William Regan worked for the University at Buffalo for 39 years, most notably as the director of the Office of Conferences and Special Events, which was later renamed the Office of University Events. During his time with the office, Regan developed and managed UB’s various sponsored workshops, conferences, symposia, meetings and special events, including the Distinguished Speakers Series, Celebration of Academic Excellence, and commencement ceremonies. He also oversaw the combination of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Event and the Distinguished Speakers Series in 2001, and coordinated the 14th Dalai Lama’s visit to the University at Buffalo in 2006 as well as 44th President of the United States Barack Obama’s visit in 2013.

Regan and his family moved from Gainesville, Florida to Buffalo, New York in 1964. He received a bachelor’s degree in French literature with a minor in Russian and an MBA, both from the University at Buffalo. He started his University at Buffalo career as a catering supervisor for the Faculty Student Association in 1980, then worked as the manager of the Center for Tomorrow from February 1982 until September 1988. Regan was associate director for conferences and special events from September 1988 to September 1991, when he became interim director of UB’s Office of Conferences and Special Events. He became full director of the office in 1993, a position he held until his retirement in 2019.

Regan received several awards throughout his career, including a 2007 SUNY Chancellor’s Award, the 2004 Didaskalos Award from Campus Ministries, the 2001 Outstanding Service Award from the Professional Staff Senate, and the 1998 Elayne G. Wels Community Support Award. He is also an active member of his community, and has served as advisor to the director of the WNY Independent Living Project Inc., officer and president of the special education Parent Teacher Association for the Amherst Central School District, and chairman of the board of St. Luke's United Church of Christ. He is also a member of the Leadership Buffalo Class of 2001 and served on the Amherst Pepsi Center Oversight Committee, and was director and president of the Amherst Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.