The Communication Department presents its Professional Achievement and Emerging Leaders awards in even-numbered years to Western New York-based communicators who are making a consistent and positive impact in the fields of journalism, public relations, advertising, media production, and related fields.

Professional Achievement Award winners

Latrese Burruss Myers, '08 (B.A. in Public Communication)

  • Public Relations & Advertising Lecturer at Buffalo State
  • Associate Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Evergreen Health, Buffalo

Rick Pfeiffer, '74 (B.A. in Political Science with a minor in Economics)

  • Investigative reporter at the Niagara Gazette
  • Former investigative reporter/anchor at WIVB-TV, Buffalo

Kate Glaser, '10 (B.A. in Journalism)

  • Founder of Hope Rises, a media network that spans the globe

Emerging Leader Award winners

Zack Reese, '16 (Dual B.A. degree in Public Communication and Communication Studies with a minor in Business Economics)

  • Manager of Applied Analytics and Insights at Starcom Worldwide, Chicago

I'Jaz Ja'ciel, '19 (B.A. in Journalism), '20 (M.S. in Multidisciplinary Studies/Data Science & Analytics Track)

  • Investigative reporter and head of Urban Affairs at Investigative Post, Buffalo

Jessica Braunscheidel Corrigan, '12 (B.A. in Public Communication)

  • Director of the Tech Academy at M&T Bank, Buffalo

Therese Fuerst, '03 (M.S. in Multidisciplinary Studies/Public Relations Track)

  • Founder and President of Fuerst Consulting Corporation
  • Recipient of 2019 May C. Randazzo Outstanding Practitioner Award from the Buffalo Niagara Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America

David Morales, '12 (B.A. in Media Production)

  • Photojournalist, WKBW-TV

Mark Hall, '11 (B.A. in Media Production)

  • Creative Director of Commercial Production, WGRZ-TV
  • Recipient of WGRZ-TV’s 2018 Employee of the Year Award
  • Winner of 4 International Telly Awards

Devon Jerla, '11 (B.A. in Public Communication)

  • Marketing Manager, University at Buffalo Communication Office
  • 2018 President, Buffalo Niagara Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America

Henry Davis 

  • Retired medical reporter, the Buffalo News

Brian Milbrand

  • Buffalo State Communication Department Instructional Support Technician and multidisciplinary artist

Joe Buscaglia, '08 (B.A. in Journalism)

  • WKBW-7 sports director and lead anchor

Larry Cook, '94 (B.A. in Public Communication)  

  • Vice President of John R. Oishei Foundation

Claudine Ewing, '92 (B.A. in Broadcasting)

  • WGRZ-TV reporter and anchor; 2004 Buffalo State Young Alumnus Achievement Award

Pam Kloc, '02 (M.S. in Multidisciplinary Studies/Public Relations Track)

  • Community/Media Relations Director for Brothers of Mercy Rehabilitation Center
  • Long-time adjunct instructor in public relations and student adviser

Jeff Paterson  

  • CEO of Empower
  • Long-time adjunct instructor in public relations

Jonathan Gill, '96 (B.A. in Public Communication)  

  • Vice President for Marketing Communications, Marketing Technologies of Western New York
  • Former adjunct professor in communication

Jeff Ventura, '99 (B.A. in Public Communication)

  • Assistant Director of Athletics and Sports Information Director

Rose Ciotta  

  • WIVB-TV Investigative Reporter                                                                                       
  • Former Buffalo News Investigative Reporter                                                                 
  • Former Adjunct Professor in Journalism

Mary Pasciak, '97 (B.A. in Journalism)  

  • Buffalo News reporter
  • Former Adjunct Professor in Journalism at Buffalo State

Dave Sherman, '77  (B.A. in Journalism/Broadcasting/Speech) 

  • Managing Editor, Bee Group Newspapers

Kandis Fuller, '92 (B.A., Public Communication) 

  • Communications Manager, Univera Healthcare

Rod Watson 

  • Columnist, The Buffalo News

Angela Berti, '94 (B.A. in Journalism) 

  • Public Relations Coordinator, New York State Park Service (Western Region)

Lisa Flynn, '96 (B.A. in Broadcasting) 

  • Reporter/Anchor WIBV-TV4

Christopher Gallant, '92 (B.A. in Journalism) 

  • Media Professor, Hilbert College

Brian Meyer 

  • City Government Reporter, Buffalo News

Harry Scull

  • Photographer, Buffalo News

Bill Wippert, '79 (B.A. Journalism) 

  • Photographer, Buffalo News

Howard Simon, '84 (B.A. in Broadcasting) 

  • Sportscaster, WGR Radio

Ann Carden, '97 (M.S. in Multidisciplinary Studies/Public Relations Track) 

  • Associate Professor of Public Relation, SUNY Fredonia

Mark Gaughan, '93 (BA, Journalism/Broadcasting/Speech)

  • Reporter & Columnist, Buffalo News

Mylous Hairston, '86 (B.A. in Broadcasting) 

  • Reporter, WIVB-TV

Martha Meegan, '92 (B.A. in Journalism), '06 (M.S. in Multidisciplinary Studies/Public Relations Track)

  • Assignment Editor, WIVB-TV

Rich Wall, '94 (B.A. in Journalism/Broadcasting/Speech) 

  • Promotions Manager, Buffalo Sabres

John Davis 

  • Editorial Director, Buffalo News