Buffalo State College held an inauguration ceremony for its ninth president Tuesday. Dr. Katherine Conway-Turner is college’s the ninth president since it was founded in 1871.
The two hour ceremony at Rockwell Hall was filled with music for distinguished guests. The attendees included SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher, Lieutenant Governor Robert Duffy and Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown. Zimpher says she believes Conway-Turner is a visionary leader.
“In this moment Buffalo State could not have a better leader to propel this campus to great heights. I could not be prouder that Dr. Conway-Turner has chosen to spend a significant portion of her career right here at SUNY through Geneseo and now Buffalo State,” said Zimpher.
Buffalo State Council Chair Howard Zemsky said Conway-Turner is “great.” Conway-Turner comes to Buffalo from Hood College in Frederick, Maryland, where she served as the provost and vice president of academic affairs. Her academic career includes administrative and teaching positions at five universities over 31 years, including SUNY Geneso.
During her inaugural address, Conway-Turner said Buffalo State is poised to “reach for the stars” and advance its commitment to engagement, excellence, and social responsibility.
“Our footprint at Buffalo State is vast. Our path has not been simple, but has always been illuminated by the passion that has produced balanced, knowledgeable, and committed leaders across many fields of study. Today, we stand together as a campus that is ready to build on the tremendous foundation of pasts while we move toward the future,” said Conway-Turner.
Conway-Turner has occupied her new post since June. She fills the post vacated by former president Aaron Podelefsky, who resigned last year and later died after a battle with cancer.