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University At Buffalo - News Center: UB College Of Arts And Sciences Honors Outstanding 2021 Graduates
The 2021 SUNY Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence was awarded to two College students: Gianna Damico and Matthew Taboni.
Jackie Hausler
May 14, 2021
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BUFFALO, N.Y. — On April 27, 2021, Robin Schulze, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, held a virtual ceremony to recognize the College's Outstanding Seniors. Every year, each of the College’s departments chooses a graduating senior who has demonstrated exceptional diligence and promise during their time at the University at Buffalo.
Africana and American Studies - Aqeelah Croskery-Howard Aqeelah Howard of Buffalo, N.Y., graduates cum laude with a bachelor of arts in African American studies and a minor in psychology.
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Anthropology – Kevin P. Klier Kevin Klier of Orchard Park, N.Y., graduates magna cum laude with a bachelor of arts in anthropology.
Art – Jillian A. Daniels Jillian Daniels of Buffalo, N.Y., graduates cum laude with a bachelor of science in industrial design studies, special studies program, and a bachelor of arts in studio art with a general studio concentration.
Asian Studies – Yaling Lin Yaling Lin of Queens, N.Y., graduates magna cum laude with a bachelor of arts in Asian studies and a minor in Korean.
Biological Sciences – Nicholas D. Kagelmacher Nicholas Kagelmacher of North Tonawanda, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of science in biological sciences.
Chemistry – Daniel R. Morphet Daniel Morphet of Rochester, N.Y., graduates magna cum laude with a bachelor of science in chemistry.
Classics – Jake N. Pawlush Jake Pawlush of Rensselaerville, N.Y., graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in classics with a concentration in classical languages and literature.
Communication – Austin C. Robar Austin Robar of Potsdam, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in communication and a minor in psychology.
Communicative Disorders and Sciences – Corrinn J. Cincotta Corrinn Cincotta of Penn Yan, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in speech and hearing science.
Economics – Peter D. Balogh Peter Balogh of West Hempstead, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in economics and a minor in media study.
English – Alexis M. Banaszak Alexis Banaszak of Clarence Center, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in English and global gender studies.
Environment and Sustainability – Meredith L. Seibold Meredith Seibold of East Aurora, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of science in environmental studies and minors in biological sciences and psychology.
Geography – Matthew P. Morris Matthew Morris of Webster, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in geography with a concentration in earth systems science.
Geology – Noah T. Dobson Noah Dobson of Horseheads, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of science in geological sciences.
Global Gender and Sexuality Studies – Mosammet Asma Mosammet Asma of Brooklyn, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in global gender studies and political science with a concentration in public law.
History – Mariah O. Agbonkpolo Mariah Agbonkpolo of Montebello, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in history.
Jewish Thought - Anthony D. Catanese Anthony Catanese of Amherst, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in Jewish studies.
Linguistics – Kenn B. Lewis Kenn Lewis of Ruthven, Iowa, graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in linguistics with a concentration in language and cognition and minors in Spanish, American Sign Language and political science.
Mathematics – Cameron J. Watt Cameron Watt of Grand Island, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of science in mathematical physics.
Media Study – Cydney I. Teeter Cydney Teeter of Elba N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in political science and media study with a concentration in production.
Music – Richard C. Hoover Richard Hoover of Grand Island, N.Y., graduates magna cum laude with a bachelor of music in music performance.
Philosophy – Tiana N. Gleason Tiana Gleason of North Bay, Ontario, graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in philosophy and history and a minor in French.
Physics – Hannah M. Seppala Hannah Seppala of Penn Yan, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of science in physics and mathematics with a concentration in general study in mathematics.
Political Science – Mia L. Hanson Mia Hanson of Big Flats, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in history and political science with a concentration in American politics and public affairs.
Psychology – Cassondra M. Lyman Cassondra Lyman of Endicott, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of science in psychology and a bachelor of arts in statistics.
Romance Languages and Literatures – Serena E. Strollo-DiCenso Serena Strollo-DiCenso of Batavia, N.Y., graduates magna cum laude with a bachelor of arts in biological sciences and Italian.
Social Sciences Interdisciplinary – Clara E. Cook Clara Cook of Sharon, Mass., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in social sciences interdisciplinary with a cognitive science concentration and a bachelor of arts in computer science with minors in psychology and Spanish.
Sociology – Mia A. Forney Mia Forney of Lewiston, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in psychology and criminology and a minor in addiction studies.
Theatre and Dance – Homeria L. Lubin Homeria Lubin of Westtown, N.Y., graduates magna cum laude with a bachelor of arts in dance and psychology.
The 2021 SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence was awarded to two College students: Gianna Damico and Matthew Taboni.
This recognition is awarded to students who, according to the SUNY website, “have best demonstrated their integration of academic excellence with other aspects of their lives, which may include leadership, campus involvement, athletics, career achievement, community service or creative and performing arts.” Students were recognized in a virtual ceremony on April 14, 2021.
Gianna Damico of Victor, N.Y., graduates with a bachelor of arts in anthropology and a bachelor of fine arts. Damico is a graphic designer and the only student in her BFA year with a solo gallery show. Gianna has worked for the Jacobs Institute since 2019, creating interactive 3D renderings of patient-specific vasculature structures and developing branding guidelines for the company.
She currently works as the designer and marketing strategist for the institute’s podcast “Journey into the Future of Medicine with Bill Maggio.” Gianna has also held the role of Blackstone LaunchPad and Techstars’ graphic designer for seven semesters, shifting from creating marketing materials to managing social media roll-out plans and supervising a group of student interns.
Matthew Taboni of Tonawanda, N.Y., graduates with a BS in business administration and a minor in Nonprofit Leadership from the College of Arts and Sciences Social Sciences Interdisciplinary Program. Taboni has advocated for students as president of the Residence Hall Association (RHA); co-chair of Blue Table, UB’s food pantry; assistant director of health and wellness for the Student Association; and in numerous other roles. He was named President of the Year by the National Association of College and University Residence Halls in recognition of his efforts to implement an endowment and scholarship to support residential students, start an alternative spring break program and expand RHA’s regional and national involvement.
As co-chair of Blue Table, UB’s food pantry, he kick-started creation of the pantry that now serves more than 50 students a week, including growing the pantry’s stock to offer personal hygiene products. In his role as assistant director of health and wellness for SA, Taboni established UB’s first Mental Health Awareness Week. Consisting of eight activities aimed at destigmatizing mental health issues and educating students on available resources, the success of the week-long program helped him win an Outstanding Campus Impact Award in May 2019.
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This press release was produced by the University at Buffalo - News Center. The views expressed here are the author’s own.
