Scholarship Classic Raises Over $75,000

Buffalo State’s prestigious All College Honors Program received a boost from 156 golfers and 12 tennis players who participated in the college’s 14th annual Golf and Tennis Scholarship Classic, September 12 at the Brookfield Country Club.

This year marks the most successful ever classic in the event's history, netting more than $75,000, which will provide scholarships to All College Honor students. The scholarships enable some students to attend college who otherwise could not afford to and provide support for service learning, research with faculty mentors, and special seminars.

Sponsorship from the Pepsi Beverages Company, numerous national and local businesses, and alumni made the classic possible.

“This event takes a lot of effort,” said Kathryn Neeson, development assistant for fundraising events, who helped coordinate the tournament. “Its success is due to the donors who support this outstanding program.”

Twenty Buffalo State staff and student volunteers also did their part to make the day possible by handling everything from registering golfers to driving beverage carts.

The day provided winners, too. The men’s winning foursome from Chartwells included: Timothy Ecklund, associate vice president of campus life; Robert Erickson, Manny Lezama, and Robert Mottola; the women’s winning foursome from Buffalo State included: Susan Baldwin, assistant professor of health and wellness; Judi Basinski, associate vice president for computing and technology services; Gail Maloney, and Kathleen O’Brien, director of Campus House. Libby Ponton and Scott Gould won first place respectively in the women’s and men’s tennis competition.

Established in 1984, the All College Honors Program currently enrolls more than 160 outstanding, intellectually committed undergraduate students. Those who enroll in the program work hard—they must maintain a 3.5 cumulative grade point average—and are rewarded with opportunities for scholarships, research, high academic achievement, and bright futures that include Fulbright, Marshall, and Rhodes scholarships (among others), entry into top-notch professional and graduate schools, and successful careers.