UB School of Management celebrates 100 years of welcoming new students

By Alexandra Richter

BUFFALO, N.Y. —  Following in the footsteps of the transformational and insightful leaders who came before them, a new class of students gathered at the University at Buffalo School of Management Aug. 25 — for the hundredth time.

The picnic event, held on the lawn outside Jacobs Management Center and in Paula T. Agrusa Plaza, welcomed both first-year and new transfer students. The gathering was sponsored in part by the School of Management Alumni Association.

“We have more than 46,000 alumni throughout the world who love the School of Management,” said David Murray, associate dean for undergraduate programs and clinical professor of management science and systems. “It is thanks to the dedication of our leadership, faculty, staff and alumni that we carry on our traditions. The people are the core to keeping this going for the next 100 years and beyond.”

At the event, the School of Management launched the Shareholder Society initiative — 15 groups of new students supported by a team of peers, faculty, staff and alumni — to build connections and community.

In the spirit of friendly competition and to foster school spirit and a sense of belonging, the first challenge of the year for students in the Shareholder Society was a massive game of Rock, Paper, Scissors. After beginning the game with hundreds of first-year and transfer students, Vivian Black from Shareholder Society group 12 emerged victorious.

Other activities included a visit from the UB Little Blue food truck, inflatable basketball toss, giant lawn games, DJ, an airbrush artist doing temporary UB-branded tattoos, a selfie station and an appearance from university mascot Victor E. Bull.

After a full weekend of welcome events from the University at Buffalo, the fall semester begins today.