Students and faculty will be treated to lectures by prestigious speakers through the School of Management this year, thanks to a $50,000 donation to by brothers Gerald Sufrin, chair of the Department of Urology, and Leslie Sufrin, C.P.A.
The gift was given under the title of the Helen and Oscar Sufrin Endowed Lectureship, named for the brothers' late parents.
Sufrin explained that the gift was meant for the further expansion of education for both students and faculty.
Several years ago, when Gerald Sufrin was appointed Treasurer of the American Urological Association, he decided to further educate himself by enrolling in finance, investment and accounting courses at the UB School of Management.
He was so impressed by the dedication of the students and faculty in this department that when the opportunity came to give to the school, he knew exactly where he wanted the funds to go.
"I felt the faculty commitment to education, particularly as they related to the students both undergrad and graduate, was noteworthy," Sufrin said. "My brother and I wanted to acknowledge, encourage and amplify this sort of behavior."
For Sufrin, education has always played an important role in life. Growing up, his father was a well-known professor at Long Island University and his mother took care of the house. Both taught their sons the priceless value of education and encouraged them to never stop learning.
"One of the things my father taught my brother and me was the importance of learning and exposing yourself to modern concepts and ideas," Sufrin said. "So we thought that by having a lectureship, the school would have the opportunity to invite distinguished scholars for student enhancement."
While Sufrin has not yet chosen an official speaker, the School of Management is currently planning the inaugural speech series.
"Without a doubt this will be beneficial to our learning experience and studies," said Laila Fadial, a senior in the School of Management. "It will enhance our education, and I know from classes when the professors bring in different speakers it makes the learning experience much more interesting."
Sufrin believes it is not about the monetary gift itself, but rather the motivation behind it and the importance of continually expanding and educating oneself.
"This is about giving back to the system. I took those courses and I felt I should show my gratitude in this small way," he said. "I was welcomed by the faculty, but more appropriately I saw how they interacted with the students and were serious about their teaching."
