Citizens from around New York State gathered Thursday at the Celebration of Academic Excellence to honor faculty and staff who have shown expertise and outstanding achievement in their respective fields of study.
The celebration included exhibits displaying research from undergraduate students and a formal awards ceremony in the Center For Arts (CFA) Mainstage. The ceremony included music by the Genkin Philharmonic. UB's newly-named distinguished professors were also honored.
State University of New York Chancellor John R. Ryan was present at the celebration and recognized faculty and staff for excellence in teaching, librarianship, scholarship and creative activities, and many other fields.
"It's nice that he's here to highlight and recognize the work and research being done here at UB," said Catherine Dunning, an English literature major.
Among the undergraduate fields of study honored were arts and sciences, nursing, management, architecture and environmental design. Some projects were faculty advised whereas others were students' independent theses for research.
According to Amanda Sattelberg, a nursing major, the point of these projects is to inform the public as well as show that students can achieve recognition and do progressive research as an undergraduate.
The environmental design department's projects included showcasing sites around Buffalo and creating posters for the celebration.
"Design majors are learning skills while showing people unknown sites around Buffalo," said Maya Shermer, an architecture and environmental design major.
The point of the celebration served as a vital recruitment tool for UB, according to Heather Menz, an environmental design major.
"New and current students can see what they can achieve in undergraduate fields of study," Menz said.
The Celebration of Academic Excellence is one of the few places students get to see research outside of their field of study, according to Alex Wallach, a freshman undecided major and award winner.
"It's important to see what your peers are studying," Wallach said. "It helps to be well-rounded."
He recently completed his project on the subject of propaganda in relation to the R.M.S. Lusitania, whose sinking roused support for the United States to enter World War I against Germany.
According to Brian Van Buren, a management major, the Celebration of Academic Excellence is beneficial because it gives students a peek at future research at UB.
"It gives them an idea what they are headed towards," Van Buren said, "and the work and research they can be looking forward to."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
