A Message from the Dean

Greetings from the University at Buffalo School of Management.

So much has happened in the world since our last issue of Buffalo Business. The coronavirus has profoundly affected us all, personally and professionally. Please allow me to extend my deepest sympathy on behalf of the School of Management community to our students, alumni, faculty and staff and their families who lost loved ones during the pandemic. Our hearts are with you.

When our students were sent home in mid-March to finish the semester remotely because of COVID-19 concerns, our faculty and staff doubled down to ensure they still received the excellent educational experience they deserve. I was also humbled to hear from many of you asking for opportunities to help. From contributions to the student emergency fund to assisting upcoming graduates as they sought employment, you stepped up and showed your support.

Despite unprecedented obstacles, the resilience of our alumni, students, faculty and staff continues to prevail, and you will see evidence of it throughout this issue. From stories on how students adapted, alumni pivoted, faculty provided insights and corporate partners collaborated, our community came together and changed for the better.

As I write this, we face new challenges. Like many of you, we are deeply saddened, disturbed and concerned by the tragic and senseless death of George Floyd, as well as other similar incidents that, unfortunately, have a long and painful history. Injustice, intolerance and racism in all its ugly and harmful forms have no place in our community or nation. Our values at the UB School of Management embrace just the opposite—we strive to provide a vibrant and diverse community that is inclusive and compassionate.

Our mission is to discover and deepen our understanding of management concepts and applications that drive effective organizations and use them to produce principled and insightful leaders who create positive change in the world. Business can—and should—be a positive, constructive force for advancing society. I look forward to working with the entire School of Management community, including our alumni, in the months ahead as we actively affirm and embrace our values of respect, diversity and inclusion.

Thank you for being a valued alumnus. We are stronger together, and the resilience and character of our entire university community will enable us to adapt, innovate and even excel as we continue our mission in new and interesting ways.

Warm regards,

Paul Tesluk
Dean