Our Top 5 Graduating Seniors - Buffalo State
Our Top 5 Graduating Seniors - Buffalo State Our Top 5 Graduating Seniors - Buffalo State
Our Top 5 Graduating Seniors Arthur O. Eve Educational Opportunity Program Buffalo State College EOP is proud to recognize our top 5 spring 2012 graduating seniors and is pleased to share with you their experiences at BSC, in the students’ own words. No. 1 Martha Chery 3.77 cum GPA Fashion Merchandising Queens, NY On-campus Involvement: Member of Epsilon Pi Tau Honor Society (Board President), Member of EOP’s Chi Alpha Epsilon Honor Society, CTS work-study student, studied abroad in Manchester, United Kingdom, participant in Buffalo State’s Textile and Technology Program’s RUNWAY 2.0,3.0,4.0 and 5.0 as choreographer/coordinator, backstage management, model casting and stylist. Off-campus Involvement: Coordinated sections of the Elmwood Village Association Mass Appeal Fashion Show, volunteered at local non-profit organizations, assisted in styling local photo shoots and ad campaigns. What have you done to achieve such a high GPA? I made sure I created balance for myself. It was important for me to participate in on and off-campus activities, work, volunteer, and have fun all while maintaining a high gpa. Being involved and having various outlets allowed me to remain focused on my academics while also preparing for my goals after college. Was there a particular challenge that you had to overcome in order to get to college and also to succeed? During my freshman year, a family member passed away and my younger brother was also hospitalized in the same month. This was a very hard time for me and I thought of taking the semester off. Then, I realized that leaving college wouldn’t make things normal again and in time, everything would heal. Is there anyone specific who influenced you to come to college? My mother has always been the reason there was never a doubt in my mind that I would attend college. As a single parent who emigrated from Haiti, she never had the opportunities I’ve been given. She knows the value of an education and has instilled that in me, so much so that nothing would have deterred me from a college degree. Who Are They? No.1 Martha Chery 3.77 cum GPA Fashion Merchandizing Queens, NY No. 2 Yunimar Alfonzo 3.66 cum GPA Psychology Bronx, NY No. 3 Jani Cash 3.63 cum GPA History & French Brooklyn, NY No.4 Kimani George No. 5 (Tie) 3.61 cum GPA Criminal Justice Brooklyn, NY Thaddeus Hagood 3.59 cum GPA Media Production Rochester, NY AND N0. 5 Orlando McEwan 3.59 cum GPA Biology and Chemistry Brooklyn, NY
- Page 2 and 3: Martha Chery, continued What role h
- Page 4 and 5: Campus Involvement: Burrell scholar
- Page 6: Thaddeus Hagood, continued Off-Camp
<strong>Our</strong> <strong>Top</strong> 5 <strong>Graduating</strong> <strong>Seniors</strong><br />
Arthur O. Eve Educational Opportunity Program<br />
<strong>Buffalo</strong> <strong>State</strong> College<br />
EOP is proud to recognize our top 5 spring 2012 graduating seniors and is<br />
pleased to share with you their experiences at BSC, in the students’ own words.<br />
No. 1<br />
Martha Chery<br />
3.77 cum GPA<br />
Fashion<br />
Merchandising<br />
Queens, NY<br />
On-campus Involvement:<br />
Member of Epsilon Pi Tau Honor Society (Board President), Member of EOP’s<br />
Chi Alpha Epsilon Honor Society, CTS work-study student, studied abroad in<br />
Manchester, United Kingdom, participant in <strong>Buffalo</strong> <strong>State</strong>’s Textile and Technology<br />
Program’s RUNWAY 2.0,3.0,4.0 and 5.0 as choreographer/coordinator, backstage<br />
management, model casting and stylist.<br />
Off-campus Involvement:<br />
Coordinated sections of the Elmwood Village Association Mass Appeal Fashion<br />
Show, volunteered at local non-profit organizations, assisted in styling local photo<br />
shoots and ad campaigns.<br />
What have you done to achieve such a high GPA?<br />
I made sure I created balance for myself. It was important for me to participate<br />
in on and off-campus activities, work, volunteer, and have fun all while maintaining<br />
a high gpa. Being involved and having various outlets allowed me to remain<br />
focused on my academics while also preparing for my goals after college.<br />
Was there a particular challenge that you had to overcome in order to get<br />
to college and also to succeed?<br />
During my freshman year, a family member passed away and my younger brother<br />
was also hospitalized in the same month. This was a very hard time for me<br />
and I thought of taking the semester off. Then, I realized that leaving college<br />
wouldn’t make things normal again and in time, everything would heal.<br />
Is there anyone specific who influenced you to come to college?<br />
My mother has always been the reason there was never a doubt in my mind that<br />
I would attend college. As a single parent who emigrated from Haiti, she never<br />
had the opportunities I’ve been given. She knows the value of an education and<br />
has instilled that in me, so much so that nothing would have deterred me from a<br />
college degree.<br />
Who Are They?<br />
No.1 Martha Chery<br />
3.77 cum GPA<br />
Fashion<br />
Merchandizing<br />
Queens, NY<br />
No. 2 Yunimar Alfonzo<br />
3.66 cum GPA<br />
Psychology<br />
Bronx, NY<br />
No. 3 Jani Cash<br />
3.63 cum GPA<br />
History & French<br />
Brooklyn, NY<br />
No.4 Kimani George<br />
No. 5 (Tie)<br />
3.61 cum GPA<br />
Criminal Justice<br />
Brooklyn, NY<br />
Thaddeus Hagood<br />
3.59 cum GPA<br />
Media Production<br />
Rochester, NY<br />
AND<br />
N0. 5 Orlando McEwan<br />
3.59 cum GPA<br />
Biology and<br />
Chemistry<br />
Brooklyn, NY
Martha Chery, continued<br />
What role has EOP played in your college experience?<br />
EOP has been nothing but a positive influence. Since my freshman year, I have<br />
been able to turn to EOP faculty members Ottilie Woodruff and Tami Heflin for overall<br />
guidance, positive encouragement, and most importantly, an ear to listen.<br />
Has there been a faculty or staff member on campus who has supported you?<br />
Erin Habes, an amazing woman and mentor; Cherry Searle, my advisor who always<br />
gave me words of positivity and encouragement; Roxanne Sarver and Sue Fisher,<br />
CTS secretaries who were a tremendous support system and were always in my corner cheering me on.<br />
What advice do you have for other students?<br />
Don’t focus on past , present, or future obstacles that make you feel like you can’t accomplish your goals.<br />
And, don’t be late for class (or anything)!<br />
What are your career goals and plans for after graduation?<br />
To have my innate passion for fashion pay the bills.<br />
No. 2<br />
Yunimar Alfonzo<br />
3.66 cum GPA<br />
Psychology<br />
Bronx, NY<br />
Campus Involvement<br />
Member of Chi Alpha Epsilon honor society and also of the<br />
Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology.<br />
Off-Campus Activities<br />
Volunteer at Compass House interacting with troubled teenagers and part-time employee at<br />
AllSaints Spitalfields.<br />
How have you been able to achieve a high GPA?<br />
Time management has been the key to my high GPA. Dedication and aspiration have kept me on<br />
track to achieve my goals.<br />
What sacrifices have you made to earn your college degree?<br />
I have sacrificed important times with my family, in my personal relationships and in my social life.<br />
Who or what influenced you to come to college?<br />
My parents’ efforts to provide me with the best education and future has encouraged me, not only<br />
to come to college but to become an outstanding student.<br />
Has there been a faculty or staff member who has supported and encouraged you?<br />
Yes. Primarily my EOP Counselor Mrs. Rosario and Dr. Hennessy. They’ve encouraged me to<br />
continue working hard and realize my potential.<br />
Describe an obstacles that you have had to overcome in order to attend college:<br />
An obstacle other than being away from home was the language barrier. I came to the United <strong>State</strong>s when I was twelve years old and<br />
my main priority was to learn the language and catch up with the rest of my peers.<br />
What role has EOP played in your college experience?<br />
EOP has played an important role in my college experience by giving me the opportunity to improve academically. EOP offers students<br />
the necessary tools to succeed.<br />
What are your plans after graduation?<br />
I have been admitted to Teachers College, Columbia University into the Masters<br />
of Education program in the Department of Counseling Psychology. My plan is<br />
to obtain my master’s degree with a specialization in Psychological Counseling.<br />
My goal is to help teenagers who are struggling to be able to perceive the light<br />
at the end of the tunnel.<br />
“Never stop striving, and be a<br />
light wherever you land.”<br />
-Martha Chery<br />
“Find the motivation within<br />
yourself, and<br />
you will always succeed.”<br />
- Yunimar Alfonzo
Campus Involvement:<br />
McNair Scholars Program, Academic Mentor<br />
for EOP’s Academic Center for Excellence<br />
(ACE), member of the French Club, Peer<br />
Mentor for EOP’s First Year Program and<br />
Student Assistant during EOP’s freshman<br />
summer program.<br />
Off-Campus Activities:<br />
Volunteer with Boys and Girls High School Drama Club and a member of Crystal Image<br />
Theater Company.<br />
Is there a particular person who influenced you to attend college?<br />
My entire family has influenced me because they have always expected me to go to school<br />
and be successful.<br />
What sacrifices have you made to earn your college degree?<br />
The sacrifices I’ve made are just social ones. I feel like my degree is the most important short term goal I have had. Not earning my<br />
degree would have been a much larger sacrifice.<br />
Has there been a faculty or staff member that has supported and encouraged you?<br />
There are many people who have supported and encouraged me. The entire EOP staff, especially my counselor Mrs. Emma McFayden,<br />
Mr. Jude Jayatilleke, and Mrs. Tami Heflin. The staff of the McNair Scholars Program and my mentor Dr. York A. Norman have<br />
all been supportive and encouraging.<br />
What role has EOP played in your college experience?<br />
EOP has provided me with a place to prove my talents, gain valuable experience, and work with other students in ways I would not<br />
have done, had it not been for the program.<br />
Has there been a particular obstacle that you have had to overcome in order to earn your degree?<br />
The most difficult obstacle was learning to conduct quality research for the McNair Program. I’ve had a few classes where I was<br />
really challenged, but I know this will help me in my pursuit of a graduate degree.<br />
What has been your best experience at <strong>Buffalo</strong> <strong>State</strong>?<br />
There are so many great experiences that I’ve had here, but I think the best would have to have been at Union Bash when I rode the<br />
mechanical bull. I don’t normally take chances like that, and it showed me how much my experience here has changed my outlook.<br />
What advice do you have for other students?<br />
Learn a foreign language! It’s so important and a good asset to have. Make sure you are open to the other non-academic lessons<br />
that you will learn here, too!<br />
What are your goals and plans after graduation?<br />
I have applied to a number of graduate programs. Eventually,<br />
I would like to pursue a career with U.S. <strong>State</strong> Department.<br />
No. 3<br />
Jani Cash<br />
3.63 cum GPA<br />
History & French<br />
Brooklyn, NY<br />
“Make the most out of your<br />
degree. Don’t settle for an<br />
average GPA. Do everything<br />
you can to increase<br />
your chances of success<br />
after graduation.”<br />
-Jani Cash
Campus Involvement:<br />
Burrell scholar, Kenzie scholar, BSC football<br />
team, Student Assistant in Varsity Athletic<br />
Weight Room, EOP’s Chi Alpha Epsilon Honor<br />
Society, EOP Peer Mentor.<br />
Off-Campus Activities<br />
Volunteer at the Aserese-Maters Community<br />
Center and for Women for Human Rights and<br />
Dignity.<br />
What specifically have you done in order to achieve a high GPA?<br />
I have been disciplined in my actions and I try my best to stay organized and put the sufficient time that is necessary into every class.<br />
Is there a particular person who influenced you to come to college?<br />
My mother is the biggest influential person in my life because she has tried her best to provide my brothers, sister, and myself with the<br />
opportunity to become more successful in life.<br />
What role has EOP played in your college experience?<br />
EOP provided me with the necessary workshops and resources that are needed to become a successful academic. The EOP program<br />
gave me the opportunity to earn a Bachelor’s degree with a minor in four years and I will be forever thankful.<br />
What advice do you have for other students?<br />
Great things are accomplished only by the perfection of minor details.<br />
What has been your best experience at <strong>Buffalo</strong> <strong>State</strong>?<br />
Playing football with my teammates has been my best experience at <strong>Buffalo</strong> <strong>State</strong> College.<br />
What are your plans for after graduation?<br />
My long term goal is to be employed at a federal law enforcement agency. In the next three<br />
to five years, I will be serving as an officer in the United <strong>State</strong>s Navy. I am still considering<br />
graduate school as an additional option down the road.<br />
No. 5 (Tie)<br />
Orlando McEwan<br />
3.59 cum GPA<br />
Biology and Chemistry<br />
Brooklyn, NY<br />
No. 4<br />
Kimani George<br />
3.61 cum GPA<br />
Criminal Justice<br />
and Coaching<br />
Brooklyn, NY<br />
“ Never take anything<br />
or anyone for granted.”<br />
- Kimani George<br />
On-Campus Involvement:<br />
McNair Scholars Program, Resident Assistant,<br />
Chi Alpha Epsilon EOP Honor Society, Academic<br />
Mentor for EOP’s Academic Center for<br />
Excellence (ACE), EOP First Year Peer Mentor,<br />
Biology Honors research.
Orlando McEwan, continued<br />
How have you been able to achieve a high grade point average?<br />
I studied hard and sought help when needed. I also made sacrifices in<br />
preparing for classes by choosing to stay in and study rather than go out<br />
with my friends.<br />
Was there a particular person who influenced you to attend college?<br />
There is no one particular individual but in general my whole family has greatly pushed me and influenced me in my decision to attend<br />
college. Education is greatly valued in my family and after seeing my sister graduate, then followed by my brother, I knew that this was<br />
something I needed to do. It would not just be satisfying to my family, but also to me, making me a more knowledgeable individual.<br />
Watching the success of my brother and sister has always been a great motivation to me.<br />
Is there a mistake that you made in college that you would like to encourage other students to avoid?<br />
Yes. My first semester as a freshman I got my first and only C of my undergraduate career. I came into college all excited and I<br />
thought I knew how to deal with the work. I took my first biology class and not knowing the amount of work I had to put in, I was never<br />
fully prepared like I am now for classes. I would study a few days before the exam and it just was not enough. After I got the C grade, I<br />
made the decision that I will always be prepared for every class. Since then, I have always been on top of my game. Always be<br />
prepared and never take anything for granted!<br />
Has there been a faculty or staff member who has supported and encouraged you?<br />
There have been numerous faculty and staff who have supported me but my McNair mentor, Dr. Martha Skerrett, has been one of my<br />
greatest supporters. She introduced me to what now is my passion for research and has always been there to guide me and encourage<br />
me along the way. She has helped me in numerous ways that were of so much benefit to me and I thank her for that.<br />
What has been your best experience at <strong>Buffalo</strong> <strong>State</strong>?<br />
My best college experience was becoming a Ronald E. McNair Scholar.<br />
What sacrifices have you made in order to earn your college degree?<br />
Spending time with friends and family, a reduced social life, and fewer recreational activities.<br />
What role has EOP played in your college experience?<br />
EOP has been a great help to me. The counselors are excellent and my counselor, Dr. Johnson, has been an inspiration and of great<br />
help to me. She was always informing me about new opportunities which helped me to earn a scholarship. The EOP Academic Center<br />
for Excellence has also been of great support to me. EOP is a great support system and I am very thankful for all of the help.<br />
What are your career goals and plans after graduation?<br />
I will be attending Ohio University to earn my Phd in molecular cellular and developmental biology<br />
No. 5 (tie)<br />
Thaddeus Hagood<br />
3.59 cum GPA<br />
Media Production<br />
Rochester, New York<br />
“The more prepared you are, the<br />
more primed for success you are!”<br />
- Orlando McEwan<br />
On-campus Involvement:<br />
Member of the African-American<br />
Students Organization (AASO)
Thaddeus Hagood, continued<br />
Off-Campus Activities:<br />
I love to write poetry and rap. I record my own songs and I’ve been doing it since I was ten. I also enjoy drawing. These activities help<br />
keep my creative juices alive.<br />
How have you been able to achieve a high gpa?<br />
I attend class. That is very important. If you’re not in class, you’re not getting the information, which makes it significantly harder to<br />
keep up in class. If you attend every class, you’ll take in all the information needed. That’s most of the battle. Then, it’s a matter of<br />
remembering it when the test comes.<br />
What sacrifices have you made in order to earn your college degree?<br />
To earn my degree, I’ve had to put priorities in order, which meant skipping nights out with friends and cutting down on video games.<br />
Also, many times when I really wanted to go home, I had to stay and work on projects.<br />
Has there been an obstacle in your life that you have had to overcome in order to<br />
attend college?<br />
When I was attending Syracuse University in the fall of 2007 as a freshman, I sustained a life<br />
changing injury. I tore my ACL and LCL and damaged a nerve that caused my left foot to<br />
become half paralyzed. I returned to SU and finished that semester. However, I then left<br />
school to recover. I then returned in spring 2009 to Monroe Community College where I<br />
graduated with a cumulative GPA of 3.20. I transferred to <strong>Buffalo</strong> <strong>State</strong> in the fall of 2010.<br />
Even though my foot is still paralyzed, I’m graduating and I’m so happy I didn’t quit.<br />
Is there a particular person who influenced you to come to college?<br />
Definitely my parents. They are my biggest supporters when it comes to my collegiate<br />
career. They’ve always pushed me to do my best in school, from elementary to college. In<br />
my family, education is a huge deal.<br />
Has there been a faculty or staff member who has supported and encouraged you?<br />
There have been plenty of faculty that have supported and encouraged me. Specifically my<br />
professors Brian Millbrand and Tom McCray. They have both had a strong impact on my<br />
passion for media production.<br />
“Procrastination is a killer.<br />
If you can get it done<br />
today, don’t wait until<br />
tomorrow. It will save you<br />
stress and you won’t have<br />
to worry about doing<br />
things last minute.”<br />
- Thaddeus Hagood<br />
What advice do you have for other students?<br />
Do your best and never stress. As long as you know you’ve done all that you could have possibly done, don’t worry. Even if you are let<br />
down for any reason, just know things will always get better.<br />
What role has EOP played in your college experience?<br />
EOP has been a major blessing for me both financially and academically. Without EOP, finances would have surely hindered my<br />
academic performance. The counselors are also always very helpful and insightful whenever you need help or advice.<br />
What are your career goals and plans after graduation?<br />
I plan to work in Rochester for a while until I make enough money to move. Then I plan to move to Connecticut where I hope to work in<br />
ESPN Studios as a film highlights editor.<br />
Congratulations to all of our graduates!