UB Alumni Oral History Project

In 2021, we celebrate the 175th anniversary of the University at Buffalo. The UB Alumni Association (UBAA) recognizes UB’s impact on more than 273,000 alumni, and marks this historic year by honoring the campus experience. 

Every UB graduate has a story, and we want to hear yours! That’s why UBAA is embarking on an oral history project to collect your story—in your own words. These stories will be preserved in a book that celebrates the 175th anniversary, so you may share how UB helped you become the person you are today. 

Like you, we often receive communication that leaves us questioning ‘Is this real or is it a scam?’ We understand why you might be feeling the same after receiving your invitation to participate in UB’s Oral History Project. Whether you received an email, phone call or postcard about the Oral History Project (see samples below) – let us ease your mind - the project is real. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to invite our incredible alumni to participate in UB’s 175 anniversary celebration. Whether your decision to attend the University at Buffalo was 5 or 50 years ago, we are sure glad you said YES to UB and would love to hear your story. Learn more about our partner company below.

With more than 273,000 alumni worldwide, that’s a lot of stories! With a project of this size, we went to the experts: Publishing Concepts Inc. (PCI).  PCI also worked with us on the 2017-2018 alumni directory project. By partnering with PCI again, we’re able to access their trained staff, who are excited to listen to alumni stories. Your call will be recorded to allow PCI the ability to reference and curate your story for potential use in the oral history book. Please note, we have only shared your contact information with PCI in conjunction with this project. We have NOT sold your contact information, or otherwise used it for outside marketing purposes.

What UB memory will you tell?

• Have connections you made on campus turned into lifelong friendships?
• Can you trace your career path back to a defining moment at our alma mater?
• Did you find your sweetheart at UB?
• Were you on campus during a historic moment?
• Does your family have a UB legacy?
• Was there a club, group or sport that was special in rounding out your student experience?

You should have received an email and/or postcard communications from the PCI team with an invitation to call and share your story. You may also receive a phone call asking you to participate. We encourage you to join the thousands of UB alumni who have already shared their story in celebration of UB’s 175^th anniversary. The PCI team will collect stories until early June 2021. Following the story collection, PCI will design, edit and print the book. We hope to have the book distributed in December 2021.

As part of this project, PCI will help us collect updated contact information from alumni who may have moved, so we can continue to serve UB alumni worldwide.

No. The project is completely funded by the alumni who choose to purchase the oral history book that will be produced as part of the project. Various book packages will be offered to you, and PCI also will offer you the option to purchase UB Alumni Association branded merchandise. You are welcome to purchase some or all of these items, but you are not required to do so to participate. This project is being done at no cost to the UB Alumni Association. We would not be able to embark on a project like this without the support of our amazing alumni and the partnership with PCI. We sincerely thank every person that participates and chooses to purchase the book.

Below is an example of a postcard you will receive in the mail. This is an official postcard from the UB Alumni Association, distributed by our partner PCI. Once you receive the postcard, please follow the instructions to update your information and share your story.

Below is an example of an email you will receive in your inbox. Once you receive the email, please follow the instructions to update your information and set up an interview time to share your UB memories. 

YES! We welcome stories from ALL UB alumni, even if you do not recall receiving the postcard, email or phone call. Call 1-888-842-5884 and a PCI representative will be glad to assist you.

To get answers to frequently asked questions from alumni regarding the oral history project, please see our FAQs below.

If you have any other questions regarding the project, please reach out to PCI customer service at 1-888-842-5884 or UB’s Office of Alumni Engagement using the form below.