Exceptional Education Celebrates Mann's Legacy with Awards Ceremony

Western New York educators, special education students, and Buffalo State exceptional education students and faculty will be recognized Tuesday, October 28, at 7:00 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall as part of the Exceptional Education Department's 19th annual Recognition and Awards Reception.

This ceremony, which brings together longtime educators, college students poised to enter the classroom, and scholarship donors differs this year as it celebrates the life and legacy of Horace “Hank” Mann, the SUNY Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus of Exceptional Education who passed away in 2010. Mann gave more than $7 million to Buffalo State for scholarships, to establish the Horace Mann Endowed Chair, and to help grow the exceptional education program.

Due to Mann’s generosity, the number of scholarships recipients has doubled and the number of ceremony participants is much larger than in the past, said Kathy Doody, assistant professor of exceptional education, who is serving as mistress of ceremonies along with Awilda Ramos Zagarrigo, assistant professor of exceptional education. Doody noted they added a new award this year in honor of the beloved educator—the Mann K-12 Student Award.

"Area schools nominated one distinguished student for accomplishments in the arts, music, athletics, technology, and school engagement," Doody said. We have six award winners this year and are very excited to honor them.”

The youngest participant, Madisen Northery (pictured at left), is a four-year-old girl who uses a motorized wheelchair and technology to communicate with others.

"This event offers the opportunity to highlight the great work and accomplishments of faculty and our teacher candidates. Starting this year, because of Dr. Mann, we are extremely fortunate to now be able to recognize achievements of K-12 students,” said Kevin Miller, professor and chair of exceptional education.

Other awards to be granted include: the Horace Mann Endowment for Exceptional Education Scholarship Fund; the Dr. Judith Bondurant-Utz Early Childhood Special Education Scholarship Fund for Graduate Exceptional Education Majors; the Gayle Fish, ’56, and Donald Schrader Scholarship for Undergraduate Exceptional Education Majors; the Gustave A. and Geraldine F. Werner Scholarship Fund for Undergraduate Exceptional Education Majors; the Joseph and Mary Daly Varga, ’43, Graduate Award Fund for Exceptional Education Majors; the Horace Mann Undergraduate Award and Graduate Award; the Bernard Yormak Undergraduate Award and Graduate Award; the James Kreider Memorial Outstanding Cooperating Teacher Award; the Horace Mann Scholarships to Exceptional Education Students Fund; the Dorothea and Mildred Seegler Endowed Scholarship Fund; the Paul Thoms Council for Exceptional Children Membership Award Fund; the Horace Mann Travel Award for CEC Students; and the Dr. Aaron Podolefsky AmeriCorps ABLE Fellowship.