April 11, 1996-Vol27n25: 'Sesqui to go' exhibits accents UB's public service initiative

'Sesqui to go' exhibits accents UB's public service initiative

By CHRISTINE VIDAL
Reporter Editor

UB IS READY TO take its Sesquicentennial celebration on the road.
A traveling exhibit, showcasing selected public service initiatives at the university, will make its debut April 13 in the Center for the Arts atrium as part of Open House.
The 8-by-10-foot display celebrates UB's 150 years of community partnership and continues a legacy of public responsibility. It focuses on four categories: community involvement, business and the economy, education on and off campus, and health and well-being.
"We thought it would be a neat way to show UB to the surrounding community," said Mary Gresham, associate vice president for public service and urban affairs and co-chair of the alumni, student and community subcommittee of UB's Sesquicentennial Committee. "We thought a well-done piece would convey the service message we want to get out there."
Highlights of the traveling exhibit:

UB is a good neighbor, involved in its local community through the university-community initiative, a planning and development project for the mature neighborhoods surrounding the South Campus. Its long-term vision is to build a lively, multicultural community offering a high quality of life.

UB plays a major role in the ongoing resurgence of Western New York's economic well-being. The university provides direct support to industry through programs such as The Center for Industrial Effectiveness, which has helped regional companies improve their productivity and competitiveness.

UB's medical education and research program is tied to the mission and work of its eight teaching hospitals; faculty are located at UB as well as the teaching hospitals, where medical students receive their training.

UB's Center for Assistive Technology (CAT) conducts service, education and research programs on assistive technology for persons with disabilities, thanks to a team of professionals representing multiple disciplines, including architecture, gerontology, law, medicine, occupational therapy, physical therapy, rehabilitation counseling, rehabilitation engineering, social work, special education, speech pathology and augmentative communication.

UB's commitment to education extends far beyond its two campuses. Continuing education, tutoring, and developmental programs for children and teens in a variety of settings also are part of UB's mission. A case in point: Hamlin Park School, located on Buffalo's East Side, where a number of UB faculty and students have been involved in various school programs. This collaborative effort enriches students' education and encourages them to set goals for higher education, and also provides opportunities for students and parents to become familiar with UB through regularly scheduled activities on campus.
The Sesquicentennial traveling exhibit also lists nearly 150 of the public service initiatives in which UB is involved, ranging from the Adaptive Environments Laboratory to writing internships.
It will be on display during UB's Sesquicentennial celebration at locations such as the Erie County Fair and other local festivals. "You're going to notice it," Gresham said. "It has a presence all its own."