Class of 2020 Celebration

-Society of Woman Geographers (SWG) Evelyn L. Pruitt National Fellowship for Dissertation Research

- CAS Dissertation Fellowship, University at Buffalo

-Pre-Doctoral Research Fellowship, International Institute for Science and Technology Policy, George Washington University

-New York Humanities: Public Humanities Fellowship

-Student Honors Paper Competition Award in the Remote Sensing Specialty Group of Annual Meeting of the Association of American Geographers in 2020

-AAG Energy and Environment Specialty Group Dissertation Field Work Award

-Outstanding Student Present Award, NASA Terrestrial Ecology (TE) Science Team Meeting

-(renewed) NASA Earth and Space Science Fellowship (NESSF)

-Celebration of Academic Excellence, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs

-UB Excellence in Research Scholarship and Creativity Awards 

-UB Sigma Xi "Companions in Zealous Research" Award

“Congratulations Class of 2020 and to all the family and friends that helped along the way!  The pandemic has brought uncertainty, but it has also demonstrated the importance of the connections between people, places, and the environment.  Geographical thinking will serve you well in whatever path you choose. I wish you all the best of luck.”

“Quoting a guest speaker in one of my classes, also a UB alum: ‘Great opportunities are out there for young talents in the new normal following Covid-19. Take the opportunities, own your own growth, and be mindful of your long-term goals.’ ”

“Class of 2020, congratulations! I have truly enjoyed getting to know so many of you in my courses, working with you on thesis projects or presentations, supervising your internships, and talking with you in office hours. Finishing a degree takes a lot of effort and determination; it is a hard thing to do. Currently we are – collectively, globally -- facing both new challenges and acute amplifications of existing challenges; addressing these is a huge set of hard problems to solve. I hope you will put your energy and determination towards that end. With your degree in hand, you now have a concrete reminder that you can do hard things!“

"Congratulations, Class of 2020!  I’ve seen the curiosity with which you’ve approached your studies and the hard work you’ve put in to get here, and I hope you take these traits with you out into the world.  Be well, do good, and I look forward to seeing what you do next."

“We are really missing celebrating you in person, but please accept this virtual congratulations - you did it! You never know how you will put the knowledge you have gained inside and outside the classroom to use, so stay open to the possibilities. ​It is hard to go out into the unknown, but if this pandemic has taught me anything, it is that building strong foundations of community -- however you define and find those communities, in the physical and virtual worlds -- is the best thing you can do. They will provide you with sustenance, inspiration and care, and hopefully they will also be places for you to give back.”

“Class of 2020, congratulations on finishing your degrees during this difficult time! It is a great achievement! Best wishes and good luck in all your adventures.”

“This has been an unusually stressful and challenging final semester for your degrees, but you met the challenges head-on. Congratulations on what you have achieved so far, and all the best in your future endeavors.”

“Congratulations, Graduates! All best wishes for your journey ahead.”

“Dear Class of 2020! Congratulations for all your efforts and achievements leading to your well-earned graduation. This is especially true under the most challenging, unimaginable conditions of 2020. Your graduation should be always a moment of pride and happiness - a time to take a break, take a deep breath, reflect on the situation and the new challenges ahead. For those that guided you over the past semesters, you will be always considered part of their family. Best wishes, good luck and stay in touch!”

“Congratulations to all students graduating from the Department of Geography!”

“Congratulations, Class of 2020. Your graduation is a big day. Graduation means a new start. I wish you a path full of joy and happiness as you move into the future. My best wishes.”

“Congratulations!  Now more than ever we need people like you who understand the social and environmental complexities of our increasingly global society.  I know it is a difficult time, but with great upheaval comes great opportunity.  I hope you can hold your head high knowing that you have the foundation you need to move forward and make your mark on the world.”