Suny Buffalo Law Philanthropy
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SUNY Buffalo Law School • The State University of New York winter 2011 SUNY BUFFALO LAW PHILANTHROPY MARGARET W. WONG INCREASES HER ENDOWMENT TO $1.5 MILLION WINTER 2011 1 Message from Dean Mutua Investing in academic excellence ore than at any other time in the history of higher education, alumni-led Mphilanthropy has become the cornerstone of building academic excellence.This has always been true of private universities.But now it is also true of public research universities.A contracted economy and politics hostile to funding university education through public dollars have sapped state support.Huge state deficits, including here in New York,have left the SUNY system severely underfunded.This means that to build and retain an excellent public research university,we more than ever need the generous support of our alumni and friends. “This is already happening at the University level, where, under the leadership of our new president, Satish Tripathi, UB recently received its largest gift ever – a $40 million “Thanks to you, we have been able to avoid the worst effects of anonymous gift to the School of Medicine. I am very pleased to say state cuts and the economic downturn. In fact, we have been that the Law School – the only law school in the SUNY system – is help- able to make wise investments in our academic programs ing lead the way. SUNY Buffalo Law during one of the most savage recessions in history. ” has for some time now been a leader within UB in mobilizing the support of its alumni.You – our alumni and chairs,professorships and summer re- ing.We are on the cusp of great things. friends in the legal community – are ‘‘search support,and excellent facilities Over the past two years,you have among the most generous alums in the to support and retain them.We have stepped up your giving to the Law country.Your support and giving are recruited a stellar IL class.We will need School.This issue of SUNY Buffalo consistently in the top quartile of all more scholarships and great learning Law Philanthropy is a testament to law schools.Thanks to you,we have facilities to attract another impressive your generosity.But we have further to been able to avoid the worst effects of class next year.This is especially critical go.That is why,as I thank you for all state cuts and the economic downturn. in view of a dwindling state and na- your support,I ask you to’’ dig deeper so In fact,we have been able to make wise tional pool of qualified applicants for that together we can realize our goals. investments in our academic programs law school.This year,applications were I wish all of you a wonderful and during one of the most savage reces- down by 12 percent nationwide.We enjoyable holiday season. sions in history.But our ambition is have put modern technology in several not simply to “hold the line”or to of our large classrooms,and will “tech avoid the worst excesses of a bad econ- up”more classrooms this year.We have omy.No – we must grow and become refurbished the first floor,the most among the top 50 law schools in the lived-in space in the Law School.We country. must keep up these improvements. Makau Mutua That is why we are using your sup- As SUNY’s only state law school,we Dean port to invest in the pillars of academic are a crown jewel.But we want our excellence.In the last four years,we crown to shine and light up UB.I be- have hired 14 faculty with star poten- lieve this is not an idle ambition,be- tial.We will need resources for faculty cause of the progress that we are mak- SUNY BUFFALO LAW PHILANTHROPY 2 Leadership Giving Sharing the fruits of a dream t was only when she began teaching immigration law this fall as an adjunct the United States. She and her husband, pharmacist professor at Case Western Reserve University,says Margaret W.Wong ’76, Kam Chan, have two children, includ- that she realized what a high-wire act it is to hold your own before a class- ing daughter Allison Chan, a 2011 graduate of SUNY Buffalo Law room full of bright law students. School. ISo Wong,who has spent a career building her Cleveland-based practice into an “It is my firm belief that the United States is still the best country in which immigration law powerhouse,called on SUNY Buffalo Law School for advice.She to live, thrive, and become somebody,” e-mailed Associate Professor Rick Su,whose teaching and research includes work in she writes in her book The Immigrant’s Way.“I am living the American dream. immigration law,with a rookie question:“How do you talk for two hours?” … Most foreign-borns in the United States are tenacious survivors. Su provided a little coaching, and Wong’s bags-to-riches We work hard to save and now – “every Tuesday at 6 o’clock”– story began when she to bring our families to she finds herself imparting the lessons worked her way America to of her fruitful career to the next genera- through college in enjoy a better life – tion of would-be immigration lawyers. Iowa and then Illi- in living standards, Wong’s personal journey is as well- nois as a waitress personal free- known at SUNY Buffalo Law School as (though she lost doms, and envi- it is in Cleveland. Born in Hong Kong, jobs because she ronmental condi- where her parents had fled following couldn’t tell a Rob tions.We also tend the Communist takeover of China, she Roy from a Man- to be stoic, do not became an immigrant herself, coming hattan from a mar- Receiving the Dean’s Medal at voice our opinions to the United States on a student visa tini),and spent sum- Commencement 2010. often, and are more along with her younger sister, Cecilia. mers doing hotel work generally accepting and Between them in New York’s Catskills re- accommodating to the they had four sorts.A full scholarship to not-so-great things that hap- “I am living suitcases and SUNY Buffalo Law School,she says, pen to us or around us, while being $200. made her dream of becoming a lawyer thankful for the good things that do the American possible. happen.” dream.” She passed the bar,but could not Wong makes the three-hour drive find a job in law.She worked a tempo- from Cleveland for meetings of SUNY rary position as a legal and financial of- Buffalo Law School’s Dean’s Advisory — Margaret ficer for the City of Buffalo,then moved Council, of which she has been a mem- W.Wong ’76 to Cleveland to become a management ber since 2006. The Law School has trainee at a bank there.After a brief stint recognized her extraordinary level of at a Cleveland law firm,she struck out involvement with her alma mater by on her own,with a $25 desk and not presenting her with the Distinguished even a secretary.She called every- Alumna Award for private practice in one she knew and handed out 2007, and the 2010 Dean’s Medal at her business card on buses. Commencement. Slowly the business built up,to That involvement has extended to the point a few years ago when substantial financial support of the Wong moved it into a beautiful Law School. This year Wong has in- new building on downtown creased her previous commitment of Chester Street and christened it the $850,000 by an additional $650,000. MWW Center.Margaret Wong & That $1.5 million endowment will be Associates now has additional offices in divided: half for scholarships, and half Chicago,New York City,Columbus,At- to establish a professorship in immi- lanta and Detroit,serving both individ- gration law. ual and corporate clients throughout The scholarship support,she says, WINTER 2011 3 is partly intended to advance the field and her recognition that it’s an school’s efforts to attract the very best uncommon specialization.“I did not students regardless of financial need. realize how hard it is to recruit good “We’re trying to get really top-rate stu- teachers who care about immigration,” dents,”she says,“and it’s nice to be she says.“It’s such a niche practice. It wanted.For many of these top-tier stu- includes issues of Constitutional law, dents,three schools will accept them, human rights, international trade – we and the decision comes down to which need to encourage professors to do they can afford financially.”The ability scholarly research in that field.” to offer significant scholarship money, She recognizes that the gift may she says,means SUNY Buffalo Law seem showy, and that’s the last thing School can enroll students of the high- she wants. In reality, she says, she was “a est caliber – thereby enhancing the edu- little shocked”at the amount she was cational experience for all the school’s asked to give. But the gift becomes stakeholders,while also helping the manageable, she says, when paid over a school’s reputation and rankings. number of years, and partly as a be- quest – and the tax deduction, she ut also,Wong says, her notes, is immediate. Upper left, Margaret Wong ’76 participating scholarship giving recog- Wong, who marked her 61st birth- at a DAC meeting; top, surrounded by the nizes the help she herself re- day this year, turns reflective when recipients of Margaret W.Wong Scholar- ceived all those years ago.“It asked about the timing of her gift.“You ships in 2010; above, as a Distinguished really did some good for come to a time in your life when you Alumni Award recipient in 2007.