This gift makes many sing

“The arts are too often overlooked,” said Bob Morris. “We think highly of UB and were always proud to be Buffalonians. Our son received a fabulous education at the university. We hope our gift, to support the new center, will help UB plan for the future and ensure that it remains the creative home for internationally acclaimed artists and world-class performers.”

Robert and Carol Morris have given a major gift that will help establish the Signature Center of Excellence in 21st Century Music at the University at Buffalo. Robert received a bachelor’s degree in economics from UB in 1967.

The Morris family’s tie to UB spans three generations. Bob’s parents received degrees from the university and one of his and Carol’s sons, Alexander, earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in architecture from the university in 1991 and 1994, respectively.

The Morris gift will provide fellowship support for members of a new graduate-student performance group. These master’s level or postdoctorate students will teach performance-related classes, offer concerts and participate in outreach programs.  The gift will also enable the music department to refurbish Baird Hall on UB’s North (Amherst) Campus with new soundproofing, as well as acoustical and aesthetic enhancements, as well as purchase and refurbish music instruments.  Multi-year support will also be provided by the Morris gift for “June in Buffalo,” the annual festival and conference dedicated to emerging and world-renowed senior composers, and for the Slee Sinfonietta, UB’s professional chamber orchestra-in-residence. 

Robert Morris serves on the Dean’s Advisory Council of the College of Arts and Sciences.  He earned a master’s degree from Northeastern University. He is a partner and director of equity investments at Lord, Abbett & Co., an independent investment management firm, in Jersey City, N.J., that manages more than $93.5 billion in assets.