What legacy do you want to create?
That’s the question David Hooper, Class of 2020, asked himself after realizing he was in a negative cycle that began with his father’s death.
While he didn’t quite have the answer, he knew one thing: he’d begin to build his new life by earning his bachelor’s degree. For Jim Smist, BS ’80, it was to honor his late father, Felix Smist, BS ’65, and his legacy of hard work and determination. Watch their stories and learn how one man’s legacy can shape the lives of many others.
This is Our World
At UB, nearly 40 percent of our students are the first in their families to earn a college degree—a testament to our accessibility and proof that a UB education has a life-changing impact far beyond each individual student.
For David—and thousands of students like him—it takes more than hard work and big dreams to reach their full potential. The Boldly Buffalo campaign provides students with scholarships and other support that extends their limited resources, enriches their experiences and gives them the life-changing opportunity to earn a UB diploma.
We can attract the best and brightest from around the world—regardless of their financial circumstances—because we provide students with an exceptional value: a high-quality education at an affordable cost. Our graduates leave UB with more financial freedom, which gives them more opportunities to pursue their goals and change the world.
Alumni Leaving Legacies
Have a Question?
Get in touch with us if you have any questions on how to take the next steps with your legacy.
Invest in the Future.
Your investment in UB will make a difference for a cause that matters to you: whether you make a gift to the UB Fund, support a scholarship for one UB student, sustain the work of a professor who will inspire thousands, or fund a cancer cure that saves the lives of millions. Every gift counts!