BUFFALO, N.Y. -- New York State Senator William T. Stachowski was honored by the University at Buffalo for his longstanding enthusiastic support at UB's Business Partners Day luncheon on June 4 in the Adam's Mark Hotel in Buffalo.
The annual Business Partner's Day event celebrates the companies, organizations and individuals who have played key roles in partnering with UB in order to strengthen the economy in Buffalo Niagara and throughout New York State.
Stachowski received UB's "Reaching Others" Award for his leadership and advocacy on behalf of the university and its many partners. This was demonstrated most recently by his introduction and support of the UB 2020 Flexibility and Economic Growth Act, a new bill just passed by the Senate, intended to give UB the financial flexibility to pursue the ambitious goals of UB 2020: to build a great public research university that is the catalyst for a thriving knowledge-based economy in our region.
More than 50 companies and organizations were represented at Business Partners Day 2009, with more than 500 business people attending.
UB President John B. Simpson said that Stachowski's effective and valuable partnership with UB has helped shape understanding in the legislature and the community of how a public research university fuels regional economic development.
"In supporting the UB 2020 Flexibility and Economic Growth Act, Senator Stachowski has been a stalwart and thoughtful proponent of the many ways that UB can fuel creation of a knowledge-based economy in our region, without additional cost to the taxpayers of this state."
Stachowski also has been a strong advocate for the construction of the UB-Kaleida medical research building in downtown Buffalo, a key project in the creation of a vibrant downtown campus for UB.
Simpson noted that Stachowski's efforts resulted in the restoration of budget support for various university-wide programs, including the Research Institute on Addictions, MCEER and the Strategic Partnerships for Industrial Resurgence.
In addition to the awards presentation, the event featured more than 20 workshops on a wide range of subjects of interest to business people in Western New York.
The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, a flagship institution in the State University of New York system and its largest and most comprehensive campus. UB's more than 28,000 students pursue their academic interests through more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is a member of the Association of American Universities.
