EOP Honors Convocation: May 9
The Educational Opportunity Program honors convocation will be held on Thursday, May 9, at 3:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall. The program celebrates the success of all EOP students who attained an average of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 during the spring or fall 2012 semesters.
The Arthur O. Eve Educational Opportunity Program started at Buffalo State in 1967 to give promising students from low-income families a chance to attend college.
The honors convocation will also present the following awards:
- EOP Distinguished Alumnus Award: Christopher St. Vil, ’00
- Alumni Association awards: Christal Guthrie, Class of 2013; and Anthony Frank, Class of 2013
- EOP Staff Merit Award: Kenneth Giangreco, multimedia specialist in Instructional Resources
- Annie Joe Memorial Award: Melissa Stallings, Class of 2013
- Martha Pierce Student Recognition Award: Annabelle Wardzala, Class of 2013
- Theresa A. Shepard Advocacy Award: Ezekiel Samuel, Class of 2013
- Arthur O. Eve Distinguished Student Achievement Award: Gabriel Casillas, Class of 2013
- EOP Director’s Award: Yanell Brown, Class of 2014; and Muhammed Sumbundu, Class of 2013
- EOP Faculty Merit Award: Gary Welborn, associate professor of sociology
The EOP Honors Convocation also recognizes the graduating seniors who have the highest grade-point averages. In addition to their academic achievement, each student has demonstrated service to the college, the community, and fellow EOP students while overcoming significant personal difficulties.
Christal Guthrie, who majored in social work and has a current cumulative GPA of 3.95, has been accepted into the master of social work program, advanced standing, at the University at Buffalo, which awarded her the Arthur A. Schomburg Fellowship.
Anthony Frank, who majored in political science and has a current cumulative GPA of 3.93, has been accepted to the University at Dayton Law School.
Atisha Lacey, who majored in childhood education with a concentration in social studies and has a current cumulative GPA of 3.77, plans to pursue a master’s degree in career and technical education at Buffalo State.
Annabelle Wardzala, who majored in earth sciences and science education with a concentration and minor in environmental science and has a current cumulative GPA of 3.75, . has earned numerous awards for her academic excellence.
Cindra Mendonca, who will hold a dual degree in art and art education and has a current cumulative GPA of 3.75, returned to Buffalo State to complete her degree after beginning her study in the 1980s.
The convocation will also honor the student in each year with the highest average. Besides Guthrie, those students are first-year student Jazlyn Porter; sophomore Diamond Briggs; and junior Joanelly Fermin.