Buzz Hoagland was Professor of Biology at Westfield State from 1994 until his sudden passing in 2017. 

Buzz encouraged students to take an active role in the science where they often came to share Buzz’s passion and enthusiasm for biological research.  Buzz created an exceptional range of research topics for students to explore in the classroom.  Inside and outside of class, students did impressive fieldwork.  Buzz actively included students in helping his main research program – understanding the behavior and population dynamics of the mongoose.  Twice a year Buzz would lead research teams to St. Croix to collect data and perform experiments.  More than 100 students and faculty were part of these research expeditions over his time at Westfield State.  His research often intrigued natives and visitors to the island and everywhere he was became a classroom.  He would also regularly organize video conferences with local elementary and middle schools so young students who could not travel to St. Croix could see biological field research in live time. 

Buzz’s legacy is being celebrated, in part, through the creation of the Buzz Hoagland Student Research Award.  Established through the Westfield State Foundation, this award helps students with the costs associated with biological field work - including travel expenses and the purchasing of equipment.

Donations to this award can be made online through the Westfield State Alumni Donations page

or by mail to Westfield State Foundation, PO Box 1630, Westfield, MA 01085. 

(Please specify your gift is for the "Buzz Hoagland Student Research Award"; online choose "Other’" under "Designation" and make this specification under "Area of Interest or Scholarship".)