Greiner Comes Full Circle

Several hundred members of the UB community honored President William R. Greiner and his wife, Carol, at UB's ninth University Convocation Wednesday afternoon.

Held in the Center for the Arts' Mainstage Theater, this year's Convocation - the ceremony at which UB officially kicks off the academic year - reflected on the 13-year term of "UB's Perfect Pair."

Jeremy Jacobs, chairman of UB Council and chairman of the Presidential Search Committee, screened a slide show entitled "Lucky 13: Tribute to Bill and Carol."

The film included pictures of both campuses at UB, along with quotes from friends, co-workers, and family members.

Newspaper clippings and pictures of Greiner and his wife over the past 13 years were also included in the slide show.

A timeline of his UB career was shown as well, explaining how Greiner started as a professor, became the provost and ended in the president position.

"I was a little surprised," Greiner said. "I knew they were cooking up something, but wasn't sure what. It's been a very special day."

Carol Greiner's accomplishments were also recognized with a bouquet of red roses. As a standing ovation was given at the end of the slide show, Greiner leaned over and kissed his wife.

In his remarks, Greiner lauded UB's many institutes, star quality faculty, athletic teams, and enrollment.

This year, UB had a record full-time enrollment, as well as the highest numbers of out-of-state students and international students in its history.

"UB is a leadership community," Greiner said. "We must respect the past and learn from it. We must shape the current, take risks, and discover new answers to old challenges."

Greiner also remarked on UB's status in the State University of New York system.

"How good is UB? UB is better than a flagship," said Greiner. "A flagship can be any ship in a fleet, and godd**n it, we are the capitol ship of SUNY."

Greiner presented the President's Medal to Reginald B. Newman II, a leading Western New York businessman and longtime friend and supporter of the University.

Newman has served on the UB Foundation's Board of directors since 1989 and has chaired that board since 1996. He is a longtime supporter of the Intercollegiate Scholarship Fund at UB, as well as several other university programs.

"I'm heartfully thankful for this award and I treasure it greatly," Newman said.

University Provost Elizabeth Capaldi also presented Charles P. Ewing with the 2003 SUNY Distinguished Service Professor award.

Ewing is the author of five books, most of which deal with forensic pathology. He holds faculty appointments in both the Law School and the Department of Psychology at UB.

Several UB professors were also honored during the ceremony with various awards.

Richard J. Salvi, a professor in the communicative disorders and sciences department, was one of the honorees.

"I've been here for 13 years, and I've seen how UB has grown and developed. It's really an honor to be recognized by faculty and administration," Salvi said.

The evening did have some solemn moments when, early in the ceremony, a moment of silence was observed for students and faculty who died during the previous school year.