Image of faculty hooding a doctoral candidate at 2023 commencement ceremony.

New beginnings: Commencement Recap

On May 19, GSE’s 92nd commencement ceremony brought together faculty, staff, students and guests to celebrate in UB’s Center for the Arts. Dean Suzanne Rosenblith and UB President Satish K. Tripathi conferred degrees on the graduates during this special occasion.

This year’s commencement celebration was unlike any other. The night before the ceremony, GSE hosted a special reception for graduating PhD students. The reception honored doctoral candidates with awards recognizing their outstanding contributions to our school and communities, including:

Delbert Mullens “Thinking Outside the Box” Award

Melodie Baker.

Melodie Baker
Educational Psychology and Quantitative Methods, PhD ’23

Dr. Edwin D. Duryea, Jr. Higher Education Memorial Award

Danielle Lewis.

Danielle Vegas Lewis
Higher Education, PhD ’23
 

PhD Excellence Award

Margaret Manges.

Margaret Manges
Counseling Psychology/School Psychology, PhD ’23

Members of GSE’s distinguished alumni, faculty and community were also recognized for their exceptional accomplishments and service:

Distinguished Alumni Award

Robert Davies.

Robert Davies, PhD
President, Central Michigan University 
 

PhD Mentorship Award

Tiffany Karalis Noel.

Tiffany Karalis Noel, PhD
GSE Clinical Assistant Professor of Learning and Instruction 

Dean's Service Award

Samuel L. Radford III.

Samuel L. Radford III
Program Director, Community Action Organization of Western New York

The next day, the ceremony welcomed GSE faculty speaker, Stephen Santa-Ramirez, PhD, assistant professor of educational leadership and policy, and GSE student speaker, Shakuntala (Devi) Gopal, PhD ’23, to the stage to share their wisdom and advice with the graduating class.

The ceremony recognized exceptional members of our community with awards, including:

Excellence in Community Outreach and Engagement Award

Zoom image: Michele Agosto accepting the Excellence in Community Outreach and Engagement Award at the 2023 commencement ceremony Michele Agosto accepting the Excellence in Community Outreach and Engagement Award at the 2023 commencement ceremony.

Michele Agosto
 Educational Administration, EdD ’23
 

Excellence in Equity, Diversity, Justice and Inclusion Award

Zoom image: Ebony Bullock accepting the Excellence in Equity, Diversity, Justice and Inclusion Award at the 2023 commencement ceremony. Ebony Bullock accepting the Excellence in Equity, Diversity, Justice and Inclusion Award at the 2023 commencement ceremony.

Ebony Bullock
Educational Administration, EdD ’23
 

Excellence in Research Award

Zoom image: Melodie Baker accepting the Excellence in Research award at the 2023 commencement ceremony. Melodie Baker accepting the Excellence in Research award at the 2023 commencement ceremony.

Melodie Baker
Educational Psychology and Quantitative Methods, PhD ’23

Buffalo, N.Y., May 19, 2023. (Photos/Charbel Boujaodie)

“Thank you all for your advocacy for others, dedication to your craft and the positive impact you have had at GSE and in your personal and professional communities,” Dean Rosenblith said during her remarks.

Keep in touch, GSE alumni! Share your accomplishments. Let us always celebrate you.