Golisano Institute Unveiled Buffalo Exhibit

The business institute debuted a new exhibit detailing Tom Golisano's corporate and philanthropic legacy.

Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Isometric editorial illustration of an architectural building model next to a geometric metallic component, representing an academic institute's business exhibit. — The Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship debuted a permanent exhibit at its Buffalo campus detailing founder Tom Golisano's corporate and philanthropic legacy. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship has debuted a permanent exhibit at its Buffalo campus to chronicle the career and values of founder Tom Golisano. The installation also celebrates local connections by dedicating the school's first-floor auditorium to Marie Graham.

Why it matters

The exhibit serves as an educational tool meant to expose students to the specific business strategies and civic values that defined Golisano's career. By integrating this history into the campus, the institute aims to root its academic curriculum in the practical experience of a major business leader.

The institute operates with an annual tuition of $8,900, maintaining a inaugural class size of 70 students at the new Buffalo location. The exhibit itself incorporates a historical timeline of Paychex, which has been in operation since 1971.

The players

Tom Golisano

He is a prominent entrepreneur and philanthropist known for founding the payroll company Paychex and his former ownership of the Buffalo Sabres.

Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship

This educational institution provides business-focused curricula and currently operates facilities in both Rochester and Buffalo.

Marie Graham

She is the individual to whom the Buffalo campus's first-floor auditorium has been dedicated.

The details

Through a collection of photographs, news coverage, and multimedia displays, the exhibit highlights Golisano's founding of Paychex, his ownership of the Buffalo Sabres, and his long-term support for the Special Olympics. This campus addition follows the establishment of the school's original facility, which is housed in a former Paychex building in Rochester.

1971: Paychex was founded.
2023: The Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship was founded.
September 2026: The Buffalo campus welcomed its first class.

Market Landscape

The opening of the Buffalo exhibit marks a strategic expansion of the institute's physical and educational presence in Western New York. It signals a move to solidify the brand's influence by connecting academic training directly with the legacy of its namesake founder.

Local students and visitors can now access the permanent exhibit on the Buffalo campus as part of the school's ongoing integration into the community. The development highlights the institution's commitment to the region, offering prospective applicants a tangible look at the school's core mission.

The takeaway

The institute is successfully scaling its presence in Western New York by grounding its educational model in the verifiable business success of its founder. Future students can look to this historical context to understand the practical values that influence the current curriculum.