Increased enrollment at UB may have led to packed classrooms and forced students into hotels, but there has also been a benefit for the university - several new teachers have been hired despite bruising budget cuts.
"New hiring has been proceeding without disruption because no academic unit had any budget cut," Provost Elizabeth Capaldi said.
Capaldi said most departments had more money to hire faculty this year than in previous years because of increased revenue from enrollments.
The College of Arts and Sciences gained the most new faculty, with 33 new hires, followed by the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, each with 17 hires.
Only one new faculty member joined the School of Pharmacy, the lowest gain at UB.
Some new professors bring colorful resumes to UB - among the new faculty in the 28 departments of the College of Arts and Sciences, for example, are Donald A. Grinde, Jr., hired by the Center for the Americas, who specializes in Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) history.
Antoinette Arnold, hired by the music department, was the first vocalist to win first prize in the Gaudeamus International Interpreters Competition.
In the media study department David E. Pape, who holds a doctorate in computer science, has previously worked with NASA scientists to develop a scientific visualization for research and public education purposes.
About 27 books in total have been published by the new faculty members.
The university has also been able to bring in some new blood to compliment seasoned teaching veterans - such as Charles J. Finocchiaro, a new professor in the department of political science, who was hired soon after receiving his doctorate from Michigan State University.
Finocchiaro, who now resides with his wife and son in Amherst, went through the rigors of applying broadly to a number of schools using job listings in various professional newsletters.
UB was on Finocchiaro's "list of attractive places" because it had several professors he was excited to work with and because his wife hailed from Western New York.
Finocchiaro, who teaches Introduction to American Politics and Legislative Politics said he feels "fortunate to have a good job in a nice place."
He said his interests in American politics, elections, political institutions and American political development will fit in well with the political science department's "scientific pursuit of politics."
Sabrina Summers, a senior legal studies major, said she would recommend Professor Finocchiaro to others.
"I like him," she said. "His interest in the topic keeps me interested."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
