UB College of Arts and Sciences 2022 Graduates Accept Prestigious Honors and Awards

As College of Arts and Sciences students walked across stage to formalize their graduation, they also donned newly received recognitions and awards of the highest honors. The College’s undergraduate commencement ceremony took place on Sunday, May 22 in UB’s Alumni Arena.

Outstanding Seniors
Every year, each of the College’s departments selects a graduating senior who has demonstrated exceptional diligence and promise during their time at the University at Buffalo. These students have distinguished themselves among their peers and set an inspiring example of academic and personal achievement. On April 28, 2022, Dean Robin Schulze recognized the 2022 Outstanding Seniors at a virtual ceremony. View all the Outstanding Seniors and learn more about their accomplishments.

SUNY Chancellor's Award
The College boasts 11 of 15 UB SUNY Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence recipients. This award was created to recognize high-achieving SUNY students who also excel in such areas as leadership, community service, campus involvement or the arts. The 2022 College recipients include Hannah Baker, Temara Cross, Sydney Emley, Julianne Frey, Sydné Jackson, Siana Jacobs, Sophie May, Diana Olivares-Salazar, O. Fiona Pratt-MacDonald Pia Franziska Schwarz and Julia Shapiro. Read more about the recipients and details about the awards.

Inductions to a highly respected national honor society
Phi Beta Kappa is widely considered the highest general academic honor an American undergraduate can receive. This year, a diverse and talented group of University at Buffalo students joined the ranks.

The 2022 class includes 84 College of Arts and Sciences and dual-major students. Inducted students join a cast of famous members like Amanda Gorman, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Peyton Manning, Jeff Bezos, Ta-Nehisi Coates and more. To view a full listing of this year’s inductees, visit the College’s website.

The new UB members were officially inducted into the prestigious academic honor society in a ceremony on Friday, May 13. The induction to Phi Beta Kappa is a testament to a student’s exceptional achievement in the liberal arts and sciences. Students are nominated to join the by a selection committee under rigorous guidelines. In addition to being an undergraduate student who completed 90 hours of diverse breadth and depth coursework with a cumulative grade point average of 3.75 or higher, students must also demonstrate an intermediate proficiency in a foreign language.

Founded in 1776, membership is touted as a mark of distinction recognized by graduate schools and employers throughout the country. According to Phi Beta Kappa, the organization is “uniquely equipped to advocate for the value and benefits of liberal arts and sciences education.”

Learn more about UB’s chapter of Phi Beta Kappa.

The College of Arts and Sciences is home to students in the arts and humanities; natural sciences and mathematics; and social sciences. With 30 departments, 16 academic programs, and 23 centers and institutes, the College offers more academic options than any other unit UB’s campus.