Staff, Students Honored at UPOPM Awards Dinner

Two Buffalo State administrators and three students were honored at the ninth annual Unlimited Possibilities Overcoming Poverty Ministry Inc. (UPOPM) awards dinner last month at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center.

Bonita Durand (pictured right), chief of staff in the President’s Office and secretary to the College Council, and Kimberly Jackson (pictured left), assistant dean for strategic and enrollment planning for the Graduate School, were two of 67 women from throughout Western New York that were presented with a “Touching the World Award” by UPOPM. The awards recognize recipients for their achievements in community service, professionalism, and leadership.

Christine Matos, a graduate student, and undergraduate students Dina Watkins, class of 2016, and Niasha Hamilton, class of 2019, were presented with $1,000 scholarships at the event.

Last year, four members of Buffalo State’s faculty and administration were honored with a “Touching the World Award,” including Katherine Conway-Turner, president; Carmela Thompson, director of admissions; Theresa Harris-Tigg, assistant professor of English; and Carmen McCallum, assistant professor of higher education administration.