EOP Recognizes Outstanding Graduates At Awards Ceremony

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The 25th annual awards program and honors convocation, a dinner and campus tours highlighted the first annual reunion of UB's Educational Opportunity Program (EOP).

The EOP-Center for Academic Development Services provides academic support and financial assistance to disadvantaged New York State students who show potential for mastering college-level work.

Henry J. Durand is director of EOP, which is part of UB's Office of the Vice President for Public Service and Urban Affairs.

Speakers at the awards program, which was held recently on the UB North Campus, were graduating seniors Rodlens Dauphin, a management and finance major from New York City, and Joyce Figueroa of the Bronx, who majored in urban planning and design.

The EOP alumni speaker was Jose Miguel Cintron of Lackawanna, a doctoral student in chemistry at UB.

Senior counselor James Louis Ramsey presented the Friends of EOP award to Edward W. Michael, UB assistant athletic director of recreation and intramural programs, and Patrick Lyons, interim director of the UB Office of Financial Aid.

Letitia Isler of Buffalo received the Arthur O. Eve Award and Kathy Sue Bailey of Newfane received the Percy Sutton Award. The awards were presented by Eve, deputy speaker of the New York State Assembly.

Some 50 upperclassmen who mentored incoming students received mentor-recognition awards from H. William Coles III, EOP associate director.

Also honored at the program were 411 students who earned a quality-point average (QPA) of 3.0 or higher, including 135 with a QPA of 3.5 or higher; 160 graduating seniors who had a 3.0 QPA or higher, and 28 students listed in "Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges."