Donation to Fund Recognition of UB History Students

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Believing that an educated citizenry makes for a stronger democracy, a second-generation UB alumnus is donating $60,000 to its College of Arts and Sciences.

Edward L. Curvish, Jr. is establishing an endowment fund that yearly will honor a graduating senior in the Department of History who writes an outstanding paper on the U.S. Constitution. Preference will be given to students who write about the Second Amendment -- the right to bear arms -- and those planning to teach American history after attending UB's Graduate School of Education.

Curvish, a teacher and counselor who retired last summer after more than 35 years total with the public school system in the Elmira area and the Catholic educational system in the Buffalo area, recalled that he was "an average student whose ability to be successful derived from the excellent education I received at UB.

"My education was second to none," added Curvish, who earned his bachelor's degree in history in 1958 and his master's degree in education in social studies education in 1960.

"Now I can afford to return the favor and I encourage my classmates to do the same because it's essential to build endowments for a quality education, to provide the things that the state can't provide."

Richard E. Ellis, Lockwood Chair and chair of the Department of History, said it is delighted to receive "this thoughtful and generous gift that will be used to recognize and honor the work of our very best students."

The annual Curvish award winner will receive a gold key, a certificate and a monetary award of approximately $2,000, the available spendable amount in the fund.

For Curvish, the gold key is very important. "My late father, who graduated from UB's medical school in 1929, was a member of Alpha Omega Alpha, a medical school honor society, whose symbolic gold key he wore proudly on his vest."

Curvish said his father wanted his children to attend UB. Since his sister went elsewhere, "the duty fell to me, and I found it to be a wonderful opportunity."

In addition to the Edward L. Curvish, Jr. fund for history, Curvish is adding $11,250 to an endowment fund in the medical school that recognizes the freshman student with the highest average in biochemistry. Established in 1971 by his mother to remember his father, the Edward L. Curvish M.D. Award already has recognized more than 25 students with a cash award, a certificate and a gold key.

Curvish lives in Elmira.

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