Commencement Profile: Morgan P. Morningstar

Morgan Morningstar graduates with a bachelor of science degree in psychology and minors in biology and women and gender studies.

Morningstar will receive the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence during the 2:00 p.m. baccalaureate ceremony at Buffalo State's 140th Commencement, Saturday, May 12, in the Sports Arena.

A McNair scholar, Morningstar attained a 4.0 GPA while taking rigorous courses, conducting undergraduate research projects, and serving as a teaching assistant. She shone as an active leader in classroom discussions, student organizations, and political activism.

As a student, she demonstrated a true thirst for excellence, and was known to read her textbooks before the start of the semester to be prepared. Her depth of understanding was so great that other students sought her out for both informal and formal tutoring.

Morningstar came to Buffalo State from Erie Community College, where she was vice president for scholarship for Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges. She received the Chancellor’s Award in 2010 as a community college student.

At Buffalo State, she served as vice president of the Psi Chi International Honor Society for psychology students and the Buffalo State College Commuter Council. She also served as a charter member of Young Feminists of Buffalo and served in the Emerging Student Leaders Program. In 2011, the women and gender studies program recognized Morningstar’s superior achievements with the Women’s Studies Student Award.

She contributed several poster presentations at Buffalo State’s annual Student Research and Creativity Celebration and at the Eastern Psychological Association’s annual meeting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Beyond campus, Morningstar became engaged in community causes such as the St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy Food Drive and the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. She also lobbied in Albany for marriage equality and dignity for all students.