SUNY BUFFALO LAW PHILANTHROPY - SUNY Buffalo Law School

WINTER 201143When SUNYBuffaloLaw calls“What courses are you taking?”That,says Jasmine Paul,student supervisorof SUNY Buffalo Law School’sStudent Call Program,is the No.1question that student callers hear whenthey reach out to alumni during theacademic year.The Student Call Programis all about connection – renewingties with the school’s alumni,keepingthem informed about developmentsat the school,reconnecting withthe energy of eager law students,andfinding opportunities to participate financiallyin the life of the school.“The Student Call Program allowsus to connect with a large number ofour alumni – over 3,200 contacts madelast year by students,”says Jill M.Domagala,whoas assistant director of developmentprograms oversees the initiative.“It’snot only an important piece ofour Annual Fund,but it’s also a way tokeep in touch with alumni.Spendingjust a few minutes talking with one ofour students is a great way to hearabout what’s new and exciting at theLaw School.”That sense of connection,Paul says,is what makes the program rewardingon both ends of the phone line.Fromwide-eyed first-year students to seasoned3Ls,student callers gather in afifth-floor conference room in theevenings,10 students a night,Mondaythrough Thursday.When they reach analumnus on their list,they update contactinformation and ask what’s new inthe alum’s professional life.Often,Paulsays,the conversation is rewardingly detailed,withthe alumni relishing thechance to give career guidance to theirstudent callers,and the studentssharing news from O’Brian Hall.“A lot of alums want to talk to us,”Paul says.“They ask about our experienceand tell us about theirs. I’ve hadsome really good experiences doingthis. Someone asked me to send himmy resume, and one judge I spokewith over the phone, I actually endedup working with over the summer. Soit’s a good networking opportunityfor us, too.”Paul notes thatfor the studentcallers,the experiencealso developstheir oral advocacyskills.“This is reallyhelping me talk to avariety of differentpersonalities,”sheJasmine Paul says.“We have definitelyhad some interestingphone calls. We are talking toa wide range of people with many differentexperiences. People who graduateda ways back, even in the ’40s,they’re always interesting.And thenthere are the newer grads, who giveadvice about our upcoming years.”Participants in the Student Call Programare looking to build on last year’ssuccessful campaign,which broughtover $164,000 in more than 1,300pledges,exceeding its dollar goal.“We did amazing last year,but wewould really like it to be more,”Paulsays. “We are working harder to makethat happen this year. Participation iskey. Every pledge – no matter the size– counts. As long as they’re pledgingsomething, it also benefits themthrough improving the school’s reputationand rankings.”SUNY Buffalo LawAnnual Fund716-645-2109Buffalo, NYMembers of TheUniversity Pillars SocietyThe University Pillars recognition society was createdby the University to honor individuals who have given$1 million or more to the University over a lifetime. Thenames of University Pillars whose gifts have benefited theLaw School are listed below.Gretchen S. GrossGordon R. Gross ’55Cindy Abbott LetroFrancis M. Letro ’79Gerald S. Lippes ’64Members of TheUniversity FoundersSocietyThe University Founders recognition society wascreated by the University in 1994 to honor individualswho have given at least $50,000 to the University over alifetime. The names of University Founders whosegifts have benefited the Law School are listed below.AnonymousHon. Michael A.Amico ’58Laura AswadBrian D. Baird ’83Stephen E. Barnes ’83Thomas R. Beecher Jr. ’59Joseph W. Belluck ’94Bridget BlackThomas E. Black Jr. ’79Hilary P. Bradford ’53Thomas R. Bremer ’79Peter J. Brevorka ’68Kevin J. Brinkworth ’66David BrownJoan J. CastellaniLawrence P. CastellaniJeanette E. CellinoRoss M. Cellino Jr. ’82Ross M. Cellino Sr. ’56Terrence M. Connors ’71Gary Alan DeWaal ’80Nina A. DorenRobert K. DorenEllen Katz Forrest ’76Kenneth B. Forrest ’76David E. Franasiak ’78Mary P. FranasiakCarol A. GreinerPamela D. Heilman ’75Robert D. HeilmanErma R. Hallett Jaeckle ’36Karen JonesRoger J. Jones ’83Harvey L. Kaminski ’77Barbara D. Klippert ’75Hilda S. KorenErik D. Lindauer ’81Lisa D. LindauerJames L. Magavern ’59William J. Magavern II ’62William E. Mathias II ’71Carol M. Matorin ’76Reginald B. Newman IIWilliam A. Niese ’61Dr. Sandra H. OlsenProfessor R. Nils Olsen Jr.Vikki L. Pryor ’78Jean K. RachlinLauren D. RachlinEllen S. ReisProfessor Robert I. ReisArthur A. Russ Jr. ’67Robert C. Schwenkel ’82Charles Shabsels ’70Susan ShabselsDavid F. Smith ’78Lucy SmithOrin C. SmithMark K. Suzumoto ’82Barbara WolfeThomas F.Wolfe ’61Margaret W.Wong ’76