AMHERST, N.Y. – Daemen College student veteran Nicholas Pilozzi has been selected as the first recipient of the new Karamanoukian Scholarship established with a generous gift from board trustee Dr. Hratch Karamanoukian and his wife, Karen Karalus Karamanoukian.

“As a strong supporter of our veterans and our country’s military, I’m pleased to award this scholarship to a veteran as inspiring as Nick and to offer him financial assistance so he may achieve his educational goal at Daemen,” said Karamanoukian, a vein specialist and director of the Vein Treatment Center. “This gift will also add to Daemen’s commitment to provide student veterans the resources and support they need at the college, which has been a key focus of President Gary Olson and Vice President Michael Brogan.”

AMHERST, N.Y. -- Daemen College President Gary A. Olson conferred a bachelor’s degree in nursing to student Paula Williams, who is seriously ill with breast cancer, at a private on-campus ceremony held Dec. 16 in the Wick Campus Center Alumni Lounge. She completed the academic requirements in the fall semester to receive her nursing degree, which was presented in advance of the college’s annual commencement ceremony in May.

“We are all very proud of Paula for persevering through her illness to receive her degree,” said Olson. “She is courageous, tenacious, and an inspiration to everyone at Daemen.”

A graduate of the former Buffalo General Hospital School of Nursing, Williams held various staff and leadership positions at Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo. In recognition of her professional excellence, she was awarded a scholarship from the Kaleida Health Foundation.

South Buffalo native Tim Joyce has been writing professionally for more than 25 years, with three humor books, an Intro to Theatre textbook, five plays and several poems published during that time. Joyce has also been his own chief writer during a successful stand-up comedy career of nearly 30 years. And from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7, he’ll be at Dog Ears Bookstore & Café, 688 Abbott Road, Buffalo, to sign copies of his first solo book of poetry titled “Small Angels.”

“Small Angels” is published by South Buffalo’s own Buck Mulligan Press, and the price will be $5 per copy with an autograph if desired. The entire bookstore will be open with its excellent selection of publications, including an extensive children’s book section.