Nelson E. Townsend, associate vice president for student affairs and former director of athletics, heads the Student Development Center.

What is the Student Development Center and what does it offer students?
The Student Development Center was created in the Fall of 1998 to embrace and expand upon those services previously offered by the Office of Student Multicultural Affairs. The center, an advocate for all students, assumes a role of promoting and conducting programs that celebrate diversity of the student body. In doing so, the center serves as a liaison between students, the faculty and the administrative staff and community organizations/agencies.

Why merge the Office of Student Multicultural Affairs into the Student Development Center? How do the two areas relate?
The Office of Student Multicultural Affairs is a principal student-development vehicle. Programs supporting multiculturalism represent some of the most important work the university delivers. The diverse student population enhances the academic and social climate and adds immensely to the fabric of the university community. The reason for merging Multicultural Affairs into Student Development is that multicultural affairs programming contributes significantly to the development of all students. These areas are neither distinct nor different; they are one.

What are your future plans for the center?
The plans for the future are many, i.e., gain an identity and diffuse any speculation that any one program or group might be enhanced at the expense of another, improve upon our program facilities to more adequately serve the student need, increase student participation in community involvement and help to develop more positive and active relations between local business, agencies, institutions and our student population. We will accomplish this through programs such as our Leadership Development Center and our cultural programming.

What aspect of "student development" is most critical for UB for the Year 2000?
The most critical aspect for UB in the Year 2000 and beyond is student retention. We must provide programming that will meet the social and academic needs of our student population. Through our Student Support Services Program, Ronald E. McNair Program, and multicultural and leadership efforts, we can enhance the quality of student life and, thereby, add immensely to the attractiveness of the university.

Do you miss working in athletics?
Certainly, I do. However, I have not regretted for one moment the need which separated me from the athletics program. There is a lot of work to be finished in athletics, but I believe my 11 years were productive. I know they were a rewarding experience for me.

What is your fondest memory of UB athletics?
There are so many of them I wouldn't know where to start. Probably the day we held the giant press conference on the football field to announce our election to the Mid-American Conference. To have seen our program elevate from the lower ranks of NCAA Division III to the height of I-A during one's tenure of leadership was as fond a memory as I can recall.

We know you're a Bulls fan. Are you a Bills fan? What team(s) do you follow?
I will always be a Bulls fan. The coaches, students, staff and support staff mean a lot more to me than just members of a team; they are like family. No matter where I go, or what comes next, the Bulls will always be special with me. Am I a Bills fan? Yes! I had a saying when I was in athletics: "Bills or Bulls, the only difference is 'u.'" It's almost impossible to live in this town and not get caught in the Buffalo Bills' mania.

How did your job as athletic director prepare you for what you're doing now?
The role of an administrator is closely interpreted, no matter what field we are in. Hire good people, help develop and establish the issues, plan effectively and get out of the way. Good people will make good things happen and you will look good. That's my basic philosophy. Further, in each role, I am asked to serve students. I have been attempting to do just that for 38 years, long before I became involved in athletics.

Tell me something about yourself that most people at UB don't know, but should.
I have had the pleasure of serving as a member of the United States Olympic Committee this past year and it has provided me great pleasure and a new experience. It has increased my interest and love for amateur athletics.

What question do you wish I had asked, and how would you have answered it?
What made it possible for you to give so much of your time and energy to the development of athletic programs, here at Buffalo and at other athletically developing universities? That's the question I sometimes ask myself. The answer is simple, but significant: the unswerving and loyal support of a wife and family who always gave their support to whatever university I chose to lead them to.