Medaille College will hold its annual Commencement Ceremonies on Friday, May 21, 2010 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Kleinhans Music Hall in Buffalo.
As in past years, Medaille will hold two separate ceremonies to accommodate the College’s graduating class of nearly 1,200 degree recipients. These candidates will be eligible to receive master’s, bachelor’s and associate degrees through programs at campuses in Buffalo, Amherst and Rochester.
Sundra L. Ryce, president and CEO of SLR Contracting & Service Company, Inc., will address graduate degree recipients at the afternoon Graduate Ceremony. Ryce is also a Medaille graduate. NYS Sen. Antoine Thompson will speak to the undergraduate degree recipients at the evening Undergraduate Ceremony.
Sundra L. Ryce
Sundra L. Ryce is the president and CEO of SLR Contracting & Service Company, Inc., a general construction company headquartered in Buffalo. SLR is a progressive and growing company that specializes in commercial construction, including new construction, renovation projects, construction management and design-build services. Ryce established the company in 1996 to provide quality work and exemplary customer service in the construction industry.
Under Ryce’s leadership, SLR has developed into an innovative and competitive construction company. Since its inception, SLR has expanded to include construction services covering many geographical regions throughout New York State and beyond. Ryce oversees all functions of the business including construction operations, strategic planning, sales and marketing, human resources, customer service, finance and negotiations.
Ryce grew up in a family construction business and views the construction industry as a great business opportunity for entrepreneurs. She was born in Buffalo and received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Studies from the State University of New York College at Buffalo.
Ryce earned her Master of Science Degree in Education from Medaille College and serves as trustee on the following boards: the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, Great Lakes Health, Buffalo State College Foundation, Buffalo Urban Development Corporation and the Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences.
In addition, Ryce is active in other facets of society. Ryce has been featured in the 13th Edition of Small Business Management – An Entrepreneurial Emphasis, by Longenecker/Moore/Petty/Palich, a college textbook with a circulation of over 57,000 copies worldwide. She is a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and The Links Incorporated.
Ryce is an ordained minister and professional speaker who shares her vision, creativity and business acumen through keynote addresses and seminars. She was recently invited to the U.S. Capitol to address the U.S. House of Representatives at the Democratic Issues Conference and Job Summit in Washington, D.C. Her favorite motivational quote is, “What would you attempt to do if you knew that you could not fail?” (author unknown).
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Antoine M. Thompson
Antoine Maurice Thompson was born in Buffalo, and attended Buffalo Public Schools, earning All-High and Western New York honors in Cross Country and Track and Field, while serving as the captain of both teams during his senior year.
As a graduate of the State University of New York College at Brockport, he has studied extensively Black, African, and American history and government. He received a dual Bachelor of Science degree in History. In 1994, he studied at the University of Ghana, West Africa, on government and social change. He presented papers on subjects related to Black theology and the history of American Slavery.
In January 1996, Thompson was hired as a legislative assistant for the Buffalo Common Council central staff. He was well-versed in policy analysis and legislative research. His greatest public policy work was in the area of conducting research and preparing recommendations related to affirmative action policies and minority business development.
In March 1998, Thompson was appointed Executive Director of the Office of Urban Initiatives, Inc. (OUI) an economic development corporation that focused on minority and women-owned business development and various urban policy issues.
On January 4, 2001, the Buffalo Common Council unanimously appointed Thompson as Masten District Council Member. He was a member of the Committee on Community Development, and served as chairperson for Committees on Education and Minority & Women Business Enterprise.
On December 10, 2004, Thompson participated in the Electoral College and the political process of choosing the President of the United States. He has received various athletic, civic and community awards. He received the Community Star Award from the Stop the Violence Coalition, 1490 Enterprise’s 33rd Annual 2005 Black Achievers in Industry Award, and many more.
On January 3, 2007, Thompson was sworn in as New York State Senator for the 60th District. Now in his second term, he holds a position of leadership as the Senate’s Acting Majority Whip and serves as Chair of the Environmental Conservation Committee. Thompson also serves on the following committees: Civil Service and Pensions; Finance; Health; Insurance; Local Government; Tourism, Recreation, and Sports Development; and Veterans, Homeland Security, and Military Affairs. He is also a Co-Chair of the Senate’s MWBE Taskforce. His areas of focus include the environment, education, healthcare, small business and economic development, and transportation.
Thompson represents parts of Erie & Niagara Counties, which include the cities of Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Tonawanda, and the town of Grand Island. His commitment to community service is reflected by membership with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Citizen Action of New York, Grassroots Inc., the Parkside Community Association, the NAACP, SCLC, Hamlin Park Community and Taxpayer’s Association and many more. He is a member of Zion Dominion Global Ministries where the Pastor is Reverend Roderick L. Hennings; he is the loving husband of Merle Thompson, and the devoted father of Deja LaShay and Joseph Antoine Alexander Thompson.
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