Flashback
35 years ago today
On Oct. 2, 1973, a crowd gathered to witness an intense standoff between UB President Robert L. Ketter and Jonathan Dandes, Student Association president. Fortunately for the participants, it involved baked goods. Ketter and Dandes took part in a pie-throwing contest as part of the university’s efforts to raise $120,000 for the United Way.
The pie-throwing duel took place in front of Foster Hall on the South Campus and started with Ketter bending the rules and catching Dandes by surprise with an oversized pie. Dandes, who currently is a member of the UB Council, was able to get in some good shots before the end of the match and eventually enlisted the help of onlookers.
UB began participating in the annual United Way of Buffalo and Erie County campaign in 1976 under the auspices of the State Employees Federated Appeal (SEFA). UB consistently ranks among the nation’s leaders of colleges and universities in charitable giving with annual goals of more than $900,000. The kickoff for the 2008 campaign, now known as the Campaign for the Community, will be held on Oct. 15.
In contrast to the levity of the pie-throwing contest, Ketter faced a more serious situation the next day when more than 40 students crowded into his office to protest a proposal to arm campus security officers.
—Anne Hicks
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