University at Buffalo - The State University of New York

Pair honored as Women of Excellence

Barbara Seals Nevergold and Peggy Brooks-Bertram, senior educational specialists and co-founders of the Uncrowned Queens Institute for Research and Education on Women at UB, were among seven women honored last week as New York State Women of Excellence.

Gov. David A. Paterson and First Lady Michelle Paige Paterson hosted the sixth annual Women of Excellence Awards Celebration, held on March 24 in Albany, that recognized women in the areas of business, health, justice, law enforcement, community service and education.

Nevergold and Brooks-Bertram were honored in the education category.

“New York has a strong tradition of remarkable women whose contributions have enriched our communities and set an example for generations to come,” Paterson said. “In their work to improve our businesses, protect our health, expand our knowledge and keep us safe, these seven women continue this legacy. I am honored, particularly during Women’s History Month, to celebrate their achievements.”

Paterson established the Women of Excellence Awards when he served as senate minority leader to honor the inspiring women within the Harlem community. He expanded the program to include communities across New York while serving as lieutenant governor. The criteria include dedication to service and volunteerism that focuses on solving community-based problems.

Appellate Court to try cases at UB

The public will get an opportunity to watch one of the state’s most influential courts in action when the Law School hosts a full day of appellate judge arguments beginning at 10 a.m. April 9 in the Francis M. Letro Courtroom in O’Brian Hall, North Campus.

A panel of five appellate judges will listen to oral arguments from some of the area’s most accomplished attorneys, as well as conduct a typical court workday. UB Law School students, as well as others interested in how the Appellate Court conducts business, are invited.

“We were very pleased to accept the invitation extended to us by Law School Dean (Makua ) Mutua to conduct a session of our court at UB Law School,” said Presiding Justice Henry J. Scudder of the Appellate Division, Supreme Court, Fourth Judicial Department. “We hope the students benefit from the opportunity to observe oral arguments and see the court at work.”

Scudder will head a panel that will include Justices Salvatore R. Martoche, Eugene M. Fahey, Erin M. Peradotto and Samuel L. Green. Scudder credits Peradotto for coordinating the arrangements for the session with the Law School.

Mutua said he hoped this appellate open house would be one of many opportunities for UB to host this kind of program for his students and the public.

“It is a chance for our students and faculty to observe first-hand the complex and varied jurisprudence of the Appellate Division,” Mutua said.

Asian Studies seminar scheduled

The Asian Studies Program will present a free public seminar on “Autism and Education in the People’s Republic of China” at 7 p.m. April 9 in the Unitarian Universalist Church of Amherst, 6320 Main St., Williamsville, across from the ECC North campus.

The seminar will be conducted by Helen McCabe, assistant professor of education at Hobart and William Smith Colleges and co-founder and director of the Five Project, which creates and supports educational, vocational and community participation opportunities for individuals with disabilities in China.

McCabe will discuss autism and related educational services developed in China since the disorder was first diagnosed there in 1982. She will focus on educational opportunities for autistic children of all ages and the need for further attention to adult services. She also will examine the relationship over the years between organizations and individuals working in this field in China and abroad, and opportunities for future collaboration.

The seminar is sponsored by the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, with funding from the Henry Luce Foundation and the Starr Foundation.

For more information, contact Bruce Acker at backer@buffalo.edu or 645-0763.

Donations sought for HSL garage sale

The Health Sciences Library is seeking items to sell at a garage sale to be held Sept. 11-12 to benefit UB’s Campaign for the Community.

Organizers are looking for new or gently used items—no clothing or toys, please.

Donations can be dropped off through Sept. 8 at the Health Sciences Library, Abbott Hall, South Campus.

For further information or to drop off larger items, contact Lori Widzinski at 829-3900, ext. 138, or Ophelia Morey at 829-3900, ext. 119.

UB faculty partake in ‘Musical Feast’

UB faculty members will be among the principal performers during the next edition of “A Musical Feast,” a series of chamber music, solo and chamber orchestra performances presented by violinist Charles Haupt, retired concertmaster of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.

The free concert, to be held at 8 p.m. April 10 in the Albright-Knox Art Gallery as part of Gusto at the Gallery, will feature Iannis Xenakis’ solo work “Rebonds” performed by percussionist Thomas Kolor, assistant professor of music, with poetry recited by Vincent O’Neill, associate professor of theatre and dance.

Cellist Jonathan Golove, associate professor of music, will join pianist Alan Feinberg, visiting professor of music, in a presentation of “Tres danzas seculares” (1994) by Mario Lavista. The danzas will be performed in collaboration with choreographer Melanie Aceto, assistant professor of theatre and dance, who will dance along with Christina Walsh.

J.T. Rinker’s solo percussion composition “Frigate” will be played by Rin Ozaki, adjunct assistant professor. Rinker is managing director of the Robert G. and Carol L. Morris Center for 21st Century Music at UB, which is a co-sponsor of “A Musical Feast,” along with the Irish Classical Theatre Company.

In addition, the concert will include a performance of Mozart’s “Duo for Violin and Viola No. 1 in G Major” by Haupt and BPO principle violist Valerie Haywood, and Bach’s “Suite No. 1 in G Major” performed by Golove.