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Arlene Bergwall, formerly assistant dean of academic program administration in the School of Management, died May 28. She was 97.

A dedicated higher‑education administrator, Arlene began her career at UB in 1970 and retired nearly 30 years later. In her role as assistant dean, she oversaw undergraduate, MBA and PhD program development, student records, admissions and recruitment, and served on numerous standing and special committees. In recognition of her outstanding service, she received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service in 1980.

Bergwall mentored generations of graduate students, many of whom have written over the decades to express gratitude for her guidance.

“My lasting impression of Arlene’s style is the respect she afforded every student who walked through her office,” said Kate Ferguson, senior associate dean in the College of Arts and Sciences, who worked with Bergwall for seven years and remained friends after her retirement. “Arlene worked hard to develop a staff who wanted to help students achieve their goals, no matter who created the problem they presented or how complicated it was. It was clear that she viewed her role as having two important components: serving the students who needed advising and developing the student employees who were doing the advising.

“She wanted the best for everyone and wanted it all to be done with humor and joy, because at the root of it, she thought having fun while we worked was essential,” Ferguson said. “It was a great place to begin my professional career at UB and I’ll always be indebted to Arlene for her unwavering support.”

Bergwall’s professional legacy is reflected in the strength and integrity of the programs she helped build and in the success of the students and staff she championed. She will be remembered by colleagues and alumni alike as a leader whose quiet determination and steadfast support shaped the School of Management for years to come.