Thomas R. Beecher, Jr. ’59 - Jaeckle Award 2005

Thomas R. Beecher was a longtime partner and is now counsel with the Buffalo law firm Phillips Lytle LLP, where he concentrates his practice in estates and trusts, corporate governance, closely held corporations, foundations and not-for-profit entities. But it is his involvement in myriad business and charitable initiatives that has left a huge mark on Western New York.

Beecher serves as director and chair of the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, a group that hopes to realize the potential of a world-class medical center in Buffalo. The medical campus’ influx of bright, talented researchers has helped to reverse the brain drain that has hampered Buffalo’s economic prospects. The complex will eventually employ more than 500 scientists, about half of them recruited from outside the area, with about 8,000 workers in medical care, research and education.

As board chair of Buffalo General Hospital from 1991 to 1994, Beecher helped lay the groundwork for the hospital’s merger with two other hospitals into the Kaleida Health System. He chaired Kaleida’s board in 1999 and 2000.

He co-founded the Buffalo Inner-City Scholarship Opportunity Network, which funds scholarships for low-income students seeking private secondary education. His service also included the boards of directors of Canisius College and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. He is a trustee of the Messer and LeBrun foundations and is on the advisory board of the Children’s Educational Opportunity Foundation. In all, Beecher has served on the boards of a dozen companies, four foundations and more than 30 community organizations.

Master of Ceremonies: Hon. John C. Curran, associate justice of the Supreme Court, Eighth Judicial District, and Law Alumni Association president.

Remarks presented by Hon. John M. Curran and Christopher L. Jacobs, Avalon Development.

The award is presented by Professor R. Nils Olsen Jr., UB Law dean. Thomas R. Beecher offers acceptance remarks.