From the Interim President

Buffalo State University has a long-standing tradition of community involvement and support. One way we demonstrate our commitment to our neighbors and region is through participation in the annual State Employees Federated Appeal (SEFA)/United Way Campaign. The SEFA campaign kicks off today, Wednesday October 1, and ends Monday, December 1, 2025. Our SEFA co-chairs this year are Dr. Amitra Wall, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs,  Meghan Pereira, director, Instructional Design and Distance Learning, and Maria Garrity, senior systems programmer, Information Technology. 

We would like all faculty and staff to use the e-pledge system. To get started, visit https://uwbec.unitedwayepledge.org and click “Forgot User ID or Password” to begin. If you donated last year through payroll deduction and wish to continue that same amount, an automatic rollover option is available if the agency has recertified. Otherwise, you’ll need to submit a new pledge by choosing the update option and utilizing the list of codes for agencies that did not recertify.    

Emeriti and retirees may complete a paper pledge form and make donation checks payable to SEFA and mail to: Maria Garrity, Twin Rise 204H, Buffalo State University, 1300 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14222.

Our featured agencies this year are FeedMore WNY (57-00081) and Stitch Buffalo (57-00741). United Way of Buffalo and Erie County 57-00172 is also one of the many organizations listed. Visit https://sefa.buffalostate.edu for more campaign information. 

End-of-the-campaign prizes:

• First prize - Sunday brunch for 10 people (Interim President)
• Second - Reserved parking space (Interim VP Krieger)
• Third - Office pizza party for up to 12 people (Provost and Co-Chair Wall)
• Fourth - Bengal deck party for 10 people, with seasonal refreshments, at a fall 2026 football game (Interim VP Brumfield)
• Fifth - Two tickets to Bengala (VP Finnerty)
• Sixth - Taco Tuesday lunch for up to 10 people for a taco/nacho bar catered by Chartwells (Interim VP David Loreto)
• Seven - A $100 gift certificate to Barnes & Noble Bookstore (Lynn Puma)
• Eighth - Lunch for four people at Campus House (Deans Paterson and Frothingham)
• Ninth - Two Performing Art Center tickets (Andrew Binder)
• Tenth - Ambassador’s Raffle: Bills Collectible Little People (SEFA Committee)
• Eleventh - Buffalo Bills Keon Coleman Cleat (Marilyn Wilson, United Way) 

New this year to be raffled during the campaign: 
October through December: Six lunches at the Bengal Kitchen raffled twice each month (Glenn Bucello)
October/Halloween: Guess how many candies in the jar (Meghan Pereira) 
November: Buffalo Bills Josh Allen Jersey – retail over $100 value. (Maria Garrity) 
December: $100 Visa gift card (Carolyn Morris-Hunt) 

Campus House is partnering with Cake Crazy Bakery to sell sweet potato pies for $25 each with all proceeds benefiting United Way. Contact Campus House for more information at campushouse@buffalostate.edu or (716) 878-3300.

Don’t miss out on these delightful prizes. Please join me and your colleagues in this important community-wide effort by considering a contribution to SEFA/United Way through Buffalo State University. Thank you.