Jacobs continues his commitment to UB
Annual $100,000 gift brings recent total to $400,000, mostly for general fund

By SUZANNE CHAMBERLAIN
Reporter Contributor

Jeremy M. Jacobs, Sr., chairman and CEO of Delaware North Companies, Inc.-a $1 billion-plus diversified international holding company owned by Jacobs-continues his long-standing commitment to UB with an annual $100,000 gift.

Jacobs-a UB alumnus-and his family have a long history of giving to the university, with his recent annual gifts from 1997-2000 totaling $400,000 primarily going to the university's general fund, allowing the university to earmark the money to areas where it is most needed.

"I am extremely proud of what the University at Buffalo has accomplished, and I want to see it continue its climb to the top among our nation's public universities," said Jacobs. "One of the best ways to do that is to attract highly motivated students from all walks of life, and it is my hope that this contribution will enable the leadership at UB to do that. Education is a sound investment in the future of our society."

President William R. Greiner praised Jacobs' philanthropic leadership. "For many years, Jeremy Jacobs has generously shared his time and talents with his alma mater through his outstanding service to the University at Buffalo Foundation, UB's Board of Visitors, the School of Management, and most recently, the UB Council, which he chairs. This annual gift-just a few months after he made the Butler Mansion available to our School of Management as an Executive Education Center-is the latest example of his generosity.

"His gift will enhance UB's efforts to provide scholarships to outstanding students, benefiting our female student-athletes and Distinguished Honors Scholars, and enable UB to fund special needs and opportunities as they arise," Greiner added. "We greatly appreciate all that Jeremy has done, and continues to do, for UB."

Of the latest $100,000 gift, a portion will support female student-athletes in honor of Jacobs' wife, Margaret "Peggy" Davis Jacobs, and Distinguished Honors Scholars in the name of Jeremy Jacobs. The remainder will go to the general fund.

In the past, Jacobs' gifts and charitable activities have focused on UB's School of Management. In January, it was announced that the school could use the architectural landmark Butler Mansion, with its easy access to the downtown Buffalo business community, for continuing education and training.

Jacobs acquired the Stanford White-designed mansion in 1979 and spent more than $6 million restoring it, using it as his company's headquarters in the 1980s before selling it to Varity Corporation in 1991. Jacobs reacquired the mansion in 1999 to protect its integrity and preserve its historical significance for decades to come.

In addition, Jacobs gave more than $1 million to help fund two academic chairs and assist with the School of Management's China program in the mid 1980s.

The school's building on the North Campus bears the Jacobs family name, in honor of his long-term generosity.

As chairman and CEO of Delaware North, Jacobs oversees a company that has grown under his leadership into a $1 billion-plus private holding company with principal subsidiaries in food service, retail, sports-facility ownership and management, airport services, hospitality and parks-services industries and pari-mutuel operations.

Jacobs chairs the UB Council, the local governing council of the university. He also has served the UB Foundation, Inc., as a trustee and director from 1972-96, and as foundation chairman from 1980-87. Since 1995, Jacobs has chaired the UB Board of Visitors, a group of international leaders that advises the university on strategic issues.

He received a SUNY honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters in 1996.