Board Assistant Secretary
Horace A. Gioia, Esq.
Juanita K. Hunter, Ed.D.Board Secretary
Margaret Kafka ’90
James R. Kaskie
William H. Pearce, Jr.
Heidi A. Raphael ’85
Robert L. Stevenson
Robby Takac ’86
Donald Tomasulo ’79President of the Alumni
Association Board
Michael K. WalshBoard Treasurer
Medaille College Mission StatementMedaille College concentrates on excellence in teaching, with an emphasis on personal attentionto its diverse student body. Its curriculum provides a solid liberal arts and sciences foundationwith early access to career-oriented education. The faculty and all of those involved in the mission of education challenge students and themselves to the highest possible standards of achievement, but that challenge is balanced by support for every individual student and a concern that each one succeeds.
Historical OverviewMedaille College is an independent college committed to serving the higher education needs ofWestern and Central New York, and Southern Ontario. The College is located within the historicOlmsted Crescent in the heart of Buffalo, New York, with branch campuses in Amherst andRochester. Medaille is known for its flexible delivery systems, offering Master’s, Bachelor’s, and Associate degrees in both traditional and accelerated formats.
The Undergraduate College currently offers the Bachelor’s degree in Biology, BusinessAdministration, Communication, Criminal Justice, Education (Elementary Education 1-6,Middle Childhood 5-9, Adolescent English 7-12 with Special Education, AdolescentMathematics 7-12 with Special Education, and Adolescent Social Studies 7-12 with SpecialEducation), English, Liberal Studies, Psychology, Sport Management, and Veterinary Technology. Associate degrees are offered in Liberal Studies and Veterinary Technology.
Through its School of Education and School of Adult and Graduate Education, Medailleoffers both undergraduate and graduate programs designed to meet the needs of adultlearners. Degrees awarded include the Associate of Science in Business, Bachelor of BusinessAdministration, Master of Business Administration, Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership,Master of Arts in Psychology, Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling, and Master of Sciencein Education.
Named for Father Jean Pierre Medaille, founder of the Sisters of St. Joseph, Medaille Collegetraces its roots to 1875, when the Sisters of St. Joseph founded an Institute to prepare membersof the Order for teaching in diocesan schools.
In 1937, the Institute received an absolute charter from the State of New York and was renamedMt. St. Joseph Teachers College. In 1968, a charter was sought to create a new college that wouldbe independent, nonsectarian, and coeducational. The State granted this charter and MedailleCollege was born.
Many new degree programs were developed and student enrollment doubled in the 1970’s. Thisgrowth continued, and in 1985 construction was completed on a new science building. Residentialhousing was added in 1991 and the Kevin I. Sullivan Campus Center opened in April of 1994.
Campus construction continued with the opening of the North Residence Hall (2001) and theSouth Residence Hall (2003). In addition, the Sullivan Campus Center has been expanded, reno-vations have been made to the Huber Hall Library, and major landscaping improvements havebeen made to the campus. Most recently, seven houses on Humboldt Parkway and Agassiz Circlehave been remodeled as faculty and administrative office space and state-of-the-art classrooms.
Medaille’s annual operating budget is now $55 million and the annual economic impact ofMedaille on our community exceeds $147 million. In the past ten years, the number of full-timefaculty has nearly doubled, and the College’s enrollment has increased nearly 200%. The totalenrollment approaching 3,000 students makes Medaille the third largest private college inWestern New York.
the G R A D UAT E C L A S S of 2010
C O M M E N C E M E N T 2 0 1 0 3
Our Collective Aspirationfor the Year 2020
“Medaille College will be known as theleader in preparinglearners for careersuccess and a lifelongcommitment to acivic and sustainablefuture in Buffalo, the region, and the world.”
PROGRAM FOR THE GRADUATE CEREMONYKLEINHANS MUSIC HALL, MAY 21, 2010 1:00 P.M.
PROCESSIONAL* Buffalo Brass Quintet“Pomp and Circumstance March”(Sir Edward Elgar)
CALL TO ORDER Robert E. Nesslin, M.S.Ed.Clinical Associate Professor, School of Adult and Graduate Education
NATIONAL ANTHEMS Buffalo Brass Quintet
INVOCATION Rev. Paul Emery ’90, B.S., M.Div.Pastor, Trinity United Methodist Church
WELCOME Robert E. Nesslin, M.S.Ed.
GREETINGS FROM THE PRESIDENT Richard T. Jurasek, Ph.D.President of the College
ADDRESS Sundra L. Ryce ’07, M.S.Ed.President and CEO, SLR Contracting & Service Company, Inc.
STUDENT ADDRESS Kathryn Ellen BenfantiClass of 2010
PRESENTATIONS Judith M. Horowitz, Ph.D.Academic Awards Associate Vice President and Dean of
the School of Adult and Graduate Education
Illana R. Lane, Ph.D.Acting Dean of the School of Education
PRESENTATION OF DEGREE CANDIDATES Douglas W. Howard, Ph.D.
Vice President for Academic Affairs
CONFERRAL OF DEGREES Richard T. Jurasek, Ph.D.
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT Richard T. Jurasek, Ph.D.
BENEDICTION** Rev. Paul Emery ’90, B.S., M.Div.
RECESSIONAL Buffalo Brass Quintet“Trumpet Voluntary” (John Stanley)
* The Audience is requested tostand and remain standingthrough the Invocation.
** The Audience is requested tostand and remain in place untilthe recessional is completed.
C A N D I D A T E S F O R D E G R E E S
B U F FA L O , N E W Y O R K4
Master of Arts
Cynthia Ann Abbey
Andrew Warner Barone
Linda Bazinet
Daria Bednarowski
Kathryn Ellen Benfanti
Max T. Benz
Angela P. Berti
Sandra Billups
Gaganpreet Blaggan
Gloria Borynski
Demetris Bradley
Amanda B. Brennan
Angelica J. Broniszewski
Jeffrey D. Brooks
Korria Bullock
Ellen M. Carl
Lindsay Chatmon
Kimberly Siuda Chiarmonte
Patrick Conway
Nancy Crenshaw
Valerie Crespo
Sarah Louise Dance
John Delaney
Thomas Frank Di Luzio
Kristi Duffy
Amber J. Dunn
Jamie Lee Dutka
Sheri D. Eckert
Alicia L. Evans
Mona V. Fathieh
Amber M. Ferrara
Jamie Folck
Kandis Racquelle Fuller
Heather Gauchat
Kelly Gordon
Kristy Gossel
Valerie L. Green
Jessica Gruber
Timothy Hack
Deaundra Hamilton
Sara Hanavan
Shelly Lynn Harris
Jessica M. Helmbrecht
Stephanie Henley
Joani Higgins
Laura Hoover
Timothy Jackson
Jacqueline M. Jefferson
Tonia Jones
Marloe Jordan
Monique Kareemiah Jordan
Kristin LeAnn Kasperek
Cheryl Keyes
Jessica Kotarski
Lauren A. Kranz
Ashley B. Kuiper
Janice Lang
Jennifer L. Lanning
Jennifer L. Layman
Julia Lecce
Michelle Leger
Amanda Rae Leone
Amylynn Marie Liskiewicz
Travis A. Loughran
Lauren Major
Kelly Mallon
Rose Marcantonio
Kathy L. Marcotte
Elizabeth Ann McClam
Leann P. McConchie
Sarah McCumiskey
Nora E. McNally
Sarah Miechurski
Kelly L. Morgan
Erin Marie Moss
Jennifer L. Moyer
Katie A. Murphy
Christopher Gary Nalbach
Elizabeth Megan Newman
Melanie Ann Page
Shakahra Page
Susan G. Patrizi
Shawn Y. Patton
Diana Petruzzella
Davetta Laurrainne Phelps
Brenda Postolowski
Jennifer Leigh Prutsman
Joyce Przybyl
Hugh Quinn
Coretta Rego
Courtney Taylor Reinecke
Lauren M. Reinig
Veronica Rivera
Eric Rockefeller
Megan L. Saddleson
Andrew Michael Schmidt
Jamie L. Seguss
Steffanie Sherwood
Kimberly Lynn Savannah Silla
Tiffany L. Smart
Jason J. Snyder
Christopher Spicer
Cynthia Spiess
Kathryn Jeanne Stanbro
Lisa Szymanski
Amber A. Towart
Melinda M. Trammell
Tara Trzaska
Jaana Tuomala
Debra Valenti-Tylwalk
Krystal P. Valvo
Alison J. Wilcox-Lanfear
Nicholas Eric Wilson
C A N D I D A T E S F O R D E G R E E S
C O M M E N C E M E N T 2 0 1 0 5
Jonathan Abrams
Iran Jooel Albuez
Delilah K. Alicea
Nicholas Frederick Anner
Adam Anticola
Annette D. Austin
James P. Ayers
Ildiko Best
Tashonda Brown
John D. Buell
Angela M. Burgos
Elizabeth L. Cardarelli
Robert D. Chyka
Marisa Clark
Natalya Sheva NicoleCollins-Howard
Marie L. Connors
Stephanie Danieu
Brett D. Davis
Jenise R. Dixon-Coleman
Terrance L. Dubois
Stephanie Ecker
Lisa Marie Ettipio
Karen M. Eusanio
Gary W. Gell
Tammy Gentile
Garfield E. Grant
Anna R. Hartog
Kirk R. Hartog
Nicole A. Hayek
Cortney S. Heitzman
Brendan Herdlein
Adam Hojnacki
Lynnetta Maria Hollomon
Patricia Hughes
Robert Jacchino
Paul T. Jackson
Sheryl Jaje
Shomari A. James
Rebecca Jarnot
Sarah L. Kancar
Edward Scott Katz
Francessca Leigh-AutKeeling
Jonathan M. Kenney
Amy L. Keyes
Thomas H. Kingston
Sabrina Teneal Kirkland
Anita L. Hart Kopra
Damian Kumor
Jennifer Lachina
Takeema Anika Shetice Lewis
Kristin Ann Luce
Justin Thomas Macaluso
Mary L. Mannella
Tara N. McCarter
Jonathan M. Messina
Michael J. Miles
Thomas D. Molfese
Joseph F. Murray, III
William Nelson
Derek Nero
James Allen Nesmith
Theodore Nowakowski
Donna Marie Parks
Stephanie Ann Pawelczyk
Michael Louis Piatko
Donald T. Prichard, Jr.
Michael Quarantello
Marcy Raines
Lindsey Rindos
Jessica L. Robey
Curtis Rogers
Kendra D. Rogers
Samantha Lynne Santelli
Corey Richard Santonocito
Nicholas Craig Sautter
Miriam Sharif
Michelle Javonne Shaw
Paula Shellman
Brooke Elizabeth Smith
LeighAnn Superczynski
Jillian L. Suttell
Katina Ann Thomas
Dawn M. Tresmond
Nate E. Waldmiller
Patricia A. Walsh
Todd Watson
Shaun Aron White
Michael Wilson
Marc Wydro
Jose Manuel Zayas
Brian Zielinski
Master of Business Administration
C A N D I D A T E S F O R D E G R E E S
B U F FA L O , N E W Y O R K6
Master of Science in Education
Nicole Elizabeth Abdool
Jolene Abel
Natalie Abkarian
Colleen A. Adams
Saira Alam
Lisa M. Albuquerque
Gabrielle Alfieri
Valerie M. Allaire
Melissa Allen
Tyson Anderson
Karen Andreatta
Megan Laura Andrews
Nicole Talya Angaritis
Suzana Antolcic
Daniela Aquino
Anthony Atletico
Miranda Atrooshi
Michelle Bakelmun
Lindsay Michelle Balment
Abiola Balogun
Nishant Bammi
Christina Banfield
Daniela Disa Barak
Nicole Barrett
Stephanie Sandra Bartelli
Shane L. Bascoe
Tiffany Baxebanos
Jenna Lynn Baynham
Yvonne M. Beardsley
Stephanie Milan Beaton
Erin M. Beauchesne
Bree Beaupre
Adele Begin
Brent Anthony Bellio
Amanda Bellmore
Michelle M. Benaim
Jennifer Benevides
Lesle Berkman
Kathryn Bertsch
Frederick Benjamin Best
Mary C. Bezzina
Rosemary P. Bianchi
Sarah Bickford
Kristy Bielik
Satin Bina
Bessie Blandizzi
Andrew J. Bolles
Amanda K. Boone
Emilie Boonstra
Navreet Kaur Boparai
Nicole Boreland
Cherish Lynn Borman
Colleen A. Bourgon
Amanda M. Boyler
Sarah J. Brady
Jennifer Braithwaite
Gerard Nigel E. Brathwaite-Sturgeon
Daniel G. Brawn
Regan Brennan
Wendy Brisky
Ashley J. Britton
Jenifer Jean Brooks
Charmesa Levette Brown
Sarah Elizabeth Brown
Andrea Christine Budzey
Tyandra Bulmer
Catherine A. Burdell
Stephanie Burnett
Carrie A. Buttigieg
Laura Anne Byers
Ashley Isabel Cabral
Jennifer Calderon
Shannon Eilene Campbell
Daniel Joseph Cannon
Sabrina Caputo
Christina Caramanica
Kristin L. Carbone
Marie Ashley Carnovale
Vincent Dion Carnovale
Jennifer Dawn Carpenter
Heidi Carter
Erica D. Case
Christina D. Cassar
Luca Valentino Cavaliere
Lacey Michelle Cavicchia
Leanne Carolyn Cecil
Peter A. Cefaloni
Rita R. Celetti
Natasha Chaderian
Navdeep Chahal
Shareen Lata Chand
Vickie Chang
Patricia A. Chatten
Alan Cherneski
Maria A. Chiarenza
Lillian Chiu
Stacey Noreen Christopher
Catherine Celeste Ciarallo
Michael J. Cimicata
Vanessa Lynn Ciufo
Meghan Kathleen Clarey
Jennifer Clarke
Sara E. Clarke
Laura Clarry
Kathy L. Clay
Sarah Lynne Cloet
Jodi Jillaine Coelho
Stephanie Colby-Yates
Rosemary Coletti
Stacey Collins
Roselynn Commisso
Lauren K. Copeland
Anthony John Costa
Shelly A. Costello
Krista Lynn Coutu
Philippe Ransom Coutu
Chelsey Ann Cowlin
Beth A. Crego
Stacey Susan SimoneDahmer
Cinzia Daniele D’Alfonso
Julia L. Damen
Stefanie D’Angelo
Tuyet Dao
Melissa J. Darker
Jennifer Lee Davies-Schweickert
Eric Davis
Rosanne Davis
Wendy D. Davis
Jasmine Lila Daz
Lisa Ann Debo
Emilia Del Nibletto
Alison Lyn DeMelo
Melissa Lynn Denecke
Amrita Deol
Jacqueline De Paolis
Glen Steven Desjardins
Brian Devlin
Rishi Dheer
Luisa DiBrizzi
Charlene Ann-MarieDickson
Teresa Di Leo
Olimpia Di Monte
Alicia N. Dix
Robert Dolomount
Mark James Donelson
Clement A. D’Orazio
Sonya Nicole Doyle
Jennifer Drader
Amanda Lynn Dragozetic
Martina Drljepan
Laura Dukarich
Andrea J. Dunnett
Rebecca Ebert
Cameron Eby
C A N D I D A T E S F O R D E G R E E S
C O M M E N C E M E N T 2 0 1 0 7
Master of Science in Education (continued)
Sherie Eckhardt
Kristi Lynn Edwards
Brooke Cavell Ellis
Jennifer Ellis
Julie Anne Ellwood
Adam Nathan Ernst
Michelle Ersing
Ryan Evans
Katherine Anne Fairbrother
Enza Falletta
Suzy Fam
Pavlo Farmakidis
Dana D. Farquharson
Luanne Fashana
Andrew W. Faulkner
Laura Feher
Jessica Ferreira
David Fingrut
Kyle L. Finlay
Erin Finn
Angelique M. Fischer
Elizabeth R. Fitzgerald
Victoria R. Fitzner
Joseph R. Flaherty
Meaghann Frances Foy
Elizabeth Fracassi
Melissa Lori Fried
Samuel Benjamin Fried
Genevieve Ilonka Frigault
Sarah Rose Frugoli
Jennifer A. Fryer
Anthony Fuciarelli
Karen Joycee Gal
Carmela Laura Galante
Amanda Galati
Tiffany Galati
Jennifer Galicia-Lontok
Leonard G. Garbacz
Michelle Garofalo
Melany L. Gates
Jennifer Gazzola
Roula Christine Geadah
Amol R. Gheewala
Julie Gianetto
William Giannou
Philip J. Gibson
Michelle Gikov
Stephanie ElizabethGiliberto
Svaven Gill
Mary L. Glass
Paula A. Glaze
Sarah L. Gleeson
Sandria M. Goodall
V. Christine Gordon
Jonalyn Graciano
Dana H. Grant
Kimberly Green
Leslie Green
Nicollette Marie Greer
Harjinder Grewal
Heather Marie Grillo
Kristin Marie Gruber
Abigail Gutmacher
Christina M. Haag
Jarrod Haddock
Allison E. Hall
Ashley Hamilton
Wendy Ann-Marie Hamilton
Jennifer Hammer
Alicia Handley
Kathryn M. Haney
Sean Hanley
Marina Hanna
Sumeet Hansra
Daniel D. Hart
Heather Hayes
Jessica Aldene Hayes
Stephanie Helewa
Mark L. Heritage
Corean Leslie Hervey
Christine Heubeck-Kuzenko
Karly MacKenzie Hill
Tanya M. Hook
Cheryl L. Hosein
Allison Eleanor Howatt
Timothy C. Hunter
Corrine RachelleHuntingdon
Christina Iannucci
Stephanie Lynn Iannucci
Peter Inacio
Larissa Rachel Ineson
Susan Innes
Arjola Islami
Joey Istiphan
Stefani R. Ivkovich
Sonia Carmela Izzi
Courtney T. Jackman
Brittany Jahreis
Susan Jakovcic
Laura C. Jankura
Lindsay Jarvis
Kathleen M. Jedrosko
Carrie F. Jessup
Jennifer Jobson
Linda Chinnu Johnson
Claire Stephanie Jones
Karianna F. Jory
Nadia Caterina Justice
Christie Kalec
Kathryn Ann Kaleta
Parthipan Kandavel
Alexandria A. Karacorovski
Sabrina Kassam
Jill M. Kaszuba
Adriana C. FerraroKatsilieris
Kamaljeet Kaur
Sufiya Kazi
Rhonda L. Ketteringham
Nancy Khalil
Rifa Khan
Amanda Kiczma
Megan King
Rachel King
Kricia Kirby
Mary Kitsos
Melissa Erin Klatecki
Kristopher M. Klupsch
Melinda S. Knowlton
Katie Kochan
Christina Kocsis
Elizabeth Kohl
Amy R. Kolpak
Amanpreet Kooner
Thomas Kovacik
Adriane Frances Lambert
Ashleigh Marie Langille
Katie A. Larkin
Lina La Rocca
Dahna Laurent
Claudia Lavecchia
Sala Lavoie
Carrie Jane Lawton
Charline LeBlanc
Christina M. Lederri
Mark Leibtog
Amanda Lennert
Richard J. Leo
Jennifer Gabriella Leone
Melissa Jane Leopard
Ashley Marie Levay
Erik Lindstol
Amy Lis
Fotoula Loizides
Stacey L. Lombardi
Aleksandra Loncarevic
C A N D I D A T E S F O R D E G R E E S
B U F FA L O , N E W Y O R K8
Nicole K. Lorenz
Jaspreet Lotay
Jessica A. Loucks
Adam Lowe
Kristyn L. Lucente
Daniella Marie Luciani
Kristina Luciani
Kasia L. Lue
Caley Mackenzie Lunan
Shannon Lundy
Adele Jessica Lusky
Jason J. Macchesney
Mairi Jean MacDonald
Derrick Machado
Jennifer Lynn Machado
Kelly Lynn Mackay
John David Douglas Mackey
Leanne Susan Madgett
Arleen Erin Maguda
Khalid Mahamad
Christopher Maheras
Elizabeth Manganello
Nicholas Mangiafesto
David F. Mangiafico
Daniel N. Manly
Jaspreet Mann
Jennifer Mantello
Daniela Marcelli
Mara Marcelli
Eric Jeffrey Margel
Christopher NicholasMarinelli
Kathryn Marino
Mila K. Mascitelli
Amarpreet Matharoo
Angela L. May
Teresa McAlinden
Kathryn McCall
Stephanie L. McDermott
Pamela McFeely
April Ann McGrane
Mark James McHenry
Jordynn A. McIntosh
Heather McIver
Scott McLeod
Erin Jayne McMahon
Colleen McNarry-Wilson
Stephanie McPhee
Stephanie M. Menth
Sherry Lee Meszaros
Dana Metz
Jill Metz
Kerri Metzger
Melinda Metzger
Catherine Marie Migliarini
Margaret Theston Mihalics
Courtney A. Miller
Tiffany Lynne Miller
Shanta N. Misir
Anaika Michelle Mohammed
Lindsay Moita
Jennifer Irene Mollet
Cara L. Monroe
Stephanie A. Moore
Eulette Morris
Najoula M. Morris
Gemma ElizabethMrkobrada
Glenn Murdock
Ashleigh Murray
Laura Lynn Myles
Kamaldeep Nagra
Poonam Nagra
Ashley C. Nathan
Lindsay Kathleen Nazar
Mehrnoush Nazarahari
Joanne Nedanovski
Lindsay Elizabeth Nelson
Brittany Nesbitt
Brittany Leigh Newman
Jacqueline D. Nicoll
Claudia Cristina Nigro
Vicky Nikolaos
Diane DiamantoNikoletopoulos
Lisa Oliel
Pablo Oliva
Chantelle Marie AnneOphelders
Christine Orlich
Megan O’Rourke
Grayce Ortiz
Jarrett Bradley Osborne
Dacia L. O’Sullivan
Stephanie Ottaviani
Tammy-Lee A. Ovens
Lauren A. Oziel
Krysta Ozolins
John R. Palmieri
Jamie Palumbo
Larissa W. Panici
Stephen F. Parrick
Eleni Angelica Partalas
Michael D. Partridge
Jaclyn Marie Paryz
Cassandra Patterson
Erica Payne
Ricki Lee Payne
Courtney Peck
Anna-Maria Pedace
Juliana Rita Lisa Pellegrino
Kirsten Meryl Peters
Megan Samantha Peterson
Katherine Pettit
Julie Pezzimenti
Rita Piazza
Sarah Pimentel
Ariella Rachel Pister
Nicole Pitoscia
Jennifer Lynn Plants
Diana Elizabeth Plaskon
Maria Platitsas
Melanie Porter
Natasha Elvina Porter
Leah Power
Julie A. Powers
Spencer Price
Julie Nikole Pulley
Patricia M. Pumputis
Brett Alan Quance
David Quayle
Mohammad Umar Qureshi
Kiran Preet Rakkar
Natasha Ramirez
Tatyana Ramirez
Jessica M. Ramsden
Rita Ranalli
Crystal D. Randall
Nadia Ranieri
Amanda E. Rankin
Alyssa Leigh Ranney
Kelli C. Rattray
Maureen E. Rau
Sarah C. Reddin
Michael David Redgers
Cristina Reitz
Sarah E. Rejent
Angela S. Renner
Teresa Renzi
Bon Julius B. Reyes
Shannon M. Rice
Dawn Ruth Richardson
Amy V. Rivera
Megan Elizabeth Roberts
Melissa Robertson
Anne Rocci
Corinne Rodrigues
Tanya Gwen Rosenberg
Danielle Ross
Master of Science in Education (continued)
C A N D I D A T E S F O R D E G R E E S
C O M M E N C E M E N T 2 0 1 0 9
Jessica Ruda
Joanne Fotiny Rumeliotis
Michelle Ruston
Christopher C. Ruszkowski
Ashlyn Sabatini
Odarka Sahan
Rita Salmo
Angela Santagato-Bertola
Nicole Amanda Saric
Carla M. Saris
Frances Sandra Savino
Andrea Savovic
Valerie N. Schneider
Anna-Michelle Scholz
Juli Ayn Mary Schroeder
Christina Schwendiman
Caroline Alanna Scott
Ella Nicole Scott
Amber N. Seale
Laura Seeley-Krumpek
Shauna Seiler
Karendeep Sekhon
Sandeep Kaur Sekhon
Sonia Sekhon-Banwait
Dusan Sekulic
Lesley Amanda Selby
Alejandra Sermeno
Ashley Sernoskie
Christa Sgroi
Lisa Shaw
Meghan Sheehan
Ashlee Linda Shutt
Cheryl D. Siegal
Paula Sinclair
Harinder Kaur Singh
Sonia Singh
Angela Diane Sitt
Elisabeth Skrabek
Lilli Skrak
James S. Smith
Kelli Anne Smith
Tara Smith
Kailee Beth Smoskowitz
Patricia Sullivan Smyth
Carrie Snider
Regina Sowa
Stephanie Spencer
Jenna Charlotte Speziale
Kim Spratt
Jordana M. Stach
Kristen E. Stadelmeyer
Mario Stamegna
Jessica K. Staub
Marina Stavropoulos
Stefanie Stefaniak
Kristina Stephens
S Michelle Stevenson
Melissa Dawn Stewart
Tiffany Stinis
Stephanie Stirling
Justine Stone
Erin Michelle Stornelli
Tyler Stortz
Aileen Streeter
Kelly Diane Struthers
Anita Stubnya
Bryan Sturch
Christine Sullivan
Jennifer Sullivan
Catherine Elizabeth Sulski
Kristen E. Swanson
Stephanie Elizabeth Sylvester
Ashley Megan Syme
Andrew Sze
Heather M. Taggart
Ashley Jennifer Ann Talmage
Courtney Grace Tansley
Sarah Elizabeth Tassis
Matthew J. Taub
Christine DeMelo Tavares
Stacey L. Taves
Tara S. M. Teicht
Jennifer Vidya Ten-Pow
Elizabeth Tewogbade
Andrea E. Thom
Christie C. Thomas
Kostantina Thomas
Indaka Premakumara Hewa Thudellage
Maria D. Toepfer
Cristina Tofan
Pamela Lynn Tojek
Julia Christine Tomaka
Andrew D. Trafford
Danielle Traficante
Veronica Dat Mui Tran
Carmen de Jesus Tresgallos
Elaine Triemstra
Jennifer Louise Trozzi
Evelyn W. M. Tsang
Lisa Ann Twomey
Carrie Underwood
Lesley M. Underwood
Danko Utjesinovic
Leigh Anne Valentine
Olivia Suzanne Vandenberg
Catherine Marguerite Van Ryn
Shehan Vaz
Robert Allen Velestuk
Tanya Virk
Claudia Vitale
Jaclyn R. Vogel
Stephanie A. Voss
Sharlyn Wagner
Linsey M. Walker
Jemaine Jason Wallace
Susan Elizabeth Waller
Heather Wanvig
Tommy Ward
Marta Wasik
Samantha Renee Watson
Robyn L. Weatherley
Marianne Darlene Wesseling
Erinn N. Westerhof
Kimberly Ann Wheeler
Lindsay N. White
Jacquelyn Whitenight
Ewelina K. Widerska
Taryn S. Wiley
Kimberly Wilhelm
Katherine Amy Wilson
Colleen G. Witt
Brandon Mark Wong
Michelle Ayesha Woodley
Nicole Wright-Dykstra
Marie E. Wutz
Jennifer Yan
Tara Yantzi
April Yau
Eliza Yuen
Catherine Zachariades
Sandi Zaia
Denise Marie Zdon
Matthew Zizek
Carrie Lynn Zoda
Nicole Zuppa
Master of Science in Education (continued)
2 0 1 0 G R A D U A T E C L A S S
B U F FA L O , N E W Y O R K1 0
Adolescent Education (M.S.Ed.) Jennifer Lynn Plants
Business Administration (M.B.A.) Thomas H. KingstonAccelerated Learning Program
Elementary Education (M.S.Ed) Heather Marie Grillo
Elementary Education-Canadian Program (M.S.Ed.) Mohammad Umar Qureshi
Literacy Program (M.S.Ed.) Amy V. Rivera
Mental Health Counseling (M.A.) Kathryn Ellen Benfanti
Organizational Leadership (M.A.) Angela P. Berti
Psychology (M.A.) Janice Lang
Special Education (M.S.Ed.) Jessica K. Staub
DepartmentAcademic Awards
Graduate CeremonySpeaker
Sundra L. Ryce ’07, M.S.Ed.President and CEO, SLR Contracting & Service Company, Inc.
Sundra L. Ryce is the president and CEO of SLR Contracting & Service Company, Inc., a generalconstruction company headquartered in Buffalo. SLR is a progressive and growing company thatspecializes in commercial construction, including new construction, renovation projects, con-struction management, and design-build services. Ryce established the company in 1996 toprovide quality work and exemplary customer service in the construction industry.
Under Ryce’s leadership, SLR has developed into an innovative and competitive constructioncompany. Since its inception, SLR has expanded to include construction services covering manygeographical regions throughout New York State and beyond. Ryce oversees all functions of thebusiness including construction operations, strategic planning, sales and marketing, humanresources, customer service, finance, and negotiations.
Ryce grew up around a family-owned construction business. She views the construction industryas a great business opportunity for entrepreneurs. Born in Buffalo, Ryce received her Bachelor ofScience Degree in Business Studies from the State University of New York College at Buffalo andher Master of Science Degree in Education from Medaille College, Buffalo, New York.
Ryce serves as a trustee on the following boards: The Buffalo Niagara Partnership, Great LakesHealth, Buffalo State College Foundation, Buffalo Urban Development Corporation, and theBuffalo Society of Natural Sciences. She is also a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority,Inc., and The Links Incorporated and is featured in the 13th edition of Small BusinessManagement – An Entrepreneurial Emphasis, a college textbook with a circulation of over 57,000 copies worldwide.
Ryce is an ordained minister and professional speaker who shares her vision, creativity, and business acumen through keynote addresses and seminars. She was recently invited to theU.S. Capital to address the U.S. House of Representatives at the Democratic Issues Conferenceand Job Summit in Washington, D.C. Her favorite motivational quote is “What would youattempt to do if you knew that you could not fail?” (author unknown).
the U N D E R G R A D UAT E C L A S S of 2010
C O M M E N C E M E N T 2 0 1 0 1 1
Our Collective Aspirationfor the Year 2020
“Medaille College will be known as theleader in preparinglearners for careersuccess and a lifelongcommitment to acivic and sustainablefuture in Buffalo, the region, and the world.”
PROGRAM FOR THE UNDERGRADUATE CEREMONYKLEINHANS MUSIC HALL, MAY 21, 2010 7:00 P.M.
PROCESSIONAL* Buffalo Brass Quintet“Pomp and Circumstance March”(Sir Edward Elgar)
CALL TO ORDER Robert E. Nesslin, M.S.Ed.Clinical Associate Professor, School of Adult and Graduate Education
NATIONAL ANTHEMS Buffalo Brass Quintet
INVOCATION Rev. Paul Emery ’90, B.S., M.Div.Pastor, Trinity United Methodist Church
WELCOME Robert E. Nesslin, M.S.Ed.
GREETINGS FROM THE PRESIDENT Richard T. Jurasek, Ph.D.President of the College
CONFERRAL OF HONORARY DEGREE Richard T. Jurasek, Ph.D.Doctor of LawsThe Honorable Antoine Maurice Thompson
ADDRESS The Honorable Antoine Maurice ThompsonNew York State Senator
STUDENT ADDRESS Shanena BrundageClass of 2010
PRESENTATIONS Norman R. Muir, Ph.D.Academic Awards Dean of the Undergraduate College
Illana R. Lane, Ph.D.Acting Dean of the School of Education
Judith M. Horowitz, Ph.D.Associate Vice President and Dean of the School of Adult and Graduate Education
The Sister Alice M. Huber Amy DeKay, M.S.Collegiate Award Interim Dean of Student Affairs
PRESENTATION OF DEGREE CANDIDATES Douglas W. Howard, Ph.D.
Vice President for Academic Affairs
CONFERRAL OF DEGREES Richard T. Jurasek, Ph.D.
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT Richard T. Jurasek, Ph.D.
BENEDICTION** Rev. Paul Emery ’90, B.S., M.Div.
RECESSIONAL Buffalo Brass Quintet“Trumpet Voluntary” (John Stanley)
* The Audience is requested tostand and remain standingthrough the Invocation.
** The Audience is requested tostand and remain in place untilthe recessional is completed.
C A N D I D A T E S F O R D E G R E E S
B U F FA L O , N E W Y O R K1 2
Associate in Science
Brittany Anderson
Charisse Andre
Maureen Arbuthnot
Clinton E. BarkerCUM LAUDE
Edith BentleyMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Kayleigh Brown
Michelle J. BrownMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Amanda Burgett
Nicole M. Campbell
Myles L. Carter
Pamela J. ChadwickSUMMA CUM LAUDE
Darrell ChasseMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Heather R. CilanoMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Nicole CleagueCUM LAUDE
Matthew P. ColemanCUM LAUDE
Jennifer J. CorbettMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Diana M. Courtright
Tara Darcy
Samantha G. Davidson
Erin E. Delia
Tyra DennardMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Breanna R. Dimino
Dawn M. Dudkowski
Sarah Dylag
Kylie J. Eoannou
Sarah L. EverettCUM LAUDE
Lindsay FarnsworthCUM LAUDE
Chelsea Victoria Fland
Rebecca A. FooteMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Yvonne Frazier
Jessica Frysz
Kelly Gallisdorfer
Valerie GrabowskiMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Brandon J. Griffin
Kristen E. Handley
Adrienne Hanner
Matika A. Hedman
Lisa Hehr
Meghan Lynn VioletteHughes
Douglas ImperiCUM LAUDE
Amanda JamesCUM LAUDE
Daniel P. Kegler
Heather L. Kelly
Elizabeth Kier
Rachel M. Kubiak
Keith Lane
Brian LaPlanteSUMMA CUM LAUDE
Keishla Leon
David R. Lopez
Diana Marchiano
Myron A. McAdoryCUM LAUDE
Patricia Anne McGeeSUMMA CUM LAUDE
Rachel L. Michalek
Paula ModaffariSUMMA CUM LAUDE
Sara Alice Musall
Maria L. Nevins
Cara N. Novack
Debra PulinskiSUMMA CUM LAUDE
Lauren A. Pundt
Sara Rademacher
Karen A. Regdos
Eric J. ReiterCUM LAUDE
Andrew RotellaSUMMA CUM LAUDE
Teresa A. Russell-WebsterMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Melissa AnnSchneckenburgerCUM LAUDE
Magen Anne Schuh
Cara J. Simonian
Kristin Snyder
Shannon L. Snyder
Emily Rachel Stahl
Jennifer A. Stern
Valerie L. Strassheim
Emily J. Thayer
Nicole A. Tighe
Cheryl D. TurnerCUM LAUDE
Stephany Leann Vence
Renee Wagner
Brittany M. WatkinsCUM LAUDE
Kim Watkins
Tifani Watts
Amanda Wheeler
Christina WhitneyCUM LAUDE
Christine Wickes
Takeisha M. WilliamsMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Tiffany M. Wolf
C A N D I D A T E S F O R D E G R E E S
C O M M E N C E M E N T 2 0 1 0 1 3
Bachelor of Business Administration
Lynn AllgeierSUMMA CUM LAUDE
Antoinette D. AndersonCUM LAUDE
Tyrone K. AshfordCUM LAUDE
Chad BarronSUMMA CUM LAUDE
Erica L. Bifulco
Erin L. Bigler
Scott Edward BlodgettMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Nicholas BoronSUMMA CUM LAUDE
Dawn L. Bowerman
Jennifer M. ByrneMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Stephanie A. Calarco
Vickey K. CiszakMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Christopher Colopy
Michele M. CrawfordSUMMA CUM LAUDE
Elliott Dabney
Yolanda Davis
Stacey Deebs
Arend J. Dekker
Rose M. DibbleSUMMA CUM LAUDE
Traci Lynne DrakeMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Paul EhrenreichMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Lysa Marie ElisMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Duane EvansSUMMA CUM LAUDE
Lawrence S. FedericiMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Renee FiegelCUM LAUDE
Kelly A. FinchSUMMA CUM LAUDE
Alisa Fitzgerald
Doreen M. GaedeMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Heather Gardiner
Yolanda Maria GatewoodCUM LAUDE
Jason GiglioMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Stephen Griffey
Trevor Thomas GroverCUM LAUDE
Kristie Marie Hammer
Joyce D. Hawkins
Nathan HeinrichMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Kito Hill
Michael F. HillMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Lucretia A. Holt
Lisa M. HuckSUMMA CUM LAUDE
Beth L. Ienco
Seanna Maria Jackson
Ryan JensenSUMMA CUM LAUDE
Shannon L. Johnson
Barbara L. JuryniecSUMMA CUM LAUDE
Allan Steven Karchefsky
Matthew William Kay
Lisa KozakMAGNA CUM LAUDE
E’Tiana N. LarkinCUM LAUDE
Eugene F. Laun, Jr.
Denise LennoxMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Jenifer M. LewisSUMMA CUM LAUDE
Erica LoGalbo
Shawn M. LoosMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Connie LoreMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Kelley Lorich
Thomas C MadejMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Darlene MapleMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Michael A. MaraschielloMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Jeremy William Marso
Kenneth John MartinCUM LAUDE
Jon Matias
Joseph B. MessineoMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Sharon Marie MiniganCUM LAUDE
Reginald ClaudeMontgomery
Shane M. MontoCUM LAUDE
Jared Moore
Monica D. NevinsSUMMA CUM LAUDE
Eric NicoteraSUMMA CUM LAUDE
Jessica OlyerMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Daniel PappaSUMMA CUM LAUDE
Darlene Mary PassarelliCUM LAUDE
Matthew Perrino
Ryan Paul Pettrone
Jennifer E. PrestonMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Erin M. Quattrini
Ryan M. Quinn
Jeffrey Dyson RicciMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Cheryl RossiSUMMA CUM LAUDE
Erica Marie RuizCUM LAUDE
Jeanne E. SauckeMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Richard George Schneider, Jr.MAGNA CUM LAUDE
Thomas J. SeanerCUM LAUDE
John Walter SeitzSUMMA CUM LAUDE
Sarah E. SheckCUM LAUDE
Kelly ShuptrineMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Carol ShustericMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Mercedes V. SimmonsCUM LAUDE
Julie SmithSUMMA CUM LAUDE
Colleen M. SparksSUMMA CUM LAUDE
Kathryn K. SpenglerCUM LAUDE
Jason SteenwerthCUM LAUDE
Kevin StellCUM LAUDE
Porchia Smith StewartCUM LAUDE
Jerry TaglienteMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Natasha Tate
John Edward RobertThompson
Patricia ThomsMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Wendy Lyn Tilton
Kevin McAndrew TooleMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Kathryn TurcoCUM LAUDE
Robert VailSUMMA CUM LAUDE
Cheryl A. Vandeburg
Kyle A. Vergason
Laurie A. Wachowiak
Richard L. Wetherby, IIMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Eulana Jeanine Williams
LaKisha Willis
Tina M. Winegardner
James YorkSUMMA CUM LAUDE
LaKetta Yvonne Young
Carmin M. ZoccaliCUM LAUDE
C A N D I D A T E S F O R D E G R E E S
B U F FA L O , N E W Y O R K1 4
Bachelor of Science in Education
Bachelor of Arts
Ryan AmosMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Christine BellinaMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Ashley A. DavisEMERGING LEADERS PROGRAM
Kimberly Eaton
Heather N. Fisher
Amanda HiczunMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Samantha L. KesslerEMERGING LEADERS PROGRAM
Catherine KowalskiMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Amanda KraftMAGNA CUM LAUDE
SCHOLARS PROGRAM
Courtney KryszakMAGNA CUM LAUDE
EMERGING LEADERS PROGRAM
Brittany McCabeMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Kelley Meyer
Shane Morse
Lauren E. Rzeszutek
Melissa A. SchwabCUM LAUDE
SCHOLARS PROGRAM
Christina Sullivan
Lindsey M. Tomczak
Jennifer Transue
John Tresmond
Amanda WestlingMAGNA CUM LAUDE
SCHOLARS PROGRAM
EMERGING LEADERS PROGRAM
Michael Abbatoy
Sarah K. Anderson
Dean Antalik
Shanena BrundageCUM LAUDE
EMERGING LEADERS PROGRAM
Brittany Downey
Ryan R. EllsworthMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Kevin Erhardt
Lisa M. FaxlangerMAGNA CUM LAUDE
SCHOLARS PROGRAM
Victoria FitchleeCUM LAUDE
Michelle Fritz
Jonathan R. Fronczak
Mary A. Furman
Carley J. Hartman
Linda R. Jefferson
Daniel J. Kolodziejski
Matthew R. KordrupelMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Andrea LaMastra
Lori MarkhamSUMMA CUM LAUDE
Andrew R. NawotkaCUM LAUDE
EMERGING LEADERS PROGRAM
Amanda Christine Palmer
Christine Piscitello
Rachael E. SchneiderSUMMA CUM LAUDE
Lindsay SmithCUM LAUDE
Mallory Katharine Sutter
Cathaline R. TauscherCUM LAUDE
Ruslan Tsybulsky
Tiffani M. Wesolowski
C A N D I D A T E S F O R D E G R E E S
C O M M E N C E M E N T 2 0 1 0 1 5
Bachelor of Science
Leon-Ryan Adams
Jennie K. G. Anderson
Michael P. Antkowiak
Shawn ArrajjMAGNA CUM LAUDE
SCHOLARS PROGRAM
EMERGING LEADERS PROGRAM
Rebecca J. Barton
Jason Behnke
Michael S. BerkunCUM LAUDE
Paul Blundy
Candice BoodyCUM LAUDE
Gary BoughtonCUM LAUDE
Christopher Martin Boyd
Edward B. Brown
Jessica L. BryantSUMMA CUM LAUDE
Kevin Bugman
Christopher L. Calarco
Laura Carra
Daniel Carrig
Kelly T. Condello
Marilee Cook
Cristina Cortes
Renae R. Cortright
Timothy Costello
Travis Craft
Adriea K. CrosdaleSUMMA CUM LAUDE
SCHOLARS PROGRAM
Tiana Daniels
Heather DelPrioreSUMMA CUM LAUDE
William E. Doepp
Krystin Dunbar
Courtney Dunn
David T. Eoannou
Carissa Ferrucci
Zachary R. FicarroMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Daniel T. Fiegl
Samantha J. Fildes
Megan FitzgeraldSUMMA CUM LAUDE
SCHOLARS PROGRAM
EMERGING LEADERS PROGRAM
Sarah A. Flanigan
Andrew C. Fountain
Mary A. Furman
Joseph Garrigues
Anthony Gatti
Jennifer C. Gawron
Matt R. Glowacki
Vanessa Goodman
Alicia Greenidge
Jason J. Grosjean
Greg GrosskopfEMERGING LEADERS PROGRAM
Angelo Guadagna
Jacquelyn M. Guglietta
Keith W. Hack
Betty Sue HerbergerMAGNA CUM LAUDE
EMERGING LEADERS PROGRAM
Kyle L. Hibbard
Leah Hill
Mandy R. Hilliard
Kyle Hoffman
Ashley M. Hyla
Mindy L. JendrowskiMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Kathryn Ann Kacalski
Stephen N. Kanutsu
Cathryn KellerMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Brian D. Koch
Kimberley Anne Koch
Alicia Kozmycz
Bryan James Legge
Matthew A. Leone
Anthony R. Lepkowski
Karen LeRoyMAGNA CUM LAUDE
John LeViness
Keith E. Lewis
Alex J. Lindauer
Katelynn Lines
Amanda C. Macadlo
Danny E. Maines
Diana Markovich
Laura N. MaugerMAGNA CUM LAUDE
SCHOLARS PROGRAM
Holley R. McAllister
Quinneka Beth McDonald
James M. McDowellSUMMA CUM LAUDE
Caitlin McKinney
Brian Mendola
Nicholas Messina
Ryan M. Metz
Megan E. Morath
Ashley R. Mott
Ryan J. MurdieEMERGING LEADERS PROGRAM
Joelle E. Nagelhout
Miranda L. Nason
Patricia Lynn Nellis
Sarah T. Odrobina
Michael OsiadloMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Grace Oyo-Adout
Eric Partell
Scott N. Pawlowski
Robert D. Phelps
Carol Pirson
Marc Pollinger
John Charles ProrokMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Kathryn Ptak
Alexander Quincy
Devin N. ReschkeMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Tiffany Nicole Resetarits
Andrew Riedel
Carmilla Rollins
Matthew P. Ronca
Zack Rubin
Jennifer M. Sachs
Alissa Salsbury
Solmarie Santiago
Nancy Schosek-Fletch
Elizabeth C. ShartsMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Joshua F. Shaw
Mitchell Shepard
Ricky Sheremeta
Craig C. SollenbergerSUMMA CUM LAUDE
Lisa F. StolfaSUMMA CUM LAUDE
SCHOLARS PROGRAM
Kathrine Szczechowiak
Jason D. Szpara
2 0 1 0 U N D E R G R A D U A T E C L A S S
C A N D I D A T E S F O R D E G R E E S
B U F FA L O , N E W Y O R K1 6
Sharissa TerrellMAGNA CUM LAUDE
Jennifer M. Titta
Orren Trudeau
Tanya M. TurchiarelliMAGNA CUM LAUDE
EMERGING LEADERS PROGRAM
Angela Marie Twentyfive
Megan K. Usiak
Erin K. Vanderbrook
Thomas M. Walters
Mark Wawrzyczek
Jenna Marie Webster
James West
Susan E. WilsonCUM LAUDE
Fran E. WirtnerEMERGING LEADERS PROGRAM
Brian YanniSCHOLARS PROGRAM
Sarah M. Young
Carly ZayacCUM LAUDE
Biology (B.S.) Adriea K. Crosdale
Business (A.S.) Andrew Rotella
Business Administration (B.S.) James M. McDowell
Business Administration (B.B.A) Jenifer M. Lewis
Communication (B.S.) Megan Fitzgerald
Criminal Justice (B.S.) Craig C. Sollenberger
Education: Childhood (B.S.Ed.) Amanda Kraft
Psychology (B.A.) Shanena Brundage
Sport Management (B.S.) John Charles Prorok
Veterinary Technology (A.S.) Pamela Chadwick
Veterinary Technology (B.S.) Tanya Turchiarelli
Visual and Digital Arts (B.A.) Matthew R. Kordrupel
DepartmentAcademic Awards
Bachelor of Science (continued)
Latin HonorsLatin Honors indicate the level of academic distinction with which an academic degree is earned.Medaille College awards three types of Latin honors. In order of increasing honor, they are:
CUM LAUDE 3.50 – 3.69 cumulative average
MAGNA CUM LAUDE 3.70 – 3.89 cumulative average
SUMMA CUM LAUDE 3.90 – 4.00 cumulative average
2 0 1 0 U N D E R G R A D U A T E C L A S S
C O M M E N C E M E N T 2 0 1 0 1 7
UndergraduateCeremony Speaker
The Honorable Antoine Maurice ThompsonNew York State Senator
Antoine Maurice Thompson was born in Buffalo and attended Buffalo Public Schools. He earned All-High and Western New York honors in Cross Country and Track and Field, while serving as the captain of both teams during his senior year.
As a graduate of the State University of New York College at Brockport, he has studied extensively Black, African, and American history and government. Thompson received a dualBachelor of Science degree in History. In 1994, he studied government and social change at theUniversity of Ghana and presented papers on subjects related to Black theology and the historyof American slavery.
In January 1996, Thompson was hired as a legislative assistant for the Buffalo Common CouncilCentral Staff. He was well versed in policy analysis and legislative research. His greatest publicpolicy work was in the area of conducting research and preparing recommendations related toaffirmative action policies and minority business development.
In March 1998, Thompson was appointed Executive Director of the Office of Urban Initiatives,Inc. (OUI), an economic development corporation that focuses on minority and women-ownedbusiness development and various urban policy issues.
On January 4, 2001, the Buffalo Common Council unanimously appointed Thompson as Masten District Council Member. He was a member of the Committee on CommunityDevelopment, and served as chairperson for Committees on Education and Minority & Women Business Enterprise.
On December 10, 2004, Thompson participated in the Electoral College and the political process of choosing the President of the United States. He has received various athletic, civic,and community awards, including the Community Star Award from the Stop the ViolenceCoalition, and the 1490 Enterprise’s 33rd Annual 2005 Black Achievers in Industry Award.
On January 3, 2007, Thompson was sworn in as New York State Senator for the 60th District.Now in his second term, he holds a position of leadership as the Senate’s Acting Majority Whipand serves as chair of the Environmental Conservation Committee. Thompson also serves on the following committees: Civil Service and Pensions; Finance; Health; Insurance; LocalGovernment; Tourism, Recreation, and Sports Development; and Veterans, Homeland Security,and Military Affairs. He is also co-chair of the Senate’s MWBE Taskforce. His areas of focusinclude the environment, education, healthcare, small business and economic development, and transportation.
Thompson represents parts of Erie and Niagara counties, which include the cities of Buffalo,Niagara Falls, Tonawanda, and the town of Grand Island. His commitment to community service is reflected by membership with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Citizen Action of New York, Grassroots Inc., the Parkside Community Association, the NAACP, SCLS, Hamlin ParkCommunity and Taxpayer’s Association, and many other groups and organizations.
Senator Thompson is a member of Zion Dominion Global Ministries; he is the husband ofMerle Thompson, and the devoted father of Deja LaShay and Joseph Antoine AlexanderThompson.
B U F FA L O , N E W Y O R K1 8
CANADIAN NATIONAL ANTHEM
O Canada! Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee riseThe True North strong and free:
From far and wide, O Canada,We stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada! We stand on guard for thee.
AMERICAN NATIONAL ANTHEM
Oh, say can you seeby the dawn’s early light,
what so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars
through the perilous fight,O’er the ramparts we watchedwere so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets’ red glarethe bombs bursting in air
gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangledbanner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
2010 C O M M E N C E M E N T
C O M M E N C E M E N T 2 0 1 0 1 9
The Academic ProcessionThe academic procession of today’s Commencement exercises is made up of candidates fordegrees, members of the faculty, members of the Board of Trustees, and members of the plat-form party marching in that order. After the ceremony, the order of the march is reversed.
The order of march is in accordance with academic protocol which was established centuries agowhen academic ceremonies were predominately directed by the clergy. In keeping with the famil-iar order of the religious procession, the younger and newer groups precede the older, and theplace of highest honor is at the end of the procession.
The Tradition of Academic RegaliaThe pageantry, tradition, and ritual of college and university commencement ceremonies in the United States originated more than 800 years ago in the medieval universities of Europe.The first academic degree recorded was conferred by the University of Bologna (Italy) in themiddle of the twelfth century. The practice of conferring degrees spread from Bologna to otherEuropean universities such as the University of Paris, and then to Oxford and Cambridge.
Medieval institutions of higher learning were traditionally administered by monastic orders, and students as well as their instructors wore the habits of monks to protect themselves from the cold of drafty rooms and corridors. In 1321, the University of Coimbra (Portugal) required all bachelors, masters, and doctors of theology to wear monastic gowns–the first such injunction recorded.
Originally, the hood worn by those holding master’s degrees and doctorates was a head covering,the monk’s tippet. When caps came into fashion in the fifteenth century the hoods were drapeddown and back and ornamented with silk or velvet linings.
On May 16, 1895, a delegation of representatives from various institutions convened atColumbia University to consider the question of academic attire in the United States. The delib-erations of the conference resulted in the formulation of a unified system of academic apparelconsisting of gowns, hoods, and caps to be worn by the graduates of any institution of higherlearning in the United States. Adherence to this intercollegiate code of academic costume wasvoluntary; however, virtually all institutions with the exception of Harvard University and sixothers adopted it.
The Intercollegiate Code specified that all graduates would wear black gowns, the pattern of which would vary according to the degree. Colored accessories were permitted to represent a particular degree or institution. Undergraduates were required to wear a severe, unornamentedblack robe with long pointed sleeves, an Oxford mortarboard cap, and a black tassel.
The greatest degree of symbolism was represented by the hood which signified not only thedegree of the graduate but also the institution from which it was conferred. The hoods were bordered in the appropriate faculty colors to designate the specified academic discipline of thegraduate and linked with the official colors of the institution.
In keeping with long established traditions, graduates of Medaille College continue to wear blackrobes with an Oxford mortarboard cap and black tassel.
The Mace BearerThe Mace Bearer carries a mace in the procession immediately preceding the President both enteringand leaving the ceremony. The office of the Mace Bearer is purely ceremonial, and derives from themedieval times in England when an official such as the Lord of the Admiralty or the Chief Justice ofthe Court of Assizes, was taking office or opening his court and needed a bodyguard. Then the mace,a formidable weapon, was held ready to protect the person of the dignitary. From the sixteenth century in England and since colonial days in America, it has become a symbol of office only, and is carried by a distinguished member of the faculty.
Academic Symbolism
Commencement
2010
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