Intelligent Design visits UB - University at...

Intelligent Designvisits UB

N U M B E R X V X I I | S p r i n g 2 0 0 6UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO

The State University of New York

Intelligent Design visits UB

No nation is isolatedfrom the economic, military

and political activities in any

other part of the world.THOMAS FRIEDMAN

he media have been all abuzz about the teaching of“Intelligent Design” in our public classrooms.Kansas seems determined to introduce the conceptin spite of the nation’s scientists’ shaking theirheads in disbelief, while in Dover, PA a judge gavea thumbs down signal to the proponents of ID. Asthe political and legal battles rage on, CharlesDarwin’s visage graces the pages of our country’smagazines; we too have succumbed to the tempta-tion to memorialize him on our front cover. Butunderstandingly so, for Charles Darwin himselfvisited campus this fall in a surprise visit! Thestory is reported later in this issue.

”Intelligent Design”, although not a popularphrase among scientists, does seem eminentlyappropriate for many activities at UB. In this issuewe are delighted to tell you about Professor MikeRyan, who for many years represented the Schoolof Engineering in our Honors Council. He hasnow assumed the title and anxieties of the Vice-Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education.During his first months on the job he has workeddiligently to invigorate the undergraduate experi-ence across campus, especially in the area of under-graduate research. He has other plans in the worksthat you will be pleased to hear about.

Meanwhile here in the Honors Program, wehave been hard at work to renovate the curriculumthat has been essentially the same for almost twen-ty-five years. Most alumni have experienced varia-tions of our UB Honors Colloquium where wenow seriously engage in community service proj-ects, and they will recall their favorite Honors sem-inars. Colloquium and Honors seminars are stillwith us. But for the past year, the Honors Councilhas pondered how our Honors Program require-ments should expand to meet the educationalneeds of the growing world globalization. Asauthor Thomas Friedman celebrated in the title of

his recentbook, TheWorld is Flat,no nation isisolated fromthe econom-ic, militaryand political activities in any other part of theworld. Simple classroom experiences are notenough to deal with this whirlwind of change.Students must have a broad background; so thenew requirements that we have instituted for theincoming freshmen emphasize experiential learningwith a heavy accent on overseas study, internships,and in-depth scholarship leading to a senior thesis.Students must be flexible and wise to survive in thetwenty-first century. The new requirements nowstretch over four years and are outlined in thecoming pages.

You will also read about alumni who have theirown versions of “Intelligent Design” as they plantheir own careers. Some have seemingly knownsince they were embryos that they would be aphysician, poet, or lawyer. Others (over 50%)change their majors mid-stride and end up on anunexpected journey. And some have discovered thattheir inner child has an entrepreneurial streak andlaunched their own businesses. You can read abouttheir interpretations of ”Intelligent Design” in thisIssue of Honors Today.

And finally don’t miss the invitation to ourTwenty-fifth anniversary reunion of the HonorsProgram found on the back page. When you visitwe promise that you will see and hear all aboutUB’s new designs as one of the nation’s premieruniversities. Remember the dates: August 4-6,2006. See you there!

KIPP HERREID & JOSIE CAPUANAAcademic Director and Administrative Director

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Intelligent Designvisits UB

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ook,

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HONORS TODAYEDITOR:

KARYN C. ST. GEORGE, [email protected]

Please join me in welcoming my daughter,

Makena Claire St. George, to the Honors family!

She arrived on January 30, 2006.

UNIVERSITY HONORS PROGRAM

University at Buffalo214 Talbert Hall

Buffalo, New York 14260-1700

(716) 645-3020

www.buffalo.edu/honors

On the Cover:Charles Darwin

(1809-1882) in his later years. Photo by J.

Cameron, 1869.

On the Inside...

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N U M B E R X V X I I | S P R I N G 2 0 0 6 1

Brian’s BlogBrian DanielakDistinguished Honors Scholar, Class of 2007

The Business of Art PAGE 4Elizabeth HaremzaHonors Scholar, Class of 2004

Virtual Beginnings PAGE 5Kevin ChughHonors Scholar, Class of 1991

Spot Girl PAGE 6Ann PellegrinoPerforming and Creative Arts Honors Scholar, Class of 1993

A New Century PAGE 8An Interconnected World

A Different Kind of Honors Program

Tutu’s and Taxes PAGE 9

Stephanie PlahitkoHonors Scholar, Class of 1999

Mike Ryan: PAGE 10Engineering Education—A View from the Fifth Floor

Jessica (Seabury) DudekHonors Scholar, Class of 1994Assistant Administrative Director, Honors Program

Out of Africa: A Journey Out of Context PAGE 13Paul HebertAdvanced Honors Scholar, Class of 2005

Darwin Visits UB PAGE 14Kevin FrylingUB News Reporter

I Do...Honors Alumni Who Have Tied the Knot PAGE 15 Alumni Updates PAGE 16

What They’re Doing Now

2 U N I V E R S I T Y A T B U F F A L O


Brian’s Blog BRIAN DANIELAKDistinguished Honors Scholar,

Class of 2007

admire Alistair Cooke. As a BBCnewscaster he is responsible for thelongest-running broadcast in radiohistory, entitled “Letter FromAmerica.” Each week the charmingand comfortable English voice wouldpulse across the worldwide airways ofthe British Broadcasting Corporation,greeting eager listeners in Englandand elsewhere with tales, musings,and history from the United States.Cooke was part critic, part humorist,part storyteller. For 58 years his pro-gram showcased one of the world’sfinest broadcasters practicing the mas-tery of his craft. It ran from 1946through its final broadcast on March2, 2004. Alistair Cooke sadly suc-cumbed to cancer on March 30,2004, and with his passing the worldlost one of the greatest voices of thepostwar generation.

As a student ready to spend hisjunior year abroad at OxfordUniversity I was approached by theHonors Program. They offered me avery rare opportunity to stimulateinterest in the Program by keeping arecord of my experiences abroad. Iwas being asked to create my ownkind of weekly “Letter from Britain.”They wanted me to write about mytravels and adventures; my life in anew city, a new school, and a newcountry. All this and they wanted toshare it with 106,000 prospective UBapplicants.

Where Alistair Cooke had radio,my medium of communication isvery much a creature of 21st centuryculture. The weblog that I use reflectsthe impact of the internet generationon how we choose to communicate.Even the truncation of the name to“blog” evokes the growing predilec-tion we now have toward instant on-

demand information. The blog func-tions like an online repository thatallows me to create episodic serials oftext and pictures that chronicle mytime here. Those who visit can chooseto read my experiences in the chrono-logical order they are posted, or tojust pick out any episode they like.

I find myself now seeking to fol-low, at least in my own humble way,in the footsteps of Alistair Cooke. Mypostings from the first term here atOxford cover all manner of experi-ences abroad. Since I have arrived, Ihave had the chance to cheer a row-ing regatta, visit the birthplace ofShakespeare, have dinner with world-renowned author Terry Pratchett,speak at the world’s most famousdebating society, and see BrianDennehey’s portrayal of Willy Lomanfrom the front row of a West Endtheatre. I have bungled orders forfood, struggled with essays, cursed theexchange rate, and lamented the factthat Britons believe any vegetabletastes better boiled. I try, wheneverpossible, to supplement these experi-ences with the photographs I havetaken. In this way I strive to create formy readers a more complete atmos-phere.

I look back on all of the things I’vedone and realize how none of itwould have been possible without theHonors Program. When it came toadvising, they did not harp on what itwas I needed to do, but instead askedthe more important question of whatit was I wanted to do with my time incollege. Until my advisement sessionsno one had ever really asked me thatquestion before. With the help of myadvisors, studying at Oxford turnedfrom dream to possibility, and now itis very much a reality.

I

To visit Brian’s Blog, log onto www.honors.buffalo.edu and click on Honors Blog.

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THE BUSINESS of Art

”As a “gallery person” I love the hum of

the daily operations, the deadlines, the meetings,

and the working with the diverse people that make

UB such an interesting place to work.

M


ELIZABETH HAREMZAHonors Scholar, Class of 2004

y father began by saying, “What theheck are you going to do with an Art Historydegree?!” I was speechless. Honestly, I had noidea. “Well, I guess I would do somethingwith…art and galleries,” I explained.

That was three years ago, when I waschanging my Business Administration majorto Art History, two and a half years into mycollege career. I can understand my parents’worries - getting a job in your field right aftercollege is a challenge, and Art History is not aparticularly easy field to break into. Even myfriends were skeptical. I remember trying toexplain to my business-school friend how Ifelt wandering through museums in Europecompared to how I felt studying macroeco-nomics. At the time, business courses justweren’t doing it for me. If I had not delvedinto art at that time in my life, I would havecompletely missed the opportunity to changethe course of my life. Even though my par-ents and friends were worried that I wouldnever find a job after college, here I am,working as Manager for the UB Art Gallery.

It all started with the all-important intern-ship. As soon as I changed majors, I knew Iwould be behind the rest of the class if I didnot go out and get some practical experience.So I knocked on the door of UB’s Art GalleryDirector, Sandra Olsen, and asked for advice.She immediately set me up with KristinRiemer, her External Affairs Officer, to helpwith press releases, gallery events, and mediacontacts. After that, I was hooked. The fol-lowing semester, I found myself interning forNancy Wulbrecht, Registrar, and learned howpermanent collections and temporary exhibi-tions were cared for, insured, shipped, man-aged, and what the legal issues were. At theend of that fall, I graduated and was immedi-ately offered a position as CollectionsManager for David Anderson Art, the name-sake of UB Anderson Gallery, which gave me

the opportunity to work with and learn fromthe gallery professionals.

In the summer of 2004, l traveled toCrete, Greece to work with a UB professor ashis research assistant. Without any idea ofwhat exactly to expect on an archeologicalproject, I headed to Crete to dive into thou-sands of bits of Minoan pottery. That experi-ence helped solidify my passion for workingwith actual objects; being able to touch andhold a piece of history.

A year later, I applied for and received mycurrent position in the Center for the Arts onthe North Campus where I manage the work-study program for the gallery, including inter-viewing, hiring, and training the studentshow to be effective Gallery Attendants. I alsohandle the registrar work for our temporaryexhibitions with all the little details andpaperwork. However, the most exciting partabout my job is coordinating the events thattake place inside the gallery. In October, wehad an exhibition preview for one of oursponsors, who held a photo-op with ColinPowell, who was speaking that evening atAlumni Arena. I was behind the scenes thatnight, making sure the exhibition was inorder and that our security was prepared. Ieven got to have my picture taken with ColinPowell!

The galleries are regularly used for specialevents by campus departments and byPresident Simpson as he hosts universityguests, permitting me to work with avariety of people with different goals.I enjoy the behind-the-scenes viewsand the satisfaction I get from help-ing an event succeed. The same istrue with a fresh, new exhibition.When I sign for the delivery ofthe artwork that has yet to go onto the walls, I am afforded a peekof artwork in crates and under

wrappings, a view that many art-lovers neverget to see. From the extensive planning andlogistics, to the actual arrival and hanging ofthe artwork, each show has its own specialmagic. The most exhilarating time at anygallery is right before the opening, when peo-ple are flying around trying to get the exhibi-tion up so that when it opens people comeand say, “Wow, it looks like it belongs inhere.” They would never know that we werespackling and lighting earlier that day. There are “gallery people” and there are “arthistorians”. As a gallery person, I love thehum of the daily operations, the deadlines,the meetings, and working with the diversepeople that make UB such an interestingplace. I could never research anything forany length of time; I need the ever-changingexhibitions and people to keep me interested.

Somewhere along the line, I must havereally listened to what my parents had to say;I am currently half-way through my Mastersof Business Administration (MBA) atCanisius College and hope to continue help-ing the arts by providing them with financialliteracy and fiscally sound policies.

n the fall of 2001, shortly before com-pleting my Ph.D. at the University atBuffalo in Computer Science, I andtwo of my colleagues (my advisor anda fellow doctoral student) formedTactus Technologies. While I was com-pleting my graduate studies, we real-ized there was an enormous opportu-nity to bring Virtual Reality (VR) tothe masses. While many companieswere providing expensive solutions toorganizations with deep pockets, noone was really delivering low cost VRsolutions. We initially started thecompany on paper, met once or twicea week at a local diner and then didtechnical work on evenings and week-ends. In 2004, after a lot of soulsearching and advice from my wife, Idecided to quit my job and join thecompany full time. We now havethree full-time and four part-timeemployees, and are planning on hiringtwo more full-time programmersshortly. We currently have severalproducts in development, and we hopeto be the market leader in low cost(sub-$1,000) VR solutions for a vari-ety of users.

We are very much a startup compa-ny, have four products in developmentand are confident they will be wellreceived in the market. Our flagshipproduct, V-Frog, takes the best of thevirtual surgery world, which usestremendously complicated mathemat-

ics to simulate human tissue, andbrings it down to the less complicatedworld of virtual dissection. Studentswill be able to cut open and explore avariety of species, including frog, cat,pig and earthworm, all on a basic PC.Students in the United States alonedissect roughly six million specimensper year, so the market for the productis enormous.

My job is to run the company, andas such, I am responsible for both thetechnical design and development ofour products as well as administrativefunctions. While I enjoy both aspectsof the job, starting out I had no ideahow much time the latter would con-sume. The best part about the job,and I think everyone in the companywould agree, is the challenge of thework. We figure out some of the mostcomplicated simulation computationsever created in the VR domain, andevery day brings extremely challengingwork.

Last year, my two co-founders andI were honored with the Western NewYork Inventor of the Year award for amedical device we designed andpatented. The device is a medical pal-pation glove that is worn on a doctor’shand while he palpates (touches) apatient. It is the first non-invasivedevice that actually quantifies tissueproperties, rather than relying on sub-jective data. A doctor can then go

back later and re-examine the patientby touching the same area and cancompare, with actual numbers, theway a certain tissue or organ feels.The technology also allows the physi-cian to virtually feel the old and newexams using a technology called hap-tics. Winning this award was a won-derful honor in addition to it being agreat shock. We were invited to theawards dinner and were chosen forbest invention in the health caredomain, as well as the best overallinvention. It was an amazing experi-ence because we were surrounded bymany of the area’s best and brightest,and it was truly an honor to even havebeen nominated.

The most valuable advice I couldgive to anyone considering starting ahigh tech company is to choose yourpartners and employees wisely. This isan old cliché, but it is also the truest ofall of the half-true business book plati-tudes. Picking the right people is notjust a good idea, for small business, it’severything. All of the employees atour company can disagree and argue,go back and forth, but then walk awaywith no hard feelings. Good decisionsrequire proper vetting, and proper vet-ting only works when people don’ttake discussions personally. It’s notjust choosing smart and hardworkingpeople that’s important, it’s choosingeven-tempered and thick skinned peo-ple as well.

Overall, working for a startup com-pany is a great experience. You get outof it exactly what you put in - there’sno friction, no wasted time, never aboring day, and every day you comehome mentally exhausted - in a goodway. The first course I took at theUniversity at Buffalo was an Honorsseminar, called “The Computer as aTool,” and I’ll never forget how freelyideas were exchanged in that course ascompared with others, setting the stagefor where I find myself today. I usethis and many other Honor’s Programexperiences every day and I’m gratefulfor having had the opportunity toexpand my horizons at UB.

Virtual Beginnings


KEVIN CHUGHHonors Scholar, Class of 1991

I

Virtual Beginnings


Spot Girl ANN PELLEGRINOPerforming and Creative Arts Honors Scholar

Class of 1993

When I was younger, I always gavehomemade greeting cards to my family. Itis an embarrassing collection which mymother of course saved and presented tome years later when I graduated from UB.Making cards is something I have alwaysenjoyed doing but never realized it couldbe a career path until recently.

I was drawn to UB Art School after vis-iting Bethune Hall (the previous home ofthe art department before moving to theCenter for the Arts on the North Campusin 1994) for the first time. I loved thecasual atmosphere and it seemed like thekind of place where students were free todig in and make a mess! Beingawarded a UB HonorsCreative and PerformingArts Scholarship was anincredible honor.Interestingly enough, thepieces in my portfoliothat received thebest responseduring my ini-tial review weresome of thegreeting cards Ihad included, done over the years forfriends and family … most notably, a girlwith a big round face and pigtails whoshows up a few times in my current cardcollection. Since I was attending classesalmost exclusively at Bethune Hall (whichwas a few blocks down from the MainStreet campus in Buffalo), being part ofthe Honors Program was a good way toconnect with the larger campus throughHonors seminars and various get-togethers.I appreciated having the support of the UBHonors staff because it was great to havesomeone to talk to.

My first job out of school was designingyellow page ads. Pretty boring stuff, but Ienjoyed the familiarity and - as we werejust on the fringe of the digital age - it wasalso the last job where I ever had to do

paste up (I still miss my waxer). Afterworking there for a year, I was offered ajob at Prometheus Books in Amherst, NYdesigning book jackets, which I did foranother year. My art director was anotherUB design grad and a wonderful mentor.When my husband-to-be was offered thechance to move to the Washington, DCarea, we both jumped at the chance torelocate. I started working for a small stu-dio in Alexandria, VA that was owned by ahusband and wife team who were also,coincidentally, graduates of the UB designdepartment. Within three years, I was theart director and producing annual reports,

direct mail pieces, brochures and corpo-rate identity packages for local andnational businesses and associations.

After eight years in the design field, Icould feel myself getting burned out.Creatively, I was struggling andcould feel the need for a change. I

was fortunateenough to beable to takesome time offand figure outwhat my next

step should be. I had been doing somefreelance work for a former Hallmarkemployee, creating photo greeting cards.She believed that I had a real talent fordesigning social stationery, and suggestedthat I visit the National Stationery Show(NSS) in New York City. What an encour-aging trip that turned out to be! To seesuch amazing, diverse products and meet-ing some truly wonderful, creative peoplesolidified my desire to be part of the sta-tionery market.

My first investment was a high-qualitylaser printer, and my first batch of cardswas produced in the fall of 2001. Twelveholiday designs were sold in two gift shopsin Buffalo. I spent another year developingmore ideas and making another visit to theNSS before deciding to exhibit in the

“My goal is to

make cards that

will make people

smile. I believe

in my work and

only create cards

that I would -

and have - sent

out myself.

My hope is that

if I produce work

that I truly love,

the care that I

take will shine

through in the

artwork and

sentiment.”


spring of 2004, and again in 2005.Orders started to come in, andSpotgirl really stared to take shape.

Spotgirl cards are produced inhouse (which is a fancy way of sayingthat I print, trim, fold, package andship them from my home office.) Istart by making sketches that arescanned and then finished in AdobeIllustrator. Cards are all printed toorder, so I don’t keep an inventory.Filling orders takes more time, but Iam also free to customize products asrequested, such as coordinating recipecards to go with wedding showerinvites or thank you cards to send outafter a baby shower. Personalized notecards are very popular right now, espe-cially for children.

One fantastic thing about this busi-ness is that I have met some reallygreat people. When I was just startingout, I made lots of connections with

other small studios and almost every-one I contacted was willing to sharetheir story with me about how theygot started and how their products aremade. Another positive is that I cancomfortably work at home. It’s usuallylate nights and weekends, as I alsohave two small children runningaround, but it is very satisfying towork for myself and I can set my ownschedule. Plus, my children are a greatsource of inspiration for me … yes,that’s my daughter running aroundnaked on that birthday card and myson with cereal dumped all over thefloor on another. Mothers and chil-dren are my favorite audience. Lastyear, Spotgirl introduced a line of“milestone” cards celebrating majoraccomplishments in the first few years(first tooth, first steps, going to thepotty) and several support cards formoms, as well.

My goal is to make cards that willmake people smile. I believe in mywork and only create cards that Iwould - and have - sent out myself.My hope is that if I produce work that I truly love, the care that I takewill shine through in the artwork andsentiment.


Non scholae sed vitae discimus.

We learn, not for school, but for life.SENECA, EPISTLES EVI. 12.

In today’s globalized environment, it’s vitally important tostand apart from the crowd as an independent thinker. And yet it’salso essential to have the depth of knowledge and breadth of expe-rience needed to work in a wide cooperative network. That is whywe’ve revised the University at Buffalo Honors Program require-ments, making the experience one of the most challenging andrewarding in the nation.

Globalization — and the shifting economic, technological, andcultural landscape - means that it is likely students will changejobs several times over the course of their career. As a result, theymust be creative and nimble to succeed in the international mar-ketplace of ideas. They must be scholars of the first order, be ableto work effectively with people of virtually every background, allthe while being sensitive to the needs of their community. Thenew UB Honors Program requirements will help prepare studentsfor the 21st century by:

Emphasizing experiential learning, providing transforming life experiences both inside and outside the traditional classroom by encouraging study abroad, internships, and community service.

Fostering in-depth scholarship by encouraging multiple degrees in diverse subjects, undergraduate research, graduate work, capstone courses, and an Honors thesis.

Requiring a detailed annual review of career plans with our professional advisement staff, recognizing that the majority of students change their majors during their university years, often with unexpected opportunities.

Conferring a strong Honors experience throughout all fouryears at UB, enhancing the interaction of students and faculty mentors, and producing a strong network of scholars for the future.

As always, the UB Honors Program offers scholarship supportfor four years of undergraduate study, faculty mentors, opportuni-ties for independent research, specialized advisement, prioritycourse registration, and preferred on-campus housing.

New Honors Program Requirements

With this in mind, the responsibilities of an Honors Scholarnow include successfully completing the Honors Colloquium inthe Fall semester freshman year and completing two Honors semi-nars, one each semester of the freshman year.

In the following three years, scholars will select and completesix Honors Experiences from the following list:

Undergraduate research or creative activity

Independent study

Internship or practicum

Study abroad

Undergraduate supervised teaching

Graduate coursework

Departmental Honors coursework

Departmental Honors thesis or project

Senior Capstone coursework

Double degree, a double major, or a major and a minor

Contract Honors coursework

To help guide students in developing a unique Honors aca-demic program, academic advisement is provided during the fresh-man, sophomore, and junior years to ensure that they are makingthe most of their undergraduate education at UB.

As you can see, the new Honors Program allows each HonorsScholar the opportunity to shape their “honors experience” to fittheir intellectual needs and interests. We took the academicaccomplishments of our Honors alumni over the past 25 yearsand combined them into a new program - one that recognizesand promotes the development of academic excellence and intensepersonal growth. We feel confident that the “new” HonorsProgram will prepare our Scholars for the ever-changing globalworld we live in.

A New CenturyAn Interconnected World

A Different Kind of Honors Program

STEPHANIE PLAHITKOHonors Scholar, Class of 1999

I


woke up yesterday morning in a panic.My eyes popped open and the word“video” was the first thought to greet me.That doesn’t sound scary does it? Well, itis. It’s terrifying when 140 students andtheir parents are expecting to be able topurchase a copy of Holiday Showcase2005, and you’ve forgotten to call thevideographer, with less than two weeks toshow time. Everyday I am realizing moreand more that owning a dance studio isnot just about administrative duties, book-keeping and teaching dance. It’s alsoabout being a stage mom, a role modeland a mentor.

I began taking dance lessons when Iwas seven years old. For my birthday, mymom signed me up for ballet classes atThe Dance Company, in Indianapolis,Indiana. I was hooked and have been inlove with dance ever since. I spent aboutfive nights a week there until I graduatedfrom high school. Aside from my parents,Miss Diane was the most influential adultin my life (it is customary to refer to yourdance teacher with the prefix of Miss orMister). She continued to be my mentorand advisor as I pursued a BFA in DancePerformance and throughout my career inthe entertainment industry. She alsobecame my friend.

I moved back to Indiana late in 2002.After seven years of auditions, jobs andconstant instability, I was ready to spendsome time near my family and regroup. Iwasn’t sure how long I would stay, what Iwould do next, or where. That is oftenwhat you can expect when you are a per-former. The longer I stayed, the less Iwanted to leave and go back to thatlifestyle. I considered ways to live in a citywith limited options for the professionalentertainer. I looked at furthering myeducation; Master’s programs, professionalcertifications and secondary bachelors’degrees that might enhance my dancedegree. The options were abundant, yetnothing spoke to me.

One day, about a year ago, Miss Dianeoffered to sell me The Dance Company.After about twenty-six years in business,she had decided it was time to move onand focus on other endeavors. I tooksome time to make my decision, but itwas the easiest decision I ever made. A“no-brainer” if you will.

Taking over the business was a daunt-ing task on many levels, and often eerilysimple on others. I immediately beganlearning the ropes. I was given timelines

for a year at The Dance Company.Instructions and tips on how each eventis handled - all the time being encouragedto change whatever I wanted - all the

time knowing I would change nothing!This is where I grew up. The way thingswere done is the basis for my fondestchildhood memories. That was the easypart. And to make things even easier,Diane wished to remain a member of myfaculty. She continues to coach me andoffer advice. I have a virtual encyclopediajust a phone call or e-mail away.

The “business” side of the endeavorwas another story. It was frustrating atbest. When dealing with matters thathave potentially legal implications, friend-ly, free advice is virtually impossible tocome by! The only person I knew whohad started a business was Diane. Herexperiences were with starting from theground up, which is very different thanthe situation we were in. Thank goodnessfor the internet. I had to learn not only toask questions, but to ask the right peoplethe right questions. I chose to retain thesame accountant she had for years. Hisexpertise and knowledge of my businesshas been invaluable. I read a book thatencourages small business owners not touse an accountant, for fear of losing touchwith your financial situation. In my opin-ion, it’s a bad idea. Unless you fullyunderstand the IRS and the tax laws ofyour own state, you should take the help.I still run the finances of my business. Ipay myself, and my teachers, the bills, andeven my federal withholding taxes (oncehe taught me how), but there is so muchmore out there. Finally, I decided to takethe help and quit trying to reinvent the

wheel. I feelwiser, and morerelaxed because of it.

I officiallybecame the owner of The DanceCompany on June 1, 2005, to little fan-fare. We signed the papers in the studiolobby one night. Some of our clients did-n’t even know it was happening at thetime. Most people can barely tell a differ-ence, and that pleases me more than any-thing else.

I have been blessed with my dream. Ilive in quiet, sleepy Indianapolis, no morethan fifteen minutes away from my par-ents and siblings. Most of my family isalso nearby. I even have some of mycousin’s children in my classes. There’salways something that needs to be done.Sometimes I want to rip my hair out andscream for a vacation. I have had to learnto prioritize, and include time off in thelist of necessities. But it never seems likework. That is the beauty of doing whatyou love. Having the career you spentyour entire life training for and weremeant to do. The videographer, the sameone that recorded my first recital, andeach one since then, will be there onDecember 3rd at 9:30a.m. for dressrehearsal.

Tutus & Taxes

Professor of Chemical and BiologicalEngineering Michael Ryan is moving up-literally. After serving almost ten years asAssociate Dean of Student Services in theSchool of Engineering and AppliedSciences (SEAS), Ryan was named ViceProvost and Dean of UndergraduateEducation early last year. From his 5thfloor office overlooking the campus Ryanwill now supervise most matters relatingto undergraduate programs and studentservices, including admissions, advising,academic records, financial services,retention and academic policies. Ryanenjoyed his administrative role in SEASand sees his new position as an opportu-nity to impact and speak for a broaderstudent population. “There is a responsi-bility of student advocacy in this posi-tion,” says Ryan. “I feel that the individ-

ual who is responsible for undergraduateeducation has a particular duty to ensurethat the student position is articulatedand considered in crafting policy, and Irelish that.”

Interestingly, Ryan’s academic andadministrative career may have playedout much differently if it were not for achance encounter during his last year ofhigh school. While visiting McGillUniversity, his eventual college choice, hehappened to ask an engineering professorfor directions to the chemistry depart-ment. When the instructor found outthat Ryan liked math and science, hesuggested that the teenager consider thefield of engineering instead of chemistry.Says Ryan, “As I consequence, I startedout in engineering, liked it, and contin-

ued in chemical engineering. I have noregrets, but it is interesting how such asmall chance encounter had such a biginfluence on what I ended up doing.”

Ryan’s affiliation with the University atBuffalo began the fall after he earned hisPh.D. in Chemical Engineering fromMcGill. Ryan visited Buffalo during anunusually balmy February weekend in1976 and witnessed the beginning stagesof the North Campus construction. TheMontreal native came away from hisinterview impressed with the strong fac-ulty in the department and with thedirection that the university had chartedfor the future. He says, “Other schools Ihad interviewed with were not in thesame position as UB at that time.Looking back I am pleased at having


Mike Ryan:JESSICA (SEABURY) DUDEKHonors Scholar, Class of 1994Assistant Administrative Director, Honors Program

Engineering Education — a view from the fifth floor

Photo by Jerry Godwin

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There is a

responsibility

of student

advocacy in

this position...

I feel that the

individual who

is responsible

for undergradu-

ate education

has a particular

duty to ensure

that the student

position is

articulated and

considered in

crafting policy,

and I relish

that.


made that choice.” Ryan became interested inteaching while a graduate student, and in histhirty years with the chemical engineeringdepartment he has taught courses at all levels,ranging from the freshman EngineeringSolutions course to graduate level seminars.

Ryan’s research and publications are equallyprolific. He is the author of numerous journalarticles, book chapters, and journal and bookreviews, and has presented many technicalpapers, invited lectures, and seminars. He hasalso served as a consultant to more than twen-ty companies or corporations. His primaryresearch interests are polymers, fluid mechan-ics, and environmental issues such as wastemanagement and the recycling of polymersand other materials.

Given his love of teaching and the scope of hisresearch, it is perhaps understandable thatRyan did not originally envision himself in anadministrative role. Like most faculty, he hadserved the university through committee workand in other capacities, but when MarkKarwan, then Dean of SEAS, asked Ryan if hewould be interested in serving as AssociateDean, Ryan was initially hesitant to take theposition. However, he says, “I recognized thatfew faculty actually get such an opportunity.There were a number of projects that I wasinterested in that I thought I would enhancethe experience of undergraduates in engineer-ing. So I accepted, and indeed I found it veryrewarding.”

He points to the inception of the StudentExcellence Initiative Program, headed byWilliam Wild, as one of the highlights of histenure with the SEAS Dean’s Office. Ryanexplains that the program arose out of a needto connect engineering students, particularlyfreshmen and sophomores who take founda-tion courses in other departments, more close-ly to the SEAS. “We were very concernedwith student success, and with students havingdifficulty navigating the transition from highschool to the university,” he says. “We wantedto help students acclimate to this change andto help them develop the tools and study skillsthat they need in a demanding and rigorousdiscipline like engineering.” The program fea-tures staff-led small groups linked to introduc-tory courses in chemistry, calculus and physics,a faculty mentor for each freshman engineer-ing student and assistance with study habitsand time management. While data demon-strates the program’s success in the areas of stu-dent retention and academic achievement,Ryan also emphasizes the intangible benefits.“I feel that the program has had a big impact

in the experience of the students,” he says.“We have a lot of testimonials from studentsabout how the program influenced them andhelped them to be successful.”

As Vice Provost and Dean of UndergraduateEducation, Ryan hopes to continue to fosterthose beneficial student experiences across theuniversity. “I think that we do a lot of verygood things at UB,” he states, “but I thinkthere are opportunities to enrich even furtherthe educational experiences of our students.”One of his primary goals-for both personaland professional reasons-- is to encourage stu-dents to engage in research and to promote aculture of research amongst UB undergradu-ates. Ryan says that he was fortunate enoughto work on an undergraduate research projectand he calls the experience “transformative.”He explains why such a culture is perfect forthis university: “I think the fact that UB is aresearch university and that the majority offaculty are engaged in research and creativeactivity presents a terrific opportunity forundergraduate students. I know that some ofthem do decide to come to UB because of theexciting things that are being done by facultyhere. I think it is great that we can providestudents with opportunities to experience thatexcitement of being involved in research.”

In that vein, at the end of the spring 2005semester Ryan’s office sponsored theCelebration of Academic Excellence, a postersymposium which showcased undergraduateresearch and creative activities from the pastacademic year. Ryan plans to make the sym-posium an annual event. He is also especiallyexcited about the creation of the Center forUndergraduate Research and Creative Activity(www.curca.buffalo.edu), which is designed toconnect students with faculty researchers. SaysRyan, “Aside from the Honors Program, wehaven’t done a lot in the past to assist studentsin seeing the opportunities and helping themengage with faculty that have research projectsavailable. This office is designed to elevate anawareness of opportunity, to both faculty andto students.” Ryan’s vision of a culture ofresearch encompasses all disciplines on cam-pus, including the social sciences, arts andhumanities. He explains, “When I am talkingabout research I am not just talking aboutresearch that is done in a physical laboratory,but the whole spectrum of things that are donein terms of scholarship at the university.”

In addition to the research initiatives, Ryan isworking closely with Vice President of StudentAffairs Dennis Black on a number of issuesrelating to the freshman experience at UB,

continued on page 12

“

”

”I am very optimistic that as we move forward over

the next several years we will continue to successfully attract

and recruit better quality students and students that are

excited to be at a research university such as ours.”


I think that we

do a lot of very

good things at

UB,” he states,

”but I think

there are

opportunities

to enrich even

further the

educational

experiences of

our students.

including the addition of freshman seminarsmuch like the ones that honors scholars take intheir first two years at UB. He says, “I thinkthe chemistry of what happens in a small fresh-man seminar, where a faculty member is reallyexcited or passionate about a topic, can be verydramatic and very important.”

Although the administration is also looking atenhancing non-classroom experiences and atassisting students academically, for Ryan a pri-mary focus is “promoting or catalyzing engage-ment between students and faculty, because thatcan have a very powerful effect.”

Ryan says that UB’s mission to recruit more aca-demically talented students is linked to hisvision for improving the undergraduate experi-ence. He explains, “I think as we put in placeand identify elements that constitute a distinc-tive educational experience for our students-opportunities to study abroad for example--andmarket them and promote them, I think we willattract students not only quantitatively, but alsobetter academically prepared students.” Hepoints out that UB has been consistentlyimproving the academic profile of the enteringfreshmen and believes that it will continue todo so. He says, “I am very optimistic that as wemove forward over the next several years we willcontinue to successfully attract and recruit bet-ter quality students, and students who are excit-ed to be at a research university such as ours.”

A bigger challenge for Ryan’s administration isthe recruitment of underrepresented minoritystudents. He acknowledges that although adiverse student population is a university-widepriority he feels that this goal requires a longerterm strategy. Ryan says that attracting adiverse student body to UB is not an easy prob-lem. “In my view we need to have a deeperapproach, or program that reaches much furtherback into the community at the high school andelementary school level. It needs to be a moreholistic view.” To that end Ryan says his staff is

exploring ways of addressing this issue and thatit will “require a fairly serious commitment andlong term effort on our part to really have adramatic impact.”

As Vice Provost, Ryan also oversees the adminis-tration of the University Honors Program, andhe views the Program as a model for success.His involvement with Honors at UB is long-standing-he has served on the Honors Councilfor many years, has hosted Evenings withFaculty, been a faculty mentor to students, andassisted in recruitment events for the Program.Calling the Honors Program one of the “jewelsof UB”, he points to how its tremendousgrowth over the past twenty-five years has bene-fited the university and says that it has been avery positive factor in UB being able to recruitthe most academically talented students.

Ryan appreciates how the Honors Program hasenhanced and enriched the educational experi-ences of its students through honors seminars,faculty mentors and specialized advisement. Hebelieves that the excellent set of opportunitiesavailable to honors students should serve as atemplate for what the university looks to pro-vide for non-honors students. Ryan says,“What has impressed me is how the HonorsProgram has continuously challenged itself tosee how it can be more inclusive and enrichingto its students. It has never stopped doing that.It continues to assess and push the envelope andexpand the range of opportunities for the stu-dents in the program.” It is precisely that inno-vative spirit that Ryan hopes to bring to under-graduate education during his tenure as ViceProvost and Dean. If his success with SEAS isany indication, UB’s undergrads are in goodhands. Ryan himself states his case more mod-estly, saying simply, “I accepted the positionbecause you have an opportunity of doingthings that help students and enrich their expe-rience at the university. I personally have foundthat very rewarding.”

Mike Ryan continued“

”


“Good morning, how are you? I have malaria.”

Even in a tropical paradise like Ghana,where I studied for a year, a trip to thedoctor was a daunting task. After all ofthe requisite sitting and standing in a halfdozen lines that crossed, crisscrossed, andrecrossed a single stuffy room, I wasallowed to enter a tiny room in which adoctor sat. I fell into my chair as shereplied, “Oh, really? And why do you saythat?”

So I told her about my symptoms andhow tired I had been. I lamented my lossof appetite, complained of my aches, anddescribed my feverish (though exciting)dreams. The doctor looked up from herscript sheets, examined me up and downover her glasses and with a broad smileagreed wholeheartedly with my diagnosis.

Twenty minutes later I was back in myroom with a few pills inside a plain brownbag. I crawled into bed, moaned dramati-cally and self-satisfyingly, kicked back thefirst two of my malaria pills and pulledthe covers up. As I laid back I began towrite e-mails in my head that casuallymentioned my position on the brink ofdeath.

Now home six months, the symbols ofmy year in Africa line the walls of myapartment with colorful empty eyedwooden faces. To my friends and familythese African masks are my experiences-and conversation starters - “So, you’vebeen to Africa?” Always the first question,it soon gives way to a tidal wave of othersabout stout mud huts, sticky jungles, andmalaria. I, nonchalantly as I can, admitthat I too suffered from malaria - but ofcourse, it was nothing. I know full wellthe image of Africa that is conjured up intheir mind, but more importantly, I knowthe image of me it presents, survivingsome horrible brush with death. It’s acharacteristic I like. My gloss of the storycovers me with a veil of mystery in muchthe same way that Africa still remains tomany.

What gets to me is that the story tapsinto an image of Africa that doesn’t exist.I have bright and clear memories of a lushcampus, sprawling cities, crowded streets,bustling markets, and warm and inviting

people. I tell of these memories too, butit is the other stories, my malaria stories,that not only stay with people, but con-firm the vision of a dark third world -Africa. Looking at my masks now, I won-der why it is I brought back these as sym-bols of my journey…

When it came time to leave my cam-pus in Ghana and return to Buffalo, Ibought masks from street vendors for myfriends - pieces which you could seestacked almost to the ceiling of the lean-ing ramshackle stalls that lined the dustyred streets of Accra, the capital city. Themasks I bought for others were tourist artand no more. For myself, I needed some-thing different, something real. Eventually,in the small corner of one shop, I foundmasks that were much different fromthose I had seen before. They were masksused in Northern Ghana, along theIvorian border. One, which especiallydrew my eye, bore the facial markings ofthe people known as the Krobo. When Isaw them I knew these were real, authen-tic masks.

Now, with pictures from my tripstrewn about my desk I am searching fora way to show Africa. As I do this, theopening lines of David Diop’s poemAfrica slips into my consciousness. Born1927 and raised in France ofCameroonian and Senegalese parentsDiop, without a physical location fromwhich to summon his vision of Africa,does so from within himself. “Africa, myAfrica…Africa of whom mygrandmother sings, on the banksof a distant river.”

Diop’s poem is a translation.It comes to me wholly differentfrom how he wrote it. Takenapart and painstakingly replacedpiece by piece with new words,nothing is preserved but the sub-ject. Only in this act of transla-tion does the poem enter into myframe of reference, and only bychanging it entirely does it gainmeaning for me. Maybe I ammistaken in my attempt to pre-serve some piece of Africa, sincemy very act of taking it homeremoves it from context andinscribes upon it new meaning.

Perhaps the touristmasks are better rep-resentations of myGhana.

A timer beside mydesk goes off, and Iwalk to the kitchen tostir the rice. Everytime I make jollof rice theluxurious smell refuses to stay within thekitchen, it saturates the apartment. Thefirst time the now familiar spicy tomatoaroma filled the air I was wide-eyed andawestruck on my first day in Ghana. Ihadn’t a clue what I was doing. I hadsome half-understood sense of adventureand a desire to learn about a culture dif-ferent from my own. That first day I triedjollof rice, the red pepper burned mymouth and stung my eyes. Now, I can’tget enough.

As I stir the rice, adding a dash of salt,I realize that making this rice has becomemore than simply eating a tasty dish Ipicked up in Ghana. In my act of mak-ing, of synthesizing my experiences withinmy small kitchen in Buffalo, I am fittingAfrica within my conceptual framework.Taken out of Africa, made on my gasstove and eaten as I watch TV, it becomesa subtle symbol. It is a hybrid, both mineand not mine, it is African and American,it is exotic and not so. It seeks noauthenticity and draws on no fictionalizedAfrica. Perhaps I have found my symbol -but if nothing else, I have my dinner.

Out of Africa:A Journey Out

of ContextPAUL HEBERTAdvanced Honors Scholar, Class of 2005


Charles Darwin made a rare special appearance,defending his theory of evolution against cre-ationism and intelligent design before scholarsand scientists gathered in Buffalo for a three-dayconference, “Toward a New Enlightenment,”sponsored by the Council for SecularHumanism.

Darwin (a.k.a. Clyde F. “Kipp” Herreid,SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor in theDepartment of Biological Sciences, College ofArts and Sciences), addressed issues that havesurged to the national consciousness with a localschool board controversy in Pennsylvania overwhether intelligent design should be mentionedin high school biology classes.

“Darwin’s” appearance on Oct. 27 in LippesConcert Hall in Slee Hall was not listed in theconference program and came as a great surpriseto members of the audience, who applauded asHerreid came on stage in Victorian-era garb,complete with waistcoat, watch-fob, cape andtop hat. Feigning confusion at the sight of thepodium’s not-yet-invented microphone,“Darwin” explained he had heard rumors thatcreationist ideas refuted in his lifetime were onceagain on the world stage.

“Intelligent design is essentially defeatist,”Herreid stated. He said whenever intelligentdesign comes up against something for whichthere is no current explanation, its proponentsare forced to declare the phenomenon a “mira-cle.”

Herreid explained that in the early 1800s, theChristian philosopher William Paley popularizedthe idea that everything in the universe possesseda predetermined purpose and was perfectlydesigned for that purpose. Paley invented thepopular concept of a “divine watchmaker,”which claims that everything in nature is so per-fectly designed that its purpose is obvious - justas someone who has never before seen a pocketwatch can determine its purpose simply byobserving its precisely functioning parts.

However, Darwin’s theory argues that noteverything in nature is perfect. “One would havethought the ideas of Paley would cease,” Herreidsaid.

He interspersed humor with examples ofbasic evidence that support evolution. He notedthat numerous vestigial organs and other extra-neous features in the human body, such as somemuscles, serve no discernable purpose, althoughthey did in our ancestors. There are at least 100vestigial parts in the body, he said. In addition tothe well-known example of the appendix,Herreid cited goose bumps and muscles thatwiggle the ears or move the scalp, the last ofwhich he wryly demonstrated.

Human eyes are not perfect, he added, asking

audience membershow many of themwore correctivelenses. He alsoremarked that foodoccasionally catchesin our windpipesbecause the larynxand the esophagusare linked, and thetube carrying urinefrom the bladderpasses through themale prostate glandrather passingaround it causingpain to some menin old age. “That isnot intelligentdesign,” he joked.

Less facetiously, he commented on vestigialorgans in other animals as well, such as cave ani-mals with sightless eyes, snakes with one uselesslung, or birds with one shriveled ovary. We cannot explain these by “Intelligent Design,” but wecan explain them by evolution.

In addition, Herreid cited “embryologicalabnormalities” in fetal animals and humans. “We make a tail and then we absorb it,” he said,adding that human fetuses also grow arteriestheir necks, as though to develop gills, but thesefade away as well. Fetal whales grow hair, whichdisappears before birth, and teeth, which later ingestation develop into a filter-feeding mechanismto gather algae, he said. Whales also grow nos-trils as fetuses, but these migrate to the top ofthe head and become the blowhole. If an“Intelligent Designer” wanted to create a whalewith a blowhole, without hair and teeth, surelyhe would have made them that way in the firstplace.

In order to provide some perspective on thegreat advances of the past two centuries, Herreiddescribed the world Darwin was born into onFeb. 12, 1809 - the same day as AbrahamLincoln, he noted. The early 1800s was beforethe time of famous biologists Louis Pasteur andGregor Mendel or psychologists Sigmund Freudand Ivan Pavlov, he said. There was no suchthing as the telegraph, no theory of thermody-namics, no concept of DNA and, of course, notheory of evolution.

Scientific inquiry makes advances, he stated,whereas “intelligent design” cannot because itdoesn’t question; it simply assumes that thingsare a miracle. There is design in nature andtoday we know the “designer” is natural selec-tion. “That is the triumph of science,” he said.“It moves on.”

Darwin Visits UB KEVIN FRYLINGUB News Reporter

White HouseHonorsGardellaJoseph A. Gardella recently received a 2005Presidential Award forExcellence in Science,Mathematics andEngineering Mentoringhonoring his commitmentto mentoring studentsand boosting the partici-pation of minorities,women and disabled students in science, mathematics and engi-neering. Through one ofthe nation’s few chemistryservice-learning programsfocusing on environmen-tal concerns in urbancommunities, Gardellaand UB students enrolledin his classes haveworked with six commu-nity organizations toinvestigate serious environmental healthquestions they haveraised about their neighborhoods. Gardellais a professor in theDepartment of Chemistryin the College of Arts and Sciences.

Phot

o by

Kev

in F

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Kipp Herreid as his alter ego,Charles Darwin.


I Do... Honors Alumni Who Have Tied the Knot

HAROLD HOTCHKISS ('01) & GILLIAN JULIUS ('02)Gillian is currently a systems analyst at General Electric and Harold is a freelance

entertainment lighting designer in Erie, PA. Gillian and Harold met in the piano room in Roosevelt (Honors dorm). It was early

October of their freshman year, 1997. Gillian was playing the piano and Harold stoppedto listen for a while. Eight years later on August 6, 2005, they were married.

MARK ('98) & BECKY (GUGLIELMI) FRANCHINO ('98)Mark is currently the gallery director and art professor at Clarion University of

Pennsylvania and Becky is a stay at home mom (former teacher).They first noticed each other at freshman orientation and then when school started

(August 1994) they realized they were neighbors in the dorms. They lived right aroundthe corner from each other in Roosevelt (Honors dorm). They did not date during theiryears at UB, but became best friends. However, after graduation they started dating andwere married on August 4, 2001. Together they have a two year old son, Charlie.

MARK ('97) & KRISTIN (COFFMAN) HADDAD ('96 ) Mark is currently a corporate attorney at Foley Hoag LLP, specializing in mergers and acquisitions,

start-ups, venture capital, securities and corporate finance, primarily in the high tech and life sciences indus-tries in Boston, MA. Kristin is currently a stay at home mom, while still doing a small amount of inde-pendent consulting work for a foundation that funds biotechnology startups.

A few weeks into Mark's freshman year at UB, Mark and Kristin met in Roosevelt Hall (Honors dorm).Mark had been assigned to live in a suite with some of Kristin's good friends and they met at a "social gath-ering" (no parties allowed) at the suite. The two quickly became friends. Although Kristin had a boyfriendat the time, within weeks Mark vowed to his close friends that he and Kristin would one day marry.Throughout Mark's freshman year he consulted often with Kristin on such diverse topics as freshmanphysics and the best places to bring dates (Kristin was a Buffalo native). Midway through Mark's sopho-more year the couple began dating and were married on June 6, 1998. They are proud parents to SydneySusan Haddad, born January 28, 2005.

JOSEPH ('95) & RENEE (LANSLEY) SZUSTAKOWSKI ('96)Joe is currently a Senior Scientist at Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research, Inc. in Cambridge, MA and

Renee is an Executive Team Leader - Human Resources for Target Corporation in Framingham, MA. Joe and Renee met in August 1992 during move-in weekend at the Honors dorms. Joe stopped by Renee's room

to say hello to her roommate (his cousin) in Roosevelt Hall. His cousin was not in, but Joe's was the first friendlyface Renee met that weekend, the first person she encountered whom she had not met at orientation. They becamegood friends quickly and spent lots of time hanging out and started dating in 1994. After graduation they contin-ued to stay in a committed relationship while pursuing their graduate studies in Massachusetts and Ohio.

In August 2001, Joe proposed to Renee at UB's Baird Point, and of course she said yes. Renee moved east toBoston to complete her dissertation while Joe was completing his from BU. They were married September 28, 2002by Father Pat Keleher (UB Campus Ministries - Newman Center) in Buffalo surrounded by friends and family andare expecting their first child this Spring!

ERIC FAULRING ('00) & CARNIE ABAJIAN ('00)Carnie is currently completing a Ph.D. in Chemistry at Northwestern University. Eric recently obtained

his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Northwestern University and is currently working in theChicago area in the field of prosthetic limb research and development.

Carnie and Eric agree that they began dating a few weeks into freshman year at UB, but their firstmeeting is the source of some controversy. Eric claims that Carnie had asked him for directions in SleeHall, whereas Carnie claims that their first encounter was in Roosevelt Hall (Honors dorm) during aCalculus study session. However, they both agree that the movie they saw on their first official date, "TheIsland of Dr. Moreau," was hideous, but not even the walk back to the dorms in the rain could dampentheir blooming relationship. They were married September 18, 2004. The rest is history.

1985CATHERINE TUFARIELLOCatherine’s book, Keeping My Name, was the 2004 winner of the WaltMcDonald First Book Prize in Poetry, was named an Editor’s Choice titlefor 2004, and was a finalist for the 2005 Los Angeles Times Book Prize.

1987FRANK BURANFrank, his wife Whitney, and daughterTess (20 months).

1990SCOTT FRANKScott is a social studies teacher at West Seneca East Middle School. Scottand his wife Julie have two daughters, Anastasia, age 5 (adopted fromRussia in 2001), and Emma, age 2 (adopted from China in 2004).

RUSS WASHBURNRuss and his wife Mercedes (withtheir son, Logan) are living in LosAngeles, CA.

1993MICHAEL PANDOLFOMichael is currently the owner of his own music production companycalled Wonderful based in SoHo, New York. It's a full service music facili-ty doing original production and composition for advertising agencies inNew York, Chicago, Miami and Los Angeles. Some of their recent creditsinclude Converse, New Balance, Mercedes, Cingular Wireless,Schmirnoff, Comedy Central, Sears, Spike TV and Absolut.

1994NATHAN FLOWERNathan is teaching acting at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts,Undergraduate Drama. He earned his MFA in Acting from RutgersUniversity professional actor training program and has been acting andteaching regionally and nationally since. He and his wife Missy have ason, Lowden (almost 3yrs.), and a daughter, Addie (14 mos).

JENNY (FERGUSON) FRIEDMANJenny is currently working at McGee & Gelman in Buffalo, New York.

1995AMANDA (RUSSELL) ABBOODAmanda is residing in Fort Collins, CO and is taking off the year fromteaching elementary school to enjoy motherhood. She is continuing todo some consulting work for a local foundation for improving early childhood programs in the community.

2000JESSICA (BROOKS) HOLMESJessica works for The Resource Centerin Jamestown, NY as an EmploymentSpecialist. Here she is with her husbandDavid and step-daughter Gage.

IFEOMA IGBOELIIffy is a 2nd year surgery resident at Marshall University.

JENNIFER ROMERJennifer is currently a biology teacher atMt Sinai High School.

2001LINDSEY GROBERLindsey will be graduating from New York College of OsteopathicMedicine in May!

DARREN VOGTDarren is currently working as a staffphysical therapist at MonroeCommunity Hospital in Rochester. In July he competed in the IronmanTriathlon in Lake Placid, NY.

2002JOSEPH M. DEANGELISJoe recently graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering. He is nowworking for Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, MI.

JENNIFER KEENANJennifer is currently enrolled in the graduate program in English atPenn State University and is also teaching Rhetoric and Compositionat the University.

BENJAMIN STERMOLEBen will graduate from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine inJune 2006, and was selected for residency in Internal Medicine atWright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. He is hoping to, along withseveral other graduates of LECOM, generate interest in and possiblyestablish a resident clinic for Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment.

2003KATHERINA BENDZKatherina is currently working on her Ph.D. at the EnvironmentalScience and Forestry School in Syracuse, NY in Conservation Biology.She is also getting married on July 8, 2006!

RACHEL LYNN BRODYRachel graduated with a MFA in Dramatic Writing in November2005, from Queen Margaret University College, Edinburgh, Scotland,where she is currently living.

MONICA KARWANLast spring Monica received an Master’s in Expressive Therapies fromLesley University in Cambridge, MA, specializing in dance therapy.

Alumni UpdatesWhat they’re doing now…


2004JORDAN BERRYJordan is currently living in Chicago, IL and attending the Universityof Chicago Divinity School as a Master's student. Last year she had awonderful experience living in and teaching English in South Korea asa Fulbright Scholar.

2005BEN CADYBen is living in New York City and has a full time position as a Policy Associate for Elliott Spitzer’s campaign policy team.

FLORIA CHAEFloria is currently attending UB Medical School.

KEVIN HORBOWICZKevin is currently a pharmacy practice resident at Umass MemorialMedical Center in Worcester, MA, a one-year post-grad training experience. He plans to pursue a second residency year to specialize in critical care pharmacy practice.

RUTH KLEINMANRuth currently works for Hillel at Kent State University, which is anorganization at KSU serving 1200 Jewish students and the rest of theKent community. She plans programs for first year students, on cam-pus and in the residence halls, and helps Jewish students celebrate theirown Jewish heritage through cultural, religious, educational, Israel-related, and social programs.

NICK KULESANick is pursuing a Master’s degree in ExercisePhysiology with a concentration in Nutritionat UB.

YIN TZU SYLVIA PENGSylvia will be graduating in May withMaster’s in Finance at UB.

BirthsAMANDA (RUSSELL) ABBOOD (’95)Amanda’s son Jackson was born October 3, 2005!

JENNY (FERGUSON) FRIEDMAN (’94)Jenny and her husband welcomed a second child,Alexander Douglas Friedman on February 18,2005. He joins his sister, Madeleine, (7 yrs).

BRYAN HANYPSIAK (’94)Bryan and his wife Beth are pleased to announcethe birth of their second daughter, Lauren Claireon November 7, 2005.

MONICA KARWAN (’04)Monica and her husband Brian Zybala are the proud parents of Eleanor Frances, born July 31st!

RUSS WASHBURN (’90)Russ and his wife Mercedes recently welcomed a son, Brandon, to their family.

MarriagesJESSICA BROOKS (’00) married Donald Holmes on August 20, 2005!


We would like to include a photo of you with your update in the next magazine!Photos will be returned after printing. They can be mailed to: The Honors Program, c/o Karyn St. George or e-mailed to: [email protected]

Over the years, many of our alumni and friends ofthe Honors Program have contributed to our

scholarship fund, enabling the Honors Program toprovide special opportunities for Honors Scholars.

Our heartfelt thanks to all of you who have supported and continue to support the HonorsProgram through your generous donations!

�

Daniel S. AcquistoManish K. AgrawalDavid & Marca AndersonWilliam D. BanasBrian BeckmannJohn T. BedfordNathan T. BidwellKimberly A. Boyd-BowmanKarla L. Braun-KolbeKevin M. BurrJeanine L. ButzekChristine E. CalviRichard T. CarlmarkMarie E. CintiLily CuiLisa J. DerriganCassie DurawaCharles H. EbertWilliam & Janice FeigenbaumSteven FinklesteinAlbert B. FiorelloMarc T. FlemingNathan J. FlowerAndrew L. FranklinJohn A. GaliskiJohn D. GallatinAndrew J. GallatinJacob E. GawronskiBret A. GelberPaul & Jessica (Cavano) GestwickiCatherine GoerssJames N. GoodmanBrian P. GregoryThomas J. Grimsley IIKimberly (Grzankowski) WestJonathan W. HainesSara C. HarringtonSteven G. HayesJeanine M. HuberJared A. Judson

Kristin E. KarlDouglas W. KnoxChristopher KuroskiDavid M. LancorHeather K. (Morganti) LehmanCaitlin E. MahonGeorge R. McKeeDonna MenardGretchen P. MeyerhoeferMichael C. OwellenLindsay Claire PetersonKenneth PizzucoJoseph & Rupa (Mukerji) PriceJulie A. RathbunJeanine RonanAmy S. RosenthalSteven M. SanfilippoRobert J. SassSeagate Technology, Inc.Eugene M. SetelKaren A. ShalkeSusan S. SnyderSujata SofatMara M. SommerJoyce Elaine SoperScott R. SpencerKimberly A. StentzElizabeth A. SubjeckMartin SzingerPamela (Krol) TaupierTyler M. TepferLawrence TsaoKathleen A. (Vanemmerik) WeberChristopher T. VolinskyJulie A. YacavoneThomas R. YagerKristin L. YunkerJanet R. Ziehl

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. John Gallatin for hisvery generous gift to the Honors Program. His donation will allow us tocontinue providing study abroad scholarships, furthering our goal to haveHonors Scholars experience the many wonders of our international world.

*Donations received January 2005 - March 2006

HONORS TODAYUNIVERSITY HONORS PROGRAMUniversity at Buffalo214 Talbert HallBuffalo, New York 14260-1700(716) 645-3020www.buffalo.edu/honors

Non-Profit Org. US Postage

PAIDBuffalo, NY

Permit No. 3821

“Buffalo Night” A boat cruise will be held Friday night on the Grand Lady leaving from Grand Island featuring all your Buffalo favorites! The boat ride is kid-friendly!

“Family Ties” A family picnic complete with entertainment is scheduled for Saturday at noon (rain or shine)!

“What’s New at UB” Tours of the campus will be given Saturday morning by current Honors Scholars along with departmental presentations.

Kids are welcome!

“Putting on the Glitz” A gala event will be held Saturday night for adults only.

25thCome celebrate the

25th Anniversary of the Honors Program with us

August 4- 6, 2006!

Intelligent Design visits UB - University at...

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