Our Faces and Stories: 2023-24

Students, alumni and others celebrated the 40th anniversary of Oozefest, one of the largest collegiate mud volleyball tournaments in the country.

"The Career Design Center helps students design their life in a way that they can obtain their goals," said Ekamjot Kaur Khaira, MPS '24, who used the skills she learned there to land a prestigious job. 

"If your basic needs are met, then you can grow and thrive," said Brianna Bengert, Blue Table Food Pantry coordinator.

“Giving back to the community that’s given me a home away from home means so much to me,” said Emily Triquet, '25.

As executive chef for Campus Dining and Shops, Amelia Ruiz oversees the culinary teams for 32,000 students at UB. “I try to put things on the menu that make students feel close to home,” said Ruiz. Her menu for the new Sabor Latino includes homemade arepas, pozole and other items that encourage students to sit together and share their meal — and their day.

One of the most popular faces on campus is Finn, a Cavalier-Bernese Mountain Dog-Poodle (Cava Bernedoodle) training to be a therapy dog for Veteran Services. Student veterans can take Finn to class, or visit him in the Efner “Lucky” Davis Veterans Lounge. “Finn can help these students feel more grounded,” explained student veteran Kathleen Jackson, who is one of 775 student veterans at UB.

Graduating students gathered in the Center for the Arts for a celebratory toast in their honor. Each student left with a special souvenir glass, creating another priceless memory of their time at UB. At Student Life, we’re proud to help every one of our students discover who they are—and become who they want to be.

As a violence prevention specialist, Aaron Maracle encourages UB students to talk openly about sexual assault and relationship violence. “I want to get up every day and be there for our students.”

Flags from the Student Union will be repurposed as the centerpiece of the annual FOCUS cultural event. “We want every student to be able to represent who they are and where they’re from,” said Chris Bragdon, associate director of residential life.

“Students with disabilities are contributors to the UB ecosystem, not takers, said Kristy Harte, director of Accessibility Resources, which provides equitable access for students and builds a community for students with disabilities.