Our Stories

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

Change From the Inside
5/18/22
Juweria Dahir, MUP ’20, BA ’15, executive director of EforAll Buffalo, is helping Buffalo accelerate economic and social impact through entrepreneurship.
Nurse Nelle
4/14/22
Diversity Advocate for Nurse Anesthetists
A Vision for Growth
3/24/22
Despite life’s struggles, a community gardener sees opportunity for all.
Seizing the Moment
3/29/22
From Malaysia to Afghanistan to Ukraine and beyond, Marcus Yam burrows into stories as a roving foreign correspondent for the Los Angeles Times.
Inspired to Lead
2/9/22
Donnica Moore is influencing women’s health through her podcast and other forms of “medutainment.”
After a long career, Tirone still has much to offer
1/6/22
Charles Tirone's most recent endeavor is teaching students how to play the stock market using computer science.

The Backbone for Success
4/21/22
Dick Osborne is a firm believer in the power of education—so much so, he's created two substantial legacies at UB to support others' education.
Preserving Her Father’s Legacy
3/18/22
Trina Bediako, CEO, New Horizons Baking Company, carries on her parents’ legacy to help underserved students finish their UB degrees.
A Family Affair
12/23/21
Tilmon Brown, BA ’93, BS ’93, promised his parents that he would get a degree from UB. 30 years later he fulfilled that promise and is helping other UB students do the same.
A Reflection of Love
11/30/21
Russ Agrusa, BS ’76, realized his dream of creating a contemplative space in memory of his late wife, Paula, for UB students to enjoy and reflect.

Live long and prosper
12/23/21
Galápagos giant tortoises often live over 100 years and UB researchers reveal their secret to evolutionary success.

Feeling the Heat
11/30/21
A discovery made by three UB scientists was the basis for a Nobel Prize for the identification of proteins responsible for providing our ability to sense heat and touch.

Helping People Worldwide with Better Design
3/18/22
Smith creates design solutions for those around the world who’ve been marginalized in the decisions made about their built environment.

Stretching Musical Boundaries
3/18/22
Marcus Lolo, pianist and music performance major, was tapped to compose and perform original music for the State of the University Address.

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.