$315,000 Bequest Establishes the Joseph T.J. Stewart Honors Program in UB School of Management

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- An honors program for exceptional undergraduate students enrolled in the University at Buffalo School of Management has been established in memory of Joseph T.J. Stewart, a prominent Buffalo-area businessman and philanthropist who passed away last year.

Funded by a $315,000 bequest from the Stewart estate, the Joseph T.J. Stewart Management Honors Program -- for which 19 students already have been selected -- will provide special academic programming to outstanding students enrolled in the business administration program in the School of Management.

The four-year program will augment the students' regular coursework with a seminar on current business issues, field trips to Wall Street and New York City cultural sites, mentorships with faculty and students, and placement in high-level internships.

"The goal of the program is to enhance students' understanding of the role of business in society, while providing them with opportunities to explore and develop their potential to succeed in the business world," said Diane Dittmar, assistant dean for undergraduate and doctoral programs in the School of Management.

A 1948 honors graduate of the management school, Stewart enjoyed a very successful career as a stockbroker, retiring in 1999 as vice president at Advest of Buffalo. He was part of the original investment group that founded the Buffalo Sabres and served many years as Sabres treasurer. Stewart was very active in the local community, donating time and financial resources to many organizations, including Buffalo General Hospital, Elmwood Franklin School, the YMCA of Greater Buffalo, the Episcopal Dioceses and St. Paul's Cathedral.

Stewart received UB's Samuel P. Capen Award in 1999, recognizing his meritorious contributions to the university, which included endowment of UB honors scholarships and creation of a School of Management technology-development fund.

"UB, in many ways, represents a combination of what was important to my father: education, youth and values," said Stewart's son, Thomas W. Stewart, president of Stewart Holdings, Inc. "Dad always believed that UB was the basis for his business success. He felt it was important to help young people achieve their own goals through education, while impressing on them the importance of maintaining their values and commitment to their community.

"My family has always had a strong tradition for supporting UB," Stewart added. "We're happy to continue that tradition with this gift."

Nineteen students have been selected, to date, for the honors program, which will begin this fall with a seminar on using The Wall Street Journal as a tool for understanding the world's business environment. Lewis Mandell, dean of the UB School of Management, will teach the seminar.

"Creation of the honors program will help ensure that Mr. Stewart's legacy of individual achievement, balanced by a commitment to the common good, lives on in future generations of business students," Mandell said.

"His generosity will help the school attract highly talented students by providing them with an enriching way to distinguish their academic careers," he added.

More than 1,500 students are enrolled each year in UB's business administration program, which is ranked 60th in the country by U.S. News and World Report among more than 325 undergraduate business programs nationwide.

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