2022 Commencement Awards and Honors

Temara Cross of Buffalo, N.Y., graduates magna cum laude with a combined master’s and bachelor of science in public health, concentrating in community health and health behavior, a bachelor of arts in African-American studies and a minor in anthropology. Cross was an alternative break service trip leader, peer mentor to high school seniors and first-generation college students and a student ambassador for the College of Arts and Sciences and Say Yes Buffalo. She researched breast cancer in Black women at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, produced a manuscript as first-author, and presented findings statewide. A Western New York Prosperity Fellow that gives where she lives, Cross is involved with Say Yes Buffalo and Open Buffalo. Cross intends to gain experience working as a public health professional in underserved communities and pursue a medical degree.

Zackary Dubel of Marilla, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a double major, earning a bachelor of arts in anthropology and history. Dubel is the first of his family to graduate college and was the recipient of the History Department Undergraduate Diversity Scholarship. He worked as a field-tech with the Archaeological Survey. Dubel plans to pursue a master's degree in anthropology and museum studies within UB's Marian E. White Museum.

Stella Oh (Inhwan Oh) of Cheongju, South Korea, graduates summa cum laude with bachelor of arts in art history and studio art with a general studio focus. Oh is a recipient of the Alan E. Cober Award in Drawing, Randorf Scholarship for Art History, Evelyn Lord Rumsey Scholarship and Academic Enrichment Award. Oh served as a student ambassador for the College of Arts and Sciences. She also worked as a curatorial intern at the UB Art Galleries. Oh plans to pursue a master’s degree in fine art in the United States and continue her art practice.

Rebecca Dingle of Rochester, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in Asian studies and linguistics and a minor in Korean studies. Dingle is a University Honors College Scholar, a member of the Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society as well as a Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program Scholar. She is a recipient of the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship for studying abroad in South Korea. She worked at the Baldy Center for Law and Social Policy, assisting in administrative works and event organization for interdisciplinary scholars researching law and social policy. In the fall, Dingle plans to pursue a master’s degree in East Asian studies with a focus on South Korea and then pursue a doctorate degree.

Serena Teh of Ipoh, Malaysia, graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in biological sciences. Teh is a member of the Biological Sciences Honors Program, a student ambassador for the College of Arts and Sciences, a member of the Thunder of the East Marching Band and a recipient of the UB Marching Band Director’s Award. She was a teaching assistant for evolutionary biology and general physiology. Teh worked as an undergraduate researcher in Professor Laura Rusche’s lab, contributing to the work on sirtuins in budding yeast. In the fall, Teh plans to work as a lab technician during her gap year before pursuing a doctorate in molecular biology.

Rebecca Tarbox of Buffalo, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of science in chemistry. Tarbox is a recipient of the Peter T. Lansbury Chemistry Award and a member of the UB concert band. She was an undergraduate researcher in Professor Janet Morrow’s lab investigating iron-based MRI contrast agents. In the fall, she plans to pursue a doctorate degree in chemistry at UB.

Jackson Slahta of Buffalo, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in classics in the Latin language and literature concentration. Slahta is a University Honors College Scholar and served as the student ambassador for the College of Arts and Sciences. He plans to pursue a master's degree in Library and Information Science or pursue further graduate studies in classics.

Natalie Barcia-Varno of Bethlehem, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in communication and a minor in theatre. Barcia-Varno is a member of Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society and a student ambassador for the College of Arts and Sciences. She worked with Professor Junhao Hong as part of an independent study in Asian Studies and she was a cast member in UB's student directed series “Kissed the Girls and Made Them Cry.” In the fall, Barcia-Varno will pursue a master's degree in communication at UB.

Cassandra Vecchio of Fredonia, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with of bachelor of arts in speech and hearing sciences and minors in linguistics and American Sign Language. Vecchio is a University Honors College Scholar, a member of the Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society and was a teaching assistant for the honors colloquium course. Vecchio is also a recipient of the Grace Capen Academic Award. Vecchio worked as a research assistant in the Communication and Assistive Device Laboratory with Professor Jeffrey Higginbotham. In the fall, Vecchio plans to pursue a master's degree in communicative disorders and sciences.

Michael De La Rosa of Brooklyn, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in economics and mathematics. De La Rosa is a recipient of the Matthew A. Scarpati scholarship and the Anne Brody scholarship. He was a member of the mathematics club and board member of the economics club and has served as a teaching assistant in the economics department. He plans to pursue a doctorate degree in economics or Juris Doctor degree.

Kim Suy of Buffalo, N.Y., graduates with a bachelor of arts in English. Suy worked to revitalize the English Club and is an event coordinator for the Korean Student Association. His independent research is concentrated on the various texts written by Friedrich Nietzsche and aims to uncover the relationship between nihilism and the contemporary artist. In the fall, Suy plans to pursue a Juris Doctor degree focused on immigration law.

Madelyn Radel of Williamsville, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of science in environmental studies and a minor in cultural anthropology. Radel is a University Honors College Presidential Scholar. She is an alternative break team leader and has served as a research assistant in both the Department of Environment and Sustainability and the Department of Computer Science and Engineering in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Radel works at Wegmans and leads her store’s efforts to reach zero waste and increase their sustainability. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in business administration in the near future, with a concentration on sustainable business.

Tracy Lin of Batavia, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in economics and international trade. Lin is a first-generation college graduate. She was inspired by her previous research experience and chose fields of study to better understand the macro and micro contexts of international trade with an emphasis on data analytics. She has worked as a loan operations specialist and is an active volunteer at Habitat for Humanity. Lin has accepted a position in Florida and will be a product management business analyst.

Rachel Bakowski of Elma, N.Y. graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of science in geological sciences and a bachelor of arts in dance. Bakowski is a member of Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society and served as a student ambassador for the College of Arts and Sciences. She also worked as an undergraduate researcher in Professor Margarete Jadamec's Geodynamics Research and Visualization Laboratory. In the fall, Bakowski will be pursuing a master’s degree in geoscience at the University of South Florida in Tampa, studying volcanology and geophysics.

Hannah Baker of Norwich, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in global gender studies, sociology, and social sciences interdisciplinary with a concentration in health and human services early childhood. Baker is a recipient of the global gender studies student spotlight and the sociology and criminology student spotlight, and has earned the "Understanding Diversity through Sociology" and "Crime and Justice in a Diverse Society" micro-credentials. She was the assistant editor for the Global Women's Empowerment Magazine (GWEM), a student ambassador for the College of Arts and Sciences, the leadership programming LEAD peer mentor for UB’s Leadership House, and the outreach coordinator for UB’s Advocates for Girl's Education (UBAGE) club. In the fall, Baker plans to pursue a juris doctorate.

Sarah Wack of Buffalo, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in history. She is a University Honors College Scholar, a member of the Historical Honors Society Phi Alpha Theta and a member of the Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society. She worked as a consultant in the Center for Excellence in Writing and recently supported the development of Professor Sarah A. Robert's upcoming book. Wack previously served as a teaching assistant in the Department of Computer Science and as a Welcome Weekend Leader. She was the education intern at the Jacobs Institute under the guidance of Professor Kenneth Snyder, MD, PhD, FAANS. Wack served as a teaching assistant and mentor with Upward Bound. In the fall, Wack will pursue a master’s degree in the higher education and student affairs program at UB and will serve as a Graduate Assistant in the UB Career Design Center.

Justin Diamond of Commack, N.Y., graduates cum laude with a double major, earning a bachelor of arts in Jewish studies and philosophy. Diamond is the recipient of the Dr. Harold J. and Arlyne G. Levy Award for demonstrating outstanding scholarship and commitment to the study of Jewish culture and heritage. Prior to graduation, Justin accepted a position as Associate Regional Director of BBYO, the leading pluralistic Jewish teen movement aspiring to involve more Jewish teens in more meaningful Jewish experiences.

Jay Carreira of Rochester, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in linguistics in the honors language structure and theory track, as well as in Spanish. Carreira is a University Honors College Scholar and a member of the Sigma Delta Pi and Phi Beta Kappa honor societies. They have presented their thesis research at Penn State University and the Northeastern Modern Languages Association conferences. In the fall, Carreira plans to pursue a doctorate degree in linguistics at the University of Georgia.

Connor Wilson of Rochester, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a double major, earning a bachelor of science in mathematics and computer science. A University Honors scholar, Wilson has worked as a teaching assistant in the mathematics and computer science departments. He also worked as a research assistant for Professor Erdem Sariyuce, studying bipartite networks. In the fall, Wilson plans to pursue a doctorate degree in theoretical computer science at Norhteastern Univeristy.

Kacey Dargout of Rochester, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in media study with a production concentration and a minor in studio art. Dargout is a member of The National Society of Leadership and Success and regularly named to the Dean’s List. She worked as a communications intern for the annual Media Study Showcase. Dargout plans to pursue a master's degree in film studies or pursue professional opportunities with local or international film and editing studios.

Oscar Woodrich of Buffalo, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of music in music performance, with a concentration in guitar. Woodrich is a University Honors College Scholar and is a recipient of the Elizabeth Rem Olmstead Scholarship, the Bernard Simon Scholarship and the WPHD Music Scholarship. Woodrich released the ambitious, genre-crossing album "Bloom" in May 2021, and is a highly sought-after guitarist in the Buffalo area, playing for several original artists and groups. Woodrich plans to further develop as a composer and performer.

Aaron Blumenthal of Allegany, N.Y., graduates with a bachelor of arts in philosophy. He reads books and thinks about things. In the fall, Blumenthal is intending to continue reading books and thinking about things, possibly in a formal context pursing a master's degree at Università della Svizzera italiana in Lugano, Switzerland.

Austin Marga of Brockport, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of science in physics, a bachelor of arts in mathematics and minors in linguistics and Chinese. Marga is a University Honors College scholar. He was an admissions guide and student ambassador for the College of Arts and Sciences. He worked as a research assistant for both the Department of Physics synthesizing nanomaterials and the Department of Linguistics computationally modeling First Nations languages native to New York. In the fall, Marga plans to pursue a doctorate degree in physics at Northwestern University.

Chelsea James of Bronx, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in political science and law. James is a recipient of the Paul A. Nussbaum Scholarship, George K. Fraley Scholarship and Sarah L. Graves Scholarship. James worked as a Resident Advisor in Greiner Hall for the past two years and recently completed an internship with the Kings County Supreme Court under Honorable Judge Tomlinson. She is a member of Phi Alpha Delta, the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program and the Black (Pre) Law Students Association. James plans to pursue a law degree specializing in intellectual property law.

Jordan Johnson of the Tuscarora Nation in Sanborn, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of science in psychology and a minor in neuroscience. Johnson is a member of the psychology honors program and recipient of the Tuscarora Nation NYPA Scholarship. She served on the Department of Psychology Equity and Inclusion Committee and was Vice President of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society. She worked as an undergraduate researcher in Professor Matthew Paul’s laboratory and completed a National Institutes of Health-funded STAR U Program at Columbia University. In the fall, Johnson plans to pursue a post-baccalaureate research program to prepare her for a doctorate.

Matthew Niemiec of North Tonawanda, N.Y., graduates with a bachelor of arts in Spanish. Niemiec is a member of the Sigma Delta Pi Spanish Honors Society and the recipient of an Honorable Mention for presenting his research at the 2021 Northeast Modern Language Association (NEMLA) convention. He was a member and club officer for UB Cosplay and has served as a peer mentor, assisting fellow students academically through tutoring and by creating online channels of communication to foster collaboration and community amongst the student body during the pandemic. Niemiec intends to pursue a master’s degree in Spanish and aspires to a career in education.

Connor Carrow of Lancaster, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in psychology and social sciences interdisciplinary with a cognitive science concentration and minors in Asian studies and Spanish. Carrow is a University Honors College Presidential Scholar and a U.S. Fulbright Scholar Semi-Finalist. He is an active member of the UB Honors College, the Psychology Honors Program, served as a teaching assistant, an intramural volleyball champion and was a research assistant in Professor Paul Meyer’s Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory. He is also a Community Mycelium Director of the Intercollegiate Psychedelics Network. Carrow plans to pursue a master’s degree at Taipei Medical University's Graduate Institute of Mind, Brain and Consciousness (GIMBC).

O. Fiona Pratt-MacDonald of East Amherst, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in sociology. Pratt-MacDonald is an Advanced Honors College Scholar, member of Phi Beta Kappa, Student Engagement Ambassador, Athletics Student Tutor and Teaching Assistant. She serves as a member of both the Dean of Students Advisory Council, and the Violence Prevention Team’s Student Advisory Council. Pratt-MacDonald also is a Self-Determination Assistant through People Inc. She was granted an AmeriCorps education scholarship for her service and was a campus nominee for the U.S. Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Program. In the future, Pratt-MacDonald hopes to teach English in Japan and eventually earn a doctorate degree in sociology.

Timothy Wildow Jr. of Rochester, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of fine arts in theatre with a design and technology concentration and a minor in management. Wildow is a University Honors College Scholar, served as a student ambassador for the College of Arts and Sciences, undergraduate teaching assistant and a Student Association production manager. He has worked on productions in the Department of Theatre and Dance as a designer, stage manager and technical director. In the fall, Wildow is attending Yale University to pursue a master of fine arts degree in technical design and production.

Shep Gordon BA ’68

Gordon was presented with the Dean’s Award for his tremendous success as co-chairman of Alive Films and president of Alive Enterprises, an independent music/film/television and management organization. Retired now except for one client, Alice Cooper, Gordon managed names such as Anne Murray, Blondie, Teddy Pendergrass, Luther Vandross, Groucho Marx and is credited with creating the “celebrity chef" with such clients as Roger Vergé and Emeril Lagasse.

Rosalind Jarrett Sepulveda, BA ’69 

Jarrett Sepulveda received the Julian Park Award for her incredible years of service and generosity to UB and the College of Arts and Sciences. Rosalind was named Publicity Executive Emeritus for Screen Actors Guild Awards® in 2019 after a 20-year stint heading up the SAG Awards PR department. She serves as a member of the College’s Dean’s Advisory Council, co-lead of the DAC’s experiential learning sub-committee and funds experiential learning scholarships for students.