Call for Nominations for the Hall of Fame

The Communication Department enjoys a rich history of education and training many of the media professionals working both locally and nationally. Established in 1998, the Communication Department Hall of Fame recognizes those alumni who have made significant contributions to the field in one of its three disciplines.

The department seeks nominations from alumni, faculty and staff, as well as and area media, professional organizations and agencies. Buffalo State College Communication Hall of Fame inductees should have demonstrated excellence in the communication field, and made a significant contribution to the field. Nominees must be Buffalo State College graduates, but not necessarily of its communication program.

To nominate someone, send an e-mail to the Communication Department with the nominee's name, degree and year (if known), present position, previous positions, areas of excellence/achievements and significant contributions to the field.

Induction ceremonies will be held November 16. More information will follow. Previous inductees include:

Deborah Oppenheimer '75 - Excellence in Broadcasting - 2005
- Academy Award-winning producer of "Into the Arms of Strangers: Stories of the Kindertransport"
- Executive producer of TV comedy series including "Norm" and "The Drew Carey Show"
- 2005 SUNY Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts, 2001 BSC Distinguished Alumnus Award

Marcia Mulé '81 - Excellence in Broadcasting - 2005
- Three-time Emmy winner
- Executive Producer of "Celebrity Poker Showdown"
- First news director at VH1
- 2004 Buffalo State College Distinguished Alumnus Award

Kevin Cusick '84 - Excellence in Broadcasting - 2003
- KC Productions, Inc., New York City
- Winner of six Emmy awards for TV production
- Veteran of seven Olympic telecasts

Lou Michel '77 - Excellence in Journalism - 2003
- Investigative reporter, The Buffalo News
- Co-author of American Terrorist: Timothy McVeigh and The Tragedy at Oklahoma City

Maura Casey '79 - Excellence in Journalism - 2001
- New York Time Editorial Board
- Former columnist and Section Editor for The Day, New London, CN
- Participant in journalistic exchange programs in Iran and Russia
- Winner of numerous awards, including Pulitzer Prize for General Reporting, 1988; Eugene Pulliam Fellowship; Horace Greeley Award; Scripps Howard Foundation Award; multiple awards New England Press Association

Eric Greenberg '78 - Excellence in Journalism - 2001
- Religion reporter for The Jewish Week, New York City
-Former investigative reporter for the New York Daily News
- Winner of numerous journalism awards, including 2000 Religion Writer of the Year, Religion Newswriters Association; Knight Center/University of Maryland Fellowship in religion reporting; New York State Press Association award for investigative reporting; Society of Professional Journalists Public Service Reporting award; Investigative Reporters and Editors award; Washington Journalism Center award for environmental reporting
- Charter member, Society of Environmental Journalists

Tom Fontana '73 - Excellence in Broadcasting - 2000
- Writer/producer of "Oz," "Homicide: Life on the Street" and "St. Elsewhere"
- Three-time Emmy winner; three-time Writer's Guild winner; four-time Peabody Award winner
- 1997 SUNY Honorary Doctor of Letters degree
- 1987 Buffalo State College Distinguished Alumnus Award

Tom Calderone '85 - Excellence in Broadcasting - 2000
- Senior Vice President of Music Programming and Talent for MTV
- Billboard Magazine Program Director of the Week
- Ground-breaking radio programmer in alternative and modern rock music

Tom Shannon '60 - Excellence in Broadcasting - 2000
- Buffalo Broadcasting Hall of Fame
- Bill Gavin Award for Best Popular Music DJ of the Year
- Writer of "Wild Weekend" (a million-selling record) and co-writer of five other hits that made the top music charts

Alden Schutte '63 - Excellence in Public Communication - 1998
- Chairman and CEO, The Schutte Group, a major Western New York advertising agency
- Buffalo advertising pioneer
- Staunch supporter of the arts

Kevin O' Connell '71 - Excellence in Broadcasting - 1998
- Chief weather anchor, WGRZ-TV2, Buffalo
- Three-time Emmy winner

Mark Francis '72 - Excellence in Journalism - 1998
- Publisher of the Niagara Gazette, Lockport Union Sun & Journal, Tonawanda News and Medina Journal-Register
- Strong supporter of community causes
- Working journalist and newspaper publisher

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