This spring, more than 150 alumni gathered in the same room for the first time ever for the inaugural UB Volunteer Leadership Summit. Hosted by the UB Foundation, the UB Council and the UB Alumni Association Board in the Center for the Arts, the two-day event brought volunteers together with administrative leaders to network, learn about significant campus programs and progress on major UB initiatives, and discover how much the university benefits from their hard work.
As President Satish K. Tripathi told the gathering, alumni and friends are valued partners critical to the university’s success, whether they serve as donors, teachers, mentors, event volunteers or policy advisers.
“The key question is, how do we keep a college education affordable? Not one of us can solve it alone. Our alumni and volunteers are a key strength and a powerful resource for us. We need your involvement, and your thoughts and insights to meet this challenge.”
—UB Council Chair Jeremy M. Jacobs (’60), chairman of Delaware North Companies and
owner of the Boston Bruins
In his keynote address, “Leadership and Public Service,” Vice Adm. Robert B. Murrett (BA ’75) stressed the importance of civilian leadership—not just in government, but in the community and at UB. An impressive leader himself, Murrett has served as the director of naval intelligence and director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, and is currently deputy director of the Institute for National Security and Counterterrorism. He received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the UB Alumni Association in 2006 for his exceptional career accomplishments.
“The summit is a wonderful idea because it allows so many people who care deeply about this university to feel like they’re a part of it as UB charts its next big move.”
—Bridget Niland (JD ’98, EdM ’98, BA ’95), athletic director, Daemen College