University at Buffalo School of Management

4 Buffalo Business Spring 2022 Startups UB dedicates Paula Agrusa Plaza President Satish K. Tripathi, Dean Paul Tesluk and other university leaders gath- ered Nov. 5 with members of the Agrusa family to formally dedicate Paula T. Agrusa Plaza outside the School of Management. The project, which has totally refreshed exterior spaces on both sides of Jacobs Management Center, was made possible by a gi from Russ Agrusa, BS '76, in memory of his wife and School of Management alumna, Paula Agrusa, BS '78. Aer Paula passed away in 2016, her husband began working with the Office of University Advancement on a way to honor his wife and the university she loved. Paula T. Agrusa Plaza is a peaceful, welcoming space filled with flowers, benches, walking paths, café-style lighting and a firepit focal point. Before Paula passed away, the couple had decided they would contribute to the School of Management to greatly improve its physical presence and provide a valued meeting place for students as they go from class to class. "She was a very caring person," Russ said, "and always wanted to give back." The firepit was added thanks to a gi from Bob, EMBA '00, and Gayle Denning and Greg, BS '82, and Joanne, BS '82, Bauer in memory of Keith Stolzenburg—a beloved mentor, former executive in residence and dedicated School of Management alumnus who passed away in 2020. Stolzenburg's wife, Rosanne, and children, Anna and Eric, also attended the dedication. Speakers remembered Paula's fondness for flowers, adding long strings of numbers in her head and giving to others. "This space reflects the beauty, imagination and love of Paula," Tesluk said. The space also features a glass sculpture created in Paula's memory with a poem she wrote a number of years ago. Tesluk read the poem, "Carry On," at the dedi- cation event. A native of Binghamton, Paula stud- ied accounting and finance at the School of Management. She met Russ, an electri- cal engineering student, and they dated throughout their time at UB. They married in 1978 aer Paula's graduation. As part- ners at home and at work, the Agrusas grew their company, ICONICS, from a startup into an international soware company with hundreds of employees. From left: Rosanne, Anna and Eric Stolzenburg sit at the firepit, gifted in memory of their husband and father, Keith. From left: Dean Paul Tesluk, Russ Agrusa, UB President Satish K. Tripathi, student Sydney Merritt and Rod Grabowski, vice president for university advancement, cut the ribbon to open Paula Agrusa Plaza.

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