Buffalo State Student Lorinda M. John Recognized with SUNY’s Highest Honor for Academic Excellence and Leadership
May 5, 2025 | suny.buffalostate.edu | Headshot by Jesse Steffan-Colucci, Buffalo State photographer
State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. has announced that 193 students from 63 campuses were awarded SUNY’s highest honor for academic excellence and leadership. The 2025 Chancellor’s Awards for Student Excellence (CASE) recognize students for outstanding achievements throughout their SUNY experience in areas including academics, leadership, campus involvement, community service, and the arts. This year’s recipients include a wide range of honorees including veterans, parents, policy issue advocates, and athletes.
“SUNY represents academic excellence, and our students have worked tirelessly to not only excel in their academic studies, but also stepped up as community leaders,” said SUNY Chancellor King. “Congratulations to this year’s CASE awardees who’ve distinguished themselves amongst their peers through their work ethic, determination, and commitment to their fields of study.”
Buffalo State University’s 2025 recipients are Imran Fazal, Lorinda M. John (Onöndowa’ga:’), and Sophie Tversky. These students were celebrated at an awards ceremony in Albany with a keynote speech from Derek Peterson, Stony Brook University alumnus and founder and chief executive officer of Soter Technologies.
“It’s an award, recognition, an accolade, but it’s more than that,” added John, a hospitality administration major. “It has helped me on a personal level. When you level up, the playing field changes, it’s rough and tough—it can mess with your head, but it is worth it. If you stick to what you want and what you want to share with people, there is no failing.”
Each campus is allowed to submit two to 15 nominations depending on the student body size. Nominations are submitted by campus officials to the SUNY CASE Selection Committee every spring. While there is no minimum GPA requirement, candidates are expected to have demonstrated exceptional academic performance and leadership.
“Each year we look forward to celebrating CASE awardees and thanking these inspirational role models from across our SUNY colleges and universities,” said the SUNY Board of Trustees. “On behalf of the SUNY community, we are grateful for your leadership on campus, and we offer our best wishes for what comes next!”
Ja:göh Lorinda!
Lorinda M. John
SUNY CHANCELLOR’S AWARD FOR STUDENT EXCELLENCE RECIPIENT
Lorinda John has earned a bachelor of science in hospitality administration with a concentration in restaurant and institutional management, attaining a 3.46 GPA while working as an Indigenous private chef and award-winning cultural bearing artist. John has successfully balanced her academics with multiple thriving professional businesses and an exceptional record of volunteerism and community service.
A charismatic entrepreneur, John is the owner and operator of LoMade Meals, which creates menus and culinary experiences highlighting Indigenous culture. Her business delivers much-needed nutritional meals to elders in the Seneca community and has been featured at high-profile events hosted by the Buffalo Bills, Delaware North, and others. Her business was designated as an approved internship site by Buffalo State, allowing Ms. John to supervise two interns who are hospitality administration majors. In line with her business plan and philosophy, John continues to pursue additional opportunities that meet her goal of providing services to the Seneca territory and the community.
John has demonstrated ongoing leadership within her academic circles, as well as within numerous local organizations and programs. She was invited to participate in multiple events at the Buffalo AKG Art Museum for Indigenous People’s Day, Indigenous Veterans Day, and Remembrance Day this past fall, curating menu options highlighting Indigenous food. In October 2024, she was invited by the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute (NFCI) to prepare a multicourse menu at their Savor Restaurant. As a result of her performance at this event, she has been invited to return and work at the 2025 NFCI summer camp.
As a gifted cultural bearing artist, John received the prestigious Creatives Rebuild New York Fellowship that provides an 18-month stipend for emerging artists. Under the fellowship, she established her own art studio, Aurora Treasures, which specializes in cedar wood creations and makes art presentations at local schools, libraries, and universities. She also has participated in a group exhibition at the Tri-County Arts Council.
John participated in the Small Business Development Center’s (SBDC) Entrepreneurship in the Arts program in the fall and was also a member of the SBDC Bengal Entrepreneurship Program, where she was a finalist in the SBDC and Bank of America Student Business Plan Competition. In addition, Ms. John has volunteered with World Central Kitchen, providing on-site fresh meals in response to global humanitarian, climate, and community crises.
