UB Receives $18.14 Million In Private Gifts

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The University at Buffalo received $18.14 million in private gifts during fiscal year 1997-98, the highest level of private giving achieved by the university in a fiscal year.

The total includes $800,000 for undergraduate scholarships and a $2 million bequest to fund scholarships in the UB School of Nursing.

"We're very grateful to the many donors whose generosity made it possible for us to establish a new standard of giving at UB this year," said UB President William R. Greiner.

"Private giving is essential for UB to maintain its present level of excellence in research and teaching, and to reach our goals for the future," Greiner added. "Through these gifts, the University at Buffalo continues to contribute to the economic and intellectual vitality of Western New York."

The increase indicates growing awareness by alumni and friends of UB of the need for more private funding. As state funding for higher education declines throughout the United States and in New York's state university system, public institutions have relied increasingly on private funds to provide the necessary investment to develop programs, attract top scholars, offer scholarships, staff and equip laboratories and other research facilities, and establish endowments to meet future needs.

"New York State now provides less than 30 percent of our operating funds," said Ronald H. Stein, UB vice president for university advancement and development. "More and more, we are dependent upon the generosity of private individuals, foundations and corporations like those who made this year the best ever for giving to the university. We'd like to thank everyone who helped us achieve this new level of philanthropy."

This year's total surpasses the previous high of $17.2 million set in fiscal year 1996-97. Stein noted that UB's main focus is to raise gifts for faculty and student support.

"It is only through endowed chairs and professorships that we can compete nationally to attract and retain the very best faculty," said Stein. "Similarly, endowed fellowships and scholarships enable us to attract to UB, New York State students who want the finest public higher education our state can offer."

As private funding has become increasingly important, UB's president, provost, and deans have worked closely with departments and programs throughout the university to help them reach out to potential donors. This change in philanthropic culture throughout the institution has resulted in many gifts directed to schools, departments or programs within the university. Often gifts fund a special need within schools or departments.

Among such gifts was a $2 million bequest from the late Nova G. Petsan to the UB School of Nursing. This bequest, the largest gift ever received by the school and one of the largest gifts from an individual in the 151-year history of the university, provides additional funds for the Nova G. Petsan and Gustave Petsan Scholarship, which was established by a previous gift from Mrs. Petsan.

According to Dean Mecca S. Cranley, the scholarship fund will enable the School of Nursing to attract top-quality students.

"Student aid is getting harder to obtain. This is a great time for the school to receive so much support for student scholarships," said Cranley. "These scholarships give the school a competitive edge in recruiting the best and brightest students."

Another important scholarship fund, the UB Distinguished Honors Scholars program, received additional support this year with a gift of $800,000 from the anonymous donor who established the fund. The gift brought the donor's total giving to $4 million, and has helped inspire additional commitments totaling $400,000 from others.

The fund provides full scholarships to academically gifted undergraduate students. The latest cash gift will result in a total of 75 Distinguished Honors Scholars being recruited and enrolled in all four undergraduate years.

While these generous gifts played a large role in achieving this year's new level of giving, this upward trend also was the result of many other private donors who provided gifts at all levels and to all parts of the university. Private gifts have helped fund a wide range of programs in recent years, many of which provide outreach to the local community, and virtually all of which have a positive economic effect on Western New York.

For information about how you can help support the University at Buffalo, go to http://www.buffalo.edu/giving