UB Believers. UB. University at Buffalo. The State University of New York.

Dear UB Believer,

This is your October UB Believers update.

  • Simpson outlines stark choice
  • The plan is ready—and you're invited
  • UB scores high in stimulus funds
  • Obama confers medal on UB professor

NEED TO SEE

Buffalo Niagara at a crossroads

In his fourth annual address to the community on Sept. 23, UB president John B. Simpson urged an audience of more than 500 civic leaders and other friends of UB to press for legislation necessary to realize the goals of UB 2020, the university's plan to become one of the nation's premier public research universities, helping to revitalize the regional economy as it grows.

"We can either choose to maintain the status quo, or we can choose to change our path. We either let Albany continue to argue that our universities are 'good enough'—or we recognize and nourish our universities as the catalysts for New York State to regain its position as a fully competitive player in the 21st century global-knowledge economy."

By achieving UB 2020, the university would more than double its annual economic impact on the region, from $1.7 billion to $3.6 billion.

Watch video highlights of the address here.

The full address will be broadcast in Buffalo on Time Warner Cable Channel 22 (Government and Education Access Channel) from 12-12:30 p.m. on Sundays during October.

NEED TO DO

Feel the momentum

Please join us on Oct. 27, from 5-7 p.m. in the Center for the Arts, when UB president John B. Simpson will lead a program to unveil and celebrate the comprehensive physical plan that will guide the growth and transformation of the university's North and South campuses and create a new academic health center on its Downtown Campus.

This is the culmination of a planning process that began in 2007 and a significant milestone in the creation of a new UB.

See the future. Register by October 23.

NEWS FROM UB

UB researchers reap U.S. economic stimulus funds

As of Oct. 1, UB researchers had been awarded a total of $18.7 million for 58 research projects from funds made available by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). Included in this total are five hard-to-secure "challenge" grants (so far only 200 have been awarded from some 21,000 applications).

"ARRA stipulates that its grant resources are to be leveraged for economic impact in local communities and must help to improve quality of life," according to UB vice president for research Jorge José. Read more.

UB professor receives highest U.S. technology honor

Esther S. Takeuchi, PhD, Greatbatch Professor in Power Sources Research in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, received the National Medal of Technology and Innovation from President Barack Obama in ceremonies at the White House on Oct. 7.

The National Medal of Technology and Innovation, the highest honor awarded in the U.S. for technological achievement, recognizes outstanding contributions to the promotion of technology for the improvement of the economic, environmental or social well being of the United States. Takeuchi is the first UB professor to receive this honor. Read more.

Watch an interview with Takeuchi here.

Creating the future. Ours. Theirs. Yours.