Gordon & Gretchen Gross Classroom Dedication

Segment Synopsis: When I think about people who are engaged in the community, engaged in its university, and doing good things at all levels, I think the Gross's are the first couple I think about. Gordon has been involved in many ways with education: with the Weinberg Campus, with Roswell Park, and he's been a Trustee of SUNY. For three years he has been the highest fund raiser in the "Ride for Roswell". Gretchen is recognized by many in the community with children who have passed through her pre-school, Audubon at College Park [since 1974]. We're here to celebrate the beneficence of the Gross's in enabling this classroom and supporting our School of Law. It is the latest act in support of the university by the Gross's, who just recently endowed the first professorship in what will become the Institute for Jewish Thought, Heritage, & Culture. We're here to celebrate the naming of this classroom, but more importantly to thank you for all the good things you do for our university and our community.

Keywords: Accomplishments; Alumni; Character and Values; Community Involvement; Community Service; Contributions; Relationship with UB Law

Subjects: PERSONAL ISSUES; PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE; UB LAW MISCELLANEOUS

Segment Synopsis: President Satish Tripathi: The construction you had to weave through in getting here today is a sign of improving the environment for our students to learn. Students of today want to best facilities and the best classrooms. At UB we want to provide our students with a premiere learning environment, one which enhances the teaching and learning experience. Today UB is becoming the first choice of the most academically ambitious and accomplished undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. To assure that our students benefit greatly from the teaching and mentoring of our nationally and internationally recognized faculty we must continue to upgrade, enhance, and ultimately transform our university's learning environment. Our learning environment must evolve so we can continue to be on education's cutting edge. We, as a university, can only rise to this call with the generous support of our alumni, friends, and donors. This gift from Gordon and Gretchen truly exemplifies their love for education, their belief in the power of education, and their commitment to the University at Buffalo and to the Law School. Dean Makau Matua: It has become clear to me that there is no law school that can aspire to greatness without a dedicated alumni. The future of this Law School depends upon the dedication of our alumni. What has happened here today is a signal event for our alumni to step forward, following on the ideal example of Gordon and Gretchen Gross. We at UB Law share a vision of academic excellence and of producing the greatest lawyers in the world, of germinating the best scholarship in the world, of attracting the best students in the world. The Gross's support takes us one step closer to realizing this ambition. A great classroom is where we get ideas and are seduced by ideas; where we interact with our students. The quality and ambience of the classroom, the ability of the classroom to receive technology and to be used for those purposes is an integral part of education, especially for those students, most of whom grew up on the Internet. Dean Mutua recalls the "wretched" condition of the classroom when he arrived at UB Law and recognizes what the support of Gordon and Gretchen Gross has wrought. Gordon has served the university and the Law School in many ways. He is one of our most distinguished and most generous alumni. This gift he and Gretchen have given us is just one example of their generosity. In addition to being a prominent member of the Bar, Gordon is an innovator in legal practice, a person who has served his clients with distinction. A person who did not forget WNY or UB Law. He has poured his heart and soul into the university in general. I want to recognize Gretchen as a pillar of community excellence. Your work is renowned nationally with young people. What we do here would not be possible without what you do before they get here, teaching them how to read, to write, ethics, and how to organize their lives. When they pass into our hands we are getting a "product" that is ready made. This is your legacy because of which you are recognized nationally by many institutions. To both of you, this Law School and this university is grateful. We are honored and privileged to name this classroom will be known as the Gordon & Gretchen Gross Classroom.

Keywords: Community Involvement; Community Service; Contributions; Greatest Achievement; Relationship with UB Law; UB Law School general

Subjects: UB LAW MISCELLANEOUS

Segment Synopsis: Dean Mutua asks the Provost and President of the University, Gordon and Gretchen Gross, and Vice President Marshall Henderson to come forward to unveil the plaque of the "Triple G" Classroom. Dean Mutua proposes a toast to the Gross's. Gordy and I are honored to be here. We so love the university; it makes us glad we're in Buffalo. All of us need to spread the word what a great place and community it is. Thank you for being a part of our lives for being a part of this university. She recalls the son of a couple present tonight who began, at one year of age, at Audubon at College Park, and who has just completed his first year at Yale Law School. Gordon Gross recalls how he became a lawyer, coming out of the family millinery business. A friend of the family expressed disdain over the high cost of legal fees and it was concluded that Gordon should attend law school for one year only. He graduated in 1955 and praises the faculty, naming Clyde Sommers, Dean Hyman, Al Mugel, and the "unforgettable" Prof. Lenhoff. He recalls the discussions after classes, in the basement of the Eagle Street School, over games of Hearts. And notes the honing of his negotiating skills selling Cutco knives, Wearever pots and pans, and incinerators. Mr. Gross pays tribute to his wife and to his law firm partner, Irv Shuman. Eighty percent of his law partners have been UB Law graduates. "Gretchen and I made our commitment to the Law School about seven years ago, shortly after I retired." He expresses gratitude to the university as a major driver of the local economy and the critical role it plays in the cultural life of our community. Serving as a SUNY Trustee has made him aware of its potential for improving the quality of life in the community. "This gift reflects the strong feelings Gretchen and I share of our obligation to give back to UB. Dean Mutua thanks the Gross's for their remarks and for Gordy's "suggestions" on how to improve the curriculum.

Keywords: Accomplishments; Alumni; Contributions; Curriculum; Employment / Jobs / Wages; Hyman, Jacob; Intellectual Tradition; Lenhoff, Arthur; Relationship with UB Law; Reputation; SUNY; Sommers, Clyde; UB Preparation

Subjects: PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE; UB LAW MISCELLANEOUS