Crosby Hall Ceremonial Reopening

Good afternoon!

I am delighted to join all of you as we celebrate the grand re-opening of Crosby Hall!

I would like to begin by recognizing and acknowledging SUNY Board of Trustees Chairman Dr. Merryl Tisch; Ms. Eunice Lewin, a member of the SUNY Board of Trustees; and our elected officials and community partners.

This is a proud day for our School of Architecture and Planning, our university, and our entire community. Crosby Hall is, of course, a centerpiece of UB’s South Campus. And today, we celebrate the magnificent renovation of this historic gem.

I had the pleasure of taking a preview tour of the renovated space before it opened. To those of you who will be touring it for the first time today, let me assure you that you are in for a treat.

From airy and brightly-lit studios, to dynamic, modern spaces designed for collaboration, what you will behold is truly spectacular. While retaining every bit of its historic charm and character, the Crosby Hall of today stands as a vibrant hub of 21^st-century discovery and innovation.

Its renovation is a prime example of UB putting our students at the heart of everything we do. It demonstrates how—in accordance with our master plan—we are cultivating a transformative scholarly environment for our university community.

While Crosby Hall will always be known as a beloved symbol of our university heritage, the renovated building is a tangible representation of our pursuit of enduring excellence.

By re-imagining Crosby Hall, we are enhancing UB’s research, scholarship and creative endeavors. In alignment with our university mission, the work that is produced here will surely have a positive impact on the many communities we serve—whether around the corner, or around the globe.

I look forward to seeing the many innovative ways that the School of Architecture and Planning leverages these glorious spaces to build upon their strong tradition of service.

To conclude, I would like to congratulate Dean Czerniak and the School of Architecture and Planning on the grand reopening of Crosby Hall.

And, to everyone who made this extraordinary renovation possible—Thank you!