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Monday, June 8, 2020

From the President

Posted: Monday, June 8, 2020

Combined Efforts Make Bengalathon a Success

I’m happy to report that the May 31 Bengalathon 2020, which aired on WBBZ-TV and livestreamed on the Buffalo State Alumni Association Facebook page, was a roaring success. This is due to the efforts of many of you.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we had to shift the format of our traditional Bengala—Buffalo State’s largest fundraiser that has supported students for the past 23 years—to a virtual format. This, of course, was a new experience for us all, but it turned out beautifully.

The two-hour Stand for a Student event, designed to provide emergency financial assistance and scholarships for our students, raised $275,000. The money will help students who are facing unseen financial difficulties, students who may have had to leave school if not for access to this emergency fund.

I’m grateful to the 160 donors who contributed directly to the fund or who bid on one of the many auction items available during the evening.

However, the Bengalathon wouldn’t have been possible without the efforts of those who worked behind the scenes to make it happen.

I would specifically like to thank the Bengalathon chairs, Buffalo State College Foundation board member Robert Lamendola and his wife, Teresa, and James Finnerty, vice president for institutional advancement, for their tremendous leadership, along with the entire Development, Alumni Engagement, and Marketing and Communications teams. They worked together to support Alexis Greinert, development coordinator; Michael Lewis, events management director; and Andrew Binder, operations director for the Performing Arts Center.

Finally, I’d like to recognize the stellar work of the on-campus members of the Bengala Planning Committee: Rock Doyle, assistant vice president for health and wellness; Carlos Jones, interim dean of the School of Arts and Humanities; Amy McMillan, director of the Muriel A. Howard Honors Program; and Bhakti Sharma, associate professor of interior design.

The success of the 2020 Bengalathon demonstrates the strides Buffalo State can make when we search for creative solutions and combine forces for the greater good. Thank you!

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