What's Happening in Buffalo, NY…

A local college's upcoming graduation will be a very special event, thanks to a notable guest.

Actor Jesse Martin, who went to grade school in Buffalo, as well as attending the Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts, will speak at Buffalo State College's commencement ceremonies. In addition, Martin himself will receive an honorary degree of doctor of fine arts from SUNY.

Martin has had a successful career in show business, appearing in ‘Rent’, the popular Broadway musical, in which he originated the role of Tom Collins. He is also known for his work in ‘Law & Order’, where he portrayed Detective Ed Green from 1999 to 2008.

Katherine Conway-Turner, the president of Buffalo State, said the college is delighted to have Martin speak at their 2019 commencement, saying that his experiences as a director, singer, and actor, as well as his experience with the college and with the City of Buffalo, will allow him to give the graduates an inspiring and relevant message. Event organizers can user flyer printing to create a biography of the guest speaker to give to attendees.

For his part, Martin said he was humbled and honored that the college would ask him to speak, let alone present him with the honorary doctorate. He added it was a dream come true for him as a product of the public school system in Buffalo.

The commencement is set for May 18.