OBE Ceremony Celebrates Undergraduate Scholars
By Dirk Hoffman
Published May 1, 2025
The (OBE) hosted its inaugural “Celebrating Our Graduating Scholars and Faculty” event for undergraduate students and their mentors April 25 in the atrium of the Jacobs School building.
OBE officials said the event was “a celebration of the achievements of our graduating scholars and a way to express our gratitude to faculty who have mentored and supported them by highlighting the hard work and contributions of our students and the meaningful partnerships between students and faculty that made it all possible.”
Informal Gathering to Celebrate Successes
Allison Brashear, MD, MBA, delivers opening remarks at the ceremony.
“Today, we gather to honor our brilliant scholars, dedicated researchers, and future leaders,” said , UB’s vice president for health sciences and dean of the Jacobs School, in her opening remarks. “Your remarkable achievements, supported by mentors and loved ones, have brought us to this moment.”
Brashear said the Jacobs School faculty has “tirelessly taught and mentored,” noting they have contributed to the creation of a dozen new courses.
To the graduating scholars, Brashear said “Congratulations to each of you. Your journey has been extraordinary. Your diverse contributions enrich our community and inspire us all. We are proud of your achievements and are looking forward to your continued positive impact.”
Jennifer A. Surtees, PhD, acknowledges some of the studnets in attendance at the ceremony.
, associate dean for undergraduate education and STEM outreach, said she wanted to mention special gratitude for Brashear “because since she has been here at UB, she has been a real champion for undergraduate education.”
Surtees, who is also a professor of , also noted that she has personally mentored some of the graduating scholars.
She pointed out it was the beginning of the celebration for seniors and highlighted the fact that there will be three times the amount of undergraduate research posters on display at UB’s Celebration of Academic Excellence than in the past.
“There will be award ceremonies at commencement and your families will be there; but today is more of an informal chance for graduating seniors and faculty mentors to connect — for us to see what you are going to be doing next — and for us to wish you well as you move forward into whatever is next. We know you are going to do amazing things on whatever path you choose,” Surtees said.
“We are also celebrating the very real impact you have on our community — the Buffalo community, the UB community. You are not just scholars; you are community members, and you have really shown that.”
Surtees said she also really appreciates all the faculty who teach and who also welcome undergraduates into their labs.
“Those are both critical components of our training and really enhance our students’ experiences,” she said.
Surtees also expressed appreciation for the staff in the Jacobs School, the advisers, success coaches and other administrators, who guide students through their programs and set them up for success.
Refreshments were available as faculty and students mingled. A large video display screen in the corner of the atrium displayed notes of appreciation and gratitude from both students and faculty that they had submitted when registering to attend the event.