Sixteen Buffalo State faculty and staff members were recognized with SUNY Chancellor’s and President’s Awards for Excellence for their extraordinary efforts on behalf of the university, the State University of New York, and the greater community during Academic Convocation, a ceremony that that opened the 2025–2026 academic year in the Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall.
President Bonita R. Durand, Ph.D., offered congratulatory remarks at the ceremony.
The annual event also recognized the significant awards and major grants of faculty and staff members and welcomed all new employees to campus.
SUNY Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence provide systemwide recognition of consistently superior professional achievement. These awards underscore SUNY’s commitment to sustaining intellectual vibrancy, advancing the boundaries of knowledge, providing the highest quality of instruction, and serving the public good.
SUNY CHANCELLOR’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN SCHOLARSHIP AND CREATIVE ACTIVITIES
Tao Tang, Ph.D., Professor, Geosciences
SUNY CHANCELLOR’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
Brandon F. Kawa, M.S., Director, International Graduate Programs for Educators, International Graduate Programs
SUNY CHANCELLOR’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
Tristin J. Salter, M.A., Program Coordinator, Continuing Professional Studies
SUNY CHANCELLOR’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN FACULTY SERVICE
Lisa Marie Anselmi, Ph.D., Chair and Associate Professor, Anthropology
SUNY CHANCELLOR’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING
Ann Liao, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Communication
SUNY CHANCELLOR’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN CLASSIFIED SERVICE
Ann P. Delmont, Administrative Assistant 2, Academic Affairs Vice President’s Office
Buffalo State President’s Awards recognize excellence among faculty and staff members who distinguished themselves in work performed on behalf of the university.
PRESIDENT’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE TO THE UNIVERSITY
Atta A. Ceesay, Ph.D., Associate Dean, School of Arts and Sciences
PRESIDENT’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE TO THE UNIVERSITY
Natalie A. Szymanski, Ph.D., Director, Writing Program
PRESIDENT’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE TO THE UNIVERSITY
Maria C. Garrity, M.S.Ed., Senior Systems Programmer, Information Technology Services
PRESIDENT’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE TO THE UNIVERSITY
Brooke L. Capotosto, M.S., Instructional Designer, Instructional Design and Distance Learning
PRESIDENT’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING
Lorna L. Perez, Ph.D., Associate Professor, English
PRESIDENT’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING
Amy B. Wilson, Ph.D., Chair and Professor, Higher Education Administration and Adult Education
PRESIDENT’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN ACADEMIC ADVISEMENT
Jikai Du, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Engineering Technology
PRESIDENT’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN CAREER ACHIEVEMENT FOR FACULTY
Stephen F. Saracino, M.F.A., Professor, Art and Design
PRESIDENT’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH, SCHOLARSHIP, AND CREATIVITY
Gang “Gary” Hu, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Computer Information Systems
PRESIDENT’S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH, SCHOLARSHIP, AND CREATIVITY
Kristen A. Pastore-Capuana, Ph.D., Associate Professor, English