Wordens Chair UB's Parents For Progress Fund Drive

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- As parents of two current students at the University at Buffalo, Michael and Heather Worden of Honeoye Falls are taking their strong ties to UB a step further by co-chairing this year's Parents for Progress fund drive.

Parents for Progress, established in 1991, is organized by the UB Office of Annual Programs and raises support for the university from parents of undergraduate students. The unrestricted funds enable UB to enhance educational opportunities and student services.

A 1965 graduate of the UB School of Management, Michael Worden is "proud to do his part to help the university" due, in large part, to his outstanding experiences as a UB student and because both of the Wordens' sons currently attend the university.

"The Parents for Progress fund will ensure that the resources I enjoyed as a student will be available for future generations to utilize," said Worden, manager of Strategic Business Analysis in the Production Systems Group at Xerox Corp. in Rochester.

Heather Worden added: "We are pleased with the high quality of education at UB, particularly because the university places emphasis on creating real-life situations in the classroom, provides a variety of curriculum offerings and has top-notch faculty."

In addition to acting as chair of the Parents for Progress effort, Michael Worden's active support for UB includes serving as a member of the board of directors of the UB Alumni Association and as president of the association's Rochester chapter.

Funding from previous Parents for Progress efforts have provided for a quicker and more efficient course registration system, as well as helping maximize UB's career planning and placement opportunities for new graduates. Most importantly, the funds have improved educational resources on campus, providing students with the tools needed to succeed in the marketplace.

"Funds the university receives from programs like Parents for Progress generate additional financial resources that the university needs in order to move into the forefront of education during the coming millennium," said Michael Worden.

Parents can show support for this year's Parents for Progress fund drive by giving to the university when contacted by a UB student caller. For additional information, call the Office of Annual Programs at (716) 829-2630.