On Wednesday, Sept. 21, UB announced the largest donation by a single person in the 165-year history of the university: $40 million from a mystery donor that will benefit the medical school.
The donor, who wished to remain anonymous, received his medical degree from UB's medical school during the Second World War. Now deceased, the donor spent his entire career investing in hopes that one day he could give back to the school he adored.
According to friends of the donor, he knew from a very early age that he wanted to become a physician because of the impression that a country doctor had made while treating him for a childhood illness.
When it came time for medical school, he only applied to UB.
"The day I received the letter of acceptance to the UB medical school was the happiest day of my life," he told friends. "Becoming a doctor was my life-long dream."
UB President Satish K. Tripathi said that the accomplishment of attracting a gift of such large proportions is not only a testament to the excellence and accomplishments the medical school has achieved, but also a strong component in building the foundation to continue such excellence in education, research, and clinical care.
"Generosity and devotion to UB have a truly transformational impact," Tripathi said. "Not only on our university and our students for generations to come, but also in terms of a stronger, healthier community we are able to build as a result, here in Western New York and around the world."
As UB announced last spring, plans have been made to move the medical school from the South Campus to the Buffalo-Niagara Medical Campus in downtown Buffalo within the next five years. But, the donation will not be used for construction costs.
Rather, the gift will be used to continue the school's excellence and bring in "top-notch" scientists and physicians to ensure students have access to a world-class medical education.
The donor arranged for his gift to be left as a bequest to be used for the priorities of UB's medical school dean. According to Michael E. Cain, the current dean of the medical school and vice president for health sciences, hiring new faculty would support the growth of the school's medical programs and research.
"Rarely will a university, its supporters, and the community have the opportunity to build a new medical school. But the plan is about so much more than bricks and mortar," Cain said. "While the arrival of bulldozers will symbolize construction of the new school, it will be the arrival of new chairs, faculty, and renowned experts that will signal academic progress. After the walls are secured, the lecture halls equipped, and the ribbon cut, it will be these faculty members and their students who will ensure the school continues to achieve excellence in everything it does."
UB hopes to bring in 100 new faculty members by the time the medical school opens its doors. These faculty members, acquired from all corners of the globe, will attract the brightest students to Buffalo who will, in turn, learn to provide the best health care to Western New York and beyond, according to Cain.
The $40 million gift will continue the visions the donor, among many others, has for the university: recognizing UB's promise as a premier, world-class university and a prime component in making the Buffalo and world communities stronger.
"This gift arrives at a time of great momentum," Tripathi said. "As we prepare to move forward with plans of moving the medical school to the Buffalo-Niagara medical campus, the donor's generosity will serve to fill the heart and soul of that school."
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