Buffalo State University Commencement: May 16, 2026

Buffalo State University will confer degrees on approximately 1,600 undergraduate and graduate students during its 154th Commencement celebration, Saturday, May 16, in the Sports Arena.

Degree candidates will be honored at three ceremonies:

• 9:00 a.m. (School of Education and Applied Professions)
• 1:00 p.m. (School of Arts and Sciences including Individualized Studies)
• 5:00 p.m. (Master's and Adavanced Graduate Studies)

The following graduates of the Class of 2026 will be honored with the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence in recognition of their academic and extracurricular achievements, leadership, and service: Joyce Assaf and Madison E. Sierra (1:00 p.m. ceremony), and Charvaye S. Hutchins-Carter (5:00 p.m. ceremony).

Miranda O. Shepard will deliver the student address at the 9:00 a.m. ceremony; Asher Freudenhammer-Glass, recipient of the President's Medal for Outstanding Undergraduate Student, will deliver the student address at the 1:00 p.m. ceremony; and Hailee E. Cipollina, recipient of the President's Medal for Outstanding Graduate Student will deliver the student address at the 5:00 p.m. ceremony.

Judy L. Elliott, '82, former chief academic officer of the Los Angeles Unified School District, will receive the President's Distinguished Service Award and deliver the commencement address at the 9:00 a.m. ceremony; Bobbie Chase, comics and graphic novel publishing executive, will receive a SUNY honorary degree and deliver the commencement address at the 1:00 p.m. ceremony; and Rebekah Williams, community activist, strategic planner, and facilitator, and co-founding director of Food for the Spirit, will receive a SUNY honorary degree and deliver the commencement address at the 5:00 p.m. ceremony.

The President's Distinguished Service Award will be presented to Scott Bieler, president and CEO of West Herr Automotive Group, at the 1:00 p.m. ceremony and Hon. Rose H. Sconiers, retired justice of the New York State Supreme Court Appellate Division, at the 5:00 p.m. ceremony.

In addition, two awards will be presented at the 9:00 a.m. ceremony: Charles J. Naughton, '85, attorney and Buffalo State University Council member emeritus, will receive the University Council Medal and Wendy A. Paterson, '75, '76, interim dean of Buffalo State's School of Education and Applied Professions, will receive the Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Faculty and staff are encouraged to celebrate the accomplishments of our graduates and join them in this special day by marching in the academic procession or by serving as a volunteer. Marchers and volunteer ushers are still needed for the 9:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 5:00 p.m. ceremonies. Please register online.

Commencement 2026 Details

Saturday, May 16, 2026 | Sports Arena

• 9:00 a.m. (School of Education and Applied Professions)
• 1:00 p.m. (School of Arts and Sciences including Individualized Studies)
• 5:00 p.m. (Master's and Adavanced Graduate Studies)

Celebrating
Undergraduate Class of 2026: August 2025 graduates, December 2025 graduates, January 2026 graduates, May 2026 graduates, and August 2026 degree candidates. Includes bachelor's degrees. Does not include undergraduate certificates.

Graduate Class of 2026: August 2025 graduates, December 2025 graduates, January 2026 graduates, May 2026 graduates, and August 2026 degree candidates. Includes master's degrees, certificates of advanced study, and graduate certificates. Does not include post-baccalaureate programs.

More Information
For more information, please visit the Commencement website.

• Directions, maps, and visitor parking
• Links to livestream and video archive

Photo by Jesse Steffan-Colucci, Buffalo State photographer.