Convocation Extends Warm Welcome to New Students

The Buffalo State community welcomed the college’s new students Friday at convocation ceremonies.

“Convocation is a ceremonial gathering of the faculty, administration, staff, and students of a university for a specific purpose,” Provost Melanie Perreault told the students. “Our purpose today is to welcome and celebrate you!”

Buffalo State held New Student Convocation ceremonies in the Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall: students from the School of Arts and Humanities and the School of the Professions participated in the morning, and students from the School of Education and the School of Natural and Social Sciences, as well as students who have not yet declared a major, participated in the afternoon.

Today’s convocation invited new students—both first-year and transfers—to join Buffalo State’s community of scholars. President Katherine Conway-Turner encouraged students to dedicate themselves to “meeting or exceeding the expectation for excellence that we have for you” while reminding them that faculty and staff stand ready to assist students on their college journey.

"Always remember you are further developing your humanity and world citizenship while here,” Conway-Turner urged. “Embrace the beauty of all the diversity around you, stand for justice and equity, and remember that you can follow and contribute to the arc of justice and live a life of personal and societal success.”

Mo Sumbundu, ’13, ’17, now assistant project manager at the Empire State Development Corporation in Buffalo, also addressed the students. He urged them to volunteer as a way to learn and make friends, and he described his own activities with United Students Government. “Make the choice to be fully engaged in this place with faculty, staff, and your classmates,” he said, “and you will be rewarded 10 times over.”