Our Stories

Read about just a few of our many alumni and friends who accomplish amazing things around the world.

Bringing the heat
1/14/21
Throughout her career, Maura Mottolese, BS ’89, has proven she can stand the heat of a hypercompetitive industry.
Founding a school at 28
12/28/20
Joelle Formato (EdM ’15), planned on an accounting career until curiosity inspired her to sign up for two years teaching math in a school outside Washington, D.C.
PT Alumnus Living His Job During Pandemic
12/14/20
John Corcoran’s profession is physical therapy, but his musical vocation might provide more of a metaphor for his career, which seems to meld various strains into one harmonious whole.
Rising in Style
1/30/19
Ever dream of quitting your job and traveling the world? For Leo Chan, BS ’11, that fantasy became reality—and helped turn his side hustle into a thriving business.
Serving the Front Lines
1/30/19
Hired as Catholic Health’s chief integration officer, Rebecca McCormick-Boyle, BS ’81, found herself with a new role amid the uncharted chaos of a global health crisis.
Dancing His Dreams to Life
4/28/20
Kurtis Sprung landed his dream job with Circque du Soleil and competed on World of Dance.

Changing Lives in Profound Ways
10/27/20
Former New York State Surrogate Judge Barbara Howe has endowed an annual award for the best graduate student research paper in the Department of Sociology.
Alumnus entrusts his pulp fiction collection to UB
10/29/20
UB alumnus George Kelley donated more than 30,000 pieces of pulp fiction materials to the University Libraries. The collection serves as a resource for enthusiasts as well as academics studying the emerging field of fandom.
UB engineering grad gives $10K to student emergency fund
4/8/20
To ensure students' needs are met, Stephen Still has donated $10,000 to UB’s student emergency funds.
Paying it forward
1/30/19
Greer Hamilton and Danise Wilson believe in strengthening minority representation in human services and public health professions.

Comics about COVID-19
12/11/20
A team of UB researchers used the power of storytelling through comic books to help high school students better understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Young patients with diabetes could still produce insulin with drug
12/11/20
A study led by UB professor Teresa Quattrin, has found a drug that can preserve cells of children and young adults recently diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.

A Highlight Reel Hobby Turned Internship
1/30/19
What started with a love of sports for sophomore Michael Hunter has grown into a successful side hustle with the National Football League.

From Our Archive

The Buffalo Builder
1/4/16
Thomas P. Dee (EMBA '96, BA '75) has big plans for his hometown waterfront.

The Artful Dresser
9/16/15
It's a casual day for Tziporah Salamon (BA '72): chic Comme des Garçons top; polka dot socks; vibrant red lips.

The Political Cartoonist
11/9/15
Tom Toles (BA '73) has issues—he's paid to. He's a political cartoonist, the Washington Post's one and only.

The Prolific Playwright
9/16/15
Tammy Ryan (BA ’85) has blazed a trail through the world of playwriting. It began in the back of a Buffalo pub.

The Buffalo Booster
9/15/15
Growing up in Buffalo, Ezra Staley (JD/MBA '09) heard a distant song. "The siren call of other places," he calls it.

The Activist Attorney
9/16/15
Yetta Kurland (MA ‘94, BA ‘90), a civil rights attorney and activist, is used to waging battles on multiple fronts.

The Beloved Educator
11/13/15
Learn how Vincent J. Coppola's (EdD ’71, EdM ’66, EdM ’63) “calming personality” gets districts back on track.

The Clock Winder
9/16/15
As important moments go, you might say Michael Tunkey (BPS '00) has had a bunch of them.