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

Martha Chery, continued
What role has EOP played in your college experience?
EOP has been nothing but a positive influence. Since my freshman year, I have
been able to turn to EOP faculty members Ottilie Woodruff and Tami Heflin for overall
guidance, positive encouragement, and most importantly, an ear to listen.
Has there been a faculty or staff member on campus who has supported you?
Erin Habes, an amazing woman and mentor; Cherry Searle, my advisor who always
gave me words of positivity and encouragement; Roxanne Sarver and Sue Fisher,
CTS secretaries who were a tremendous support system and were always in my corner cheering me on.
What advice do you have for other students?
Don’t focus on past , present, or future obstacles that make you feel like you can’t accomplish your goals.
And, don’t be late for class (or anything)!
What are your career goals and plans for after graduation?
To have my innate passion for fashion pay the bills.
No. 2
Yunimar Alfonzo
3.66 cum GPA
Psychology
Bronx, NY
Campus Involvement
Member of Chi Alpha Epsilon honor society and also of the
Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology.
Off-Campus Activities
Volunteer at Compass House interacting with troubled teenagers and part-time employee at
AllSaints Spitalfields.
How have you been able to achieve a high GPA?
Time management has been the key to my high GPA. Dedication and aspiration have kept me on
track to achieve my goals.
What sacrifices have you made to earn your college degree?
I have sacrificed important times with my family, in my personal relationships and in my social life.
Who or what influenced you to come to college?
My parents’ efforts to provide me with the best education and future has encouraged me, not only
to come to college but to become an outstanding student.
Has there been a faculty or staff member who has supported and encouraged you?
Yes. Primarily my EOP Counselor Mrs. Rosario and Dr. Hennessy. They’ve encouraged me to
continue working hard and realize my potential.
Describe an obstacles that you have had to overcome in order to attend college:
An obstacle other than being away from home was the language barrier. I came to the United States when I was twelve years old and
my main priority was to learn the language and catch up with the rest of my peers.
What role has EOP played in your college experience?
EOP has played an important role in my college experience by giving me the opportunity to improve academically. EOP offers students
the necessary tools to succeed.
What are your plans after graduation?
I have been admitted to Teachers College, Columbia University into the Masters
of Education program in the Department of Counseling Psychology. My plan is
to obtain my master’s degree with a specialization in Psychological Counseling.
My goal is to help teenagers who are struggling to be able to perceive the light
at the end of the tunnel.
“Never stop striving, and be a
light wherever you land.”
-Martha Chery
“Find the motivation within
yourself, and
you will always succeed.”
- Yunimar Alfonzo

Campus Involvement:
McNair Scholars Program, Academic Mentor
for EOP’s Academic Center for Excellence
(ACE), member of the French Club, Peer
Mentor for EOP’s First Year Program and
Student Assistant during EOP’s freshman
summer program.
Off-Campus Activities:
Volunteer with Boys and Girls High School Drama Club and a member of Crystal Image
Theater Company.
Is there a particular person who influenced you to attend college?
My entire family has influenced me because they have always expected me to go to school
and be successful.
What sacrifices have you made to earn your college degree?
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
degree would have been a much larger sacrifice.
Has there been a faculty or staff member that has supported and encouraged you?
There are many people who have supported and encouraged me. The entire EOP staff, especially my counselor Mrs. Emma McFayden,
Mr. Jude Jayatilleke, and Mrs. Tami Heflin. The staff of the McNair Scholars Program and my mentor Dr. York A. Norman have
all been supportive and encouraging.
What role has EOP played in your college experience?
EOP has provided me with a place to prove my talents, gain valuable experience, and work with other students in ways I would not
have done, had it not been for the program.
Has there been a particular obstacle that you have had to overcome in order to earn your degree?
The most difficult obstacle was learning to conduct quality research for the McNair Program. I’ve had a few classes where I was
really challenged, but I know this will help me in my pursuit of a graduate degree.
What has been your best experience at Buffalo State?
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
mechanical bull. I don’t normally take chances like that, and it showed me how much my experience here has changed my outlook.
What advice do you have for other students?
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
that you will learn here, too!
What are your goals and plans after graduation?
I have applied to a number of graduate programs. Eventually,
I would like to pursue a career with U.S. State Department.
No. 3
Jani Cash
3.63 cum GPA
History & French
Brooklyn, NY
“Make the most out of your
degree. Don’t settle for an
average GPA. Do everything
you can to increase
your chances of success
after graduation.”
-Jani Cash

Campus Involvement:
Burrell scholar, Kenzie scholar, BSC football
team, Student Assistant in Varsity Athletic
Weight Room, EOP’s Chi Alpha Epsilon Honor
Society, EOP Peer Mentor.
Off-Campus Activities
Volunteer at the Aserese-Maters Community
Center and for Women for Human Rights and
Dignity.
What specifically have you done in order to achieve a high GPA?
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.
Is there a particular person who influenced you to come to college?
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
opportunity to become more successful in life.
What role has EOP played in your college experience?
EOP provided me with the necessary workshops and resources that are needed to become a successful academic. The EOP program
gave me the opportunity to earn a Bachelor’s degree with a minor in four years and I will be forever thankful.
What advice do you have for other students?
Great things are accomplished only by the perfection of minor details.
What has been your best experience at Buffalo State?
Playing football with my teammates has been my best experience at Buffalo State College.
What are your plans for after graduation?
My long term goal is to be employed at a federal law enforcement agency. In the next three
to five years, I will be serving as an officer in the United States Navy. I am still considering
graduate school as an additional option down the road.
No. 5 (Tie)
Orlando McEwan
3.59 cum GPA
Biology and Chemistry
Brooklyn, NY
No. 4
Kimani George
3.61 cum GPA
Criminal Justice
and Coaching
Brooklyn, NY
“ Never take anything
or anyone for granted.”
- Kimani George
On-Campus Involvement:
McNair Scholars Program, Resident Assistant,
Chi Alpha Epsilon EOP Honor Society, Academic
Mentor for EOP’s Academic Center for
Excellence (ACE), EOP First Year Peer Mentor,
Biology Honors research.

Orlando McEwan, continued
How have you been able to achieve a high grade point average?
I studied hard and sought help when needed. I also made sacrifices in
preparing for classes by choosing to stay in and study rather than go out
with my friends.
Was there a particular person who influenced you to attend college?
There is no one particular individual but in general my whole family has greatly pushed me and influenced me in my decision to attend
college. Education is greatly valued in my family and after seeing my sister graduate, then followed by my brother, I knew that this was
something I needed to do. It would not just be satisfying to my family, but also to me, making me a more knowledgeable individual.
Watching the success of my brother and sister has always been a great motivation to me.
Is there a mistake that you made in college that you would like to encourage other students to avoid?
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
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
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
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
prepared and never take anything for granted!
Has there been a faculty or staff member who has supported and encouraged you?
There have been numerous faculty and staff who have supported me but my McNair mentor, Dr. Martha Skerrett, has been one of my
greatest supporters. She introduced me to what now is my passion for research and has always been there to guide me and encourage
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.
What has been your best experience at Buffalo State?
My best college experience was becoming a Ronald E. McNair Scholar.
What sacrifices have you made in order to earn your college degree?
Spending time with friends and family, a reduced social life, and fewer recreational activities.
What role has EOP played in your college experience?
EOP has been a great help to me. The counselors are excellent and my counselor, Dr. Johnson, has been an inspiration and of great
help to me. She was always informing me about new opportunities which helped me to earn a scholarship. The EOP Academic Center
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.
What are your career goals and plans after graduation?
I will be attending Ohio University to earn my Phd in molecular cellular and developmental biology
No. 5 (tie)
Thaddeus Hagood
3.59 cum GPA
Media Production
Rochester, New York
“The more prepared you are, the
more primed for success you are!”
- Orlando McEwan
On-campus Involvement:
Member of the African-American
Students Organization (AASO)

Thaddeus Hagood, continued
Off-Campus Activities:
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
keep my creative juices alive.
How have you been able to achieve a high gpa?
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
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
remembering it when the test comes.
What sacrifices have you made in order to earn your college degree?
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.
Also, many times when I really wanted to go home, I had to stay and work on projects.
Has there been an obstacle in your life that you have had to overcome in order to
attend college?
When I was attending Syracuse University in the fall of 2007 as a freshman, I sustained a life
changing injury. I tore my ACL and LCL and damaged a nerve that caused my left foot to
become half paralyzed. I returned to SU and finished that semester. However, I then left
school to recover. I then returned in spring 2009 to Monroe Community College where I
graduated with a cumulative GPA of 3.20. I transferred to Buffalo State in the fall of 2010.
Even though my foot is still paralyzed, I’m graduating and I’m so happy I didn’t quit.
Is there a particular person who influenced you to come to college?
Definitely my parents. They are my biggest supporters when it comes to my collegiate
career. They’ve always pushed me to do my best in school, from elementary to college. In
my family, education is a huge deal.
Has there been a faculty or staff member who has supported and encouraged you?
There have been plenty of faculty that have supported and encouraged me. Specifically my
professors Brian Millbrand and Tom McCray. They have both had a strong impact on my
passion for media production.
“Procrastination is a killer.
If you can get it done
today, don’t wait until
tomorrow. It will save you
stress and you won’t have
to worry about doing
things last minute.”
- Thaddeus Hagood
What advice do you have for other students?
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
down for any reason, just know things will always get better.
What role has EOP played in your college experience?
EOP has been a major blessing for me both financially and academically. Without EOP, finances would have surely hindered my
academic performance. The counselors are also always very helpful and insightful whenever you need help or advice.
What are your career goals and plans after graduation?
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
ESPN Studios as a film highlights editor.
Congratulations to all of our graduates!