This article is from the archives of the UB Reporter.
News

Briefs

Published: Oct. 25, 2012

  • Braun to direct ‘Road to Glory’

    The Department of Theatre and Dance presents “Road to Glory” Oct. 24 through 28 in the Black Box Theatre in the Center for the Arts, North Campus.

    Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

    Kazimierz Braun, professor of theatre and dance, directs UB students in the production.

    Tickets can be purchased through the Center for the Arts box office.

  • UB Law recognized by OBABL

    The UB Law School has been chosen as one of the best law schools for black students. The recognition comes from On Being a Black Lawyer (OBABL), a resource center and social media firm that supports African-Americans’ success in law school.

    OBABL’s “The Black Student's Guide to Law Schools” lists UB Law as one of the five best law schools in the East Coast region for black students. The list, which is not ranked, also includes the laws schools of Rutgers, the City University of New York, the University of Connecticut and the University of Maine.

    Schools were chosen for inclusion based on eight factors: cost, alumni-placement rate, the number of distinguished black alumni, selectivity in admissions, black student population, the strength of the local legal job market, the local cost of living and the local black population. The rankings committee was composed of OBABL editorial staff, law school fellows and professional advisers.

    “We believe law school graduates are best served when they attend law school in a region where they would like to work,” the book says. “Our best regional law schools are highly regarded, particularly in nearby states. Law graduates from these excellent institutions are well-positioned to have successful legal careers without the burden of excessive loan debt.”

    The UB Law School has made diversity a priority in admissions and recruiting decisions, and students of color are a prominent presence at the school. Of the Class of 2015 that entered this fall, for example, 18 percent are persons of color. One very active student organization is the Black Law Students Association.

    “We’re delighted at this recognition, which testifies to our commitment to creating a law school that looks like America,” said UB Law Dean Makau W. Mutua, the first person of color to lead the Law School in its 125-year history. “We are moving from a regional law school to one of national and global reputation. But as New York State’s only public law school, we have a responsibility to ensure access for talented students from all walks of life.”

  • Ambassador to appear in webcast

    The first Chinese-American to become America’s chief diplomat in the People’s Republic of China, Ambassador Gary Locke is both popular and controversial in China for his easy-going and unassuming manner. Yet beyond the mixed reviews of his personal style, Locke is on the frontlines of the most significant issues in U.S.-China relations, from trade disputes and human rights concerns to clean-energy collaboration and the growing exchange of people and ideas at all levels.

    Locke will be featured at the sixth annual “China Town Hall: National Reflections, Local Connections,” a live, national webcast presented at UB and 60 other venues throughout the United States on Oct. 29.

    The event is organized by the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations and sponsored locally by the UB Confucius Institute, Asian Studies Program and the International Institute of Buffalo. The purpose of China Town Hall is to help Americans understand the dynamic U.S.-China relationship and answer their questions on the issues.

    Prior to the webcast Andrew Mertha, professor of government at Cornell University, will speak at UB on the challenges facing China’s leadership in a talk entitled “Rushing Headlong into the Past: Anticipating China’s 18th Party Congress.”

    Mertha will also lead a discussion and invite comments from the audience following Locke’s presentation.

    The event, which is free of charge and open to the public, will begin with a reception for Mertha at 6 p.m. in 120 Clemens Hall, North Campus, followed by Mertha’s talk at 7 p.m. and the live national webcast at 8.

    China Town Hall is a national day of programming on China organized annually by the National Committee on U.S.-China relations, with funding from the Starr Foundation. The webcast will be moderated by Stephen A. Orlins, president of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations.

  • Mycoskie next ‘distinguished speaker’

    Social entrepreneur Blake Mycoskie, founder of TOMS shoes and the man behind the growing One for One movement, will take the stage on Nov. 15 as the next speaker in UB’s Distinguished Speakers Series.

    Mycoskie will speak at 8 p.m. in Alumni Arena, North Campus.

    He is a pioneering social entrepreneur, and founder and “chief shoe giver” of TOMS, a footwear company that, through its “One for One” program and with the assistance of  humanitarian organizations throughout the world, has provided more than 600,000 pairs of new shoes to children in need.

    He is the recipient of the 2009 U.S. Secretary of State Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE), which celebrates companies’ commitment to corporate social responsibility, innovation, exemplary practices and democratic values worldwide.

    Tickets for Mycoskie’s lecture may be purchased through the Alumni Arena ticket office or by visiting the CFA website for online ticket purchase options. Discount vouchers are available for all current and retired UB faculty and staff through TIAA-CREF, and to all members of United University Professions (UUP). Vouchers are valid only at campus ticket offices.

    UB undergraduates and GSA-represented graduate students are eligible for a free ticket, while supplies last.

    For more information, visit the Distinguished Speakers Series website.