Welcome to UB's Spring 2025 Semester

An aerial image of UB's snow-covered South Campus.

Published January 22, 2025

Happy New Year, and welcome to the start of UB's spring 2025 semester! I hope our students enjoyed a relaxing and restorative winter break, and that our faculty and staff had the opportunity to take some well-deserved time off.

With many members of our scholarly community away over the holidays, University Communications photographer Douglas Levere took advantage of the circumstances to spotlight the quieter side of UB. In an aerial shot of the South Campus, the walkways and paths connecting UB's historic buildings serve only minimal pedestrian traffic. A photo of the Commons courtyard—traversed by hundreds of students, faculty and staff on a typical day during the fall and spring semesters—reveals a scant few sets of footprints disrupting the snow. 

In juxtaposition to the hustle and bustle of today, these striking images convey a seeming sense of stillness. However, we know that looks can be deceiving. In fact, UB has been a proverbial hive of activity in the lead-up to the spring semester!

In addition to the academic and logistical preparations that have taken place to ensure a smooth transition, we recently hosted a welcome reception for international students new to UB. With the final renovations to the Student Union completed over break, we celebrated the grand opening of this inviting space and the many ways it will enrich our UB students' experience. Likewise, we hosted an open house at the Landing at Ellicott, the "Front Door" to UB's largest residential complex. Just last weekend, UB hosted the 11th annual U.S. Crystal Growing Competition, with faculty from our departments of Chemistry, Physics and Earth Sciences among those judging samples sent in from around the country. Also last week, upon learning the exciting news from the National Institutes of Health, we held a press conference at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences to announce that UB had received a second renewal of our Clinical and Translational Science Award—a $28.4 million grant that will enable us to continue enhancing health outcomes for people here in Western New York and well beyond. 

I have often said that great universities never stand still. The examples I shared with you demonstrate just that. No matter the time of year or the date on the calendar, we are actively working to advance our mission of excellence. With our entire scholarly community back today, I am excited to see the progress we will make in this regard. 

Stay warm, and Go Bulls!

Satish K. Tripathi
President

Zoom image: An aerial image of UB Commons courtyard covered in snow. An aerial image of UB Commons courtyard covered in snow.
Zoom image: A wide photo of UB's new international students posing on a staircase in the Center for the Arts. A wide photo of UB's new international students posing on a staircase in the Center for the Arts.
Zoom image: UB faculty member Luis Velarde looks at a crystal with a flashlight. UB faculty member Luis Velarde looks at a crystal with a flashlight.