A Celebration of Dr. Horace "Hank" Mann's Life and Legacy

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Buffalo State will commemorate the life of Dr. Horace “Hank” Mann, SUNY Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus of exceptional education, with a celebration program and reception, Friday, February 11, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall.

Friends, colleagues, former students, and the campus community are all encouraged to attend. R.S.V.P. by Monday, February 7, by calling (716) 878-5115.

Dr. Mann joined the university in 1953 as the director of the Exceptional Children Education Division. Under his leadership, the undergraduate and graduate programs in exceptional education at Buffalo State rose to prominence and became among the largest in the United States.

His national and international service earned him many honors, including the 1996 Burton Blatt Humanitarian Award, the 1998 Distinguished Educator Award of the American Association on Mental Retardation, and, in 1997, the SUNY honorary doctorate of humane letters.

Before he retired in 1992, Dr. Mann had helped to educate more than 7,000 exceptional education teachers. For the rest of his life, he maintained a close relationship with Buffalo State, with an office on campus and extensive service to the college. He made two $1 million planned gifts to Buffalo State, in September 2001 and September 2002 respectively. Those gifts, in addition to many other instances of his generosity, make him the college’s largest donor.

Mann passed away suddenly, November 18, 2010, at the age of 88.

Hank was known for his humor, passion about Buffalo State, insatiable curiosity, and extraordinary compassion for others. This celebratory service will include guest speakers, live music, and a special reception.

Horace Mann Endowed Scholarship Fund
Dr. Mann always considered Buffalo State to be his family. 

"Buffalo State is the place that has given me intellectual and emotional enrichments, and I treat it as my family," said Mann.

Following his retirement, Dr. Mann’s colleagues and friends established a fund to honor his life, dedication to Buffalo State, and the Exceptional Education Department.

Today, the Horace Mann Endowed Scholarship Fund provides annual scholarships (one undergraduate, one graduate) to exceptional education students with preference to underrepresented minorities who demonstrate financial need.

Please consider making a memorial gift to the Horace Mann Endowed Scholarship Fund.
Media Contact:
Mark A. Norris, Associate Director, Web Administration | 7168784859 | norrisma1@buffalostate.edu