Oliver W. Colbert
When famed filmmaker Spike Lee spoke at Buffalo State in fall 2011, student Oliver W. Colbert, '14, took to heart Lee’s message: “You’ll never work a day in your life if you do something you love.”
Colbert realized he could make a living doing what loved—writing—and he changed his major to journalism.
“I never looked back,” said Colbert, who was industrious enough to look ahead during the school year and land a prestigious internship with CBS Sports in New York City.
“I knew that if I ever had the opportunity to write about sports, whether for TV or print, I would jump on it,” said Colbert, a Brooklyn native who is working in the network’s New Media Department.
“It’s more PR than writing, but it’s a foot in the door and a big name I can put on my résumé,” Colbert said.
Colbert had help paying for his tuition, thanks to Nina M. Silberstein, ’85. The journalism program alumna recently provided a $1,000 scholarship for a journalism student in need. Currently a medical writer and copy editor for the corporate office of Banfield Pet Hospital in Portland, Oregon, Silberstein also wrote freelance articles for various publications for years.
“Being a writer, I know how hard it is. The competition is fierce,” Silberstein said. “It’s important to have people support you along the way and help you reach your goals.”
Silberstein also had a personal reason for her gift. She recently underwent radiation treatment for breast cancer and has been cancer-free for one year.
“A lot of people who didn’t know me took good care of me and basically saved my life,” she said. “Providing this scholarship is one way of giving back.”
