A WALK IN THE WOODS - University at Buffalo

from the UBAA PresidentDoing it better for our readersHAVE ALL BEEN THERE BEFORE. We do the thingswe do in the same way we’ve always done them, and webecome lulled by the routine and the satisfaction thatcomes from getting something done. Every once in awhile, though, something happens that forces you to break out of the rut.That’s exactly what the UB Today magazine team was facing last December.The group was given an opportunity by Provost Charles F. Zukoski to prove thatthis magazine, though entirely serviceable, could be better, much better, for itsreaders. Since that challenge was presented, the team has been meeting weekly—and sometimes more often—to produce a publication that is not only more visuallyappealing, but also more approachable and reader-centric in both content andtone. Moreover, a decision was made to increase the number of issues from two tofour annually.Beginning with the next issue of UB Today, in winter ’14, you will receive apublication that is significantly different from the one you’re reading now. Amongother things, you’ll find a deeper dive into campus life, featuring students, facultyand staff; clever, more relatable ways of presenting research concepts and their applications;and more opportunities for multiple sides of current cultural issues tobe hashed out. Traditional columns from institutional representatives—like me—will be set aside in favor of more conversational essays or other points of entry toconnect with our readers. Who knows, I may weigh in on the top 10 spring breaklocations (or places to avoid during spring break, depending on your perspective).But you get the point. We are looking to talk with you, not at you. I, for one, amvery excited about this new and creative way to connect with UB’s nearly 230,000alumni. And the new quarterly schedule means the content will be fresher whenyou retrieve the magazine from yourmailbox.In the meantime, like other UBAApresidents before me (BTW, I waselected to a two-year term in May ofthis year), I am always interested inhearing from you on anything UBrelated.I am here to serve, and I amthrilled to be president during thisvery exciting time.Carol Gloff, BS ’75President, UB Alumni AssociationCagloffubalumni@comcast.netCarol Gloff is founder and principal of Carol Gloff & Associates in Natick, Mass.,a consulting firm that assists the medical products industry. In addition to herBS in pharmacy from UB, she holds a PhD in pharmaceutical chemistry from theUniversity of California, San Francisco.4 UBTODAY Fall 2013 www.buffalo.edu/ubt