In the News: Alumnus Is Lighting up the Night

Doug Sitler, ’93, likes to make things happen. For the fourth year in a row, he’s making magic happen at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens with its Night Lights at the Gardens event, which opened on January 29.

Sitler, whose degree in communication led to a successful career in public relations, has partnered with Volt Vision to develop the lighting extravaganza.

"Five years ago, Steve French of Volt and I put together our first Night Lights show at the Heron," Sitler told reporter Mark Sommer in a recent Buffalo News article. The Heron is an organic farm in Sherman, New York, that hosts a number of events. Night Lights installations also have taken place at the Jamestown Audubon Center & Sanctuary and Griffis Sculpture Park near Ellicottville.

"Four years ago, we added Night Lights at the Botanical Gardens," said Sitler. "More than 21,000 people have come so far. This year, we’ve added a few more features. We’re always trying to improve the show."

Sitler said that putting together events has always been his favorite part of public relations. "Marketing and PR, I learned all that at Buffalo State," he said. "That’s where all the seeds were planted." He’s looking forward to the Botanical Gardens show in a special way. "I’m proud of doing something that’s contributing to Buffalo’s renaissance," he said.

The show runs Wednesdays through Saturdays at the Botanical Gardens until February 15.

Pictured: NIGHT LIGHTS at the Gardens by Chris Podosek