Ferguson Named Chair of Buffalo State College Foundation

Dorothy Ferguson, president of the Ferguson Family Foundation, has recently been named chair of the Buffalo State College Foundation Inc. Board of Directors. She replaces outgoing chair Paul J. Lamparelli, ’82.

Previously, Ferguson served as vice chair of the foundation and chair of the foundation’s development committee. She also chaired the 2014 Scholarship Gala. Held on April 26, 2014, it was one of the most successful galas in the foundation’s history.

Ferguson is an engaged philanthropist who, with her late husband Whitworth Ferguson Jr., has provided significant support to Buffalo State. The Whitworth Ferguson Planetarium at Buffalo State was named in honor of a gift by Dorothy Ferguson’s father-in-law. The new planetarium, under development in the Science and Mathematics Complex, will retain the Whitworth Ferguson name.

Four other individuals also have been named to the Buffalo State Foundation board. The 2015–2016 incoming members are:

Timothy J. McPoland, a certified public accountant and director of Freed Maxick CPAs, P.C. McPoland has more than 25 years of experience in auditing public companies. He has worked with the manufacturing, construction, mortgage banking, retail, wholesale, nonprofit, and general service industries. He also has a strong corporate and individual tax background, specializing in assisting clients with income taxes, estate and succession planning, and assisting troubled companies in finding alternative equity and financing opportunities.

James J. Rehak Jr., a 1995 graduate of Buffalo State and a partner with Lawley Insurance. Rehak has been with Lawley for more than 30 years and now manages its Benefits Group division and serves as the director of Lawley Courier Advisors, an SEC-filed consultation-driven subsidiary for strictly corporate clients.

Sundra L. Ryce, founder and president of SLR Contracting & Services Company Inc. Headquartered in Buffalo, SLR is a general construction company specializing in commercial construction, construction management, design-build and safety and risk management services. Ryce previously served on the Buffalo State College Foundation Advisory Committee and is currently a trustee of the Amherst Chamber of Commerce board. Ryce also is a motivational speaker, author, and leadership coach.

Jill Syracuse, executive vice president and chief engagement and servicing officer for Independent Health. Since joining Independent Health in 1985 as a marketing representative, Syracuse has held several positions including assistant director of marketing, director of claims operations, vice president of internal operations, and most recently, senior vice president of member services. She serves on the board of directors at Aspire and is a past president of the Hopevale board of directors and the American Marketing Association.