Willie R. Evans Quadrangle Naming Ceremony
UB formally named the Willie R. Evans Quadrangle during a ceremony in September 2022 that was attended by Evans' family members, including his widow, Bobbie. Evans was a star running back of the 1958 UB football team. Photo: Douglas Levere
Delivered September 30, 2022
Good morning!
Thank you all for joining us for the official dedication of the Willie R. Evans Quad!
I would like to extend a special welcome to Bobbie Evans; Willie and Bobbie’s children; Willie’s sisters; and his extended family members.
On behalf of our entire UB community, I appreciate all of you being here to celebrate the renaming of this residence hall, and to remember our dear friend Willie Evans.
Willie not only exemplified our university mission, he left our UB community with an impactful legacy of service and provided us with a model for a meaningful life.
I suspect that you are all familiar with the UB Bulls’ 1958 football team. As the program notes, the team made history by taking a united stand against racism.
So today, I’d like to tell you how we came to rename this residence hall after that team’s star running-back.
More than two years ago—within a broader, university-wide exploration of racism and systemic inequality—we began discussing the historical naming of our buildings, spaces and roadways. As names carry symbolic weight, we want to ensure that these symbols align with our identity as a diverse, inclusive and welcoming scholarly community.
And so, with our values as our guide, during the spring 2021 semester, following a unanimous UB Council resolution to rename this residence hall, we sent out a university-wide call to nominate individuals—living or deceased—for the recognition. We specified that these candidates should have left a positive imprint on our institution and region; should represent UB’s highest ideals for our diverse student body; should be well regarded in their field; and should embody UB’s mission of public service.
In attendance were four of Willie Evans' teammates from the 1958 team: Joe Oliverio, Fred Kogut, Stan Kowalski and Nate Bliss. Photo: Douglas Levere
In all, we received more than 100 emails from faculty, students and staff nominating 65 individuals. Although many of these nominees set a positive example for our UB community, in the end, there was no question that Willie Evans and his enduring legacy deserved this unique distinction.
Today, I am truly moved to see Willie’s name gracing this residence hall. It is incredibly gratifying to know that generations of students will read that beautiful plaque and learn of Willie’s story.
We want our students to know who Willie was, and how he lived UB’s mission.
For those of us who were fortunate enough to know him, Willie will always live on in our hearts. And with this residence hall named in his memory, he will inspire our students for years to come.
Thank you.