Several Buffalo State alumni and one current employee were honored during the Buffalo Broadcasters Association (BBA) Hall of Fame dinner last September. Longtime radio broadcaster Hank Nevins, ’76, was inducted into the BBA Hall of Fame, while Dave Ross, Buffalo State’s chief television engineer, was honored with the President’s Award in recognition of his work for the Communication Department’s television show, Broadcasting Buffalo, which is coproduced with the BBA.
At the event, BBA introduced the Buffalo Media Awards, a new tradition honoring today’s media professionals, stations, and programs. The Rising Star Award was presented to Alessia Gervasi, ’23, a graduate of Buffalo State’s journalism program who currently works for WGRF-FM as weekend on-air host of 97 Rock, as well as a sales assistant for Cumulus Media. Former WBNY-FM general manager Dan Dale, ’25, received a Rising Star Scholarship from restaurateur Russell Salvatore.
In addition, current CBS News anchor and former WIVB-TV reporter Jericka Duncan visited Buffalo State’s campus to speak to journalism students prior to her induction into the BBA Hall of Fame. Duncan was interviewed by Ellen Notarius, lecturer in Buffalo State’s Communication Department, who was formerly a WIVB reporter alongside Duncan. Duncan shared anecdotes about stories she has covered and how she launched her career and answered questions from students.