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from the UBAA President
We asked Larry Zielinski, MBA ’77 & BA ’75, newly elected president of the UB Alumni Association, about his involvement with UB and his relatively new empty nest.
Q. Why UB?
Economics. I spent my first two years at Syracuse University, which was very expensive. I transferred when my family and I realized UB would provide the same caliber education but in an affordable way.
Q. Why should alumni care about UB?
So many reasons. First, it’s the best network you can possibly have. Years ago, after having been laid off from [now defunct] Goldome Bank, a connection from the School of Management set me on the path I’m on today [as a hospital president]. It’s a symbiotic relationship—when Western New York turns around, UB is going to be at the forefront. In turn, alumni who care about it will have the satisfaction of being part of the renaissance.
Q. How do you find time to volunteer?
Evolution of my family life. For the past 25 years I’ve coached baseball and have been fully involved with my kids. Now that my youngest is entering college, I have the time to dedicate to UB and some hobbies.
Q. Which person from history do you most admire?
Ronald Reagan. I always thought of him as a great example of someone who was passionate about ideas, who was able to get people to rally around ideas, and who had a positive outlook on life.
Favorite UB sport?
Basketball.
Q. Favorite spot on campus?
My basketball seat. I sit in the “cheap seats,” right behind the UB bench.
Q. Kids?
Five. Andy, BS ’02 (Stony Brook University), a credit manager at HSBC in Buffalo; Laura, EdM ’08 & BA ’05, just completed her first year of subbing and hopeful about a permanent teaching position this fall; Amy, BS ’06 (SUNY Geneseo), completing her third year in UB’s School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Lisa, BS ’08, a civil engineer for TVGA Consultants in East Aurora, NY; Kevin, a UB freshman. In addition, my wife and best friend for the last 32 years, Leslie, EdM ’91, teaches science at our local parochial school.
UB in the News
New York Times
SUNY weighs the value of Division I sports
An article in the New York Times looks at the advantages and disadvantages SUNY schools have encountered as they upgrade their athletic programs to compete with other major public institutions at the Division I level. UB is mentioned as having led the way to Division I in 1991 and the football team played a bowl game for the first time in January, but the path has not been as smooth for other SUNY campuses. The article quotes former UB president William H. Greiner and UB athletic director Warde Manuel.
New York Times
UB photographer says a rephotograph lifts the illusion that time stops
UB's Doug Levere, photographer in University Communications, is quoted in a New York Times article about the changing urban landscape of New York City.
USA Today
Government downsizing may result in a dangerous concentration of power, expert says
An article in USA Today about efforts in Western New York to downsize local governments and the wave of national frustration over big government that was illustrated this year by raucous town-hall style meeting over health care reports a study by UB's Regional Institute concluded that if every municipality in Erie County cut two legislators, the savings would be "negligible," less than $4 per person a year in most cases. The article quotes Kathryn Foster, director of the Regional Institute.