Student Activities
Compare 65 years of student clubs and organizations gathered from the Iris and Buffalonian yearbooks.
Because it has always been relatively easy to start a student organization, and because most students are only at the University for four years, there has always been a high turnover when it comes to student organizations.
Take a look at the student organizations listed in the yearbooks for the following years: 1925, 1945, 1965, 1985. This is just a snap shot to give you an idea of how things change over time. You will see how clubs come and go and notice a few organizations with staying power.
1925 | 1945 | 1965 | 1985
1925
Academic and Professional Societies
Barrettonian Society
The Barrettonian Society takes its name from W.C. Barrett, MD, DDS, the first dean and professor of the dental school.
It was founded in December of 1893 in order that "a broader knowledge of the science of dentistry would be made possible by cooperative methods of the students, faculty, and others of high esteem in their profession."
The officers of the Barrettonian Society, 1921.
The James A. Gibson Anatomical Society
Athletics
Block "B" Club
The Block "B" Club, organized in 1924, was composed of all male students of the University who had earned their major letter in one of the varsity sports. It was the first organization of letter men in the University. The paramount objective of the organization was:
- To bring the athletes closer together in outside activities, as well as on campus
- To promote the University's athletic program
- To advocate conduct of members befitting the integrity of the University of Buffalo
-- from the 1955 Buffalonian yearbook
Block "B" Club, 1925
Honor Societies
Bison Head
Bison Head was a senior men's honor society established in 1923.
"Bisonhead, almost as old as the University itself, signifies the ultimate honor which the University of Buffalo can bestow upon its outstanding male students. The wearer of the blue ribbon and gold key is a distinguished member of an honorable group - a credit to himself, his University, and his community."
(1960 Buffalonian)
Click on the 1923 Constitution of Bison Head to see a larger image.
Cap and Gown
"Cap and Gown honors those women who honor the University. Cap and Gown is the Senior Women’s honorary society which gives recognition to those women students in the University of Buffalo who during their college course, have been most influential in promoting the highest ideals of college life, and unites these women in an organization which will strive for a still further realization of these ideals in the University of Buffalo. Election to the society is based upon traits of personality, undergraduate activities, and scholarship, and is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a University of Buffalo woman student."
From Cap and Gown Scrapbook (1924-1963) compiled by Susanne Griffiths Te’Katch and Carol Ann Templeton
Members, Class of 1956
Left to Right: Karen Krull, Marilyn Culkowski, Maryann Saccomando, Frances Perkowski
Leadership and Governance
Students Activities Committee, Student Section
Music and Performance
The Clef Dwellers
Glee Club
(includes Men's Glee Club and Women's Glee Club)
The first Glee Club was organized in 1898 by Frank L. Purdy and continued to perform productively until its last concert in 1907. "From 1907 to 1913 [however] music seemed to be a lost art as far as the University of Buffalo was concerned. In 1913 A. Bert Lemon, a student in the Pharmacy Department, attempted to revive the Glee Club. […] Lack of interest continued until 1919 when Dr. Lemon, still on the warpath, captured the interest of Richard Durrett, a war-time song leader in the YMCA service. Through constant effort, after much hard work and not a little discouragement, Mr. Durrett finally assembled a Glee Club and Orchestra and presented them in concert in 1920" (The Alumni News, April 28, 1927). The Girl’s Glee Club was envisioned as a separate entity from the Men’s Glee Club in the mid-1920s.
Men's Glee Club pictured in the 1927 Iris yearbook
Girl's Glee Club pictured in the 1927 Iris yearbook
Quartette
The Varsity Band
Publications
The Iris Yearbook
The Iris was the University’s original yearbook. It was first published in 1898 and continued publication (with a brief hiatus from 1908-1919) until 1932 when the Buffalonian became the schools official yearbook.
In 1976, the Iris was resurrected by the students of the medical school to serve as their school yearbook. The publication of the medical school’s Iris continues to this day.
Iris staff board yearbook photo, 1927
Cover of the 1904 yearbook photo
Iris staff board poses eating bowls of mush for sustenance in their 1904 yearbook photo
The Bee
The Bee was, in its time, the "official student publication of the University of Buffalo." From 1921 until 1950, it filled the role that The Spectrum does today.
The Bee Staff, 1931
Student newspapers at UB
In 1947 just after World War II, a small group of students broke off from The Bee in order to publish a more conscious-minded student newspaper. Claiming that The Bee did nothing to report on what was happening outside of the University, the new newspaper, called The Argus, set out with a wider perspective commenting on national and international events. The two student publications, both funded by the University, were at odds and often resulted to slinging insults back and forth. As a result of the conflict the two were told in 1950 to merge forming one student newspaper with "the journalistic quality of The Argus with the efficient business staff of The Bee."
The new publication, named The Spectrum, was granted a $1000 budget. It ran weekly until 1966 when it began publishing editions twice weekly. In January 1969 they received computer equiptment and began publishing three times a week. Read the online current edition of The Spectrum
-- information from dimension a supplement to The Spectrum vol 20, no 11 September 28, 1970
Bison
Bison was a humorous magazine published from 1930-1932.
Bison staff from the 1921 Iris yearbook
Bison cover: volume 18, May 1930
Special Interests
Chess Team
Debating Team
1945
Academic and Professional Societies
International Relations Club
Athletics
Intermural Athletics
WAA (Women's Athletic Association)
Cultural
Inter-American Youth
Leadership and Governance
Junior Prom
Junior Prom was one of the most festive affairs held annually by the University of Buffalo. During the event, the Prom Queen, chosen through a popular election, was crowned. Bison Head then tapped new members from the Junior men of the University who were outstanding during the year. Provided that the dance was a success, the Board of Managers Scholarship was awarded to a Junior or a Senior who had been active in extra curricular activities. It was customary to procure a big-name band for the occasion.
-- from the 1948-1949 Student Handbook
The 1945 Junior Prom Committee posing for the Buffalonian.
Dancing at the Junior Prom
1943 Junior prom announcement
Norton Union Board of Managers
The Panhellenic Council
The Panhellenic Council is the governing body for social sororities on the University campus.
"Composed of a junior and senior delegate from each sorority, the Council governed the bi-annual rushing periods and promotes activities under direction of Leadership, Scholarship, Housing, Culture and Philanthropic Chairmen."
(1957 Buffalonian)
Students Activities Committee
Music and Performance
Blue Masquers Dramatic Society
The Blue Masquers Dramatic Society was a large part of the University's community from the 1920s until the mid 1950s. They were a student organization that concerned themselves with the production of experimental plays. New members entered the organization as "White Masquers" and had to spend many hours in the workroom and on committees until they could fulfill the requirements to become a "Blue Masquer."
The Blue Masquers were known for their semi-annual productions which they directed, produced and acted in. They also were in charge of costumes, stage sets and publicity for each play.
Stills from Blue Masquers' productions in the 1932 Iris yearbook
Glee Club
(includes Men's Glee Club and Women's Glee Club)
The first Glee Club was organized in 1898 by Frank L. Purdy and continued to perform productively until its last concert in 1907. "From 1907 to 1913 [however] music seemed to be a lost art as far as the University of Buffalo was concerned. In 1913 A. Bert Lemon, a student in the Pharmacy Department, attempted to revive the Glee Club. […] Lack of interest continued until 1919 when Dr. Lemon, still on the warpath, captured the interest of Richard Durrett, a war-time song leader in the YMCA service. Through constant effort, after much hard work and not a little discouragement, Mr. Durrett finally assembled a Glee Club and Orchestra and presented them in concert in 1920" (The Alumni News, April 28, 1927). The Girl’s Glee Club was envisioned as a separate entity from the Men’s Glee Club in the mid-1920s.
Men's Glee Club pictured in the 1927 Iris yearbook
Girl's Glee Club pictured in the 1927 Iris yearbook
UB Orchestra
Patriotic
Women's Organized War Services
"The WOWS, or the Women's Organized War Services, was a new organization on campus this year, created to meet the demands of the trying period through which we are all now living. Under the direction of the steering committee made up of capable women leaders, each woman on campus was registered for some field of the work undertaken.
"The varied and important jobs done by the WOWS have included Red Cross knitting, the making of surgical dressings, Canteen Training, Nursery School Training, USO work, a drive for collecting silk and nylon stockings, and many others vital to furthering the war effort in the city and the nation.
"One of the things our women did which contributed immediately to the morale of our men in service was the dance given for the Aviation Cadets stationed at the University of Buffalo."
(1943 Buffalonian)
Women’s Organized War Services group, 1945
First row: Muriel Hintermeier, Marjorie Egan
Second row: Carol Blackman, Mary Palumbo, Arletta Barrie, Bernice Yasinow, Alyse Hample
Third row: Penelope Montfort, Jean Horton, Margery Schleuse, Evelyn Adams, Vera Stone
Veterans Club
Publications
Buffalonian
The Buffalonian is the University’s yearbook. Taking over from The Iris in 1934, it was published annually until 2001. Originally the yearbook for all of the University’s students, in later years it focused on undergraduate students only when the graduate and professional school started publishing their own yearbooks.
The 1969 Buffalonian
Religious
American Orthodox Catholic Alliance
Newman Club
1965
Academic and Professional Societies
American Society of Civil Engineers
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Engineering Student Councils
Industrial Relations Research Association
Social Welfare Club
Occupational Therapy Club
Psychology Club
Mathematics Club
Accounting Club
Athletic
Schussmeisters Ski Club
http://www.schussmeisters.com/
Organized in 1960 and still in existence today, Schussmeisters Ski Club is one of the largest ski clubs in the country.
Schussmeisters Ski Club, 1962
Bill Cass, Anne Gerban, Carl Malinak, Barbara Shapiro, Howard Atterbach, Barbara Cowan, Anne Magnus, Joan Fleckel, Judy Dorschel, Linda Coen, Sue Schoenberger, Steve Gottesman, Gene Schneller
Cultural
International Club
Honor Societies
Leadership and Governance
Inter Fraternity Council
The Inter Fraternity Council (IFC), in its earlier days, was the integrating body guiding all the fraternities at the University. Its purpose was "to maintain high standards of fraternity life and inter-fraternity relationships, and to cooperate with the University authorities in their effort to maintain the highest social and scholastic standards."
The IFC still exists today and acts as the governing body for the social fraternities on the University campus.
Inter Fraternity Council, 1963
First row: R. Lohr, G. Brown, F. Alessi, L. Hankin, P. Greenlaw
Second row: M. Shapiro, R. Helenbrook, J. Glaser, D. Mauer, T. Rothman, S. Bard, J. Fincher
Third row: R. Zack, G. Hiller, J. Titus, W. Rozen, A. Falk, D. Smith, D. Prior, G. Ridley
Inter Fraternity Council Prayer (1960s)
Bless us, O God, not only for the good deeds we do, but for the good deeds we plan to do.
Bless us, O God, not only for the kind words we say, but for the kind words we plan to say!
Make each of us, O God, worthy to stand in Thy sight, and to labor beside each other.
For the University which strengthens our minds, for the fraternity system which unites us, and
For the faith which helps guide us, we thank Thee, our God and our Father.
Amen!
Inter Resident Council
Student Association
Student Senate
Student Judiciary
Student Parking Court
Student Executive Council (School of Nursing)
Union Board
Music and Performance
Publications
Publications Board
The New Student Review
The Spectrum
The Spectrum is the "official student publication" of the University at Buffalo. It began publication in 1950 (taking over from The Bee) and continues to be published today.
The Spectrum Staff, 1960
Row one: Trudi Genco, Jack Grizzard, Bernie Karp
Row two: Nancy Gorman, Judy Hahn, Marilyn Kanczak, Karen Brand
Row three: Jack Freedman, Barbara Cohn, Marc Lower, Ellen Schwartz
Row four: Richard Mardirosian, Edward Brandt
Eric Steese who wrote the politically charged column "The grump" during the early 1970s
WBFO
Religious
Hillel
Newman Apostolate
Special Interests
Arnold Air Society
Angel Flight
Bridge Club
Debate Club
Photography Club
1985
Academic and Professional Societies
American Society of Civil Engineers
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Engineering Student Association
Institute of Electrical And Electronic Engineers
National Society of Professional Engineers
Nursing Student Association
Society of Women Engineers
Athletics
Karate Club
UB Cheerleaders
UB Sailing Club
Cultural
Black Student Union
The Black Student Union became an official student organization in 1968 and still exists today. In 1969, it counted 1,000 members. Its primary concern is uniting the black university community. It sponsors cultural events, like lectures and concerts by black artists, "designed to raise the consciousness of blacks at UB and provide them with some identity and common bonds" (Buffalonian 1983). The BSU is also involved in outreach to the community. In 1969, it started a free breakfast program to provide breakfast to inner city children before school.
During the 1970s, the BSU was very involved in the student protests that were rampant in universities across the county. This came to a head in 1972 when "the Black populace of UB" submitted five demands to President Ketter:
- Black Studies be upgraded to departmental status
- two black faculty members be reappointed and given tenure
- minority faculty members be involved in the tenure review of other minority faculty
- minority faculty and students be involved in an ongoing dialogue with academic departments on minority issues
- a "privileged communication channel" be established between the president's office and the black contingency
Members of the BSU from the 1983 Buffalonian yearbook
Chinese Student Association
Japanese Student Association
PODER Latinos Unidos
PODER (Puetro Rican Organization for Dignity, Elevation and Responsibility) was started in September of 1968 by a small group of interested and concerned students that felt a need for the Puerto Rican voice to be heard at UB. In Spanish, poder means both "power" and "to be able." These terms reflected the group's main concerns to unite the Puerto Rican population on campus and provide orientation for new Puerto Rican students. Through their planned cultural events, PODER sought to bring about an awareness of Puerto Rican culture and problems to the people of Buffalo.
Members of PODER in the 1983 Buffalonian yearbook
seated: Maria Martinez, Virginia Acevedo, Laura Gonzalez, Yvette Ortiz, Darmaris Roman
standing: Jose Saurez, Edwin Mojica, Ramon Nieves, Susan Velez
Russian Club
Leadership and Governance
Student Association
University Union Activities Board
Publications
Generation
TUBE (Televising UB Events)
UB International
Religious
Campus Crusade for Christ
Hillel
Social
Bacchus
Special Interest
UB Flying Association