During the kickoff celebration September 28 for the $20 million fundraising initiative, Transforming Lives: A Campaign for Buffalo State, Louis P. Ciminelli, chairman and CEO of LPCiminelli Inc., told the audience what Buffalo State means to him and to the city.
"I've had many relationships with institutions of higher education, but none is as important to our corporation and to the city as Buffalo State."
He also noted that Elmwood Village would not be the vibrant place it is without Buffalo State. "For that, I am extremely grateful," said Ciminelli, whose storied construction firm is one of the largest and most successful in Western New York.
Ciminelli demonstrated his appreciation to Buffalo State with a $750,000 gift for the Music Department. His gift is part of $13 million in donations raised during the silent phase of the campaign.
Also during the kickoff celebration, Buffalo State President Aaron Podolefsky described the historic campaign, as "taking Buffalo State to the next level of excellence."
Over the next three years, Buffalo State will be seeking philanthropic support from alumni, friends, businesses, and foundations to build upon its long-established strengths and provide a platform for future growth. The campaign will benefit students in a multitude of ways—from providing scholarships to funding study-abroad opportunities to establishing endowed chairs and professorships.
Ciminelli has talked about why it is important to invest in the university that prides itself on engaging with the city and capitalizing on its location in Buffalo’s cultural corridor.
"With its urban setting, the investments Buffalo State makes on its campus not only improve student life and learning but can have a tremendous impact on our city’s overall revitalization efforts," he said. "The university’s continued growth and success should be important to anyone who wants to see the City of Buffalo thrive."
