Commencement Profile: Jon L. Battison

Baccalaureate Student Address

SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence

President’s Medal for Outstanding Undergraduate Student

Jon Battison has earned bachelor of science degrees in computer information systems and electrical engineering technology with a minor in mathematics, attaining a 3.72 GPA while continuing to serve as a highly motivated member of the U.S. Army Reserve. He also served a tour of active duty in Afghanistan.

He will address the audiences at the morning and afternoon ceremonies at Buffalo State’s 145th Commencement, Saturday, May 13, in the Sports Arena as the recipient of the President’s Medal for Outstanding Undergraduate Student.

Battison is not only a high-achieving student; he is also a citizen of great character whose presence enhances the college community. Distinguished by his maturity and initiative, he is a model student who has integrated academic excellence with achievement in leadership and community service.

He has a great passion for research, as evidenced by the three distinct and extensive studies he conducted in discrete disciplines. He was awarded an Undergraduate Summer Research Fellowship in addition to receiving grants for research from the Undergraduate Research Office’s Small Grants Program on three occasions. He presented his findings at the Student Research and Creativity Conference multiple times.

As president of the Buffalo State chapter of the Student Veterans of America, Battison successfully lobbied for and oversaw the construction of a new Student Veterans Lounge in the Campbell Student Union. He is an extremely strong peer mentor, especially with student veterans, guiding classmates in academic goals and achievements and in obtaining financial support. In addition, he started a weekly workout open to all students, hosted by veterans, offering military-style physical fitness training.

A tireless volunteer, he worked in local schools to promote the STEM-C (science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and computer science) curriculum. He also participated in summer courses for high school educators, helping them improve teaching skills in computer science and physics. He organized campus involvement in the KIA Memorial Road March, an event honoring fallen soldiers, collecting 15,000 pounds of food for homeless veterans. He also worked as a science educator at Cradle Beach, fostering an interest in science and nature in youth with special needs.