Through end of her term June 30, Bonita R. Durand, Ph.D., will be recognized as 10th president of Buffalo State

In recognition of her outstanding service to Buffalo State University, Bonita Durand, Ph.D., will complete her time on campus not as interim president, but as the 10th president of Buffalo State University, cementing her legacy and ensuring her portrait will appear in Rockwell Hall alongside the other presidents in Buffalo State's history. This honor was announced during the morning session of the State University of New York (SUNY) Board of Trustees meeting on April 28.

Another action regarding Buffalo State University is scheduled to take place at around 3 p.m. today, following the call to order and approval of the minutes. A livestream of the SUNY Board of Trustees meeting is available via the SUNY Board of Trustees Meetings webpage.

"The members of the Buffalo State University Council are thrilled with the decision of Chancellor King and the SUNY Board of Trustees to name Dr. Durand as the 10th president of Buffalo State University," said Linda Dobmeier, chair of the SUNY Buffalo State University Council. "Dr. Durand has worked tirelessly to unite our campus as she navigated the challenges of our structural deficit. We are forever grateful to her for her loyalty and diligence on behalf of Buffalo State University. We are proud to call her our 10th president."

Bonita R. Durand, Ph.D. and Linda Dobmeier, chair of the Buffalo State University Council

"Dr. Durand has created a culture of care and love in the community because she is trusted by students and faculty," said SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. "There are really no words to express how grateful we are at SUNY to the leadership she's provided at Buffalo State."

President Durand was appointed officer in charge of Buffalo State University by SUNY Chancellor King on May 31, 2023, before her official confirmation as interim president by the SUNY Board of Trustees on June 6, 2023. President Durand had retired in 2018 after 22 years of service to Buffalo State, where she served as chief of staff and secretary to the Buffalo State College Council. She served under five presidents at Buffalo State during her tenure. In addition, she was a graduate faculty member in the university's Higher Education Administration Department, where she taught courses on the history of American higher education and strategic planning and finance in higher education.

Dr. Durand provided leadership to countless committees and working groups at Buffalo State, including the Middle States accreditation steering committee, the presidential inauguration support committees, the facilities master planning committee, and the presidential search advisory committees. She has also served as the faculty advisor for the collegiate chapter of the National Council of Negro Women Inc. and the campus advisor for the Gamma Kappa Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.

An active member of the Western New York community, President Durand has dedicated her time to numerous organizations across the city and region. She was secretary for the City of Buffalo Citizens Advisory Commission on Reapportionment in 2011, a member of the Mayor of the City of Buffalo's 2010 Complete Count Census Committee, a charter member of the Buffalo Niagara Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors, and a member of the Western New York Women's Fund Board of Directors.

President Durand earned a doctor of philosophy from the University at Buffalo with a concentration in higher education administration and a focus on institutional advancement. She also holds a master of science in applied public affairs from the University at Buffalo and a bachelor of arts in business administration and curriculum development from the Union Institute in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 2010, she received certification in educational management and leadership from the Graduate School of Education at Harvard University.

Following the announcement, President Durand offered the following remarks:

To Chair Meryl Tisch and the entire SUNY Board of Trustees; to Chancellor John B King Jr.; to my SUNY Colleagues in Albany and across the state; to my Buffalo State family; to my patient and supportive biological family and to all in this assembly: good morning!

When Chancellor King called me in May of 2023 about returning to Buffalo State for a brief time, I was surprised and humbled. I thought, "What an honor!"

Well, to be honest, my first thought was, "Who gave him my phone number?"

As I stand before you today, I can truly say that my feelings of 2023 have been far surpassed by what I am experiencing today.

I owe so much of who I am to Buffalo State University and the State University of New York. Not only am I a double SUNY alumna, but I have also given 26 years of service to the institution. It is there where I have been able to fulfill a sacred mission while I live out the expectation of my family motto: "To those to whom much is given, much is required."

Chancellor, thank you for this opportunity to serve the citizens of New York by providing access, opportunity and social mobility through Buffalo State University. To the Board of Trustees, our legislative leadership and, most importantly, my faculty and staff at Buffalo State-thank you for continuing to see the value, importance and worth of this fine institution.

And to my amazing students. You came to us full of potential, promise, and possibility. And you leave us ready to make a good living, have a good life, and to be contributing citizens in the places where you live and work. I am so proud of each and every one of you.

As I conclude my tenure of leadership, I am hopeful that work that I have led in the last three years has added to the integrity of Buffalo State and has placed it on a solid path for success under its next president.

Thank you again for this incredible honor. Onward and upward!

First two photos by Jesse Steffan-Colucci, Buffalo State photographer; last photo by Sharon Cantillon.