Buffalo State’s 154th Commencement offers celebratory conclusion to the academic year

Nearly 1,600 undergraduate and graduate students crossed the stage this weekend during Buffalo State University's 154th annual Commencement celebration on Saturday, May 16.

Degree candidates were honored at three ceremonies: School of Education and Applied Professions at 9:00 a.m., School of Arts and Sciences and Individualized Studies at 1:00 p.m., and Master's and Advanced Graduate Studies at 5:00 p.m.

Class of 2026 graduates Joyce Assaf and Madison E. Sierra (1:00 p.m. ceremony) and Charvaye S. Hutchins-Carter (5:00 p.m. ceremony) were honored with the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence in recognition of their academic and extracurricular achievements, leadership, and service.

Class of 2026 graduate Miranda O. Shepard delivered the student address at the 9:00 a.m. ceremony; Asher Freudenhammer-Glass, recipient of the President's Medal for Outstanding Undergraduate Student, delivered the student address at the 1:00 p.m. ceremony; and Hailee E. Cipollina, recipient of the President's Medal for Outstanding Graduate Student delivered the student address at the 5:00 p.m. ceremony.

Judy L. Elliott, '82, former chief academic officer of the Los Angeles Unified School District, received the President's Distinguished Service Award and delivered the commencement address at the 9:00 a.m. ceremony; Bobbie Chase, comics and graphic novel publishing executive, received a SUNY honorary degree and delivered the commencement address at the 1:00 p.m. ceremony; and Rebekah Williams, community activist, strategic planner, and facilitator, and co-founding director of Food for the Spirit, received a SUNY honorary degree and delivered the commencement address at the 5:00 p.m. ceremony.

The President's Distinguished Service Award was also presented to Scott Bieler, president and CEO of West Herr Automotive Group, at the 1:00 p.m. ceremony and Hon. Rose H. Sconiers, retired justice of the New York State Supreme Court Appellate Division, at the 5:00 p.m. ceremony.

In addition, two awards were presented at the 9:00 a.m. ceremony: Charles J. Naughton, '85, attorney and Buffalo State University Council member emeritus, received the University Council Medal and Wendy A. Paterson, '75, '76, interim dean of Buffalo State's School of Education and Applied Professions, received the Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026 and all award recipients!

Photo by Mark Mulville.