Alumni Life

Scaling the Summit

A contingent of committed supporters helps UB reach the top

Presidential Perspectives In a panel discussion, four UB alumni who serve as university presidents shared ideas on affordability, diversity and other big issues surrounding higher education today. From left: Keith Taylor (PhD ’96, MS ’90, BS ’86) of Gannon University, Virginia Horvath (BA ’78) of State University of New York at Fredonia, Robert O. Davies (PhD ’05) of Murray State University and Scott Dalrymple (PhD ’97, MBA ’91, MA ’89) of Columbia College.

By Sally Jarzab

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How do you thank a volunteer enough? According to Robert Bennett (MS ’76), former president and CEO of the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County, and former chancellor of the New York State Board of Regents, it just can’t be done.

And yet, the UB Volunteer Leadership Summit, at which Bennett delivered the keynote address, provided two days of opportunities for alumni and other dedicated partners who serve on key boards, councils and committees across UB to the get the recognition they deserve.

Hosted by UB Council chair Jeremy M. Jacobs (’60), UB Foundation chair Francis Letro (JD ’79) and UB Alumni Association president Mary Garlick Roll (MS ’88, BS ’84), the summit served as a forum to exchange ideas, gain insights into higher education and continue to support UB’s ascension. Discussion groups, faculty presentations, interactive sessions, networking opportunities, campus tours and a pop-up party on Baird Point filled out the spring event, now in its second year. Achievement awards, presented by the UB Alumni Association, were also part of the lineup.

Speaking on the challenges and opportunities of volunteer leadership, Bennett paid tribute to the power of what he termed the “volunteer sector,” which works alongside the public and private sectors to make a profound impact not only on institutions—UB included—but also on the quality of all our lives.