The Alumni Association encourages the campus community to celebrate the accomplishments of this year's Young Alumnus Achievement Award recipients at a reception, Friday, September 24, at 7:00 p.m. in the Campbell Student Union's Fireside Lounge.

The Young Alumnus Achievement Award recognizes the professional advancement, dedication to the community, and commitment to the college and its mission of recent Buffalo State graduates.

The award will be presented to

Christopher Ciamaga, ‘00, (Health and Wellness), NHL Referee National Hockey League
Ciamaga graduated from Buffalo State in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in health and wellness with a coaching minor. He played hockey for the Bengals for three years. Ciamaga relocated to the Midwest after graduation, refereeing junior and lower-level professional leagues. In 2006, he signed a contract with the National Hockey League (NHL) and began his career officiating American Hockey League (AHL) games. He now referees NHL games in addition to AHL games. Ciamaga is one of less than 50 individuals to have the honor of officiating these professional games.

Erin Habes, ’03, (Technology, Fashion and Textile Technology Program), Self-Employed Consultant, Adjunct Instructor, Buffalo State College
Habes graduated from Buffalo State in 2003 with a bachelor’s from the fashion and textile technology program. While at Buffalo State, she traveled to Italy through the Buffalo State Siena Program, studying Italian fashion textiles and art history. She moved to New York City, and then returned to Buffalo not long after, where she owned her own shop, Sweet & Dirty, from 2005-2008. Habes now serves as an adjunct professor in the fashion and textile technology program and is manager and buyer for Krudmart and krudmart.com, an urban clothing store on Elmwood.

Habes has organized several fashion shows, including “Runway” at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery in spring 2008 and “Runway 2.0” at the Burchfield Penney Art Center in spring 2009. She also produced a fashion show fundraiser for the Elmwood Village Association, giving students practical experience on how to run a fashion show.

Habes has connected at least 25 students with internships since she returned to Buffalo. She teaches students the proper way to run a business. Habes continues to recruit students for the Buffalo State Siena Program and gives back to the college by sharing her knowledge in and out of the classroom.

Nicholas S. Laudico, ‘01, (Public Communication), Senior Vice-President, The Ruth Group
Laudico earned his bachelor’s degree in public communication from Buffalo State in 2001. He now works as the senior vice president and group leader of medical technology at The Ruth Group, a New York-based full service communications agency with a primary focus on healthcare and technology. Laudico progressed from senior account executive to senior vice president at The Ruth Group in four years, as well as expanding revenue from $300,000 to more than $1 million. He is responsible for 11 healthcare clients and a team of four associates.

Laudico is still connected to Buffalo State, providing career development and possible career path guidance to recent and prospective graduates. He has also participated in a campaigns class panel, sharing his experiences and advice to current Public Communication students. He also serves on the board of directors at KCD Public Relations, a Buffalo State alumnus-owned, start-up public relations agency based in San Diego.

Laudico volunteers as a youth hockey coach in NYC and donates his time and money to various urban after-school and sports equipment programs.

Martha Meegan, ’92, ‘06, (Communication, Public Relations Management), TV Newsroom Managing Assignment Editor, WIVB-TV
Meegan earned her bachelor’s in communication in 1992 and her master’s in public relations management in 2006, both at Buffalo State. She now works at WIVB-TV, News 4 Buffalo, as the managing assignment editor—a job which she secured during an internship while attending Buffalo State. She is responsible for the entire newsroom staff at Channel 4, daily story generation, development, execution and overall news gathering operation.

Meegan also provides public relations consulting to the City of Buffalo Animal Shelter and Buffalo Central Terminal, creating awareness campaigns for each. She is also very involved in the community, doing volunteer work with at least 10 different organizations, including Hearts for the Homeless and the Adopt a Family Program.

Meegan is a member of the Buffalo State Alumni Association and was recently appointed as the media member representative of the West Side Violence Prevention Task Force through Buffalo State’s College and Community Partnerships Office. Meegan provides ample opportunities for internships in the newsroom at WIVB for Buffalo State students, hoping to give budding journalists a chance to work in a real news setting.

The Alumni Association encourages the campus community to celebrate the outstanding achievements of this year's award recipients at a reception, Friday, September 24, at 7:00 p.m. in the Campbell Student Union's Fireside Lounge.

Held during Homecoming and Family Weekend, the reception will include a champagne toast, hors d’oeuvres, and dessert reception.

For additional information, please contact Landrum Beard, assistant director, Alumni Affairs, at (716) 878-3774.

Make reservations online.