Celebrating faculty and staff excellence

Provost A. Scott Weber praised UB’s faculty and staff as an “incredible source of pride” while addressing those attending last Wednesday’s Celebration of Faculty and Staff Academic Excellence.

“The foundations of great universities are built and maintained by the faculty and staff through the advancement of knowledge and support for that endeavor in all its forms,” Weber said at the annual gathering to salute outstanding faculty and other UB professionals in Lippes Concert Hall in Slee Hall. 

“At UB, excellence and achievement are interwoven into the fabric of our university — the threads run across every office, school and department,” Weber told about 225 attendees, including the honorees’ family members and colleagues.

“It is important for us to come together as a university to recognize their accomplishments.”

The annual Celebration of Faculty and Staff Academic Excellence recognizes those individuals whose long-term contributions have made a significant impact on the people and communities around them, whether through groundbreaking research or in ensuring the smooth operation of a department or office.

Faculty and staff were acknowledged on stage in several categories, including:

• 50 and 60 years of service to UB.
• UB Distinguished Professor.
• SUNY Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence.
• SUNY Distinguished faculty.
• Recipients of prestigious national and international awards.

“These awards that you — our faculty and staff — have received are a testament to your dedication, to the quality of your work and to the reputations that you have built amongst your colleagues, co-workers, peers and students,” Weber said.

“You have been steadfast in your work, and we are motivated, as Carl Sagan said, ‘by the courage of your questions and the depth of your answers, your willingness to embrace what is true rather than what feels good.’”

President Satish K. Tripathi opened the ceremony by noting the celebration is a reminder that UB’s greatest strength is its people.

“In every corner of our university, you’ll find our faculty and staff advancing knowledge, empowering our students and expanding the reach of their expertise,” Tripathi said.

“Today, we pause to recognize those whose extraordinary accomplishments reflect UB at its very best.”

Following the ceremony, honorees, friends, family and colleagues gathered for a reception in the Slee lobby.

A selection of other research, teaching and mentoring awards received by faculty and staff during 2025 can be found on the Celebration of Academic Excellence website.