About SUNYAB Campus Newman Center North Campus · Amherst, New York
The Newman Center at UB (officially SUNYAB Campus Newman Center – North Campus) is the Catholic campus ministry serving the University at Buffalo in Amherst, New York. Located at 495 Skinnersville Road on UB's North Campus, it provides Mass, sacraments, faith formation, fellowship, and pastoral care for UB students, faculty, staff, and their families. The community is part of the Diocese of Buffalo's Campus Ministry Family #36, together with St. Joseph University Parish and the Buffalo State ministry. The Center promotes itself as a "home away from home" where all are welcome, emphasizing faith formation, leadership development, and service.
- Established
- 1936
- Patron
- St. John Henry Newman (implied by the Newman Center name)
- Rector
- Fr. Dan Serbicki
- Diocese
- Diocese of Buffalo (Campus Ministry Family #36)
Why belong here
The Newman Center at UB offers University at Buffalo students, faculty, staff, and local families a welcoming Catholic home on campus where they can grow in faith and build community. Through Sunday and weekday Masses, faith formation programs, faith-sharing groups, a student lounge, Wednesday Night Dinners, family events, Vacation Bible School, and ongoing pastoral support from a full-time priest, deacon, and campus ministers, the Center helps people deepen their Catholic identity, explore their values, and serve others during their college years and beyond.
Mass times at SUNYAB Campus Newman Center North Campus
Weekly Mass schedule
Welcome to the UB Newman Center
The Newman Center at UB, also known as the SUNYAB Campus Newman Center – North Campus, is the Catholic campus ministry for the University at Buffalo. The community welcomes prospective, incoming, and returning students, along with faculty, staff, and families, and describes itself as a "home away from home" where all are welcome. Its mission is to listen, teach, support, and challenge students as they clarify their values, build a Catholic identity, and are formed into leaders for the Church and the world.
- Tagline: "Catholic Campus Ministry since 1936"
- Core values: welcome, presence, exploration, growth, and love
- Part of Diocese of Buffalo Campus Ministry Family #36
History
Catholic presence at the University at Buffalo stretches back to 1936, when Catholic campus ministry first took root at the school. Today the ministry is organized as Family #36 in the Diocese of Buffalo, which also includes St. Joseph University Parish and the Buffalo State Catholic campus ministry. The current pastor, Fr. Dan Serbicki, brings experience from the Road to Renewal, having unified four parishes and nine worship sites as pastor of Family #13 – Fields of Grace before being assigned to lead the UB campus ministry family.
- Catholic Campus Ministry at UB since 1936
- Currently organized as Diocese of Buffalo Campus Ministry Family #36
- Pastor's prior experience: Family #13 – Fields of Grace (Road to Renewal) and parochial vicar at Alfred State
Staff
The Newman Center is served by a full priest, deacon, and lay ministry team dedicated to student faith formation, family ministry, and parish operations.
- Fr. Dan Serbicki – Pastor, Family #36
- Deacon Mike Colson – Pastoral Associate / Deacon
- Francesca Harvey – Director of Faith Formation / Youth Minister; sings at the 10:45 Mass
- Josh Merlo, Ph.D. – Campus Minister / Student Engagement; UB alumnus with a PhD in Philosophy
- Katie Colson – leads Faith Sharing Program and family events; organizes monthly Children's Liturgy at the 10:45 Mass
- Josephine "JoJo" Palumbo – Administrative Assistant
- Maintenance staff
Fr. Dan Serbicki, Pastor
Fr. Dan brings over a decade of priestly ministry to the UB Newman Center and St. Joseph University Parish, where he serves as pastor of diocesan Campus Ministry Family #36. Ordained in the Diocese of Buffalo, he previously served as pastor of Family #13 – Fields of Grace, where he helped unify four parishes and nine worship sites during the Road to Renewal. Before that, he ministered to students at Alfred State as a parochial vicar in Allegany County, beginning his lifelong passion for campus ministry.
- Helped unify four parishes and nine worship sites during Road to Renewal
- Passion for helping young adults clarify values and deepen Catholic identity
Deacon Mike Colson
Mike Colson grew up in Williamsville with a strong Catholic foundation, studied theology before shifting to a successful technology career rising to Senior Vice President at CTG, and began Diaconate formation in 2014. Today he devotes more than 40 hours each week to the UB Newman Center, supporting Fr. Dan, guiding programs, and ministering to families and students—including baptizing more than 100 children a year. He and his wife Mary have been married 37 years, with four children and three grandchildren.
- Ordained after formation begun in 2014
- Baptizes more than 100 children a year
- Inspired by the Jesuit motto Ad maiorem Dei gloriam
Campus Ministry
Campus Ministry at UB welcomes all students and walks with them during their time at UB and beyond. Students can join the student email list, drop by the Student Lounge to study or grab coffee, meet with staff, and take part in faith-sharing groups, dinners, lectures, and service opportunities designed to build community and deepen faith.
- Student email list available via the website
- Student Lounge open 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., M-F (extended hours during finals)
- Wednesday Night Dinners
- Faith groups for students
- Bridge Lecture Series
Faith Formation & Family Ministry
Faith Formation at the Newman Center serves both students and local families, with programs designed for children, youth, and parents. Katie Colson leads the Faith Sharing Program, organizes family events, and helps make the 10:45 Mass more family-friendly, including a monthly Children's Liturgy of the Word.
- Faith Sharing Program for families
- Monthly Children's Liturgy at 10:45 Mass
- Vacation Bible School
Getting Involved
Students, families, and visitors can get involved by attending Mass, joining a faith group, signing up for the student email list, stopping by the Student Lounge, attending Wednesday Night Dinners, or reaching out to the campus ministry team. Community Registration is available for those who wish to formally connect with the parish.
- Community Registration
- Student email list sign-up
- Bridge Lecture Series
- Christmas in New York City Trip
Contact & Location
The Newman Center at UB is located on the University at Buffalo North Campus at 495 Skinnersville Road, Buffalo (Amherst), NY 14228. The main office phone is (716) 636-7495, with fax (716) 568-0692. For pastoral needs, Deacon Mike can be reached directly at 716-200-7262. The general email is [email protected].
- Address: 495 Skinnersville Road, Buffalo, NY 14228
- Office Phone: (716) 636-7495
- Fax: (716) 568-0692
- Pastoral line: 716-200-7262
- Email: [email protected]
- Facebook: ubnewman; Instagram: ubnewman