Awards & Recognition

Jean A. May Brett, ‘73, ‘77, graduated from Buffalo State with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education: geoscience with a minor in mathematics, and earned her master’s degree in secondary education: earth science. Mrs. Brett taught in North Tonawanda, NY, before her marriage to Thomas J. Brett and moved to New Orleans, LA, where, with his support, she continued working in both formal and informal arenas of the field of STEM education. During Mrs. Brett’s undergraduate career, she had many transformative experiences. One standout moment was the opportunity to explore the importance of research in the geosciences. The faculty support guiding her through this discovery is an unforgettable testament towards the success of her collegiate endeavors. Jean May Brett and Thomas Brett established this fund to encourage undergraduate students to explore and possibly participate in research opportunities.

The May Brett Science Travel Award is given annually to an undergraduate student pursuing a degree in the natural sciences (e.g., biology, chemistry, geoscience, physics) who is conducting research in collaboration with a faculty member and presenting that research at a local, regional, or national conference. The award funds must be used to support student travel.

Nominations for this award are due annually by October 1. The department chair of each appropriate natural science department will submit up to two (2) names of candidates and required nomination materials electronically in a PDF file to artsandsciences@buffalostate.edu.

Required nomination materials:

• Candidate statement addressing their interest in the travel award, including a statement about what the student hopes to gain from the research and travel experience;
• Specific information on the conference they plan to attend and why it fits with their research project; 
• A detailed budget of how much money is needed (e.g., conference registration, transportation costs, lodging, meals); and 
• A statement of support from the student’s faculty mentor.

The Arts and Humanities Sterling Award is given annually to an outstanding student with demonstrated talent, ongoing academic success, and excellent progress in their pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in the arts or humanities. 

Candidates must be nominated by their department chair. Nominations for this award are due to the Dean’s Office annually by March 1. All nominations are reviewed by a School of Arts and Sciences committee that recommends an award winner to the Dean.

Dr. Marie Dellas (’43) earned her B.S. degree in elementary education and reading from “State Teachers’ College,” as Buffalo State was then known. She was inducted as a member of Kappa Delta Pi, an international honor society in education whose purpose is to promote high ideals of scholarship and leadership in education, and she served as its vice president. Dr. Dellas exemplified the ideals of Kappa Delti Pi throughout her career, having later earned an M.S. and a Ph.D. from the University of Buffalo. Dr. Dellas was Professor Emeritus at Eastern Michigan University, where she was a consultant.

The Dr. Marie Dellas Creative Achievement Award is given annually to an undergraduate student pursuing a degree in Art and Design, Music, Theater, or English. The award recognizes a student with a demonstrated notable creative achievement in the arts or language arts. 

Candidates must be nominated by their department chair. Nominations for this award are due to the Dean’s Office annually by March 1. All nominations are reviewed by a School of Arts and Sciences committee that recommends an award winner to the Dean.

Ruth Charlotte (Parker) Peters (1926-2019) graduated from Buffalo State Teacher's College in 1948 with a degree in physical handicapped education. As a student, she was active in numerous organizations, including the Newman Club, the Dramatic Club, Casting Hall, the Senior Girls' Glee Club, was a cheerleader, and was a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority. She subsequently completed a master's degree from Buffalo State in 1951. Mrs. Peters spent her professional career in the Cheektowaga Central School System, retiring as a principal after 27 years of service. She served in leadership roles with the Cheektowaga Central Retired Teachers Unit, including as president for several years, and the New York State Retired Teachers Association, Western Zone. In 1998, she chaired her class's 50th reunion at Buffalo State. As a retiree, she continued her lifelong love of dancing with the Queen City Strutters, the Cheektowaga Western Line Dancers, and Patti Rich's Variety Dancers. She was also active in her community, serving as president, secretary, and treasurer of the Cheektowaga Senior Center, vice president of the Tri Sigma Chapter, and president of the Ladies Guild at St. John Gualbert Church, as well as Eucharist minister, lector, and chair of the church's 75th Jubilee. In 2004, she was recognized by the Buffalo State Alumni Association with the Alumni Senior Service Award. Mrs. Peters established this award to promote the performing arts.

The Ruth Parker Peters Performing Arts Award is given annually to an undergraduate student pursuing a degree in the performing arts, including degrees in Theater, Music, and Television and Film Arts. The award recognizes a student with a demonstrated notable creative achievement in the performing arts.

Candidates must be nominated by their department chair. Nominations for this award are due to the Dean’s Office annually by March 1. All nominations are reviewed by a School of Arts and Sciences committee that recommends an award winner to the Dean.

Laraine Wright and her mother Lenore Rollett Wright established this award in memory of Carol Wright, who attended “State Teacher’s College,” as Buffalo State was known then, from 1932 to 1935. Carol Wright earned her baccalaureate degree in Education. Mrs. Carol Wright Henry was an active member of Theta Sigma Upsilon throughout her four years in college. Her personal interests included science and medicine, so her family established this gift to honor Mrs. Carol Wright Henry’s ideals in perpetuity.

The Carol Wright Henry Award for Undergraduate Achievement in Pre-medicine Studies is given annually to an outstanding senior student in a pre-medicine or health-related profession course of studies at Buffalo State. 

Members of the Pre-Health Committee review the academic records of senior students in a pre-medicine or health-related profession course of studies at Buffalo State and identify the student who achieved the highest cumulative GPA through the end of the fall semester preceding selection. The Committee sends its review and nomination to the Dean’s Office annually by March 1. 

The Natural and Social Science Student Research Support Award provides student research mini-grant funding ($250-$500 range). The award supports students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in the natural or social sciences who are conducting research related to their degree in collaboration with the faculty mentor. 

Applications for this award are accepted on a rolling basis. The student’s department chair will submit the required application materials electronically in a PDF file to artsandsciences@buffalostate.edu.

Required application materials:

• Candidate statement addressing their interest in the mini-grant research funding, including a statement about what the student hopes to gain from the research experience;
• A detailed budget of how much money is needed to complete their research project; and 
• A statement of support from the student’s faculty mentor.

SUNY Distinguished Service Professor and historian Edward Owen “E. O.” Smith Jr., became a member of the faculty of the Buffalo State History Department in 1963, serving as chair of the History and Social Studies Education Department for many years and as the first director of the Monroe Fordham Regional History Center. He retired from Buffalo State in 2013. During his 50-year tenure, Dr. Smith was known for his concern for students, his chairmanship of numerous college committees, and his efforts to improve the economic and cultural life of Buffalo’s West Side. He also held a deep interest in art and the visual image as a document, and was honored by the Burchfield Penney Art Center for his participation in and leadership of many collaborative center projects. Dr. Smith died in March 2014, and his gift endowing this fund leaves a lasting legacy at Buffalo State.

These competitive, peer-reviewed projects support opportunities for the professional development of full-time Buffalo State University faculty members in programs related to the arts and the humanities. Eligible candidates must be members of programs included in the arts (art, design, art conservation, theater, music, dance, film) or the humanities (history, art history, philosophy, religious studies, literature, English, modern and classical languages) and teach discipline-specific courses in the arts and humanities.

Applications are due the first Monday in November for funds that will be used during the following calendar year. For more information, please contact Dr. Anthony Chase, Assistant Dean