Union College Magazine Winter 2012 by Union College

UNION COLLEGE A Magazine for Alumni and Friends | WINTER 2012

UNIONCOLLEGE

WINTER 2012

Greek Life: Changed,

but still going strong | 4

The power of the blogosphere | 13

SPECIAL INSERT

YOUR

UNION NOW

Celebrating the accomplishments of the You Are Union Campaign

“At first, I had no idea what I wanted to build for the competition, but then I remembered the Nott Memorial was once a library. I worked on making my own Nott that weekend, but decided halfway through it was too small. So I began a bigger version, but then the scale didn’t work as I had hoped. So I put the larger version aside and finished the smaller one. And because I had so many cards left, I finished the ‘Nott the Whole Thing’ version too. Overall, the entire project took 40 hours, copious amounts of hot glue, and a few paper cuts.”—Jacob LaRocca ’12

Jacob LaRocca ’12 created “Nott the Right Size, Nott the Whole Thing,” from recycled card catalog cards for a contest celebrating Schaffer Library’s 50th anniversary. The entry, which included both a small and large rendition of the landmark, won first prize in the Viewer’s Choice category. For more on Schaffer Library’s anniversary, see page 26.

WINTER

2012

Volume 106 • Number 2

18 ON THE COVER

A beautiful fresh snowfall blankets Union’s campus. Photo by Matt Milless VICE PRESIDENT FOR COLLEGE RELATIONS

Stephen A. Dare

SENIOR DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

Jill Hungsberg EDITOR

Charlie Casey caseyc@union.edu ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Erin DeMuth Judd demuthje@union.edu CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Christen Gowan Tina Lincer Phillip Wajda

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Mark McCarty Matt Milless Eric Seplowitz ’96 Timothy Raab

4 Greek life: Changed, but still going strong Greek life at Union has undergone something of an evolution

DESIGN AND PRODUCTION

in last decade. New rules govern the system, several fraternities

2k Design

have been relocated, the percentage of eligible students who

UNION COLLEGE (USPS 648-020) is published quarterly by the Union College Office of Communications, Schenectady, N.Y. 12308. The telephone is (518) 388-6131. Periodicals postage is paid at Schenectady, N.Y., and an additional mailing office. Postmaster: Send address changes to Office of Communications, Union College, Schenectady, N.Y. 12308-3169.

are Greek has grown. And at the same time, Greeks continue to

Alumni who want to inform the College about changes of address should contact the Alumni Office at (518) 388-6168 or via e-mail at alumni@union.edu. The same phone number and e-mail address should be used to correspond about ReUnion, Homecoming, alumni club events, and other activities.

thrive and contribute across all aspects of the Union community, while simultaneously donating many hours and dollars to people and organizations outside the College’s gates.

13 The power of the blogosphere: Alumni find success online and off Union alums are finding entrepreneurial ways to share their viewpoints and market themselves through blogging. Several are even using blogs and other social media technologies to leave the 9-to-5 grind behind, securing book deals and building a devoted following.

S P E C I A L I N S E R T : Your Union Now—Celebrating the accomplishments of the You are Union Campaign.

Departments 2

President’s Message

3 Letters 16 Profiles 20 Across Campus 28 focUs 30 Bookshelf 32 Alumni Clubs 33 The Classes 46 Unions 48 Arrivals 49 In Memoriam 54 Old Union 56 Look Back

president’s message STEPHEN C. AINL AY, Ph.D.

Local Impact

ccording to 2009 estimates reported by the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities (CICU), Union College had a $257 million annual impact on the local economy, a figure which has undoubtedly grown over the last two years. This impressive figure reflects, among other factors, the salaries we pay, contracts we have with local vendors, expenditures by students at local retail establishments, and the money alumni and parents spend at hotels and restaurants when they visit Union. As New York State Controller Tom DiNapoli noted in a report he issued September of 2010, titled “The Economic Impact of Higher Education in the State of New York,” colleges and universities have an enormous economic impact, both direct and indirect, on the cities in which they are located. In speaking of this impact, CICU President Laura Anglin noted that “independent colleges and universities have significant impact as anchor tenants, providing a stabilizing effect on local economies, especially those hardest hit in Upstate New York.” She goes on to note that “students, faculty and staff also contribute significantly to community service activities, as well as research, innovation and entrepreneurship that directly drive economic development.” The economic value of the service activities that our students provide through their volunteer efforts in Schenectady and the Capital Region is difficult to quantify. Angela Tatem, who directs Union’s Kenney Center, reports that student service coordinated through her programs exceeded 12,000 hours last year, and this number undoubtedly underestimates total student service. While it’s hard to assign a value to this volunteer work, our students are essential to the work of many non-profits and their contributions strengthen the local community and offer extra-economic value as well. A commitment to service is a mark of this generation, especially those who attend private

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colleges. In another report, CICU notes that students in private colleges are more likely than their peers to volunteer and today’s private college students are more likely to volunteer than their predecessors just 10 years ago. Two in three students attending a four-year private college or university volunteered in their communities in 2008, up 12 percentage points from 1999. It is also notable that the opportunity to work in the community is an important selection criterion for students who are choosing the college they will attend. It is certainly the case that Union students—through their sororities or fraternities, athletic teams, Minervas, or simply acting on their own—desire to work with their neighbors. You will see ample evidence of this in the pages that follow. You will see, in particular, the active role our Greek organizations have played in the community through their support of the College’s annual day of service and in more routine support of local agencies. As president of Union, I am very proud of the work these and other students have done in the community around us. They recently helped local residents recover from the devastating efforts of hurricanes Irene and Lee, lending a helping hand and giving hope to those who needed it. They tutored students in Schenectady schools, providing inspiration to those who wanted to imagine a brighter future. They worked to reclaim areas of historic Vale Cemetery, final resting place for many Union luminaries and others, and thereby helped the cemetery achieve national recognition. Additionally, our students raised funds to combat a range of issues, from cancer to domestic violence. I frequently receive letters from the heads of local agencies, thanking our students for the work they do. I am often taken aside by Schenectady residents when I attend local meetings and they praise Union for the difference our students make. All this should give us hope for the future, knowing that these emerging citizen-leaders will take their place in the world and continue to improve their communities. It certainly heartens me!

letters

ANOTHER LOOK BACK “Look Back” (p. 48 of the fall issue) inadvertently mingled two campus groups: the Hale Club and the Hale House Coffee Club. The latter, pictured here in 1950, was an ad hoc group that was perhaps more social than academic. It is believed to have lasted only a few years after World War II. There were no formal membership requirements. “Meetings,” held in a drafty extension of

for The Encyclopedia of Union College History. “[Hale Club] abhorred the pompous, and it cultivated a sense of playfulness that pricked balloons of pretension,” Nelson wrote. Thanks to Peter Fyfe ’51 and others, we have a better handle on identification of members of the Hale House Coffee Club in 1950. Pictured below (Class of 1950 unless otherwise noted) are: Front row: Bernie Leason, ??, Dave Markson, James McCourt, Peter Fyfe ’51 Second row: David C. Knight, Gerry Coonan ’48, Bill McGarry, Vincent DeBaun ’47 (faculty), George Orick, Bob Burner, Art Covell, Ed Nachison, Arthur Kean Third row, standing: Ed Muir (faculty), Carl Niemeyer (faculty), Howard Simons, Scott Anderson (St. Andrews Exchange Scholar)

Hale House, took the form of midmorning coffee, gossip, anecdotes and discussions of books and politics. Hale Club was an honor society of sorts that encouraged the mixing of students and faculty around light and congenial events that often included irreverent satire of the administration, according to H. Alan Nelson, professor of English emeritus, who wrote the entry

CORRECTION Due to incorrect information supplied to the magazine, the fall 2011 issue falsely memorialized two alumnae. We extend our sincere apologies to Sheila (Humiston) Nelson ’90 and Katharine Beck ’04.

THANKS FOR THE TRIBUTE

was very happy to see the tribute to women and men graduates of Union who serve in the military in the fall 2011 magazine. You tell us lots about our corporate heroes, our writers and our scientists, and now our service women and men at last! Many thanks for the excellent profiles. Joan Gould ’76

GIVING DESERVED RECOGNITION

received today my fall 2011 issue of the alumni magazine and was moved to see the cover story (“In service to their country”) highlighting the service of some of our active duty military and veteran alumni. For a number of years that recognition was scarce indeed, especially in the academic community. I am certain that there are many Union alumni who have given, since graduation (and perhaps before), precious years of their lives to the armed services of our country. They deserve our respect and gratitude. Hopefully, this article will help elicit just that response. Robert L. (Bob) Morgan ’54

Who bailed you out?

oommate trouble, a lost term paper, a social transgression … the college years can present some challenges, most of which we face with some help from a professor, classmate or staffer. We’d like to collect stories about who bailed you out (and how) and tell them in a future issue of the magazine.

PLEASE SHARE AT:

magazine@union.edu Union College magazine Office of Communications 807 Union Street Schenectady, N.Y. 12308 (518) 388-6090

Winter 2012 UNION COLLEGE

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GRSSK LFFS

Changed, but still going strong

BY ERIN DEMUTH JUDD

Things change. It’s an overused phrase, but true nonetheless. In 1833, according to the Encyclopedia of Union College History, President Eliphalet Nott tried to persuade fraternities to grant honorary membership to faculty. During the 1977-78 academic year, Union’s first two sororities—Sigma Delta Tau and Delta Gamma— opened their doors. In 1999, Alpha Delta Phi moved to Fero House from what is now Grant Hall, home of the Admissions Office. During spring 1995, Union had 687 Greek students. During spring 2011, there were 751. Yes, things have changed, but

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Sorority sisters proudly display the T-shirts they made during Derby Days in October.

Union’s not alone in this. The Chronicle of Higher Education reported in August that schools around the country are revising administrative approaches to their Greek systems. The University of Colorado at Boulder has deferred recruitment from fall to spring; Princeton University has barred fraternities and sororities from recruiting freshmen; many others have required live-in advisors and designed internal accreditation programs. “While Greek life at Union is different than it was when I was there, the fact that it’s thriving is what is important,” said Peter Shore ’77, an Alpha Delta Phi brother who serves as treasurer of the chapter’s alumni association. “The fact that Greek organizations

continue to prosper at Union demonstrates that they can adapt, without sacrificing traditions or values.” “In 2003, for example, the college decided that students would no longer be able to join Greek organizations their freshman year. Historically, few students joined after their freshman year; clearly, relying only on social events to recruit new members would no longer be effective,” he continued. “In the end, it was the emphasis on other aspects and benefits of Greek life which made the difference. This past spring, about 45 percent of eligible students were members of Greek organizations as opposed to an average of one-third in the 1990s.”

Greek evolution Much of the recent adaptation Greeks have undergone started around 1998, when considerations began to be made for repurposing several campus buildings.

Two Greek students work on making T-shirts.

“Like many alumni, I was angry and hurt when the College decided to terminate the land lease for our Alpha Delta Phi chapter house so that it could be converted into the Admissions Office,” said Shore, who has remained deeply involved with his chapter since graduating, and was the recipient of Union’s Alumni Recognition Award for his engagement in May 2011. “The anger was not just because the announcement was made without first notifying alumni or undergraduate leaders, but because it ignored all the positive contributions Greek alumni and students have made at Union for almost 200 years.” Through his regular interaction with the current administration and ADPhi brothers, however, he’s moved beyond his disappointment. “While policies implemented over the last decade have affected the housing of Greek undergraduates and reduced the length of their

UNION’S FRATERNITIES AND SORORITIES INTERFRATERNITY COUNCIL MEMBERS - Sigma Phi Society - Alpha Epsilon Pi - Psi Upsilon - Delta Kappa Epsilon - Alpha Delta Phi - Sigma Chi - Chi Psi - Theta Delta Chi - Phi Delta Theta - Zeta Beta Tau - Kappa Alpha Society - Phi Gamma Delta MULTICULTURAL GREEK COUNCIL MEMBERS - Phi Iota Alpha - Latinas Promoviendo Comunidad/Lambda Pi Chi - Omega Phi Beta - Alpha Delta Lambda COLLEGE PANHELLENIC COUNCIL MEMBERS - Delta Delta Delta - Sigma Delta Tau - Gamma Phi Beta

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Phil Gluck ’14, left, an Alpha Epsilon Pi pledge, works with Solomon Montagno ’13 during John Calvin Toll Day in October. Toll Day is Union’s annual day of service.

undergraduate Greek experience, it has not fundamentally changed Greek life,” Shore said. “Today’s members are just as proud of their house as we were of ours. Fero House is their home away from home.” Additionally, the chapter’s alumni association no longer dwells on trying to prioritize necessary house repairs at its board meetings. Many improvements—like the new floors in the kitchen and foyer—were completed under the auspices of campus facilities at no cost to the association or the students living there now.

“The years since our move to Fero House have seen a renewal of commitment to our core values and enabled the alumni association to provide support via scholarships and grants, as well as funding of prizes for the annual campus-wide literary competition,” Shore said. The years since ADPhi’s move have also seen the relocation of several other fraternities, including Psi Upsilon, Sigma Phi and Chi Psi (when their 99-year land leases expired), and the advent of the Minerva House system. The seven Minerva Houses opened in 2004, and regardless of other affiliations, every faculty member and student is randomly assigned to one of these houses. Meant to foster vibrant academic, cultural and social interaction in new ways, the Minervas have also addressed housing issues. “Prior to Minervas, there was gender inequity in housing,” Shore said. “Many of the best, centrally located residences with the most extensive common space and larger bedrooms were built by fraternities. And thus, all that housing was male.” Today, the prime locations occupied by Minerva Houses are open to—and utilized by— all students. It’s just one change Shore feels is indicative of the better governance of current Union leadership. “The attitude of today’s administration toward Greek organizations is like night and day compared to its predecessor,” he explained. “The Strategic Plan, adopted in 2007, stated, ‘The administration will work with Greek organizations to develop programming that is integrated with the academic mission of the College and provide them

AEP

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with a choice of possible initiatives and directions.’” “The administration has taken two important steps in this regard,” Shore continued. “It devotes ample resources to maintaining Greek facilities and it has created the position of director of Greek Affairs. For the first time, the Greek community has an advocate within the administration.” This advocate is Timothy Dunn, who was hired in November 2007 after Stephen C. Ainlay became president of the College two years earlier. “Back around that time, we were working on a plan that included a close examination of Greek life. One of the recommendations that came out of this was that Union needed a director of Greek Affairs, someone who could govern the system and make it the best and brightest,” said Jason Oshins ’87, a Union trustee and founder of the College’s Alpha Epsilon Pi chapter. “It was silly we did not have a director.” “The decision has been transformative, it’s allowed Greeks to shine properly,” Oshins continued. “Greek life has never been better than it is now under the leadership of Timothy, who has created relationships with fraternities and sororities founded on mutual respect. We have selfmanagement and self-policing by Greek students now and that’s monumental. We never had that before.” “In the past, there were unfortunate instances and issues, but we don’t have that burden anymore,” he added. “And there’s a real buy-in in the belief that the Minerva and Greek systems complement each other. The way the Greek system has interfaced with the Minervas is only

LPX continuing to grow as students realize they can wear multiple hats.”

Cross-campus engagement, service

Current Greek undergraduates, like their predecessors, are certainly accustomed to wearing many hats—and revel in doing so. Jully Araujo ’13 is vice president, academic advisor and treasurer for Lambda Pi Chi, president of the Multicultural Greek Council, an Admissions Gatekeeper, and a Kenney Community Center volunteer. Delta Delta Delta sister Kelsey Mulvihill ’12 is president of the College Panhellenic Council, and a member of the Student Affairs Committee, U-Choice and Student Forum. She’s also been a residence advisor and manager for the women’s ice hockey team. Oliver DeClue ’13 is rush leader for Sigma Chi, chairman for all Greek-wide philanthropy events, an orientation advisor and a U-Choice member. In addition, he tutors local school children three days a week and plays basketball and club lacrosse. “I think it’s absolutely the norm for Greeks to be engaged in a wide range of activities on campus,” DeClue said. “Being Greek is just one part of my life at Union and I think too often people assume that if you’re Greek, that’s all you’re involved with.” “Our sisters and the majority of all Greeks were definitely involved with activities outside Greek life,” agreed Katie Loeb ’09, who was president of Sigma Delta Tau as a student.

“We had athletes, people involved with other philanthropic groups and other extracurriculars. Our house made a large effort to involve other campus groups by holding events at Minervas with professors, or hosting events with sports teams.” Indeed, more than half of all sorority sisters and fraternity brothers are involved with clubs, organizations and efforts beyond their chapters. “I’m low-balling it a little here, but at least 60 percent of all Greeks hold additional memberships and contribute to other entities on and off campus,” said Timothy Dunn, director of Greek Affairs. “And within the Greek system

alone, they raise $35,000 annually for charity and donate 10,000 hours of their time to meet their chapters’ service goals.” Some of the biggest annual efforts to benefit Union and people beyond its gates include Men’s Day of Service, when men dedicate a Saturday to working at Vale Cemetery; Walk-A-Mile in Her Shoes, to raise awareness about violence against women; Greek Week, a week-long celebration of being Greek that includes philanthropic initiatives; the Prevent Child Abuse American Gala, hosted by Sigma Delta Tau; Alpha Epsilon Pi’s Buy-a-Pi to benefit a Jewish children’s hospital; Derby Days, a week

“Greek life has never been better than it is now under the leadership of Timothy Dunn, who has created relationships with fraternities and sororities founded on mutual respect.” –Jason Oshins ’87

Gamma Phi Beta sister Gui Bin Zhang ’12 volunteers during John Calvin Toll Day in October. Winter 2012 UNION COLLEGE

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Misconceptions

Bottom: Sorority sisters bid on Sigma Chi brothers during Derby Days in October. Each fraternity brother comes with a gift card or similar prize. The event, Sell-A-Sig, raises money for the Boys and Girls Club of Schenectady. Top: Phi Delta Theta brothers Colin Grubb ’13 and Alex Nikolis ’14 participate in John Calvin Toll Day.

of activities to raise funds for the Boys and Girls Club of Schenectady; and St. Jude’s Up All Night letter-writing campaign, for which Delta Delta Delta raised more than $20,000 this past year. “While these big events are great, I think my favorite thing about Union Greeks is our ability to rally and offer aid with almost no advanced warning,” DeClue said. “We all arrived at school this year right after Hurricane Irene had caused serious damage

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and destroyed numerous homes near Rotterdam.” “With only a few hours preparation, we were able to gather a large number of people together and head down there to help residents move out of their condemned homes,” he continued. “The raw manpower of the Greek system is amazing.” Araujo agrees and points out that sometimes this goes against the general view of fraternity brothers and sorority sisters.

“One of the biggest misconceptions about Greeks is that we don’t bring anything to the table and that we’re all about partying. But the truth is, we do a lot for the community,” Araujo said. “We also are required to maintain a certain GPA if we want to stay active in Greek life.” Dunn echoed these sentiments. “One of the most predominant myths about Greeks is that we are binge-drinking heathens who foster antiintellectualism on campus,” he said. “It’s untrue for a number of reasons, not least of which is tight alcohol regulation.” The rule, of course, is that if you can’t prove you’re 21 with proper ID, you can’t drink at Greek gatherings. Younger students are allowed to attend, but are not given the wristbands their legal peers are. In addition, alcohol at all events must be served from behind a bar by a server who has been through Social Host Training. And if these policies aren’t being followed, the Alcohol Compliance Team—a.k.a. the Party Patrol—will bring the offending persons or chapter back in line. At least one compliance check is carried out by these student-enforcers for each event. “Party Patrol has been quite effective because it gives students some social autonomy. Parties are not run perfectly and the numbers show that underage drinking is not absent from Union,” Dunn said. “There are times when fraternities and sororities make mistakes or poor decisions. Those matters are also resolved peer-to-peer.”

~ FDO P H I D E LTA T H E TA UPDATE

Students, for instance, played a vital role in determining the response to a recent situation. On October 24, 2011, the student Greek Life Judicial Board found Delta Delta Delta responsible for violating Union’s alcohol and hazing policies earlier that month. The matter then went to the Administrative Hearing Panel, which recommended sanctions. Tri-Delta is now on probation until fall 2013. “Peer-to-peer regulation has made gatherings safer and it’s kept organizations on their toes. It’s also made my job easier because the students serve as authority figures to their peers, and this cleared the way for me to build a more productive relationship with chapters that is supportive,” Dunn said. “It’s also allowed me to bridge the gap between Greeks and the administration. The ‘us against them’ sentiment that existed before my position was created has disappeared.”

As a Greek alumna, Loeb knows from personal experience that what Dunn says is true. “Once upon a time, certain Greeks may have earned the negative reputation, but the difference today is that we are far too educated about the dangers of partying—and unsafe pledging practices too,” she said. “Timothy has done an excellent job working with us, discussing tragedies that have occurred across the nation, and being our number one advocate. He’s given us the tools to do things right and depends on us to use them, which we do.” Another reason Dunn calls into the question the bingedrinking stereotype is that the vast majority of Greeks are very dedicated to their studies and the social and civic responsibilities of all organizations they belong to. Cumulative GPAs for chapters range from 3.47 to 2.72, with the average across the 751-member Greek system being 3.1.

“Alpha Delta Phi has been offering academic scholarships to members each term since 1999, the same year it developed an annual campus literary competition,” Shore said. “We have since added ‘dinner and a prof’ programs, which provide opportunities for our members, and also non-members, to converse and dine with faculty in social settings.” Similarly, the Interfraternity Council last year launched Alternative Late Night Events for students who want a different social experience. “Each fraternity takes a weekend to hold a dry event during prime party time. Trivia and karaoke are favorites so far,” Dunn explained. “The initiative is continuing this year since the events were so well-attended.” Greek gatherings don’t just offer Union students something fun to do on Friday and Saturday nights, though. They also contribute to the College’s inclusive environment.

As expiration of Phi Delta Theta’s 99-year land lease for its chapter house approaches, College and fraternity leaders have been working together to determine how best to proceed after the property reverts back to Union ownership in April 2013. The 1175 Lenox Road property will not be used as a fraternity house or student residence once ownership is transferred. But because of the house’s historic importance to Phi Delta Theta, the College is committed to preserving it and identifying a strategic use for it, Stephen Leavitt and Philip Boyce said in a joint letter to alumni recently. Leavitt is dean of students and vice president of Student Affairs, Boyce is president of the Phi Delta Theta Club of Schenectady. Phi Delta Theta brothers will remain at 1175 Lenox Road through Aug. 1, 2013, after which time they will move to a new home that will be selected mutually by the chapter and the College. Several promising locations are under discussion and a decision is expected by the end of this academic year. The overall goal of this process is to ensure Phi Delta Theta continues its long record of success at Union, and that the brothers have a home that meets their needs. For more information, contact Boyce at phil@pdtunion.org.

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Inclusion

“From weekend parties to philanthropy events, Union’s Greek system takes pride in creating an open and welcoming place for anyone.” – Oliver DeClue ’13

Students participate in Penny Wars, a popular Greek philanthropy event.

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“Greek life at Union isn’t about exclusivity, it’s about becoming closer to the school and taking advantage of everything it has to offer and all the different people here,” DeClue said. “From weekend parties to philanthropy events, Union’s Greek system takes pride in creating an open and welcoming place for anyone.” “We contribute greatly to Union’s multiculturalism and diversity by helping maintain a community that has zero tolerance for anyone who discriminates against others,” he added.

Indeed, the percentage of students of color is at an all-time high among Union’s Greek chapters—at about 10 percent—Dunn said. And many events Greeks are involved with on campus— like Drag Ball—champion human differences. Drag Ball 2011, a joint effort

between several professors, Iris House (LGBTQ Theme House) and the Interfraternity Council, drew a standingroom-only crowd in Old Chapel. The goal was to get members of the Union community together to celebrate diversity, and Dunn himself appeared as Lady Godiva. Many people are already clamoring to see him perform again next year and to Dunn, it’s a shining example of what truly distinguishes Union among its peer schools. “Unlike many colleges, I have not had to discipline chapters for racist, sexist, violent, lewd or dangerous behavior. The community is very close-knit and Greeks work very hard to be an asset and support the College’s mission,” Dunn said. “I also provide a level of personal support, which results in a closeness not seen in many other places. There is a deep sense of trust in me on the part of students, and I honor that.” “The Greeks here really are an amazing bunch. Just take Drag Ball, where I performed with the assistance of six fraternity men,” he continued. “Nowhere in this country would you find an openly gay Greek advisor getting into costume and performing with heterosexual fraternity men. This is really a unique and special place.” Experiences like this, with all types of people in a variety of settings, often have lifelong impacts on sorority sisters and fraternity brothers.

Benefits of being Greek “Being Greek has taught me how to work with a very diverse group of people,” DeClue said. “I’m in charge of

philanthropy for the entire Greek system and I would say ninety percent of my job is figuring out how to attract such a varied group to participate in philanthropic events. “Everyone has their own opinions on this, and weighing them all equally and listening to what everyone has to say has really expanded my ability to collaborate with all kinds of people successfully.” Mulvihill has discovered similarly valuable skills. “I’ve learned that college students are capable of running small businesses, which is really what fraternities and sororities are comparable to,” Mulvihill said. “The functionality and success of the Greek system depends on self-sufficient student-leaders who can plan events, make and execute operating budgets, and work with members of the administration. “Self-governance and leadership are two things I’ve learned being Greek that I would not have been able to learn elsewhere.” For many, sorority and fraternity membership also means lasting relationships and connections. “Being Greek has lifelong benefits beyond graduation. Not only does it create enduring friendships and open up an entire network for career opportunities, it also creates a bond to Union that few other organizations do,” DeClue said. “Thirty years from now, I know I will still care about the state of the Greek community at Union. More than that, though, I know I will always care about Union. I’ll remember it as a place that opened up count-

less doors and allowed me to have the greatest four years possible.” Thousands of alumni are living proof of DeClue’s sentiment, as they’ve remained active supporters of Union in myriad ways. According to the College’s Research Office, approximately 58 percent of all alumni donors last year were Greek as undergraduates. Oshins is one such graduate. In addition to serving on Union’s Board of Trustees and being founder the College’s Alpha Epsilon Pi chapter, he remains very active in the Greek system on campus. “I’ve been relentlessly involved—in a good way— with AEPi. I always come back for Homecoming and each time, I make it my business to spend time at the chapter and attend national conventions where Union representatives are,” said Oshins, who was president of the chapter as a student. “I’ve also tried to a have a personal mentoring relationship with whoever is president of the chapter. I offer a soft ear of guidance and act as a sounding board if they need anything.” “I’m proud to have been involved with Union for so long, and I’m thrilled the College and President Ainlay have really invested in the Greek community,” he added. “What’s been done here, through the Strategic Plan and the hiring of Timothy as director of Greek Affairs, serves as a beacon—a shining example of why Union is the ‘Mother of all Fraternities.’” Shore’s involvement has continued in similar capacities through his active leadership roles with the Union Association of Alpha Delta Phi, the chapter’s alumni association.

THEME AND MINERVA HOUSES ALSO POPULAR CHOICES

n addition to fraternities and sororities, Union students also enjoy life in other residences. The Minerva and Theme houses are distinct from their Greek counterparts, but complementary as well. All allow students to live, grow, learn and socialize, albeit through different, but often interconnected, avenues. The Minerva House system was launched in 2004 as an innovative way to facilitate vibrant academic, cultural and social interaction among students, faculty and staff in new ways. Every student and professor, and many staff members, are randomly assigned to one of seven houses, where they can cook dinner and discuss anything from Google to global warming, attend guest lectures or study. In a 2007 assessment conducted by the Minerva Programs office, 40 percent of house events were categorized as intellectual/cultural or intellectual/cultural/social. Approximately 189 such events, planned and executed by student-leaders on house councils, were held that year. That’s more than six per week. Though only 250 upperclass students are selected via lottery to reside in Minervas annually, the gatherings are popular with non-residential house members and the larger Union community. In 2009, Minerva Programs found that 48.9 percent of faculty members were satisfied with the events, while 21.8 percent were very satisfied. Students seem equally pleased.

According to another recent Minerva Programs study, 28 percent of men and 27 of women in the Class of 2009 said the Minerva Houses attracted them to Union. For the Class of 2012, set to graduate this year, the numbers jumped to 55 percent for both genders. Student satisfaction with Minervas, on a scale of 1 to 7, is also solid across ethnicities. Caucasian males rated the houses at 4.1, Caucasian females at 5, non-Caucasian males at 5.2 and non-Caucasian females at 6. Similar contentment has been observed with the 13 Theme Houses. “Theme Houses provide intentional living and learning spaces. Each one is focused on a talent or interest of students, who live together to foster common passions and create a unique learning environment outside the classroom,” said Connie Gardner, Theme Houses advisor. “We’ve had a lot of interest in these spaces and typically have houses filled to capacity.” At capacity, these houses accommodate 130 students who are selected through an application, interview and GPA review process. One of these students, for each house, takes on the responsibility of house manager. In addition, the manager or another house representative must sit on the Theme House Consortium, a

student organization governing the houses. Together, the managers and consortium representatives plan internal events for their houses. Each house must also host at least three events per year open to the entire campus community. “Residents of Theme Houses don’t just live in their houses, they also have to participate and be an active member—truly living out the mission of the house,” Gardner said. “It comes with a lot of responsibility.” The Theme Houses are ARTS House (arts and creativity), Bronner House (diversity and multiculturalism), Culinary House (cooking), Dickens House (literature), Iris House (LGBTQ community at Union), Europa House (Central and Eastern European culture), Music Culture House (musical awareness, diversity), Ozone House (sustainability on campus), Religious Diversity House (religious diversity on campus), Safe House (aids victims of sexual assault and abuse), Symposium House (dinner-discussion oriented, focus on politics and social awareness), Thurston House (East Asian culture), and Wells House (community service). Green House, Sorum House, Breazzano House, Golub House, Beuth House, Messa House and Wold House make up the Minervas. Winter 2012 UNION COLLEGE

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strengthening their individual alumni group, but also provide another avenue to create a harmonious relationship between the Greek community and the College.” John Ottaviano ’80 knows the value of alumni engagement personally. Through the collaborative efforts of Ottaviano, his fellow fraternity brothers and the Union administration, Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) is being re-charted on campus this year. The fraternity, while not removed by the College, hasn’t had an official presence here in a decade.

Bottom: Students belt out tunes during Derby Days karaoke. Top: Gamma Phi Beta sister Michelle Frankel ’13 volunteers during John Calvin Toll Day.

He is a strong proponent of the good alumni involvement does Union and its Greek system. “The one hurdle which still needs to be addressed is to make sure that each chapter is supported by active alumni,” he said. “Hopefully, this year will finally see something I have been attempting to establish since the mid-1980s—a Greek alumni organization that will not only aid chapters in

“In 2001, the undergraduates effectively de-brothered because Phi Gamma Delta International correctly established a stricter policy on alcohol, and these young men decided to ‘go local’ so they could continue to use alcohol to attract new members,” said Ottaviano, president of the Chi Association, the graduate association of Union’s chapter. “They effectively threw away 120

GFB

12 | UNION COLLEGE Winter 2012

years of history at Union, and Phi Gamma Delta would no longer have them as brothers.” This fall, FIJI pledged 20 undergraduates to the Delta Colony, which is the preliminary step in the process. With the guidance of graduate advisors, these young men will continue to build their membership and organization to earn a charter from the fraternity, which usually takes 12 to 18 months. “Timothy Dunn and the administration have been very receptive and extremely helpful in the re-chartering process,” Ottaviano said. “This wouldn’t have been possible without their support, or the support of the fraternity’s International Headquarters.” “The graduate brothers have pledged our physical and financial support for both the chapter and the school,” he continued. “Most of us have not given to Union for a decade, but this administration has changed all that.” Shore hopes change continues. “For some Greek alumni, there will never be forgiveness for the taking of our ancestral homes a decade ago. This is truly unfortunate for them, for Union, and most of all, for their chapters,” Shore said. “Part of the longevity of Greek life at Union is due to alumni who put aside individual feelings and priorities for the sake of their organizations.” “I therefore ask you to set that example again, to put your chapter before your own feelings and make one more sojourn to Union for Homecoming or ReUnion,” he continued. “Your chapter may not physically be where it once was, but I am certain it is spiritually.”

The power of the blogosphere: Alumni find success online and off BY CHRISTEN R. GOWAN

n 2008, Tina Haupert ‘02 was working as the executive assistant to the dean of Harvard College, planning for a career in higher education administration. Little did she know, a small blog she kept to track her weight loss goals would lead her away from the world of academia. Today, her blog, “Carrots ‘N Cake” is read by thousands, and she has over 10,000 followers on Twitter. She also writes a column for Health magazine and recently published her first book. Haupert started “Carrots ‘N Cake” on Feb. 3, 2008, also known as National Carrot Cake Day. She used her blog to track her workouts and

took pictures of what she was eating every day, helping to stay on track with her weight loss goals. “It was crazy when people started reading and asking questions and leaving comments,” she said. By the fall of 2009, Haupert had quit her job at Harvard to blog and freelance full-time about health and fitness. “It was very, very scary,” she said of quitting her full-time job. “There were a lot of heart-to-heart conversations on what I was going to do, living off my blogging income.” Today, “Carrots ‘N Cake” has an active community, and Haupert’s posts typically yield at least 50 comments Winter 2012 UNION COLLEGE

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continuously writing blog items, updating their Facebook status, tweeting, sharing pictures on Instagram and Flickr, posting to Tumblr, checking in on Foursquare and networking on LinkedIn. With over 500 million people using such social media as Facebook, there’s no arguing the potential for success when it comes to going online. Julia Cantor ‘02 works in Atlanta as a senior digital publicist for Engauge, a marketing and branding firm. Cantor coaches clients on the

Tina Haupert ’02, author/creator of the blog and accompanying book, Carrots ‘N Cake

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and thousands of hits per day. She has also moved into interviewing celebrities, including chef Giada De Laurentiis, and writing about her travels. Her brand has also expanded beyond just the blog. Haupert writes about her “feel great weight” for Health magazine and also blogs for NuVal, a nutritional rating company. The College’s writing courses offered her a solid background to help her create the approachable, witty writing style of “Carrots ‘N Cake,” but Haupert really learned about fitness and the healthier side of life while in Schenectady. “I really got into health and

wellness at Union,” she said. “There were students who really cared about eating well and being active. I kind of woke up and realized that you shouldn’t eat Pop Tarts every morning for breakfast.” Union alumni are turning social media hobbies into full-time realities. Alumni from all disciplines are using blogging, Facebook, Twitter and other social media to propel themselves into new arenas such as journalism, publishing and philanthropy. Social media is everywhere. It’s attached to news stories, the topic of feature films and the constant obsession of teenagers and adults alike. People are

importance of social media and how to harness that power to drive their brands. “In 2000, it was necessary to have a web presence as a business, and now in 2011, it is important to have both an optimized website as well as strategically designed social media platforms that raise participation and interest in your brand,” Cantor said. Cantor, who also blogs about the importance of social media at “All Things Social,” graduated a studio arts major, later receiving her

5 Tips on How to Increase Your Readership (from Tina Haupert, Carrots ‘N Cake):

Create an offline presence—Make t-shirts, go to blogger conferences and get your name out there. Act as your own personal marketing department and do some networking.

John Donohue ’90, author of Man with a Pan and the blog, “Stay at Stove Dad”

master’s degree in integrated marketing communications from Emerson College. “I’m probably on 25 social networks, although I try to focus on just a few on a regular basis,” she said. John Donohue ‘90 was no stranger to the publishing world when he started his blog “Stay at Stove Dad.” During the workweek, Donohue is an editor and occasional cartoonist for The New Yorker, but on the weekends, he enjoys cooking for his wife and two young daughters. Three years ago, with a book deal in the works about dads who cook for their kids,

Donohue began using his blog to explore his role as the chef of his household. Donohue’s blog skyrocketed to popularity when he was featured on “Goop,” a weekly lifestyle newsletter created by movie star Gwyneth Paltrow. The actress, who had cooked with her late father, became interested in Donohue’s concept. His blog had over 10,000 hits on that day alone. “People don’t realize how much cooking guys are doing,” he said. “My book and the blog is a way of giving those people a voice.” Donohue’s anthology, Man with a Pan: Culinary Adventures of Fathers who Cook For

their Families, features essays and recipes from dads who cook for their kids, including chef Mario Batali, food writer Mark Bittman and writers Stephen King and Jim Harrison. The book, which came out in May, was on the New York Times bestseller list and it’s in its third printing. For Allison (Cohen) Margolies ’02, her blog, “Cancer and Candy,” has been a creative outlet for writing but also a way to connect with other cancer survivors. Margolies works as a performance improvement specialist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. “My blog has developed me as a person,” Margolies said. “It pushes me to continue researching new ideas in both the fields of cancer research and candy. It has also led me to connect with some truly amazing people who share similar interests.” Check out “Carrots ‘N Cake” at http://carrotsncake. com, “All Things Social” at http://juliacantor.com, “Stay at Stove Dad” at http://www. stayatstovedad.com, and “Cancer and Candy” at http:// cancerandcandy.com.

Use some search engine optimization best practices—Link out to other blogs, create strong headlines and get people linking back to you. The interconnected nature of the World Wide Web can work in your favor, helping readers to stumble upon your blog.

Post business cards— Posting your business card on high traffic bulletin boards in coffee shops, student centers and grocery stores is an easy and low-cost way to get your name out there.

Create a Facebook fan page—There are over 500 million people on Facebook. If one person becomes a fan, and they tell two friends, then they tell two friends… (You get the point, right?)

Participate in Twitter chats—Getting together to talk online with people who have a shared interest can only help your blog. There are Twitter chats happening all the time on almost anything. Think: cooking, writing, running, playing bridge, collecting typewriters. Again, the possibilities are endless.

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profiles

JENNIFER SMITH TURNER ’74

For the Girl Scouts

oing good and making a difference is a way of life, both personally and professionally, for Jennifer Smith Turner ’74. And that means Girl Scouts is the perfect place for her. “The Girl Scouts mission is to build girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place,” she said. “Working with these girls is the best aspect of my job. Interacting with them and impacting them—it’s why I do what I do.” What she does is run the largest organization in her state as CEO of Girl Scouts of Connecticut, which serves over 47,000 girls and 20,000 adult volunteers. In this role, she’s responsible for strategy development, collaborating with the board of directors and overseeing business operations—everything from fundraising to managing complex business negotiations. “There’s a whole lot that goes into my job, and I enjoy it all, working with the girls especially,” Turner said. “I remind my staff that when a girl is watching, what does she see? “We have to remember that you can walk into a room, say one thing and touch someone’s life forever. If we all think back to our own childhoods, there’s always that one teacher who made a lasting difference.” Prior to Girl Scouts, Turner was president and CEO of the management consulting company, Smith & Associates. She also served as deputy commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, and as a trustee of Union and the University of

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Connecticut. In addition, Turner is a former president of the board of the Hartford Stage Company, a regent at the University of Hartford, board member of the Greater Hartford Arts Council, and a board member of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Through this varied corporate, governmental and non-profit career, Union has helped her. Her studies in English and drama honed her conceptual thinking skills, which allowed her to develop into a person who is easily adaptable, practiced at problem-solving, and good at rapidly perfecting

“We have to remember that you can walk into a room, say one thing and touch someone’s life forever. If we all think back to our own childhoods, there’s always that one teacher who made a lasting difference.” new skills. Her liberal arts education also augmented her aptitude to work expertly with others. “It’s great to have the knowledge and the confidence to interact with people. In every job I’ve had, it’s just critical,” Turner said. “At Union, you learn interpersonal skills in the classroom. You also learn them by living on a campus where you’re constantly interacting with a diverse and accomplished group of people.” Extracurricular experiences have proved invaluable to the work she does now as well. “I was very involved with the commu-

nity program Upward Bound, working with high school students as a mentor— helping them with their reading and personal development,” Turner said. “I really enjoyed making an impact on their lives, and of course, hanging out with my friends was great too.” “I was in the first class of women at Union. We had a unique experience on a campus where there were 2,000 students, only 200 of whom were female and 96 of whom were African American,” she added. “We are a very close group of women to this day, a group I will have a history with forever—because of Union.”

ARIEL FOX ’00

Designing success

fter graduation, Ariel Fox ’00 was a corporate litigation paralegal working to become a lawyer—what she’d always thought of as her dream job. “I would draw shoes all day long while I was filing and on the phone, and one day, an attorney walked by and asked, ‘Where are all these drawings coming from?’” Fox recalled. “I said, ‘They’re mine.’ And he just looked at me and asked, ‘What are you doing here?’” “I’d just really wanted to be a lawyer my whole life but once I got there, I figured, maybe not,” she continued. “And at that moment I thought, maybe there could be something else for me.” Something else was the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, Calif. And after she earned her environmental design degree, she discovered that the stagnating economy had created a demand for affordable interior designers. So in 2008, she launched Ariel Fox Design from her home in Los Angeles. “I was a recent graduate who would work for peanuts, and I just said yes to everything,” Fox said. “More work kept coming and now, three years down the line, I’m bidding on projects with a half-a-million-dollar design budgets.” Instead of working for someone else, she’s building her own office with a team skilled at both commercial and residential projects. Fox creates interior spaces, designs custom furniture, fabrics and wall coverings, and has her own pillow line. Her projects have included a collection of penthouses and lofts in Hollywood, the lobby in the Historic Hollywood Towers, a new residence in Malibu, the renovation of the Mark building in Hollywood and the Vista Catalina building in Rancho Palos Verdes. She’s also participating in Design Gives Back, a philanthropic effort by

top interior designers to raise funds and awareness for different charities and organizations. The designers, including Bravo’s Martyn Lawrence-Bullard and HGTV’s Erin Valencich, are each creating a custom piece of furniture for the campaign. A portion of the proceeds from purchases of every piece will be donated to the designers’ chosen charities. Fox has created the “Mia” shoe cabinet of lucite and wood to benefit Camp Kesem, which gives children affected by a parent’s cancer the opportunity to just be kids for a summer. “It feels really good to help others through my work, be they employees, clients or charities,” she said. On top of all this, Fox is involved with HGTV’s Room Crashers, a program that transforms bland rooms in houses of unsuspecting homeowners into eye-popping spaces. “Room Crashers asked me to ghostdesign a few episodes,” Fox said. “I just completed shooting one a few weeks ago and had an amazing time.” Her in-demand work, whether for T.V. or private clients, is very much informed by the world around her. “I’ve traveled a lot—to India and Korea and all throughout Europe. My travel influences my designs in a very big way,” she said. “You have to know what’s out there to create something beautiful, engaging, functional, unique.” She caught the travel bug at Union on her term abroad in Greece. There, she studied ancient architecture, went to old

dig sites and immersed herself in the rich heritage of another nation. “That was a shining star in my education. You can’t buy an experience like that,” said Fox, who majored in political science. “It was really my first foray into architecture and design, my first chance to understand how connected culture, construction and art are.” Union faculty members, a creative writing professor in particular, were also influential. “This professor stimulated something in me that I hadn’t recognized in myself— a creative spirit. And that really propelled me to writing,” she recalled. “All of my design starts with a story, which is how I got my first freelance job, actually.” “I walked into this office full of architects and engineers and project managers, and I didn’t show them a drawing, I read them a story about a space I envisioned. And they were like, ‘That’s it, that’s what we want!’” Fox continued, smiling. “I think Union’s kind of given me this extra edge, something a little different.” It’s also given her a lot of support. When she made that fateful decision to jump from law to design, she called Union asking for its alumni list in the hopes that other graduates would help her. “I’ve always felt Union was there for me, for whatever I needed. I was never turned down when I picked up the phone,” she said. “The asterisk of my whole experience with Union is that I’ve always felt supported, even after I left.”

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profiles

NEMO BOLIN ’01

Cook & Brown Public House: All about food, family and community

childhood lemonade stand was Nemo Bolin’s earliest entrepreneurial foray into the food service industry. Much as he may have learned, though—about the importance of a smile or giving correct change—Bolin doesn’t count that memorable stand as his official, first business. That honor belongs to Cook & Brown Public House, which he opened with his wife, Jenny, in March 2010 in Providence, R.I. The cozy restaurant—it seats just 45 people—has a unique approach to food that’s already won it a dedicated following. “A couple of things make us different. One is that we change the menu. Many of our dishes evolve from day-to-day and week-to-week,” said Bolin ’01, who is also head chef. “There are a few we’ll bring back frequently, but a lot of dishes are on the menu for a day or two and then we may never do them again.” This variety and changeability is due to Bolin’s almost exclusive use of in-season local and regional foods. “Food is fresher and tastier when it’s local, to put it simply,” Bolin said. “And supporting the Providence-area and New England economy is very important to me. I enjoy getting the best ingredients from local farmers, fishermen and food artisans, and forging lasting relationships with them in the process.” As a result of this dedication, Cook & Brown serves dishes that are often rustic, but refined in presentation and accompanied by old world wines or handcrafted cocktails and small batch beers. Its food that’s unique, classy and homey all at the same time, which goes a long way toward helping Bolin accomplish his goals. “Obviously, I want to run a profitable business, but beyond that I really want to be a part of the larger community,” he said. “The reason for having ‘public house’

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in the name is that we want first-time and out-of-town diners to feel just as comfortable as locals and regulars from the neighborhood.” Community has always been a deeply valued part of Bolin’s life, having been raised in a close family that regularly enjoyed the fruits of a day’s hard work around the dinner table. “I was basically raised in a fishing family. My father, stepfather and brother were all fishermen at one point, though I threw up on the boat too much to be one,” Bolin said, laughing. “But I always liked the communal aspect of cooking and eating a meal as a family.” Even the restaurant’s name is a reflection of his family. “Cook is my grandmother’s maiden name and Brown is my grandfather’s last name. I was actually raised in their summer house on Martha’s Vineyard, and they both have had a tremendous impact on my life,” Bolin said. “It’s a nice way to give back to them. Plus, I thought it was a very classic sounding name for a restaurant.” His grandfather, H. Harding Brown, incidentally, is also a Union alumnus— Class of 1944. And so is his uncle, Robert Brown ’75. “They both spoke very highly of the school throughout my childhood and had a large impact on my decision to attend Union,” he said. At Union, Bolin studied English literature and learned—perhaps even to his surprise, initially—what he truly wanted to be. “I think I went to college thinking a light bulb would go on above my head and I would know what I wanted to do with my life,” Bolin said. “But when I saw classmates gravitating toward one career or another, I realized it’d always been right there in front of me.

“My English professors continually told us to go against the grain, to not settle for that office job if it’s not what you’re really passionate about. And I was passionate about cooking. I’d worked in restaurants since I was 14, restaurants was the only job I’d ever had. The only one I wanted.” So he enrolled in the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts and earned his degree, all the while working in well regarded restaurants like No. 9 Park, Locke-Ober and Craigie St. Bistro. But something was still missing. “I wanted to learn how to cook for myself. It seems silly to say, but I was always cooking someone else’s food,” Bolin said. “What I learned from others certainly influences my dishes today, but now I get to find out what my style of cooking is. I can take Cook & Brown wherever I want it to go.”

Rice pudding with salted caram

(serves 4-6 people)

RICE PUDDING: 1.5 cups heavy cream + 3/4 cup

heavy cream for later use

2.25 cups whole milk

ned risotto rice)

Rice (or any other short grai 1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon Arborio ed sugar

1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons granulat

s scraped out

1 vanilla bean, split in half, seed

For the rice pudding: Place 1.5 cups heavy cream, milk, rice, sugar and vanilla bean

and seeds in a medi-

um-size, heavy bottomed sauce pan. Over medium-high heat,

bring to a boil, stirring

every few minutes to prevent rice from sticking. Once boiling,

turn heat to low and

cook for 25-35 minutes, or until the rice is cooked through and

the liquid has reduced

and place in by about half. Pour into a casserole dish, remove vanilla beans tor. Every 15 minutes, give the pudding a stir to avoid clumps

refrigera-

while cooling.

SALTED CARAMEL: 1/4 cup + 3 tablespoons granulated sugar 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons heavy cream 1/2 teaspoon sea salt (kosher salt will work, avoid table salt) 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

For the caramel:

er pot and place ov ium-size sauce and turn a Pour sugar in it begins to melt er and wait until lay en ev an in r t read suga medium heat. Sp the pan but do no ze, gently swirl eli m ra ca to n gi s be . When the edge d butter. light amber color from heat and ad amber, remove ed rn tu s ha r ga n. When all su elized sugar is stir with a spoo careful—caram ur in cream. Be po y wl slo , ed lly melt e Once butter is fu gar clumps, plac utter a little. If su sp d an up le bb bu e mixture may from very hot, and th pletely. Remove ramel melts com ca e th til un r sti w heat and pan back over lo s, alternate In a bowl or glas el aside to cool. m ra ca e th t Se salt. caramel stove and stir in with a dollop of caramel. Finish of s er lay in th e pudding with spoonfuls of ric a salt. large grained se th a few flakes of wi ish rn ga d on top an ed med, small or m to a heavy botto

“This rice pudding has become a fan favorite and staple menu item at the restaurant. It isn’t a low-fat dessert, but it is well worth the extra calories. Lighter than an average rice pudding, it’s rich, creamy, aromatic and sweet, with just enough salt in the caramel to balance the whole dish.” — Nemo Bolin ’01, chef/owner, Cook & Brown Public House

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across campus

College dedicates Lippman Hall during Homecoming

n the time leading up to the dedication of Lippman Hall in his honor Saturday, Oct. 29, Robert Lippman ’50 said people asked him if he had thought about what he might say. Not really, he would reply. It wasn’t because he didn’t want to share his affection for Union and the impact the College has had on several generations of Lippmans. His main concern was that he had too much to say about his alma mater.

Above: A crowd gathers during Homecoming to watch as Lippman Hall is dedicated. Right: Mark Walsh ’76, chairman of the Board of Trustees, left, and President Stephen Ainlay, far right, help members of the Lippman family (Barbara, Robert, Linda and Jim) cut the ribbon on Lippman Hall.

As he looked out at the dozens of alumni, family and friends who came to celebrate the recently completed renovations of the building that bears his name, Lippman summed up his feelings for Union in four words. “I love this place,” Lippman, who retired as director of 20 | UNION COLLEGE Winter 2012

marketing for Campus Sportswear, said when Lippman Hall was dedicated during Homecoming and Family Weekend. A $3 million gift from Robert’s son, Jim Lippman ’79 and his wife, Linda, supported a major renovation of the former Social Sciences build-

ing, which opened in 1967. The couple has three children: Alexandra, Matthew ’13 and Daniel. Other Lippmans who are members of the Union family are Jim’s brother, Donald ’82, who majored in history and his niece, Meredith Lippman ’09. Jim Lippman said the day belonged not only to his father, but to his mother, Barbara, as well. When he was eight, Jim said he remembered tagging along with his father to his 15th ReUnion at the College and realized how special Union was. “I knew right then where I wanted to go to college,” said

Lippman, the chairman and CEO of JRK Property Holdings, a Los Angeles-based commercial real estate firm he founded in 1992. The company has 1,500 employees and manages a portfolio valued at more than $5 billion, with over $450 million in annual revenues. Lippman Hall is home to the departments of Economics, Sociology, Political Science and History. The building features seven modern classrooms, an airy and open entryway, a new first-floor study room, spaces for student/faculty interaction and two specially designed seminar rooms fully equipped with presentation hardware and software. It also contains updated faculty offices. Including those who attended the building’s dedication; more than 2,000 people enjoyed Homecoming. “Homecoming is a special time at Union College,” said Tammy Messercola, director of Alumni Relations. “This year,

we were excited to showcase our newest campus additions, the Wold Building and Lippman Hall. The weekend was filled with events for everyone, and we happily to welcomed more than 2,000 alumni, family and friends to campus.” The 50th anniversary of Schaffer Library was celebrated with “Mrs. Perkins’ Union College,” a guided campus tour based on the recent gift to Union of more than 700 letters written between 1896 and 1904 by beloved campus figure Anne Dunbar Potts Perkins. The wife of chemistry professor Maurice Perkins, she established Mrs. Perkins’ Garden. An ongoing exhibit,

Above: Getting into the Halloween spirit at Homecoming Right: Enjoying hot, toasted marshmallows during Homecoming

“Union’s Library: A Home of its Own,” featuring a collection of historic photographs, rare books and manuscripts dating to the College’s founding in 1795, was also on display. Other highlights included an alumni symposium, “Representing and Creating the Human Body,” and the annual Hillel lecture delivered by Stephen Berk, the Henry and Sally Schaffer Professor of Holocaust and Jewish Studies. This year’s topic was “Obama: Good for the Jews or Bad for the Jews?” For more photos and video from the weekend, visit www.union.edu/News. For more on Lippman Hall visit www.union.edu/lippman-hall

President Ainlay’s contract extended

he Board of Trustees of Union College has extended by five years the contract with President Stephen C. Ainlay. The decision to renew his contract through June 30, 2016, was announced at the Board’s first meeting of the new academic year on Oct. 28. Ainlay became the 18th President of Union on July 1, 2006. He has played a key role in developing and implementing the College’s strategic plan, which was adopted by the Trustees in February 2007. The plan outlines the College’s vision for strengthening its academic programs, affirming its commitment to diversity and sustainability, and focusing on Union’s fiscal resources. Since becoming president, Ainlay has helped bolster the College’s reputation as one of the top liberal arts schools in the country. During his tenure, Union has boosted its enrollment numbers and attracted a stronger applicant pool. The Class of 2015 was selected from among 5,151 applicants, the second largest behind the 5,271 for the Class of

2012. This year’s class also boasts the highest average SAT and ACT scores for any incoming class in Union’s history. Under Ainlay’s leadership, the College has created an Office of Campus Diversity and an Office of Multicultural Affairs and instituted Presidential Green Grants aimed at supporting environmentally sustainable projects at Union. The College was among the first to sign the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC), pledging to formally work on reducing, and eventually eliminating, campus global warming emissions. Ainlay also has overseen the construction of the Peter Irving Wold Center and the recently completed renovations to Lippman Hall (the former Social Sciences building). He has been instrumental in the College’s $250 million You are Union campaign as well, which has raised more than $225 million to date and will be completed in 2012. For more information, visit www.union.edu/news. Winter 2012 UNION COLLEGE

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across campus

New chief of staff joins President’s Office

dward Summers joined the President’s Office in October as chief of staff. Previously, Summers worked for seven years as an assistant to President Dennis Murray at Marist College. In addition to providing executive level support, he served as an adjunct professor of public administration and

policy, director of Marist Africa Programs, and program director for Presidential Referral Scholars. He also led student groups to South Africa and Ghana, overseeing work with nongovernmental organizations. Summers holds M.P.A. and B.A. degrees from Marist College, and is completing his work for a Ph.D. in urban and public policy at the Milano School for Management and Urban Policy, a division of the New School University. He succeeds Kathy Quinn, who has served for the past six years as executive assistant to the president. She continues to work with President Stephen C. Ainlay on a limited basis as the College finishes its capital campaign.

Union welcomes new director of Multicultural Affairs

ason Benitez joined the Campus Diversity Office as director of Multicultural Affairs in October. Benitez previously served as coordinator of Multicultural Affairs and the Educational Opportunity Program at Schenectady Community College, and has held positions focusing on student leadership, diversity and residential life at SCCC and SUNY Albany. He holds a C.A.S. and M.S. from State University of New York in educational administration and policy studies, and a B.A. in sociology (major) and educational studies (minor). Last year, the Hispanic Coalition of New

22 | UNION COLLEGE Winter 2012

York named him one of the “Top 40 Rising Latino Stars Under 40.” Benitez is also a member of two honor societies, Chi Alpha Epsilon and Omicron Delta Kappa.

Jason Benitez

Union’s 217th Year

elping the Union community celebrate the official start of its 217th academic year Sept. 6, 2011, President Stephen C. Ainlay emphasized the opportunities that abound in the year ahead. He cited the recent donation by IBM of one of its Intelligent Cluster computing solutions. The cluster will give Union the greatest computing capability of any undergraduate liberal arts college in the nation. “There is no question that the technology gap between liberal arts colleges with an active research agenda— like Union—and research universities has grown,” Ainlay said. “With this advanced tool, we have been given the chance to demonstrate what can be done in teaching and research within our sector.” He went on to single out the success of a number of athletic teams, including men’s hockey and lacrosse, both of which made the NCAA tournament for the first time. He praised alumni

and friends of the College who helped the Annual Fund raise more than $4 million, a record. Ainlay welcomed the Class of 2015, one of Union’s largest and most academically gifted classes. The 578 first-year students were selected from among 5,151 applicants, the second largest in the College’s history. The Stillman Prize for Excellence in Teaching was presented to Lori J. Marso, professor of political science and director of Women’s and Gender Studies. Elana Korn ’12 received the Hollander Prize in Music, established by Lawrence J. Hollander, dean of engineering emeritus. Kara Jefts, assistant curator of the Mandeville Gallery, and Courtney Seymour, collection department librarian, were also presented with the UNITAS Community-Building Prize for their work on a series of LGBT juried exhibitions that explore issues surrounding the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community at Union.

ABC breakfast featured GE executive

rescott Logan, general manager of General Electric Co.’s Energy Storage Technologies, was the keynote speaker at the Annual Business Campaign (ABC) kickoff breakfast on Wednesday, Sept. 28 at Union. He discussed GE’s new industrial battery plant in Schenectady and manufacturing the next generation of industrial energy storage. The plant will employ more than 300 people to make nickel-sodium batteries used to power electric cars and locomotives. Logan has held a number of management positions with GE. He received a B.A. in economics from Yale University and an M.B.A. at the Kellogg School of Management. The ABC breakfast is a thank-you to the supporters of Union. Since 1993, hundreds of local businesses have contributed, providing scholarships to students from Albany, Columbia, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schoharie and Schenectady counties. ABC’s chairman is Richard Fuerst ’96, of Higgins, Roberts, Beyerl & Coan.

Goldman Sachs Gives funds scholarship

Campus reflects on 9/11

he Union community paused to reflect Sunday, Sept. 11 on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks with a day of remembrance, “Building Bridges toward Better Understanding.” More than 100 faculty, staff and students gathered in the Nott Memorial. Students were barely older than nine or 10 at the time of the attacks, but a handful shared their thoughts on the tragedy and the lessons that could be learned. Attendees filled out index cards with their ideas for building bridges on campus this academic year. The cards were placed around a replica of a bridge made of Styrofoam and fabric built by Elite Williams ’13 and Sulay Lora ’12, along with Kenney Center

Director Angela Tatem and assistant Marissa Tanner. The event was organized by Viki Brooks, director of the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life and campus Protestant minister, and Gretchel Hathaway, senior director of Campus Diversity and Affirmative Action. Losses to the Union family included: Thomas Duffy ’71; Andrew Fredericks ’83; Peter Freund ’77; Donald Kauth ’74; Alexander Steinman ’91; Christopher Quackenbush, husband of Traci S. Quackenbush ’80; Timothy Haviland, brother of David Haviland ’83; Arlene Fried, mother of Allison Fried ’02; and James Patrick, brother of Kevin Patrick, former assistant hockey coach.

nion has received a $350,000 gift that will provide an annual scholarship and assistance to students with pressing financial needs. The gift is from Goldman Sachs Gives, the firm’s donor-advised fund. Through Goldman Sachs Gives, the firm’s partners recommend a part of their overall compensation to non-profit and charitable organizations. The donation was made at the recommendation of Thomas G. Connolly ’89 and his wife, Laura, of Rye, N.Y. Connolly, a managing director at the firm, graduated with a degree in managerial economics. Preference for the annual endowed scholarship will be given to students with a parent who serves or has served with the U.S. Armed Forces or to students from the five boroughs of New York. The first scholarship was awarded to a member of the Class of 2014. “Union has played such an important role in my life, and I’m extremely happy to be able to help make it possible for others to take advantage of the opportunities the College provides,” Connolly said. Last year, the Connollys also directed $250,000 through Goldman Sachs Gives to establish the annual scholarship.

Students fill out cards with their ideas for building bridges on campus

Winter 2012 UNION COLLEGE

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across campus

How sweet the sound:

Gospel music part of Presidential Forum on Diversity series

hink of it as a gospel version of “Glee.” Over two days in mid-October, singers from diverse backgrounds in the campus community and public participated in an interfaith gospel workshop. Under the musical direction of Rev. Shaun Whitehead of St. Lawrence University and Lyndon Walters of Union’s Heavenly Voices gospel choir, participants learned a few spirituals and songs, along with a history of gospel music. The group performed the songs it learned during an interfaith gospel concert in Memorial Chapel. The concert also featured a talk by Deidre Hill Butler, associate professor of sociology, “Interfaith Connections to Gospel Music.” The workshop, concert and lecture are part of the Presidential Forum on Diversity series.

Focusing on the beauty and history of gospel music fit in well with this year’s diversity theme of religion, spiritual life and interfaith, said Gretchel Hathaway, senior director of Campus Diversity and Affirmative Action. “This event brought together people from diverse cultures, faiths and voices,” she said. “The roots of gospel music play an important spiritual and cultural role in our society, and by inviting people from various backgrounds to share in its history, perhaps we can all learn a little something about each other.” Previous speakers in the Presidential Forum on Diversity series have included poet Maya Angelou, journalist Soledad O’Brien, law professor Lani Guinier, Broadway star Anthony Rapp, actress Marlee Matlin and activist Morris Dees.

Professor receives Leadership

eidre Hill Butler, associate professor of sociology and director of Africana Studies, is this year’s recipient of the Leadership Council on Inclusion Award. The honor, presented Friday, Oct. 21, 2011 in the Nott Memorial, recognized Hill Butler for her dedication to Union’s mission and her work on diversity and inclusion with students, faculty and staff. Hill Butler’s research areas encompass the sociology of African American Culture and African American women’s representations in society. She is focusing on the role of

African American women in contemporary stepfamilies. She is also a mentor for Union’s POSSE, which recruits students from urban high schools who have extraordinary academic and leadership backgrounds. In addition to her work with POSSE scholars, who play key roles in building a rich campus community, Hill Butler incorporates local service learning experiences into her upper-level courses. Last year, President Stephen C. Ainlay was presented with the President’s Award from the Leadership

The art of war

“Dress Parade and Review of the First South Carolina (Colored) Volunteers,” 1862, wood engraving from Leslie’s Illustrated Civil War

P Members of Union’s Heavenly Voices gospel choir participate in an interfaith gospel workshop and concert. 24 | UNION COLLEGE Winter 2012

ublishing czar William Randolph Hearst once sent an artist to Cuba to cover an uprising for the New York Journal. When the artist reported back that things were quiet and he wanted to return home, Hearst, a genius at selling

newspapers, ordered the artist to stay put. “You furnish the pictures, and I’ll furnish the war,” he allegedly replied. While the validity of that famous anecdote has been debated, the words underscore the healthy appetite

Council on Inclusion honor Council on Inclusion for his commitment to diversity and multiculturalism at Union. The Leadership Council on Inclusion was formed in 2007 under the sponsorship of Excelsior College to promote a positive transformation of organizations through the advocacy of diversity and multiculturalism as a mainstream aspect of society. Initially comprised of the chief diversity officers at higher education institutions in the Albany region, it also includes representatives from business, government and the legal profession.

Emerson String Quartet

40th season of Chamber Concert Series in full swing

Associate Professor Deidre Hill Butler

he 40th season of the International Festival of Chamber Music began in October and includes music from pre-Baroque to the 21st century, performed by renowned artists from around the world. Remaining concerts will be given by pianist Wu Han with violinist Philip Setzer and cellist David Finckel; pianist Jeremy Denk; pianist Yefim Bronfman, pianist Nareh Arghamanyan; Emerson String Quartet (pictured above) and Musicians from Marlboro. All concerts are held in the College’s Memorial Chapel. For ticket and schedule information, call 388-6080 or visit www.union.edu/concert-series.

Student shines a light on innovation newspapers have always craved for images of war as a way to boost sales. That hunger was on display this fall in the Mandeville Gallery’s latest exhibit, “Illustrating the War: Selected engravings from Harper’s Weekly and Leslie’s Illustrated Civil War.” A collection of more than 70 wood engravings, the exhibit provided a broad retelling of the Civil War, which is commemorating its 150th anniversary this year. “The wood engravings from illustrated weeklies were the primary visual imagery of the Civil War for the American public,” said Marie Costello, interim director of the Mandeville Gallery. Costello, along with Andrea Foroughi, professor of history, and Joseph Privitera ’12, curated the exhibit.

nion has a long tradition of inspiring innovation among its students. Now it can count a “tinnovator” among the ranks. Using an Altoids tin, an LED light and other materials, Nicholas Brenn ’14 created a mini-flashlight. The electrical engineering major from Kennett Square, Pa., is among a host of artists and entrepreneurs who have made belt buckles, iPod speakers and other gadgets fashioned from the 2-by-3-inch tin that holds the popular mints.

Brenn got the idea while in high school and, with the help of his mother, formed his own company, NGB Enterprises. Since then, he has sold hundreds of the flashlight kits, primarily to Edmund Scientifics. Along the way, he also got help from his twin, Gregory ’14, a physics and geology major at Union. The device recently caught the attention of producers for Anderson Cooper’s new daytime talk show. A few weeks ago, the show paid for a train ticket and hotel room

for Brenn to come to New York City to tape an episode focusing on frugality. During a segment on “upcycling” (finding practical uses for items that are typically discarded or recycled), Brenn discussed his invention and presented a couple of the flashlights to Cooper. “It was cool to see behind the scenes how a show is put together,” said Brenn, who gathered with fellow students and faculty in Old Chapel to watch the episode on a large screen when it aired Monday, Oct. 24. More information on Brenn is available at http:// www.union.edu/News/. To watch a video of Brenn demonstrating how to make the flashlight, visit http:// www.andersoncooper.com/ and search for “altoids.”

Nicholas Brenn ’14 with his mini-flashlight Winter 2012 UNION COLLEGE

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across campus

Schaffer library turns 50

s part of the celebration of Schaffer Library’s 50th anniversary, the atrium of Schaffer was turned into a dance floor in September. The campus community was invited to the event, which featured refreshments and live music from Hoosick Street Hoot, a five-piece jazz ensemble that performs swingera jazz standards. David Gerhan, professor/reference and instruction librarian, is a member of the group. The night also included the opening of a new exhibit, “Union’s Library: A Home of its Own,” in the Thelma and Kenneth Lally Reading Room. Curated by Ellen Fladger, head of the College’s Special Collections, and Annette LeClair, librarian and head of technical services, the exhibit features a collection of historic photographs, rare books and manuscripts dating back to the College’s

founding in 1795. Also on display was a print from one of the library’s most prized possessions, John James Audubon’s “Birds of America.” Winners of a contest to create an artistic project using recycled card catalog cards were also announced in three categories. A total of 17 entries came from 11 artists, represented by faculty, staff, students, family and friends of Union. First prizes were granted to Sheri Park ’13, Jacob LaRocca ’12 and Anita Paul, wife Gerhan. A digital gallery of all entries will soon be available at www.union. edu/library. Schaffer Library opened in 1961, the first permanent home for the College’s vast collection of books, periodicals and treasured documents. Before that, the library shared space in the Nott Memorial and other places on campus.

Kate Kaminski ’14 created “Thank Uke for Staying Classy” from old card catalog cards. The ukulele, which could be played, won two Honorable Mentions in the library contest.

26 | UNION COLLEGE Winter 2012

Casting call: Bradley Cooper to wear the Union label?

nion has always had a strong alumni presence in Hollywood. Now it could add Bradley Cooper to the list. No, the A-list actor (and Georgetown grad) doesn’t own a sheepskin from Union. But his character in “The Place Beyond the Pines” might. The indie film recently wrapped up months of shooting in and around Schenectady, which is the Mohawk word for “beyond the pine plains.” Cooper plays Avery Cross, a police officer-turned politician caught in a showdown with a motorcycle stunt rider-turned bank robber, played by Ryan Gosling. In one scene shot blocks from campus, Cross cleans out the bedroom of his childhood home. Producers said Cross is an alumnus in the script, and requested some Union swag to decorate the room. So keep an eye out for a College banner or sweatshirt when the movie, which also stars Eva Mendes, Rose Byrne and Ray Liotta, is released late this year. Also watch for a number of students and staff who served as extras in the film. One scene called for Matt Fontaine ’12 to open a curtain as

Cooper’s character gives a political victory speech. Fontaine got to meet Cooper and the film’s director, Derek Cianfrance. “I was really impressed by how nice he was to everyone,” Fontaine said of Cooper. “He was constantly thanking us for being there and encouraging us to keep our energy level high. He did a good job of making every person in the room feel like they were important to the scene, regardless of whether you were an extra or paid actor or actress.” Cooper (or Cross) isn’t the first Hollywood star, of course, with ties to Union. Robert Redford set hearts aflutter when he spent weeks on campus filming “The Way We Were,” in the early seventies. Union’s Hollywood honor roll also includes Robert Chartoff ’55 (producer of the Rocky films), Alan Horn ’64 (former president and chief operating officer of Warner Bros. Entertainment), Phil Alden Robinson ’71 (director of “Field of Dreams”) and Rawson Marshall Thurber ’97 (writer and director of “Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story”).

Building our Third Century A trust distribution was received from Joseph M. Hinchey, Class of 1947. The proceeds will be used to support the Annual Fund. Trust distributions were received from the estate of Naomi Chambers, to be added to the Walter R.G. Baker 1916 Endowed Scholarship in support of students studying electrical engineering. Mrs. Chambers was the widow of Walter R.G. Baker. A bequest was received from the estate of Hugh Allen Wilson and was added to the Hugh Allen Wilson Endowment for Choral Music. Professor Wilson was a member of the faculty from 1962–1997. A bequest was received from the estate of Marvin B. Epstein, Class of 1943. The proceeds will be used to support the Annual Fund. A pooled income fund distribution was received from the estate of Howard E. Van Valkenburg, Class of 1942. The proceeds were added to the Robert Bruce Van Valkenburg Endowed Memorial Scholarship, created by Howard and his wife Betty A. Van Valkenburg in memory of their son. A bequest was received from the estate of Frederick A. Klemm, professor emeritus of German. The proceeds establish the Professor Frederick A. Klemm & Eleanor G. Klemm Fund for International Study and Service. Professor Klemm,

who taught at Union from 1947 to 1978, inaugurated the College’s Terms Abroad program in spring 1969. A bequest was received from the estate of George W. Clark, Class of 1942. The proceeds will be used for the George W. Clark, Class of 1942, Endowed Scholarship. A trust distribution was received from the estate of Florence L. Judkins to be added to the Ernest L. & Florence L. Judkins Scholarship to support an annual scholarship. In support of the Union College Annual Fund, trust distributions were received from the estate of Robert L. Slobod, Class of 1935. A bequest was received from the estate of Betty Pritchard McKeon. The proceeds will be used at the discretion of the Trustees. Mrs. McKeon was the widow of Thomas A. Pritchard, Class of 1941. A charitable gift annuity distribution was received from the estate of Daniel R. Conlon, Class of 1935. The proceeds will support the Chemistry Department. A trust distribution was received from the estate of A. Melcher Anderson, Jr., Class of 1945. The proceeds will be added to the A.M. & S.M. Anderson Endowed Scholarship. This fund supports students majoring in engineering and related technologies, or in the natural sciences, including physics, chemistry and mathematics.

PAY IT FORWARD Invest in a quality education for generations of Union students. Establish a charitable gift annuity (CGA) at Union College and: • Secure fixed income for your lifetime • Realize significant tax breaks • Enjoy the satisfaction of supporting Union College

Age

Annuity Rate

Deduction

Annual Income

5.3%

$5,141

$1,325

5.8%

$7,063

$1,450

6.5%

$8,940

$1,625

7.5%

$10,637

$1,870

70/70

5.2%

$4,347

$1,300

75/75

5.7%

$6,446

$1,425

80/80

6.3%

$8,707

$1,575

Based on a $25,000 cash gift using the IRS discount rate of 1.6% for December 2011.

TO LEARN MORE, PLEASE CONTACT:

Jacqueline Cavalier, Director of Gift Planning (518) 388-6156, or toll free (888) 843-4365 ext. 6156 cavaliej@union.edu www.union.plannedgifts.org

Winter 2012 UNION COLLEGE

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focUs BY ERIN DEMUTH JUDD

Ever wonder what Union professors are up to when they aren’t teaching? Just about everything, as it turns out. Nothing is beyond their collective reach or curious minds. Here’s just a glimpse of the diverse and intriguing work they do.

Courtesy of CDC/ Michael L. Levin

28 | UNION COLLEGE Winter 2012

Ticking off the savings Kathleen LoGiudice, associate professor of biology Stephen Schmidt, economics professor

nvironmental conservation and cost-savings go hand-in-hand when a few blood-sucking parasites are added—well, more accurately, subtracted— from the mix. Kathleen LoGiudice, Stephen Schmidt and Scott Morlando ‘08 have discovered that habitat restoration in the Albany Pine Bush diminishes black-legged tick populations and thereby, hikers’ chances of contracting a disease that costs an average of $8,568 to treat. Restoration methods at the preserve are complex, involving removal of invasive black locust trees and soil adjustments to encourage native grasses, pitch pine and lupine to recolonize the area. Once restored, however, the land must be burned every five years to ensure ecosystem health and prevent the return of non-native trees. It’s a pricey process. In a recent Restoration Ecology article, the researchers projected remediation and controlled-burn aftercare of 556 locust-infested acres will cost $22.049 million. A whopping 98-percent fewer ticks are found in restored areas, though, and that may very well justify the expense. In 2009 in Albany County, there were approximately 640 cases of Lyme disease. It’s unclear how many of these resulted from Pine Bush tick bites, but avoiding one $8,658-case annually is worth spending $294,168 right now. The researchers arrived at this number using the present value calculation, which allowed them to approximate the cost of something that repeats every year—an $8,568-case of Lyme disease—in today’s dollars. So if just 75 of the 100,000 preserve visitors each year avoid illness, the remediation pays for itself in public health benefits. Because $22.049 million/0.294 = 75 and $294,168*75 = $22,048,999.

A staged fight in progress behind Christopher Chabris (Photo by Matt Milless)

Blinded by focus Christopher Chabris, assistant professor of psychology

f you were a police officer chasing down a potentially dangerous suspect, would you notice another suspect being viciously beaten by other cops nearby? Even if it was dark out? Yes, you’re probably thinking, that would be difficult to miss. But it wasn’t for Kenny Conley. The Boston cop was convicted of perjury in 1997 when a jury didn’t believe he could run right by such a beating and not see it. Research by Christopher Chabris and University of Illinois psychology professor Daniel Simons, however, says Conley might not have been lying. Their study, published in June in the journal i-Perception, asked 94 subjects to chase a runner through the Union College campus and count the number of times he touched his hat. About 1 minute into the 3-minute jog, a noisy, staged fight was occurring. “When we did this study at night, we had two students beating up a third, punching him and kicking him and throwing him to the ground,” Chabris said. “Only about a third of subjects reported seeing the fight.” Even in broad daylight, 40 percent still didn’t notice it. Researchers call this inattentional blindness, or the failure to see salient scenes while paying attention to something else. Chabris and Simons explain the phenomenon in detail in their popular book, The Invisible Gorilla. For more about their work, visit www.union.edu/news.

Seeing cancer more clearly Jue Wang, visiting assistant professor of mathematics

ne in six American men will develop prostate cancer, a stark fact that’s inspired Jue Wang and her colleagues to improve diagnostic imaging techniques doctors rely on. A common tool, ultrasound is limited by small fields of view, speckled image quality and the intense operator skill required, while computed tomography (CT) scans are unable to directly identify the prostate. “The prostate is recognized through location of surrounding anatomy, not through direct visualization of the prostate itself,” Wang said. “It’s been estimated that CT radiation exposure will result in 29,000 new cases and nearly 15,000 deaths, just from CT scans performed in 2007. “Our system will improve precision

and effectiveness of cancer treatment, reduce radiation to normal tissue, and lower morbidity and mortality percentages.” Their system is a Backscatter-Contour-Attenuation joint estimation method that is safe, non-invasive, inexpensive, and has much-improved accuracy and image resolution. The development of the technique, however, requires diverse expertise, which is why Ronald Bucinell (Mechanical Engineering), Shane Cotter (Electrical & Computer Engineering), and Scott LaBrake (Physics) are all participating. Together, they’ll collaborate with Dr. Robert Smith, division chief of

radiology oncology at Ellis Hospital, and Yongjian Yu, a medical image scientist from InfiMed Inc. Ellis will provide use of its radiotherapy treatment room, CT scanner and other equipment, and assist the team in enrolling 30 patients in the study. The three-year effort is supported by a $250,000 National Institute of Health Academic Research Enhancement Award.

Dry times in the tropics? Donald Rodbell, geology professor and department chair

rought in the tropics— perpetually humid, lush places—sounds highly unlikely, right? But according to a 2,300-year-old sediment core Don Rodbell and his colleagues extracted from a Peruvian lake in the Andes Mountains, it’s not. South American equatorial regions are receiving less rain than at any point in the past millennium, and as temperatures rise in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s probable these densely populated areas will only get drier. The six-foot-long cylinder of lake sediment shows fluctuations between dry and wet phases of the summer monsoon seasons. Paired with existing precipitation data for the region, the core illustrates that rainfall has dropped sharply since 1900. The scientists know this because they analyzed the ratio of a specific oxygen

Above: Seismic survey of Lake Junin, Peru Left: Broxton Bird, Mark Abbot and Donald Rodbell extracting the core in Peru.

isotope in each layer of lake-bed sediment. Low levels of delta-O-18 indicate wetter seasons; high levels indicate more arid ones. “If the monsoons that are so critical to water supply in these areas continue to diminish at this pace, it will have devastat-

ing implications for the water resources of a huge swath of the planet,” Mark Abbott recently told ScienceDaily. Abbott, a professor of geology and planetary science at the University of Pittsburgh, co-designed the project with Rodbell. The lead author of the study, published in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, is Broxton Bird, who received his Ph.D. in geology from Pittsburgh in 2009. Other team members include Pitt graduate Nathan Stansell, Pitt geology professor Mike Rosenmeier, and Mathais Vuille, SUNY Albany professor of atmospheric and environmental science. Winter 2012 UNION COLLEGE

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bookshelf

MAURICE DEUL ’42

THOMAS H. LEE ’55

MARTIN BENJAMIN ’62

NEAL SINGER ’62

Discoverers of the 20th Century: Perfecting the Search

A Quiet Revolution

Ethics in Nursing: Cases, Principles, and Reasoning

Wonders of Nuclear Fusion: Creating an Ultimate Energy Source

The American Association of Petroleum Geologists

Discoverers of the 20th Century contains case histories of exploration triumphs and breakthrough concepts relating to geoscience and natural resources like gas and oil. It includes stories of early discoveries, landmark technologies and modern innovation, as told by authors with privileged glimpses into the critical processes. Chapter 12, “Methane from Coalbeds: A Reminiscence,” was written by Deul.

Bookshelf features new books written or edited by or about alumni and other members of the Union community. To be included in Bookshelf, send the book and the publisher’s press release to: Office of Communications Union College Schenectady, NY 12308 or send publisher’s press release and a high-resolution book cover image to magazine@union.edu. 30 | UNION COLLEGE Winter 2012

Trafford Publishing

On the 13th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, five Vietnam veterans gather for a reunion. While reminiscing about the dangerous days of one of America’s longest and most costly wars, they agree that the nation has once again been plunged into an unwarranted conflict—this time in the Middle East, for some greedy reasons. Together, the former covert operatives begin formulating a strategy to eradicate government corruption and punish the rich oil executives who are responsible. The “phantom patriots,” as they call themselves, have but one goal—to take down prominent corruptors and put an end to their days of unrestrained wealth and control.

Oxford University Press

Ethics in Nursing provides practicing and student-nurses with an introduction to the identification and analysis of ethical issues that reflects both the special perspective of nursing and the value of systematic philosophical inquiry. New material on ethical theory in this fourth edition includes an illustrated explanation and defense of moral pluralism, a section on the ethics of care, and an expanded discussion of reflective equilibrium as a method of ethical reasoning. New topics include pandemics and care for SARS patients, elderly patients contemplating suicide, and workplace violence. Co-author Martin Benjamin is an emeritus professor of philosophy at Michigan State University.

University of New Mexico Press

This book presents accessible descriptions of fusion machines with near-supernatural qualities. The ultimate goal of these large structures is to generate unlimited electrical energy from seawater, rather than from coal, oil, gas, wind, sun, hydro, or the fissioning of uranium atoms. Forces that physics has increasingly brought to heel—electricity, magnetism, and light—are being used to create plasmas hotter than the sun, fusing hydrogen atoms to release enormous amounts of energy under controlled conditions. The book was written to interest students in science, though more mature folks report finding it an up-todate primer on nuclear fusion as a possible energy source. The author has studied these machines for 16 years.

MARTIN JAY ’65

ROBERT E. MAY ’65

JIM CARL ’84

DANIEL BULLEN ’94

Essays from the Edge: Parerga & Paralipomena

Howard Pyle: Imagining an American School of Art

Freedom of Choice: Vouchers in American Education

Love Lives of the Artists: Five Stories of Creative Intimacy

University of Virginia Press

University of Illinois Press

Praeger

Counterpoint Press

During his career as a European intellectual historian and cultural critic, Jay has explored the exile of German intellectuals to America during the Nazi era; Western Marxism and lying in politics, among others. Essays from the Edge assembles his writings from the intersections of this intellectual journey. Some essays focus on methodological debates in the humanities and social sciences, while others examine the concept of “scopic regime” and the metaphors of revolution and the gardening impulse. He also discusses theorists, including Jacques Derrida and Michel Foucault, at length.

This portrait of Howard Pyle, an influential American artist, teacher, author and muralist, is the first fully documented treatment of his life and career. It reveals Pyle to be a man who believed art should be understood and appreciated by the general public, while simultaneously exploring the way his values and artistic tastes shaped his creative output and his work as a teacher. Pyle taught at Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry before becoming an instructor at his own school in Delaware’s Brandywine River Valley. The book is illustrated with color photographs and reproductions of Pyle’s work and that of his students. Robert May is a professor of history at Purdue University, where co-author Jill May is also employed as a professor of literacy and language.

This book posits that, far from being the result of a groundswell of support for parental choice in American education, the origins of school vouchers are seated in identity politics, religious schooling, and educational entrepreneurship. Inserting historical context into the voucher debates, Freedom of Choice treats school vouchers as a series of social movements set within the context of evolving American conservatism. The study ranges from the use of tuition grants in the 1950s and early 1960s in the interest of fostering segregation, to the wider acceptance of vouchers in the 1990s as a means of counteracting real and perceived shortcomings of urban public schools.

Artists like Diego and Frida claimed to be making a brave, new kind of marriage, where spouses were allowed—even encouraged—to have outside relationships. Shared creativity, they claimed, would transcend their jealousies: it raised them above conventional marital fidelity, and proved a higher fidelity, to human freedom. The Love Lives of the Artists tells the stories of Rilke and Lou Andreas-Salomé, Stieglitz and O’Keeffe, Sartre and Beauvoir, Diego and Frida, and Henry Miller and Anaïs Nin—five couples whose relationships contained the same rebellious creativity as their art. From their early artistic development and first experiences in love to their artistic marriages and affairs— and then to their fights and reconciliations and nervous breakdowns—Love Lives describes the promise and the price of creativity in love.

Winter 2012 UNION COLLEGE

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alumni clubs

s On Oct. 11, 2011, Chicago alumni mingled at dinner and then enjoyed a show at The Second City.

s Alumni attend an event at the Cross Key’s Pub in London with College President Stephen C. Ainlay, his wife, Judith, and Vice President for Admissions, Financial Aid and Enrollment Matthew Malatesta. The event was hosted by Howard J. Blank ’70.

Alumni attend an event in Westchester, at which Jill Hungsberg, Union’s senior director of Communications and Marketing, spoke.

In August, 125 alumni, family and friends enjoyed at day at the racetrack in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Events Upcoming Alumni Club

JANUARY 13 BOSTON, MASS. Union vs. Harvard hockey, Fenway Park JANUARY 14 ABBE HALL, UNION COLLEGE Union vs. RPI hockey & pre-game networking JANUARY 20 N E W H AV E N , C O N N . Union vs. Yale hockey & pre-game dinner JANUARY 24 NEW YORK CITY Club of NYC regional alumni board meeting JANUARY 25 NEW YORK CITY Speed networking with Colgate, Williams, Hobart and William Smith Colleges FEBRUARY 2 B A LT I M O R E , M D . Club of Baltimore kickoff, B&O American Brasserie

In July, the Union College Club of New York City hosted a sellout crowd of 75 alumni, parents and friends at a New York Yankees game. Five members of the Club of NYC Alumni Board attended, as did former chairman of the Union Board of Trustees, Frank Messa ’73 and his family.

32 | UNION COLLEGE Winter 2012

FEBRUARY 11 BOSTON, MASS. Club of Boston: Museum of Fine Arts private tour MARCH 14 S C H E N E C TA D Y, N . Y. Jersey Boys at Proctors/ GenU at Bombers M AY 1 7 – 2 0 ReUnion Weekend

UNION COLLEGE

JUNE 10 Commencement

UNION COLLEGE

For more, visit www.union.edu/alumni

the classes

SAVE THE DATE

ReUnion

2012

May 17–20, 2012 www.union.edu/reunion

Garnet Guard

1947

Alumni who have celebrated their 50th ReUnion. GARNET GUARD CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Richard J. Killeen ’51 3 Emerald Lane Saratoga Springs, N.Y. 12866-9100 pmrjk@nycap.rr.com

1934 STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT, AND CIRCULATION (required by 39 U.S.C.3685) Title of Publication: Union College. Publication Number: 648020. Frequency of Issue: Quarterly. Location of known office of publications: 807 Union Street, Union College, Schenectady, N.Y. 12308. Owner: Same, Bondholder: None. Average number of copies of each issue during the preceding 12 months: A) Total number of copies printed: 30,564 B1) Mailed Outside-County Paid Subscriptions: 28,402 B4) Paid Distribution by Other Class of Mail: 498 C) Total paid circulation: 28,900 D4) Free distribution outside the mail: 920 E) Total free distribution: 920 F) Total distribution: 29,820 G) Copies not distributed: 744 H) Total: 30,564 Actual number of copies of single issue printed nearest to the filing date (Sept.30): A) Total number of copies printed: 30,450 B1) Mailed Outside-County Paid Subscriptions: 28,196 B4) Paid Distribution by Other Class of Mail: 477 C) Total paid circulation: 28,673 D4) Free distribution outside the mail: 920 E) Total free distribution: 920 F) Total distribution: 29,593 F) Copies not distributed: 857 H) Total: 30,450

1941 1942

ReUnion ’11 May 17–20

1943 1944 1945 In September, Joseph D. Goldreich was inducted into the Concrete Industry Foundation as a Humanitarian Fellow. Joseph is a structural engineering consultant in New York City, a trustee of a scholarship program at Union College, and has been a Boy Scout leader for over 45 years. He has also received the Construction Industry’s Good Scout award for community service. Among his projects in New York are buildings at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and the Bronx Zoo.

1946

ReUnion ’11 May 17–20

Vincent DeBaun was the keynote speaker at Cazenovia College’s tenth annual Wheler Family Conference on World Affairs in September. Vincent, a naval officer and combat veteran of World War II and the Korean Conflict, was president of the college from 1971 until 1975. He has taught at Rutgers University, the University of New Hampshire, Wells College and Union College. At Union, he was also director of corporate and foundation support. Victor M. Springer writes, “I’m serving as president this year of our 166-member residents’ association at Westminster Gardens retirement community in Duarte, California. What a great place it is—32 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, with all residences being one-story buildings. The good rapport here is unbelievable; and the staff members are really loving and caring people.” Nelson O. Heyer, a retiree from IBM Corp. and rear admiral, U.S. Naval Reserve, traveled to Ireland last summer. He just returned from the National Conference of Naval Order of the U.S., Galveston, Texas. He’s active as president of the Scarsdale (N.Y.) American Legion Memorial Committee Inc. and has a fourth generation of Union student in grandson Douglas Dremluk ’13. He plans to be at his class’s 65th ReUnion.

Joseph D. Goldreich ’45 with President Stephen C. Ainlay when Goldreich was honored by the Concrete Industry Foundation as a Humanitarian Fellow.

1948 Dr. Lesley DeGroot remains very active, conducting research, painting and sailing, in South Dartmouth, Mass. He also maintains two websites that are essentially textbooks for clinicians and patients at www.thyroidmanager.org and www.endotext.org.

1949 Dr. Hugh S. Wisoff’s paper about his mentor in neurological surgery, Leo M. Davidoff, was accepted for publication by the Journal of Neurosurgery. The paper is called his “Formative Years,” from birth to 1927, and includes Davidoff’s experiences as a surgeon to the MacMillan 1925 Arctic Expedition. A sequel, from 1927 to death in 1945, is in the works.

1950 Wilfried A. Hofmann, Union 1950–1951 (HELP student from Germany), for his service to Islam was awarded in

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1955 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Ken Haefner 1346 Waverly Pl. Schenectady, N.Y. 12308 haefnerkb@juno.com

Dick Nemeth ’53 climbing Old Rag Mountain, Shenandoah National Park

´Amman (Jordan) the country’s highest decoration, the Grand Cordon, by King Abdullah II of Jordan personally.

1951 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Richard J. Killeen 3 Emerald Lane Saratoga Springs, N.Y. 12866-9100 George Hendon writes, “After retiring from the FAA in ’08, I’ve only now settled into a retirement mode, travelling with my wife, Sue, writing (a sort of memoir for my children) and painting. Our first and only grandchild, Ava, here in Kansas City is just a little over two years old—a real ‘pistol.’ Spent three weeks this spring on the southern tip of Greece (Peloponnesian peninsula) visiting our daughter, Libby, who has spent the last year picking olives in a grove owned by some Swiss expatriates via willworkonorganicfarm.com. She hopes to return as crew on a sailboat in January. Apparently transatlantic sailors and potential crew members congregate in the Canary Islands early in the year when the trade winds shift westward.”

34 | UNION COLLEGE Winter 2012

Ed Conway ’57 volunteered at the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games

John I. Van Voris ’57

1952

ReUnion ’11 May 17–20

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Dr. Arthur Stockman 7124 Switchgrass Trail Bradenton, Fla. 34202-4177 (941) 907-8064 astockman@jcaho.org E. Perren Hayes writes, “Although I am ‘retired’ as a priest in the Episcopal Church (I am 81), I am working every Sunday in a Parish that is a 99.8 mile round trip. I am having a ball doing this, and they are responding like they too are having a good time.” John H. Duffy writes, “I will be back in May for the Class of 1952 60th. Still swimming, did National Senior Olympics in June in Houston. Never last and 6th in 500-yard free and 200 Bk., and finished four other events.”

1953 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Garrett Murphy 7 Maxwell Street Albany, N.Y. 12208-1607 gmurphy6@nycap.rr.com (518) 438-7319 Dick Nemeth, who has been working on his “Bucket List,” recently climbed Old Rag Mountain in the Shenandoah

National Park. Dick, who is in his 80th year, reports that the hike, up the front side and down the back, took him 13 hours. What is next you might ask? “The 180-mile-long C&O Canal Trail on a bike,” Dick writes. “The doctors say you must keep moving.”

1954 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Avrom J. Gold 549 Colonial Drive Hilton Head Island, S.C. 29926 Conrad Lang writes, “I have been retired from the Rensselaer County Surrogate Court since 2002. Bette and I spend our winter in Lighthouse Point, Fla., where I have served as president of Lighthouse Colony Co-op Association for many years. I was also recently elected chairman of the board of trustees of Hudson Valley Community College, which with a student enrollment of over 12,000, is the second largest institution of higher learning in the Albany area. These activities keep me pretty busy for my nowadvanced years!”

Ian J. Spence writes, “I retired from urology practice in 2006, then worked part-time for five years with the Georgetown University urology residents and medical students at the Veterans Hospital, Washington D.C. I’m volunteering in a church-sponsored medical clinic for uninsured patients and am enjoying exchanging e-mails with Dick Havill.”

1956 CLASS CORRESPONDENTS

Dr. Alan Greene 241 Perkins St. H401 Boston, Mass. 02130 Martin Stein 1107 Pipestem Place Potomac, Md. 20854 judithkstein@verizon.net Paul Castrucci headed the IC Yield Consortium meeting on Aug. 11, 2011 at Union College. Attendees included semiconductor industry leaders from Sematech, GlobalFoundaries, IBM, Lam Research and other area businesses and organizations. Dr. Richard Propp writes that he “lost his wife of 49 years, is learning to live alone and is studying how to become a grumpy old man. He continues to work for Medicare for All, and his newest project, in memory of his high school, is the Milne Chorus.” George Redington writes, “Equipped with a new right hip I enjoyed a great vacation this summer with Dot, family, and friends at Duck on the Outer Banks. We have two grandchildren in the military, Lindsay (1st LT USAF) and

SAVE THE DATE

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2012

May 17–20, 2012 www.union.edu/reunion Bob Howe ’58 (left) and Dave Horton ’58 at Bob’s wedding anniversary party in Portland. Bob and his wife, Sondra, have been married 50 years.

Tom (2nd LT USMC). Our 60th ReUnion next spring will be a special one (weren’t they all!) and I hope to see everyone again.”

1957

ReUnion ’11 May 17–20

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

James R. Fisher 172 Patriot’s Crook Martinsville, Va. 24112 fisherstwo@gmail.com John I. Van Voris is one of 48 GrayRobinson lawyers named to the Best Lawyers in America 2012 list of outstanding attorneys. John works in the firm’s Tampa, Fla. office.

After being a member of the volunteer ski patrol covering the World Cup freestyle skiing and snowboard competitions at the Cypress Bowl Ski Area in British Columbia, Canada during February 2009, Ed Conaway accepted an offer to participate in the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games as an event services team leader during the Olympic Ice Hockey Tournament at Canada Hockey Place February 12-28, and the Paralympic Sledge Ice Hockey Tournament at the Thunderbird Arena from March 3-20. Ed was joined by his wife,

Jim Anderson writes, “In September, KA on CC—IX took place on Cape Cod. The “Kaps & wives” photo shows (from left to right) Peggy Evans, Clare Kranzmann, Dick Kranzmann ’60, Charlotte Montbach, Tony Evans ’60, Betsey Anderson and Bob Montbach ’63. Garnet Guard hats were worn religiously throughout the five-day ReUnion. Bob Montbach went hatless—he’s too young for GG membership. Also, College President Stephen Ainlay was recently made an honorary member of the Class of 1960.”

Kathy, who served as a host volunteer during the Paralympic Sledge Ice Hockey Tournament. Because of the opportunity to work with a truly exceptional group of professional and dedicated people, Kathy and Ed came away from their experience embracing it as a once-in-alifetime opportunity that will be treasured—along with the lasting friendships they made.

1958 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Richard T. Steinbrenner 9 Hunters Trail Warren, N.J. 07059-7105 r.steinbrenner@att.net

1959 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

William D. “Dal” Trader 5361 Santa Catalina Avenue Garden Grove, Calif. 92845 daltrader@earthlink.net dalt@wbct.us

The Mzuri Wildlife Foundation recently announced that Dr. Arnold W. Goldschlager is the recipient of the 16th Steven E. Nelson Sportsman of the Year Award. It is

awarded to sportsmen who not only have distinguished themselves in the field, but also have dedicated themselves to the cause of conservation and restoration of habitat and wildlife.

1960 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

John H. Nickles 1303 River Road West Coxsackie, N.Y. 12192

volleyball at Union as a freshman when it was a varsity sport, and have been playing competitively ever since. I’d love to hear from others who may have played during that era. My e-mail address is helives4ron@msn.com.” Bill Reaman, John Honey, George Thompson, Stu Cohen, Bill Condon and Howie Carpenter enjoyed the Garnet Guard Luncheon in the Wold Center during Homecoming Weekend. They also enjoyed the first snow of the year on the Union campus and reminiscing about our successful 50th ReUnion in June.

1962

ReUnion ’11 May 17–20

1961

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Ollie R. Bunch 441 Stub Hollow Road New Hartford, Conn. 06057-2513

Bill Condon 1365 Van Antwerp Road, Apt. I-91 Niskayuna, N.Y. 12309 bcond041@nycap.rr.com (518) 382-1096 Ron Welke writes, “I play on a 70 and over men’s volleyball team that won the gold medal at the United States Amateur Volleyball (USAV) National Tournament in Dallas, Texas in May; won the gold medal at the National Senior Games in Houston, Texas in June; and won the silver medal at the Huntsman World Senior Games in St. George, Utah in October. I started playing

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Neal Singer writes, “In belated deference to the judgment of former physics chair Harold Way, who felt I never should have left physics, I’ve written a simple book for high school students on nuclear fusion as a possible energy source. It was published in June by the University of New Mexico Press. The book doesn’t philosophize or riddle the reader with equations; it just describes the amazing capabilities of modern fusionattempting machines— Winter 2012 UNION COLLEGE

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has been accepted by Oxford University Press and will be published in 2012.”

1968 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

John Dresser Etna, N.H. dresserdmd@myfairpoint.net

David (Dewey) Miller ’70, Ed Tessler ’70 and Geoff Wright ’70 enjoy a mini-ReUnion in October.

of Silicon Valley. Volunteering and a multitude of projects and activities keep me busy. Celebrated the marriages of my two oldest daughters during the last two years.”

plasmas to be six-times hotter than the sun, herded by magnets a few degrees above absolute zero, and so on. I thought I might possibly reach one reader but Wonders of Nuclear Fusion: Creating an Ultimate Energy Source, the press tells me, is 1/3 sold out. Also, because I’m such a nice guy (as everyone knows), my karate school just awarded me my third-degree black belt. In relation to kids, we have two married daughters and one unmarried son who each serendipitously spent a week with Jill and me in July. A second son, playing music in L.A., is too busy to do more than call. But we feel good about his hard work and increasing recognition. Hope all are well.”

Larry Baldassaro was invited by the National Italian American Foundation to do a signing for his new book, Beyond DiMaggio: Italian Americans in Baseball (University of Nebraska Press) at their annual gala and convention at the Washington Hilton in October.

1963

1966

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

George Ball 6929 Country Line Road Wayland, N.Y. 14572-9553 gball@frontiernet.net

Antonio F. Vianna 7152 Tanager Drive Carlsbad, Calif. 92011-5033 simpatico1@juno.com

1964

1967

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Anton Warde 36 Two Lights Rd. Cape Elizabeth, Maine 04107 wardea@union.edu

Joseph Smaldino 720 Cameron St. Sycamore, Ill. 60178

Hugh Graham writes, “Happily retired in the heart

Robert Milder writes, “My book on Nathaniel Hawthorne, Hawthorne’s Habitations,

36 | UNION COLLEGE Winter 2012

1965 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Jon Lechevet, Ph.D. 206 Cross Road Edmeston, N.Y. 13335-2610 jnlechevet@verizon.net

ReUnion ’11 May 17–20

Dave Jillson writes, “Two guys riding a chairlift at Smugglers Notch, Vt. They’re strangers, paired up in the lift line. Of course, with helmets and goggles, even best friends are hard to recognize. Talking about skiing (what else?), just shooting the breeze. First guy says he’s from Syracuse and came up for the weekend with a ski club. Says he was at Gore Mountain earlier in the season. Second guy says he used to ski at Gore when he was in college in Schenectady. ‘Did you go to Union College? What class?’ ‘’68.’ ‘I was ’69.’ ‘Really, what’s your name?’ ‘John Ellerton.’ ‘Dave Jillson.’ Long lost fraternity brothers from TDX—life is good.”

1969 CLASS CORRESPONDENTS

There will have been seven race weekends in 2011 at various tracks in Europe. Race # 4 on 11 June was at Le Mans in France on the main race track. We (Ferrari Challenge) were the “opening act” for the 24-hour spectacle [and I do mean spectacle]. For more on Ferrari Challenge visit http:// www.ferrari.com/English/.” Frank Felts writes, “It’s more difficult for Delta Chi’s to meet up now since we no longer have a house at Union. David (Dewey) Miller, Ed Tessler, esq. and judge Geoff Wright met up on the Sunday afternoon of Oct. 16, 2011 in New Jersey for a few hours while Dewey attended his wife’s high school reunion. They had a great time. Dewey is Ed’s Delta Chi Big Brother and still has his pledge paddle in the family room of his lake house. Also, Sandy Williamson and I got together at Union football games this fall to watch his nephews, Justin ’12 and Connor Gallo ’12, play for Union. My wife Barbara will be in London for ten days before Christmas.”

1971 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Ray Pike Salisbury, Mass. rnwpike@comcast.net

Henry Fein, M.D. 1106 Cedrus Way Rockville, Md. 20854 hgfein@aol.com

George Cushing Delanson, N.Y. gcushing@nycap.rr.com

1970 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Frank Donnini 239 Rushlake Ct. Newport News, Va. 23602-6348 fpdonnini@aol.com Howard Blank writes, “I’ve been participating in the European series of the Ferrari Challenge competition and this is my first year racing.

1972

ReUnion ’11 May 17–20

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Frederick A. Levy LCSW 732 Thimble Shoals Blvd. Suite 702 Newport News, Va. 23606-4256 glida1@verizon.net Kate White was featured at Fashionweekdaily.com in a September article titled “The Double Life of Kate White.” The Q&A focused on her career at Cosmo and her success as a mystery novelist.

Carolyn Pisha Ahearn writes, “I recently retired (for the second time) from Hofstra University, where I was serving as interim associate dean for Information Systems and director of Dean Law Library. My first retirement was two years ago, from Wiley Rein law firm in Washington, D.C. Now I am spending much of my time in the Adirondacks at our home in Lake Luzerne, N.Y. My husband, Ray, Class of 1971, is still working in D.C., but plans on joining me in retirement late next year. I look forward to hearing from any classmates in the area or those traveling up or down the Northway.” Ken Wyse and his East Hampton summer home were featured in the June 2011 edition of Traditional Home magazine. To read the article and see pictures, visit www.traditionalhome.com. Camille Price was recently profiled in Georgia’s Augusta Magazine. The story focuses on her work with Augusta Tomorrow. The organization is dedicated to serving the community at large by planning, promoting, and implementing the development of Augusta with particular emphasis on the city center.

1973 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

George C. Schwab 1710 Broadway, Apt. B Schenectady, N.Y. 12306 (518) 372-6507 Robert Bernhardt, who began conducting Lee University’s orchestra last year, is now a School of Music artist in residence. He has been guest conductor of the Louisville Orchestra, the Houston Symphony, Boston Pops and many other groups across the

Members of the “Dutch Masters” lacrosse team played in their 11th consecutive Lake Placid Summit tournament (see William Garofalo ’75)

United States. Robert served as music director and conductor of the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera for 19 seasons and remains music director emeritus. He was the artistic director and principal conductor of the Rochester Philharmonic for three years and of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra for eight years. He made his Carnegie Hall debut in 1978. A.J. Martini, Inc., of which Paul Martini and Peter Martini ’78 are principals, recently reported that Union’s new Peter Irving Wold Center received the Eagle Award for Excellence in Construction from the Massachusetts chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors. It also won the Green Award for sustainability. The company was the general contractor on the Wold Center project.

1974 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Gerald A. Dwyer geraldadwyer@gmail.com Ed Freis writes, “I’m pleased to announce that my collection of Japanese woodblock prints by the artist Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892) will be exhibited at the Sieboldhuis in Leiden, The Netherlands, beginning in December 2011.

The exhibition will travel to Pasadena, Calif. in 2012.” Mark Zullo continues to work as a family physician at the Norton (Mass.) Medical Center. Besides work, he’s keeping busy with the grandkids (he has two, number three due soon), surfing and race-walking.

1975 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Chris Fink 420 Marshall View Ct. Winston Salem, N.C. 27101 cfink@finkworks.com

Gov. Rick Scott recently announced the appointment of Peter M. Feaman to the Fourth District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission. Peter, of Boynton Beach, Fla., is a self-employed attorney. He practiced with Hodgson and Russ from 2005 to 2009. In 2001, he was appointed by then-Gov. Jeb Bush to serve on the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission, and in 1988, then-Gov. Bob Martinez appointed him to the Fourth District Court of Appeal Nominating Commission. William Garofalo writes, “The ‘Dutch Masters’ Union alumni and friends lacrosse teams played their 11th consecutive

Alumni Trustee position open The Trustee Nominating & Awards Committee of the Alumni Council will select up to three candidates to run in an election next spring for the position of Alumni Trustee. The elected individual will serve a four-year term through June 2016. Any alumnus/a under the age of 67 may run as a petition candidate. Petition candidates will automatically appear on the election ballot, if duly certified. Information regarding candidacy requirements is available from Tammy Messercola at messerct@union.edu or the Alumni Office at: Union College 807 Union St. Schenectady, N.Y. 12308 1-888-THE-IDOL, ext. 6157 www.union.edu/alumnicouncil All election material must be received by Feb. 1, 2012.

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Keith Edwards ’79 with his son, Brandon

Larry Mariasis and his wife, Dori, both Class of 1980, with sons Jason and Eric.

year in the Lake Placid 2011 Summit Lacrosse tournament. This year, we went 3-1 in the Super Grand Master Division (+52 years old) and 2-2 in the Grandmasters (+45) Division. All-time leading scorer Bill Larzelere ’70, Bruce Davis ’76, Tom Talbert ’80, Mark Sackerson ’80 and I were all out there. Dave Hochshartner ’74 promises to be out there next year. Lots of lacrosse action, sun, and beer—it doesn’t get any better. Any +45 alumni who can still play, give us a yell at williegarofalo@yahoo.com.”

The Agilent Technologies Foundation recently announced that Steven Carr, who directs the Proteomics Platform at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, has been selected for a $1.2 million Agilent Thought Leader Award supporting his work developing new technology for analyzing proteins and peptides. His goal is to produce better techniques for diagnosing illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Steven also recently won the 2011 HUPO Discovery Award in Proteomics Science. It was presented to him in early September at the 10th HUPO World Congress in Geneva, Switzerland.

Rutgers University Business School recently honored Jerome D. Williams on the occasion of his investiture as the first professor to hold the Prudential Chair in Business. Jerome, who joined the Rutgers Business School faculty in 2010, is a professor of Management and Global Business. He is also the research director of The Center for Urban Entrepreneurship and Economic Development.

1976 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Leslie Steinecker-McHugh 17 Virginia Place Patchogue, N.Y. 11772 lesmch2@aol.com 38 | UNION COLLEGE Winter 2012

Mark Walsh was featured in The Business Review on Oct. 28, 2011. The article focused on his new position as chairman of Union’s Board of Trustees, and his plans while serving in this capacity. To read the story, visit http://www.bizjournals.com/ albany/ and search for “Mark Walsh.”

1977

ReUnion ’11 May 17–20

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Tony Romanazzi 73 Bay St. Glens Falls, N.Y. 12801 romanquatro@gmail.com Mary Giknis writes, “Joe Frank ’75 and I have been married for 31 years. We have three children; Amanda, 24, is a behaviorist and lives in Los Angeles, where she works with autistic children; Will, 20, is a junior at Drexel University majoring in photography; and Max, 18, will be a freshman at the University of New Hampshire. I work as a toxicology consultant and Joe works for JPMorgan Chase. We divide our time between Summit, N.J. and Kennebunkport, Maine.”

1978 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Jeff Laniewski Jlaniew1@maine.rr.com Barbara Desautels writes, “I have finally transitioned from IT to academia. For the past two years, I have worked full-time at Hesser College in Manchester, N.H. Additionally, I teach as an adjunct for Colorado Technical University. When I am not teaching I am relaxing at my cottage on

Alan Rutkin ’80 and his daughter, Aviva Rutkin ’12, visited St. Petersburg, Russia in August.

Pleasant Lake in Northwood, N.H. We were married in Northwood over 30 years ago and coming back to Northwood 10 years ago seemed like returning to heaven. I continue to be connected with Union. I occasionally interview prospective students and I represent Union at some of the local college fairs. Union provided me with a great start in my career and I am always happy to repay that debt. I am the proud grandmother of three beautiful children who reside in N.H. I have been fortunate to winter in Florida two out of the last three winters. I can be reached at bdesautels@hesser.edu.” Dennis Curtin has been named a partner of Albanybased Whiteman Osterman and Hanna, and will provide the firm a full-time presence in Plattsburgh, N.Y. Victoria Rockwell recently became president of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. She serves as director of Investment Development at Air Liquide, a leading developer of gases for the industrial, health and environmental sectors. An active member of ASME for 31 years, she is a strong advocate of engineering education and has helped

to leverage the Society’s impact and influence in the engineering marketplace.

1979 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Christine Cameron cameronc@guilderlandschools.org Keith Edwards is president of Biocoat, Inc., a manufacturer of medical coatings for interventional devices. His 13-year-old son, Brandon, enjoys trips to Lake Luzerne and the family cabin. His family lives outside Philadelphia.

1980 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Richard Budd Stefan Zavodnika 25 971 01 Prievidza, Slovak Republic buddwick@hotmail.com

Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz PC recently announceed that Linda A. Klein is among the recipients of the inaugural “Fastcase 50” award. The award recognizes 50 individuals across the country who are visionaries, leaders, advocates and innovators in technology, the legal community and beyond. Linda is managing shareholder for Baker Donelson’s Georgia offices and a member of the firm’s board of directors. She is serving as chair of the American Bar Association’s House of Delegates, the policy-making body of the association. Larry Mariasis writes, “Much has changed in the past few years as our sons have grown up—and as my wife, Dori, and I have moved into our 50s. Our oldest son, Jason, is a senior at Hamilton College and our younger son, Eric, is a sophomore at Tufts. So we are now empty-nesters.

Combine that with my retirement from Bank of America in 2008 and we now have complete flexibility. That allows us to spend our time giving back through volunteer work. Both Dori and I are involved with several organizations that help kids and seniors. We hold several board and committee positions in support of these non-profit organizations. I also teach a few enrichment classes for high school seniors and adult ed. to help out with understanding money, and learning how to save and invest. In the last few years we have spent the winters in Florida. And a few times a year we love to travel to different parts of the world. And it all started at Union! I remember like it was yesterday—seeing out of my window at South College this beautiful girl walking through the courtyard. I married that girl, and we had two terrific sons. In May we will be celebrating our 29th wedding anniversary. Thank you Union for bringing us together and having such an incredible impact on our lives! My best to all our classmates.” Peter Raymond has been named the Capital Projects & Infrastructure practice leader for PwC US. Peter, a PwC principal based in the McLean, Va. office, will help lead the firm’s strategic efforts in assisting clients to design, deliver, finance and manage large-scale infrastructure projects.

1981 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Alan Saler 17040 Magnolia Boulevard Encino, Calif. 91316 alan@alansaler.com

Charles D. Katz is now a partner in the Chicago office of the law firm of Michael Best & Friedrich LLP. He will join the firm’s banking and financial services industry group and the transactional practice group, focusing his practice in public finance with a particular emphasis on tax law applicable to taxexempt financings. Previously, he was counsel at Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP.

1982

ReUnion ’11 May 17–20

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Thomas Reynolds 3440 Powells Crossing Ct. Woodbridge, Va. 22193

Dr. Michael Rothberg writes, “My son is a sophomore at Union—hard to believe. My career has come full circle as I recently returned to academic medicine, my passion. In June I again became assistant professor of medicine at Seton Hall residency program, teaching residents and med students. Hard to believe from my crazy days at Union I’m in this position, but I’m very grateful for life’s second chances. Looking forward to full-time academics once my four children graduate college in eight years! P. S. Roy Jackson saw appointment to board of trustees. I know you will do a good job, congrats.” Rob Mains and Lori Branagh ’83 continue to enjoy living in Morgan Hill, Calif. Rob is a senior director of engineering with Oracle Corporation, and Lori is director of the American Mathematics Institute math outreach program to area schools. Worth Gretter writes, “I retired on July 1 this year, after 29 years as an electrical engineer at Knolls Atomic Power Lab and 10 years as a respiratory therapist before that. We also

SAVE THE DATE

ReUnion

2012

May 17–20, 2012 www.union.edu/reunion

moved recently, from a three-story historic house in downtown Albany, to a ranch in the suburbs, a change that was necessitated by Carol’s bad knees. I have a long list of projects at the new house to keep me busy in retirement, and two of my three kids live across the country, so some trips to see them are in order. I would also like to get back to the island of Crete, where I spent a couple of years in my 20s.” Doug Povich writes, “I’m loving life in my native DC area and I’m still a partner practicing communications and technology law at the global law firm of Squire Sanders & Dempsey. My wife, Robyn, is a certified life coach; my son Alex is a high school senior busy preparing college applications; and Robyn’s son Angelo is the lead guitarist and songwriter for the original rock band Cerca Trova. Perhaps most surprisingly, we’re also food truck entrepreneurs! We co-own Red Hook Lobster Pound-DC, the #1 food truck in the metro area, which serves fresh Maine lobster rolls, shrimp rolls and whoopie pies to hungry DC lunch crowds. Track down the famous ‘Lobster Truck’ on Twitter @LobsterTruckDC next time you’re in town!”

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Emily Monosson ’83 writes, “The Rodents celebrate their Big 5-0 in Lake Tahoe after they traversed the countryside by paddle, foot and peddle, and rocked the hot tub to Skellar tunes.” Pictured: Bernadette Albanese, Katie Schatzle Clausius, Emily Monosson, Mary Beth Foisy, Judy Sonnenblick D’Esposito and Carla Cogan. “We missed Anne Palumbo Baltrusaitis, Lori Branagh Mains, Liz Edwards Oswald and Susan Bloomberg Wollner.”

Dr. Lisa Y. Livshin is teaching this semester at Lesley University in Cambridge, Mass. This fall, she will be teaching “Community Crisis Intervention and Crisis Response Planning” to masters students in the department of Counseling Psychology. Lisa is also an active member of the Massachusetts Disaster Response Network and is on faculty at Tufts University School of Medicine.

Last year, as vice president of Business Development and Alliances at 3PAR, Steve Crimi helped lead 3PAR’s successful acquisition by HP. Over the past year, Steve has led the integration of 3PAR into HP. He now manages business development and alliances for the HP Storage business unit. Steven D. Kronick M.D. practices adult and geriatric psychiatry in the Albany and Schenectady region. He recently completed the re-certification examination for added qualifications in geriatric psychiatry.

40 | UNION COLLEGE Winter 2012

1983 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Cory Lewkowicz 74 Taylor St. Needham, Mass. 02494 lewkowicz@aol.com Cory Lewkowicz writes, “Many of us are hitting that big—gasp!—birthday milestone this year, and are at various stages in our careers, childrearing, and even retirement (and, sadly, some passings). Facebook has its benefits and drawbacks, but one aspect I’ve really enjoyed is the chance to reconnect with old friends I haven’t seen in a long time, and even to become acquainted with alums I didn’t know all that well at Union. It’s also really interesting to see that we came from many different places, and our lives often went in different directions, but in general are converging in similar areas. And many of us have been fortunate enough to maintain contact with other alums, both in our class and others. I’m writing this while on vacation in Vermont with a few Class of ’83 alums, including my husband Doug MacFadden,

Peter Frank, and Corinna van der Veen. We also observe New Year’s Union alums, and I see yet others around town. My 15 year-old-son, Nate, has even met up with John Reilly to discuss physics and mechanical engineering (Reilly is as patient as ever). I interview for Union, and am happy to see some of my daughter Sarah’s friends joining the Class of 2015. On a related note, Emily Monosson and I were chatting via email about the need for greater information about classmates. She sent a great photo of the Rodents, included in this issue. Now, your assignment is to email me at lewkowicz@ aol.com with some of your favorite memories or events at Union. Or, just let us know what you’re up to now. We also have a Union College Class of 1983 page on Facebook! So you can contact me through that as well.”

1984

board member of the Slate Valley Museum in Granville, N.Y., the Middletown Historical Society, Middlebury’s Sheldon Museum, and the Fly Fishing Museum in Manchester. Jon is also a published poet, has been a member of a performance poetry ensemble, has served three terms as president of the Poultney Rotary Club, and is a beekeeper too. Joyce Teitelbaum was recently promoted to vice president of Human Resources at First Marblehead Corporation.

1986 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Phil Bean pbean@haverford.edu Bruce Goldsmith was recently featured in the Hartford Courant. The Q&A focused on Baronet Coffee, the business his family has operated for three generations.

Jon Mathewson PO Box 1262 Middletown Springs, Vt. 05757-1262

Kelly Williams was recently named one of the 25 Most Powerful Women in Finance by American Banker. As head of the Customized Fund Investment Group at Credit Suisse, Kelly manages one of the top private equity fund-of-funds businesses in the world, with $27 billion in client commitments and investments in more than 800 private equity and real estate funds. Kelly practiced law before co-founding CFIG in 1999. She is on the advisory board of private equity funds including TPG Partners, TH Lee Partners and Blue Point Equity Partners.

Jon Mathewson recently became curator of the Dorset Historical Society’s Bley House Museum. He has notable museum experience, having worked at or been a

Dr. Rachel Mandel has been practicing in Frederick, Md. for the past 15 years. She is married, with one son, who is attending Drexel University as a biomedical engineering

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Kathleen Kozera Rowe 33 Fairway Ave. Delmar, N.Y. 12054-3332 Carolyn (Bigda) Dulchinos lives in Boulder, Colo. She works for Netroots Nation, volunteers at the Boulder Valley Humane Society, drives her two kids various places, and plans to do a lot of skiing this winter.

1985 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

student. Last year, she received a Toastmaster’s award for Communication and Leadership for her work in developing and executing a women’s medical center. She is enrolled in a local university, working toward a masters in health administration.

1987

ReUnion ’11 May 17–20

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Paul Malatesta 148 Washington Avenue Chatham, N.J. 07928 paul.malatesta@gmail.com Dawn A. Tamarkin writes, “I have been teaching biology at Springfield Technical Community College in Massachusetts for 17 years and still love it. While teaching, I became interested in improving science learning for all students and received two National Science Foundation grants to pursue science and math education research. With the results of my research projects, I have started a company called Cell Zone (cellzone.org) to provide classroom teaching materials to biology teachers; my products are all designed to create a more inclusive classroom regardless of student abilities/disabilities or learning styles. In addition, I am engaged and my fiancé and I are planning for a June 2012 wedding.” James Rogers is a patent attorney and has joined the United States Patent Office as a patent examiner. Kate McCormack writes, “So much has happened since Union. I’ve gone from a high-profile public relations and legal career working for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to being a mom, to being a workingmom. In fact, I was so inspired

by many of my English professors at Union, I have re-careered as a teacher and I love it. My son Henri (an avid hockey player) and I have also had the pleasure of being back in the Schenectady area for some of his hockey games over the past few years. It brings back lots of great memories. Even Messa Rink still looks the same and still feels like home. Since we live in New Hampshire, my son and I had the distinct pleasure of going to a recent ‘away’ game for Union against UNH. We proudly wore our Union shirts and sat right behind the Union bench. Union played great against UNH, which definitely had ‘homey’ refs for sure! Union had a beautiful come-back goal to tie things up pushing things into an exciting but brief back-and-forth overtime. Unfortunately, UNH won. Alas, true to form, the Union boys played it tough, and more importantly, classy. We’ll get ‘em next time Union!” Kerrie Droban (nee Ticknor) is a lawyer and an awardwinning author of three true crime books. Running with the Devil and Prodigal Father Pagan Son both won the USA Book News National Award 2008 and 2011 for best true crime, and best memoir, A Socialite Scorned: The Murder of a Tucson High Roller. Running with the Devil has recently been optioned for film. She lives in Phoenix, Ariz. with her husband and two boys.

1988 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Dana Rosen Isbitts 480 Alexandra Circle Weston, Fla. 33326 danaisbitts@myacc.net (954) 385-9827

SAVE THE DATE

ReUnion

2012

May 17–20, 2012 www.union.edu/reunion Kerrie Droban ’87

David Provost recently became head of school at Glen Urquhart School. Previously, he was head of school for the Nantucket New School. David is also a professional musician.

1989 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Stephanie Spencer Wiggs 72 Shelterwood Drive Danville, Calif. 94506 swfcorg@aol.com

Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington, Vt. and MosesLudington Hospital recently named William “Chip” Holmes president and chief executive officer of Moses-Ludington. He also joined the vice president team within Fletcher Allen Health Care. Previously, he was regional vice president at Quorum Health Resources based in Brentwood, Tenn., a hospital management company focused on not-for-profit hospital management services. He served as chief executive officer at Littleton Regional Hospital from 2001 to 2006, was chief operating officer at Abilene Regional Medical Center in Abilene, Texas, and has more than 20 years of experience in hospital administration.

1990 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Mary Jo Burke 532 Whitcover Circle Charlottesville, Va. 22901 mjcburke@earthlink.net

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute recently hired Timothy E. Sams from New York University’s Abu Dhabi campus as the institute’s new vice president for student life. At NYU, he developed and implemented programs in judicial affairs, student services, spiritual life, dining services, first-year orientation, intercultural affairs, residential life and education, advising and counseling, on-call responses, 360-degree student monitoring, conflict resolution and crisis and emergency response management protocols.

1991 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Karen Valyou Zador 313 Stonehurst Parkway St. Augustine, Fla. 32092 karenzador@gmail.com Vinny Dotoli was featured on Forbes.com in August. The Q&A focused on the Harlem Academy, an independent school for children whose aptitude for success in higher education might otherwise go unrealized. Winter 2012 UNION COLLEGE

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energy and other environmental monitoring, has named J.R. VanOrder its director of Air and Compliance Services. J.R. has more than 18 years of experience in the field. Prior to joining Locus, he held positions with URS Corporation, Environmental Resources Management and Eviance, Inc. Aime Kearney ’92 and her family in Ghana

Vinny is head and founder of the Manhattan school.

1992

ReUnion ’11 May 17–20

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Stephanie Fray Apartment 7 D 10 West End Avenue New York, N.Y. 10023-7828 sfray1@gmail.com

Fredrick and Antoinette (Aime) Kearney are serving as Baptist missionary church planters in Ghana, West Africa. Antoinette writes, “We planted Lighthouse Baptist Church, our first church, in the harbor city of Tema in 2011. We also have a literacy program, an orchestra, and medical outreach. I’m a proud mother of children ages 15, 12, 10, 7. They are Fredrick, Stephen, Michael and Mary-Elisabeth, respectively. We are a homeschooling family of 13 years. We can be reached at fakearney@yahoo. com. You are invited to take a missions trip to Ghana and help us by extending medical services, teaching reading, music and arts, and constructing projects.” Dalton Menhall is still living in Grafton, Mass. with his wife Kristen and sons, Tripp (6) and Cam (3). He is working at IBM and was recently 42 | UNION COLLEGE Winter 2012

Stephen Kennen ’92 with wife, Deb, and children James and Wynne

promoted to a sales management position running the information management software brand for major accounts in New England. He sees many Union grads in the Mass. and Conn. areas and is looking forward to ReUnion this year. E-mail him at dmenhall@us.ibm.com. Stephen Kennen writes, “We crossed the magical three-year mark with our business and continue to prosper. I’m so grateful for our good fortune in these difficult times. My son, James, started at Anami Montessori preschool in Charlotte this year. He is thriving, learning and making friends. Wynne just turned one and is a sweet, precocious girl. Deb and I continue to play as much tennis as possible. The tennis community in Charlotte is rich and we enjoy it greatly.”

1993 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Jill Bernstein 170 E. 83rd St., #3K New York, N.Y. 10028 jilldbernstein@yahoo.com

Locus Technologies, the industry leader in Cloud computing-based compliance and information management software for air, water,

1994 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Kristi Campbell & Kurt Venator 7322 Cornell Avenue St. Louis, Mo. 63130 kvenator@purina.com Kristi cell (314) 304-2323 Kurt cell (314) 982-2671 Kerry Evers, senior vice president of research and development at Pro-Change, has been named one of Rhode Island’s top business people in the annual “40 Under Forty” feature in Providence Business News. At Pro-Change, she has led and played an integral part in research and product development for behaviors ranging from stress management and bullying prevention; the use of the Internet in affecting health behavior change, proactive health consumerism, and well-being; to text messaging for smoking cessation and programs for veterans with mild to moderate PTSD.

1995 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Caroline Paine Pannhorst 32 Nottingham Way North Clifton Park, N.Y. 12065 cpannhorst@msn.com Terry Gilbert is a division chair for the Industrial, Construction, and Engineering Technologies program at Guilford Technical Community College. He reports that past experience

as a Navy nuclear submarine mechanical operator and his master’s degree in mechanical engineering from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University provide a great foundation for the job. Terry has also been a part-time instructor, adjunct associate professor and a lab manager at NC A&T. He has been an adjunct instructor in algebra at GTCC and a lecturer and undergraduate laboratory director for the mechanical and aerospace engineering department at N.C. State University. Elissa D. Hecker was named a 2011 New York Super Lawyers Rising Star, and recently received the inaugural Excellence in Service Award from the Copyright Society of the U.S.A. Elissa was also appointed to serve on the Advisory Committee of Dance/NYC. To learn more about Elissa’s work, visit www.eheckeresq.com.

1996 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Betsy Phelps Seplowitz 104 Tompion Way Ballston Spa, N.Y. 12020 phelpsb16@yahoo.com Sharon (Schneider) Krieger reports she has returned to the healthcare industry and now works for HCR Home Care as a clinical recruiter in HR. HCR is expanding into many counties in NYS, so for any alumni who are RNs or know of any, check out opportunities in Schoharie, Delaware, Madison, Cortland, Clinton & several other counties at www.hcrhealth. com. It is a nationally recognized home care agency using state-of-the-art technology to improve patient outcomes. Sharon lives in Rochester, N.Y. with

husband Jarrod and daughters Edie (6) and Pearl (4). She can be reached at skrieger@ hcrhealth.com.”

1997

SAVE THE DATE

ReUnion

ReUnion ’11 May 17–20

2012

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

May 17–20, 2012

Sara Amann Garrand 367 Schauber Road Ballston Lake, N.Y. 12019 sgarrand1@nycap.rr.com

www.union.edu/reunion

Dennis Ruggeri writes, “I am happy to announce my company (Elicere, Inc.) was just awarded No. 707 on the Inc 500/5000 list of the fastest growing small businesses in the country!” Laurel Ruma has been promoted to director of talent at O’Reilly Media. This role focuses on author and speaker relations as the publisher leads the evolution of the publishing and content industry. She has been with the heralded technical book publisher and conference organizer for six years and held a variety of positions. Laurel is based in Medford, Mass. and works out of O’Reilly’s Cambridge offices.

1998 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Ryan T. Smith, MBA ’00 284 Sussex Circle Jupiter, Fla. 33458 rsmith@thebenjaminschool.org Deborah Loffredo, a careerdevelopment professional who has worked for such organizations as Accenture, the Pepsi Bottling Group, and New York University’s Stern School of Business, has joined Skidmore College as director of career services. Managing a staff of five, the Niskayuna native is responsible for overseeing the development and delivery of programs and services that help students and alumni to set career and graduate-

Emily ’00 and Ryan Cohen ’99 with son Cayden in Maui

Nearby the home of David Ward ’02 in the Cayman Islands

school goals and access opportunities.

and he and his wife are expecting their first child.

1999

2000

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Kellie Forrestall 360 First St. Lowell, Mass. 01850 forrestkj@hotmail.com

Erika Newell 546 Pacific St. #2 Brooklyn, N.Y. 11217 erika_newell@hotmail.com

Ingalls & Snyder, a leading independent investment management firm based in New York City, named J. Richard Popp as their new general counsel. He joins the firm after serving as general counsel and chief compliance officer of Schultze Asset Management, LLC, a SEC registered investment advisory, managing various hedge funds and separate accounts.

Emily (Glidden) Cohen writes, “Greetings from Hawaii! Ryan ’99 and I have been on vacation with our 18-monthold, Cayden, in Maui for the past two weeks while snow has fallen (unseasonably early) back home in New Jersey. We have been married for 5 years. Back to work in November, Ryan manages the NYC regional office of an architectural design firm, Neoscape Inc., and holds the title of principal. I am a product specialist for MicroEdge LLP, a software company that provides solutions to grant-making organizations based in the U.S. and Canada. We were thrilled to introduce Cayden to Union College last Spring when we visited my cousin Amy Glidden (Class of 2012) and Ryan participated in a soccer game on College Field.”

The law office of Cyrus K. Toufanian, P.A. is pleased to announce that Cyrus K. Toufanian is now board certified in criminal trial law. Cyrus has also been elected secretary for the Palm Beach Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. For further information, please visit www.cktlaw.com. Eric Pomerantz started his business, Creative Unlimited (www.creativeunlimted.tv), which provides videography and photography for special events, in 2004. He also got married in November 2010

2001 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Erin (Aloan) Grogan 126 Adams Street Keene, N.H. 03431 erinlgrogan@gmail.com Victoria (Dreier) Smith writes, “I recently switched jobs and am the new alumni relations coordinator for Sea Education Association in Woods Hole, Mass. My husband, Chad, and I made the decision to relocate to the Cape and are living on a houseboat in Woods Hole. We are definitely enjoying life on the water!” Elizabeth Perry of Syracuse, N.Y., an attorney with the estate and financial planning team at Bond, Schoeneck & King, was recently named to a two-year term on the board of directors of the Central New York chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.

2002

ReUnion ’11 May 17–20

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Gina L. Campanella campanella.gina@gmail.com David Ward writes, “My new wife and I have relocated to the Cayman Islands in the Caribbean to live the dream. She will be teaching at a local school, while I continue to run my web design business and look for new opportunities Winter 2012 UNION COLLEGE

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SAVE THE DATE

ReUnion

2012

May 17–20, 2012 www.union.edu/reunion Kerry Tarolli ’02

on the island. We’re already in love, living only 200 yards from the ocean (off 7-Mile Beach).” Arthur J. DeGraw has joined the faculty at Francis Marion University as an assistant professor of mathematics. He earned his Ph.D. and M.A. in mathematics from University at Albany (SUNY).

King + King Architects recently named Kerry Tarolli, LEED AP as an associate in the firm. Kerry is a team leader in the K-12 Studio and she has been with the firm for five years, coordinating and leading projects in educational facilities planning. She is a girls soccer coach and lives in Solvay, N.Y. with her husband, Steve, and dog, Barkley. Thatcher Woodley writes, “We not only are still dating, we actually wed. Michelle Smart works for the Rubin Museum in Manhattan and I instruct our nation’s youth at Poly Prep in Brooklyn. We both miss Union and think of our time there often.”

2003 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Katrina (Tentor) Lallier 19 Park St., Apt. 3 Charlestown, Mass. 02129 tentork@yahoo.com

44 | UNION COLLEGE Winter 2012

2004 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Jeremy B. Dibbell (518) 810-2246 jbdibbell@gmail.com Kevin James Crowley of Saratoga Springs, N.Y. recently graduated from the Upstate Medical College Residence Program. In July, he began work as a physician in St. Peter’s emergency room in Albany.

2005 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Andrea Doenges andrea.doenges@gmail.com Laura M. Palkovich writes, “I manage Frank Adams Jewelers in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., and we sponsored a hole at the Garnet Blades Golf Outing this past summer. Pictured above are Scott Wheeler ’06, A.J. Palkovich ’06 (my husband), and Joel Beal. All were members of the Union hockey team. Joel and A.J. live in the area, Joel works for PlugPower and A.J. for The Ayco Company. Scott lives in Boston, Mass. and works for Ameriprise. Both Scott and A.J. are board members for the Garnet Blades. Joel is the new volunteer assistant coach for the Union hockey team.”

Scott Wheeler ’06, A.J. Palkovich ’06 and Joel Beal ’05 at the Garnet Blades Golf Outing this past summer

Matthew Mayerhofer ’06 with fiancée Dena Raff

MaineToday Media recently named Adrienne Dodge director of marketing and new business development. Adrienne joined the company in October 2010 as marketing manager; she formerly worked for Mercy Health System.

on 9/5/10 in Venice, Italy. Wedding date set for 6/23/12.”

Laura Ashley Martin has joined Goldberg Segalla LLP as an associate in the law firm’s White Plains, N.Y. office. Prior to joining Goldberg Segalla, she served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Mitchell S. Goldberg in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas. Joseph Alan Clarke and Dianna Allison DiBenedetto recently became engaged. Dianna is a first grade teacher with the Hastingson-Hudson School District. Joseph is employed with the Wells Fargo Bank in North White Plains. A 2013 summer wedding is planned.

2006 Matthew J. Mayerhofer writes, “I recently became engaged to Dena Raff (Trinity College)

Jenn Bernstein spent her last weekend in August 2011 covering Hurricane Irene for Fox CT. She was stationed in Fairfield when the storm hit the shoreline, and covered damaging river flooding in Western New Haven County later in the day. Jenn’s been reporting in her home state since May 2010, after working in the Buffalo and Albany television markets. Brian Scordato writes, “Since graduating in May from UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School, where I studied entrepreneurship and venture capital, I have been working on starting my own company, 3Degrees. Ninety percent of relationships start through an introduction by a mutual friend. 3Degrees is a website (www.3DegreesNation.com) that allows you to search and browse through your friends’ friends on Facebook, creating a trusted atmosphere where you can find friendship, activities or romance. It’s an exciting time for me, and I wouldn’t be able to do this without the foundation I gained at Union. Professors like Eshragh Motahar and Hal Fried were incredibly

Jenn Bernstein ’06 provided live television coverage for Fox CT when Hurricane Irene hit Connecticut in August.

instrumental in fostering my entrepreneurial spirit through economics. And basketball coach Bob Montana pushed me and created a self-discipline that is imperative now, as I am alone starting my own business and need to self-motivate.”

2007

ReUnion ’11 May 17–20

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Nick Salvatoriello njs@garnetriver.com Nicholas Salvatoriello recently accepted a position at Hubspot Inc. in Cambridge, Mass. as an inbound marketing consultant. Nancy Borowick’s “Dessert First” was recently showcased online in Time magazine. “Dessert First” chronicles the Borowick family experience as they support Laurel Borowick, Nancy’s mother, who recently underwent treatment for breast cancer. Visit http://lightbox.time. com/2011/10/24/ to see photos, video and read their story.

Jenna Monaster ’08 (red hat) and Dana Cohen ’08 ran the NYC marathon in November. Afterward, to celebrate their accomplishment, the duo and friends Allison Lacoff ’08, Ilya Aspis ’08, Scott Morlando ’08 and Erik Marx ’08 went to a local bar to watch the New York Giants play the New England Patriots.

2008 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Dana Cohen 480 Second Avenue, Apt. 25D New York, NY 10016 dana.lynn.cohen@gmail.com Dylan Breslin-Barnhart was promoted to vice president of communications for Validas, a software company in the wireless industry.

2009 CLASS CORRESPONDENTS

Gabe Kramer 123 North Arden Blvd. Los Angeles, Cali. 90004 kramerg3@gmail.com Carl Winkler 2232 S. Gayoso St. New Orleans, La. 70125 carl.s.winkler@gmail.com Beth Solomon writes, “I was recently selected to represent Salem State University as a NASPA graduate associate. I am in the second year of my graduate program at Salem State University, and am studying higher education in student affairs.”

Guss Firestein (fourth from left) and his father, David Firestein (fifth from left), attend the recent opening of the Denny’s restaurant at 60 Nott Terrace in Schenectady, N.Y. A Friendly’s was formerly located here. Guss created a survey administered via the Internet to Union students and was involved with finding possible tenants for the property, which is owned by David and Rob Raphael ’90 (not pictured). Rob is a principal with Gilman Management.

Brace Thompson was the first winner of Park Hill Orchard’s biennial “Art in the Orchard” sculpture competition. His sculpture of a tiger is aptly named “Power.” He created the piece in professor of visual arts Chris Duncan’s kinetic and stationary sculpture class (Sculpture III) at Union. It was voted fan favorite by over 5,000 visitors and will now have a permanent home at the orchard in Easthampton, Mass.

2010 Colin Berry was recently featured in an Albany Times Union blog about his appearance in a Nike and Dick’s Sporting Goods commercial with St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson. Colin, who lives in Dallas, Texas, works for the company that owns TGI Friday’s restaurants. Visit http://blog.timesunion. com/ and search for “Colin Berry” to view the commercial.

2011

Join Union’s Online Community You can do all this and more through the free, passwordprotected Online Community. • Search for classmates • Job/career networking • Read/post class notes • Register for events • Promote your business • Use library services/ research resources • Visit class and club pages To join or login, visit www.union.edu/alumni

Winter 2012 UNION COLLEGE

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unions

The wedding of Michael Zanotta ’09 and Stephanie Berlind ’09.

1998

1999

2000

Alex Beckers writes, “On July 4, 2011, I married Gina Radogna at Castle Green in Pasadena, Calif. Shelby Grant and Richard Fein were two of my groomsmen, and other alumni attending were Dan Brennan, Han Su Kim, and my father, Charlie Beckers ’66. Gina and I live in Los Angeles. She is on the attorney management team at Imhoff & Associates, and I’m a producer at Magic Pixel Games; our first title, Carnival Island for the Sony PlayStation Move, was released on November 15.”

Jennifer Terzian and Greg Goldstein are happy to announce their marriage on Oct. 29, 2011 at the Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo, Fla. They reside in Coral Gables, Fla. Other Union alumni in attendance included Jennifer (Graziosa) Ceccarini and Joelle (Tisch) Perlmutter.

Sam Salamone was married to Leslie Kubica (Ithaca College) on July 31, 2009. Alumni at the wedding were: Deric Harrington ’01, Amy (Silbovitz) Bradshaw, Adam Bradshaw, Renee (Schaeffer) Salamone, Joseph Salamone ’03, David Bokor, Julie (Cardettino) Neuegebauer ’01, John Neugebauer, Olivia Leong ’01 and Austin Gehret.

46 | UNION COLLEGE Winter 2012

Emily (Gewehr) Monagle and Mike Monagle are happy to announce their marriage on Aug. 14, 2010. They reside in Medford, Mass.

2003 Elisabeth (Grace) Waugh and Nick Waugh are happy to announce their marriage on Aug. 6, 2011 in Beaver Creek, Colo. They reside in Denver. Jacqueline Jordan ’02, Meghan Michels Sherwood,

Kathryn Leighton Bucchere, Elizabeth LeLaurin Wharton, Emily Simons, Katherine Rosenberg and James Wharton were in attendance.

2004 Trey Murphy and Laura Maslaoskas were married on Sunday, Aug. 28, 2011 in Memorial Chapel by the Rev. Dr. Viki Brooks, director of Religious and Spiritual Life and Protestant minister at Union. The ceremony and reception, at Glen Sanders, were enjoyed by all despite heavy winds and rain brought on by Hurricane Irene. Alumni in attendance included Justin Maleszweski ’03, Sarah (Gimbel) Gerlip, George Freund ’03, Marti (Schulman) Freund, Leigh

From left, Han Su Kim ’98, Shelby Grant ’98, Dan Brennan ’98, Gina (Radogna) Beckers, Alex Beckers ’98, Charlie Beckers ’66 and Richard Fein ’98 at the wedding of Alex and Gina

The wedding of Sam Salamone ’00 and Leslie Kubica

Trey Murphy ’04 and Laura Maslaoskas ’04 were married at Union during Hurricane Irene.

Alumni and Union professors attend the wedding of Joe Martel ’08 and Rosie Foley ’09 in July.

(Notestein) Avsec, Amanda (Martin) Maleszweski, Kinzey Fritz, Kara Cotich, Philip Beuth ’54, Kit Cunningham, Annie Berkowitz, Cassie (Evans) Decker, Laura (Maslauskas) Murphy, Michelle Lividini, Edward (Trey) Murphy, Shanna Theriault, Crystal (Bottieri) August, Lindsey Gish, Stephanie (Rubino) Grant ’05, Will MacMillan, Ryan Grant, Andrew Wilkie and Will Hehir.

2005 Catherine T. Howlett and Jed H. Gilfoy were married Aug. 28, 2010. Pastor Todd Vetter officiated the ceremony at Waquoit Congregational Church in Falmouth, Mass. The reception was held at Nauticus Marina in Barnstable.

Catherine teaches second grade at Derby Academy in Hingham. Jed is president of the family business, Gilfoy Distributing. They honeymooned in Bermuda and live on Beacon Hill. Rebecca Riggs and Uriel Rodriguez are happy to announce their marriage on Sept. 16, 2011 in Stevensville, Md.

2006 Kaelyn Sumigray and Mark Sumigray were married June 11, 2011 at the Albany Country Club, Voorheesville, N.Y. They reside in Durham, N.C., where Kaelyn is finishing her Ph.D. in cell biology at Duke University. They honeymooned in Asheville, N.C.

Elisabeth (Grace) Waugh ’03 and Nick Waugh

2008

2009

High school sweethearts Joe Martel and Rosie Foley ’09 were married in their hometown of Farmington, Conn. on July 8, 2011. Fellow Union grads Josh DeBartolo, Evan Gouzie ’06, Kerry Hanson ’10, Lizzy LaBonte ’10, Katie Leary ’11, Alec Rosen ’10, Elizabeth Ruddle Gabrielson, James Schwabach ’09, Carol Shotzbarger, and Katie Smidt ’10, and Professors Ann Anderson and Brad Bruno, shared in the celebrations. The couple continues to live in Boston, where they both work and attend graduate school.

Michael Zanotta and Stephanie Berlind (MAT ’10) were married Sept. 3, 2010 at Flag Hill Winery in Lee, N.H. Alumni in attendance were Brian Berlind ’79, David Zanotta ’87 (MBA ’93), Bert Capuano, Bill Chronister (MBA ’09), John Costello ’08 (MAT ’09), Christina Dempsey, Jen Long, Josie McDermott (MAT ’10), and Lauren Obst (MAT ’10).

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1998

Myles Kellam ’97 with daughter Kaya

Anna Grace Bender (Bender ’00)

Thomas (Toby) Proctor and Darcy Proctor announce the birth of their second child, a baby boy, John (Jack) Legaré. He was born on July 15, 2011 at 10:03 a.m. at Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, Mass., and weighed 9 lbs., 13.5 oz. The family is doing fine. John Cloutier and Stacey Cloutier announce the birth of a baby girl, Jessica Marie. She was born on Oct. 15, 2011 and weighed 7 lbs., 12 oz. Jessica is their first child and they couldn’t be happier. They live in Framingham, Mass.

Nathaniel (Konheim ‘97)

Caroline Eve Hicks (Hicks ’00)

1997

Jessica Marie Cloutier (Cloutier ’98)

Myles Kellam and wife Cynthia Kellam (Haverford College 1998) welcomed another smile to their family. Their daughter, Kaya Irie Kellam, was born on Oct. 14, 2011 at 10:47 p.m. Myles, Cynthia and Kaya live in Manhattan. Myles is the chief strategy officer of Conversation LLC, a marketing agency. Cynthia is the head of online customer experience at TIAA-CREF. Kaya runs the household. Adina Konheim reports that she and husband David Shekhtman had their second child July 25. She writes, “Nathaniel is doing great, and big sister Zoe is being a good sport about the new addition. I am working for Merkle Inc. as a data analyst and living in Queens, N.Y.”

48 | UNION COLLEGE Winter 2012

2000 Meghanne (McClendon) Hicks and Robert Hicks are proud to announce the birth of a baby girl, Caroline Eve. She was born on Aug. 5, 2011 in Chelmsford, Mass. and weighed 7 lbs., 8 oz. Katie (Patrizio) Bender and Patrick Bender are proud to announce the birth of a baby girl, Anna Grace. She was born on Sept. 4, 2010 in Albany, N.Y., and weighed 8 lbs., 3 oz.

On July 15, 2011, Sam Salamone and wife Leslie welcomed their first child, Gryffin Todd.

2002 Jeff Wilson writes, “Avery Kate Wilson, born Sept. 8, 2010 came in at a whopping 9 pounds, 2 ounces. Kennedy, her older sister, couldn’t be happier.”

1930s 1940s Robert A. Quinn ’41, of Latham, N.Y., employed for 37 years by the New York State Department of Civil Service, retiring in 1979 as deputy administrative director, Aug. 5, 2011. Bob enjoyed traveling, bowling, golf, and competitive bridge during his retirement. A member of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, Bob was 94 and is survived by his daughter, Gayle Quinn Wheeler ’74. Robert A. Ritchie ’42, of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., who served in World War II in the 39th Evacuation Unit and owned and operated a number of businesses, including a gift shop in Grand Union Hotel, the Seven Seas Gift Shop in Nantucket and the Petrified Sea Gardens in Saratoga, July 10, 2011. Robert, whose efforts resulted in the Petrified Sea Gardens becoming a National Natural Landmark in 1967, was 91. Benjamin J. Jakobowski ’42, of Centerville, Ohio, who worked for many years at Wright Patterson, serving as acting director of the Reconnaissance Engineering Laboratory and heading the team responsible for installing cameras on aircraft that captured photographs of Soviet missiles in Cuba in 1962, Sept. 18, 2011. He was 91. George Lieberman ’43, of Highland, N.Y., who spent 33 years with IBM as a diagnostic engineer, served during World War II with the U.S. Navy, and took part in the

in memoriam

LEE DAVENPORT ’37

ee Davenport, the physicist behind a radar device that helped assure key Allied victories during World War II, died Sept. 30, 2011. He was 95. Following his education at Union, Lee received a Master of Science from the University of Pittsburgh. In 1941, as he was working on his Ph.D., also at Pitt, he joined the secret Radiation Laboratory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The Rad Lab, as it was known, brought together leading scientists to develop technology for the war effort. Lee managed the everyday work and testing that resulted in the SCR-584 (Signal Corps Radio). The microwave radar device employed a sophisticated scanning technique to track enemy planes and a

Normandy Invasion, landing troops and material in the area known as Gold Beach, Aug. 15, 2011. George, who was the chaplain for Herman Segiel Post 625 Jewish War Veterans, was 89. Dr. Edmond J. FitzGibbon ’45, of Schenectady, N.Y., who served with the U.S. Navy in Japan and at Camp Pendleton, and practiced general surgery in Schenectady before joining General Electric as an industrial physician, July 30, 2011. He was 87.

computer that automatically adjusted antiaircraft guns to bring them down. The SCR-584 helped shoot down German aircraft in early 1944 at Italy’s Anzio beachhead; was employed during the Battle of the Bulge and D-Day invasion of Normandy; and aided Allied forces as they retook the Philippines from the Japanese. Born Dec. 31, 1915 in Schenectady, N.Y., Lee worked with companies like General Electric, Westinghouse and Bell Laboratories to manufacture more than 3,000 SCR-584 sets for the military. After the war, he worked in private industry and was chief scientist at GTE Laboratories before retiring in 1980. Throughout his life, Lee, who had lived in Greenwich, Conn. since 1960, was dedicated to Union College. He was a Terrace Council member, a former ReUnion

Frederick Budnik ’45, of White Bear Lake, Minn., who served in the Pacific Theater during World War II with the Army Signal Corps and spent 31 years working in the 3M Electrical Products Laboratory, Aug. 16, 2011. Frederick, who received many patents while at 3M and was an ardent gardener, was 88. Dr. Richard H. Lange ’46, of Schenectady, N.Y., who established and headed Ellis Hospital’s Nuclear Medicine Department for many

Leadership Gifts Committee member and Term Trustee (1968–1985). In 1985, he became a Life Trustee and in 1988, a Trustee Emeritus. The Lee Davenport (1937) Summer Research Fellowship is also awarded annually to students pursuing research in engineering, chemistry, biology, physics or geology. “Part of our job as Trustees and alumni is to see to it that people believe in this place,” Lee said of Union in 2007. “This is a marvelous institution, and it has every opportunity to continue to grow in reputation and prestige.”

Lee, who was memorialized in the New York Times and The Washington Post, came from a long line of Union graduates. He followed his father (Harry L. Davenport ’13), his grandfather (Frank E. Davenport, Class of 1880), and his grand-uncle, Charles P. Sanders (Class of 1878). He is survived by his daughter, Carol Davenport, from his first marriage to Anne Stephenson, who died in 2004; his second wife, Doris Moss; and two stepsons, Craig and Clark Moss.

decades and served as vice president of Medical Affairs for Mohawk Valley Physicians Health Plan, Sept. 12, 2011. Richard, who served as chair of the National Medical Affairs Subcommittee on Alternative and Complementary Methods of Cancer Treatment, was 87.

Robert W. Lauber ’47, of Heuvelton, N.Y., who retired from the New York State Higher Education Department in 1986 and was a member of the Waterford and Heuvelton Methodist Churches, July 8, 2011. He was 85.

James S. Fasoli ’46, of Bedford, N.Y., who served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II and worked with New York State Electric and Gas, June 27, 2011. He was 85.

Paul R. Hochuli ’49, of Ridgewood, N.J., who held various positions at GE and GECC before joining Seaman’s Bank for Savings in New York City in 1969 until his retirement in 1984, Aug. 4, 2011. Paul, an elder and treasurer Winter 2012 UNION COLLEGE

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in memoriam

EDWARD R. KANE ’40

William “Bill” Ullmann ’49, of Hartland, Conn., who served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II and was director of the laboratory division of the state Department of Health before retiring and becoming executive director and co-founder of Northeast Laboratories Inc., July 2, 2011. Bill, who was instrumental in promoting PKU testing for all infants born in the state, was 84.

dward R. Kane ’40 of Greenville, Del., whose career in chemistry spanned from president of Union’s Chemistry Club to president of DuPont, one of the nation’s largest sciencebased products companies, died Sept. 16, 2011. He was 93. A Schenectady native and class valedictorian at Nott Terrace High School, he came to Union as a Steinmetz Scholar, played on the tennis team and graduated first in his class with a degree in chemistry. He earned a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1943, the same year he joined DuPont as a research chemist and rose quickly through the ranks. In 1947, he supervised a group that developed what became known as Dacron, the fiber of washand-wear garments. In 1967, he became general manager of DuPont’s industrial and biochemicals department. In 1969, he was promoted to vice president and became a member of the executive committee. By January 1972, he was senior vice president. The same year, he was elected to a six-year term as a Union College trustee. Kane is a past member of the National Academy of Engineering, the American Chemical Society and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. In 1979, the year he retired from DuPont, he was honored with the prestigious Palladium Medal. The

50 | UNION COLLEGE Winter 2012

for First Presbyterian Church, was 83.

distinguished international award, given by the American Section of Societe de Chimie Industrielle, was presented to Kane for his lifelong contributions to the furtherance of understanding and cooperation within the chemical professions, worldwide chemical industry and society in general. Last spring, he donated $1 million to Union’s chemistry program. “I wanted to show my gratitude for the way Union helped prepare me for an exciting and satisfying future,” he said after making the donation. “And I wanted to support College initiatives that will supply current and future students with learning opportunities that will prepare them to make lasting contributions to the advancement of chemistry.” His wife of 63 years, the former Doris Peterson, passed away on Aug. 2, 2011. Survivors include two daughters, Christine Plant of Richmond, Va., and Susan Booth of Austin, Texas. Memorial contributions may be made to the Edward R. Kane Fund for Chemistry at Union.

Richard M. Schulz Sr. ’49, of Middletown, N.J., who served in the U.S. Navy and was founder of T&M Associates Engineering Company, June 30, 2011. He was 87. Dan Baskous ’49, of Santa Barbara, Calif., who served in World War II as a motor machinist’s mate first class aboard PT-boats in the Pacific and ran Daniel A. Baskous Insurance from 1959 to 1986, April 22, 2011. Dan, honored multiple times as club champion at Montecito Country Club and La Cumbre Country Club, was 86.

1950s William H. Herrman ’50, of Acadia, Calif., a U.S. Navy veteran who served during World War II, was partial to the comedy of the Marx Brothers, and spent 30 years in public relations at Hughes Aircraft, Aug. 16, 2011. He was 83. Francis Holloway ’50, of Advance, N.C., a U.S. Army veteran who served during World War II and the Korean War, and who was a founding partner of the law firm Bouck, Holloway and Kiernan in Albany, N.Y., Aug. 10, 2011. He was 83.

Anthony J. Sykas ’50, of Cincinnati, Ohio, Aug. 17, 2011. He was 86. Dr. Robert Engisch ’51, of Williston, Vt., a board certified neurologist who practiced at Fletcher Allen Hospital, Kerbs Memorial Hospital, at his office in Plattsburgh, N.Y. and at his home office in Williston, July 3, 2011. Robert, who served as a captain in the U.S. Army, was 81. Frederic I. Winslow ’51, of Lyman, N.H., who served in Captain Eddy’s Navy and worked in General Electric’s engineering test program and heavy military equipment department, and was sent to Turkey for installation and operation of electronic surveillance equipment before and after the launch of Sputnik, July 19, 2011. Frederic, who also worked for New England Electric Wire Corporation as a product engineer, was 84. Thomas R. Culligan ’51, of Bloomfield, Conn., a U.S. Army veteran who enjoyed a successful career with the Group Department of the Travelers Insurance Company before retiring as a new business officer in 1990, Aug. 31, 2011. Henry “Hank” P. Bernhard ’52, of Newport, R.I. and Honolulu, H.I., who took part in flight training with the U.S. Navy during World War II and was a well-known marketing expert who worked for Ogilvy & Mather, managing accounts for Shell Oil, Mercedes-Benz, Unilever, Gillette, Cessna, RC Cola and Sears, Sept. 4, 2011. Hank, who was an accomplished chef and lifelong member of the New York Yacht Club, was 83. Donald Lewis Rose ’52, of Santa Ana, Calif., Sept. 1, 2011. He was 81.

REXFORD G. MOON JR. ’44

exford G. Moon Jr. ’44 of Corinth, N.Y., a former Union admissions officer, College trustee, educational consultant and volunteer, died July 30, 2011. He was 89. The Schenectady native earned a bachelor’s from Union in psychology and a master’s in industrial psychology from the University of Maryland. He served as a U.S. Army staff sergeant during World War II in the European Theater, and received the silver star, among other honors. He married Margaret E. “Pinkie” Merriam in 1944 in Schenectady. He worked for five years at Union as associate director of admissions. He retired in 1983 as executive vice president of the Academy for Educational Development. He also was adviser to the president of the College Entrance Examination Board and the Academy of Educational Development. He developed financial aid programs for higher education that are still being used throughout the world. He traveled extensively in the U.S. and internationally as a higher education consultant. An active member of the Alumni Council, he served as a college trustee and record-setting class agent. His many awards from Union included the Distinguished Service Award. He enjoyed Union

ROBERT H. STEGEMANN ’47

football and hockey games. He was a member of the Horace D. Washburn American Legion Post 533 of Corinth, and served as a member and chairman of the Adirondack Regional Hospital Board and the Town of Corinth Board of Assessment Review. He also served on the Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks, and supported the Hyde Museum in Glens Falls and the Glens Falls Symphony. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time with family at his home at Gahada on Jenny Lake in Corinth. Survivors include his sons, Wayne of Jacksonville, Fla., Timothy of Burnt Hills, and Peter of Huddleston, Va.; a sister, Gayle Graves of Indian Harbor Beach, Fla.; and six grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to the College or to St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 211, Lake Luzerne, N.Y. 12846.

obert H. Stegemann, of Rochester, N.Y., a World War II veteran who was controller and vice president of finance for Sybron Corporation, died July 12, 2011. He was 85. Born in Brooklyn, Robert was the first in his family to go to college. His Union education, made possible when he joined the U.S. Navy’s V-12 officer training program, was interrupted by the war. At just 19 years old, Robert was second officer aboard the USS Cross, a Navy destroyer escort stationed in the South Pacific. Following his service, he returned to Schenectady, where he played football and baseball while completing a degree in economics. “Union was important to Dad,” his son, Robert Stegemann ’75, wrote in his father’s eulogy. “He always appreciated the College and in later years, it became a family tradition. My brothers and I are all graduates.” Indeed, Union was always a part of Robert’s life. He served as vice president of his class, was continually active on ReUnion committees, and led his class as head agent and associate head agent. In 1997, the College presented him with the Alumni Gold Medal for his years of dedicated service. After graduating from Union, Robert worked as an outside auditor in New York

City while earning his MBA from New York University. He then became a corporate controller in Philadelphia before moving to Rochester, where he was corporate controller for Ritter Corporation, one of the companies that eventually formed Sybron Corporation. Robert was devoted to his family and always felt they were his proudest accomplishment. He was predeceased by his wife of 53 years, Barbara, and is survived by his four sons and their families; Robert and Eileen (Krista, John), Philip ’78 and Maureen (Andrew, Lauren, Christopher), Thomas ’80 and Jane (Lydia, Peter), Peter ’85 and Patricia (Scott, Matthew, David); and one daughter and her family, Elizabeth and Reed Jolley (Karis and husband Erik, Peter, Davis).

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in memoriam

CHARLES E. SNOW ’50

of the company to ABN Amro NV in 1997, and who was a professor of law and finance at the Illinois Institute of Technology, Aug. 7, 2011. John, who served in the U.S. Army and was a longtime director of the Chicago Board Options Exchange, was 75.

harles E. Snow, of Newtonville, N.Y., who built a successful legal practice in Albany specializing in surety law, died June 16, 2011. He was 85. After earning recognition as one of the first Eagle Scouts from Nantucket in 1941, Charles enlisted in the Marine Corps, serving in the South Pacific during World War II as a staff sergeant in the Bat Eye night fighter squadron. Following the war, he earned a degree in civil engineering from Union, where he joined Delta Upsilon and lettered in football, lacrosse and ski jumping. In 1969, he received his J.D. from Albany Law School and went on to establish a surety law firm, from which he retired as president. Charles enjoyed his work and was active with the Professional Engineering Society and was a member of the New York Bar Association. Throughout his life, he also remained very engaged with Union. Charles was involved with the Alumni Council, Terrace Council Membership Committee, Friends of Union Athletics,

1960s Edward D. Rielly ’61, of Westport, N.Y., who retired as resident engineer for Region 1 at the New York State Department of Transportation in 1998 and loved piloting his small plane over the Champlain Valley, July 3, 2011. He was 71.

Charles Snow ’50, with College President Stephen C. Ainlay and Alumni Council President John Vero ’97, receives an Alumni Gold Medal during ReUnion 2010.

Alumni Club, Travel Program and Gridiron Club. He was also an admissions interviewer, associate class agent and ReUnion leadership agent. Charles was recognized for his distinguished service to the College at ReUnion in May 2010, when he received the Alumni Gold Medal. He once explained his staunch dedication to the College in a ReUnion questionnaire, writing, “On Union’s campus, I spent the best years of my life and met

some of my closest friends, and I know I’ll always be welcome here. Union’s high standards of education and its small-college approach blessed me with a background I shall always appreciate.” He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Pauline Gaudet Snow; and his children Chip Snow of Carbondale, Colo., Susan Snow of Mechanicville, N.Y., Emily Davis (George) of Villanova, Pa., and Thomas (Valerie) Snow of Needham, Mass.

Denis P. Riva ’65, of Lake Ridge, Va., a U.S. Air Force veteran who attained the rank of colonel before retiring after 24 years of service and was the recipient of 16 commendations, including the Bronze Star and the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Aug. 28, 2011. Denis, who also worked with the defense contractor TASC for over 20 years, was 69. James DeNitto ’67, of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., who was a seventh-grade life science teacher in the Wappingers Central School District for 38 years, Sept. 8, 2011. He was 66.

1970s Mark Shnitkin ’76, of Dix Hills, N.Y., Aug. 5, 2011. He was 57.

Thomas E. Baker ’53, of Colorado Springs, Colo., who designed the first Air Force signal processor and the first Navy mobile digital computer, working for Sylvania, GTE Laboratories and UTMC, Aug. 25, 2011. Thomas, who helped establish a vocational technical high school in Framingham, Mass., was 79. 52 | UNION COLLEGE Winter 2012

Dr. John E. Glennon ’54, of Granville, N.Y. and Leesburg, Fla., an ordained Catholic deacon who operated a family practice in Granville from 1961 until 1998 and served for many years as physician and chaplain at the Great Meadow Correctional Facility, Aug. 22, 2011. He was 78.

James M. Spero ’55, of Woodland Hills, Calif., who served his country and had a successful advertising career that spanned 50 years, Sept. 18, 2011. He was 78. John “Jack” Wing ’58, of Evanston, Ill., a former CEO of the former brokerage and investment bank Chicago Corp. who managed the sale

1980s Jeffrey Berger ’84, of Belmont, Mass., who was an executive vice president of engineering at Rapid7 and a vice president of engineering at RSA, Sept. 29, 2011. He was 49.

David Delaney ’88, of Redding, Conn, who attended Suffield Academy and was a member of Psi Upsilon during his time at Union, June 29, 2011. He was 44. Jeffrey W. Collins ’88, of Westhampton, Mass., who worked for Genesys Telecommunications as a senior sales director, June 22, 2011. He was 47.

1990s Julie L. Siskind ’90, of New York, N.Y., a managing director at Citibank who held masters’ degrees in international affairs and business administration from Columbia University, Aug. 27, 2011. She was 43.

2000s

ALAN ROBERTS

lan Roberts, professor emeritus of French and Spanish, who led the College’s first term to Rennes, France, died July 25, 2011. He was 94. He joined the faculty in 1953 and retired in 1980. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Haverford College in 1939, and his master’s and Ph.D. from

Jeffrey C. Gautrau ’00, of Danbury, Conn., who worked as business manager of clinical development of medical affairs for Boehringer Ingelheim Corp., Sept. 4, 2011. He was 33. Seth R. Kline ’02, of North Andover, Mass., who earned his Union degree in electrical engineering and worked in California and New England, and loved all styles of music and had a passion for soccer and skiing, Sept. 5, 2011. He was 30. Kevin D. Nealon ’03, of Schenectady, N.Y. and Dallas, Texas, who served in the U.S. Army and was self-employed as a web designer, July 12, 2011. He was 30. Ann Marie Repp ’03, of Beverly, Mass., a social worker for Eliot Community Human Services who was an avid sports fan, especially of local teams and the New England Patriots, Sept. 15, 2011. She was 29.

Harvard University in 1940 and 1949, respectively. He also studied in Mexico and France. During World War II, he served in the Army Air Force as an instructor who trained pilots in instrument flying. Before joining Union, he taught at St. Edmunds School and at the University of Vermont. He created a fall semester program in four cities of France and directed it seven times during his last decade at Union. Besides leading trips abroad, he was known for his care and concern for visiting foreign students.

In 1957, the College presented him with the Leonard Suskind Award for forwarding the cause of freedom of speech, religion, press or racial tolerance. The award recognized his work as chairman of Union’s Foreign Exchange and Fulbright Committee and his association with Union’s Experiment in International Living. When he retired, he moved to Starksboro, Vt., where he had inherited his parents’ 250-acre property overlooking Camel’s Hump. He has deeded the property to the Vermont Land Trust.

PATRICIA J. SENDZICKI

atricia J. Sendzicki, an administrative assistant at Union for 40 years including the last 16 as technical secretary with the Biology Department, died Oct. 2, 2011 at Ellis Hospital after a long illness. She was 78. A Schenectady native and lifelong area resident, she joined the College in 1968 as technical secretary of biology. Pat was the face and voice of the programs she supported and a valued advisor to students and faculty alike. “Pat took enormous pride in her work, and worked hard to

do it well,” said Prof. Leo Fleishman, chair of Biology. “She could be very efficient, but she had a warm heart. She loved the students at Union, and was always happy to interact with them and try to help them out. She frequently listened to their problems,

and offered them good, common sense advice.” During her time at Union, Pat also supported the Academic Opportunity Program, Dean of Undergraduate Studies, Director of Undergraduate Health Programs and Dean of Arts and Sciences. She retired from the College last July. She is survived by her son, Jeffrey Sendzicki of Niskayuna; her daughter, Dr. Bonnie Sendzicki of Waterford, Maine; and three grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the College.

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in memoriam

Emily Reid O’Connor ’03, of Philadelphia, Penn., who worked for Brigham and Women’s Hospital in the Division of Sleep Medicine, and was enrolled in the neuropsychology doctoral program at Drexel University, June 14, 2011. She was 30. Todd W. Wharton ’05, of Astoria, Queens, N.Y., a selfemployed freelance writer, July 17, 2011. He was 28.

Friends of Union Yvonne C. Huxhold, of The Villages, Fla., a secretary in the Modern Languages Department for 20 years, June 19, 2011. She was 82. William H. Ling, of Whitefish, Mont., an assistant professor of mathematics from 1972 to 1976 who went on to spend 30 years at Sandia National Laboratory doing classified work, Sept. 16, 2011. He was 67.

54 | UNION COLLEGE Winter 2012

old union

Charles Waldron, Class of 1906: Still making a difference

eidi the German shepherd was a dog that attracted a lot of attention on campus in the 1930s and 40s. Much beloved by students and others, four poets wrote about her and an artist was even commissioned to paint a portrait of Heidi and Charles Newman Waldron, Class of 1906. She was his Seeing Eye dog, and the painting of the inseparable pair hung in Hale House for many years. When Heidi died in 1948, her ashes were buried in Hale House Close. It was an act that was, perhaps, indicative of Charlie’s deep connection to Union. He spent much of his life here, and the wheels of progress his hands set in motion are still propelling the College forward today. In 1910, President Charles Richmond was determined to create an alumni organization to foster and maintain strong engagement of graduates with the College. He hired Charlie to make it happen and that same year, the Graduate Council (renamed the Alumni Council in 1952) was born. As secretary of the council, a position known as director of Alumni Relations after 1946, Charlie was dedicated to developing quality relationships with his fellow alumni that would result in loyalty to Union and a commitment to

Charles Waldron, Class of 1906

supporting its present and future. He further enhanced alumni involvement when he launched the Union Alumni Monthly–an alumni magazine—in fall 1911. That same academic year, he took his commitment to even greater heights when he established the Alumni Gift Fund. Known today as the Annual Fund, this valuable initiative has been supporting Union’s operation, students and academic aspirations for the last century. And now, as the Annual Fund celebrates its 100th year, it’s easy to see what this fundraising body has meant to Union’s standing as a top-tier liberal arts school. The generosity of Annual Fund donors continually make it possible for the College to redefine what it means to be liberally educated. To create an academic village where studying and working

across disciplines is the norm, a place where students become contributing citizens of a world in which knowledge of multiple subjects is essential for success. By 1935, 4,346 alumni contributed $100,000 in support to the Annual Fund— and this during the decade that included the Great Depression. The giving nature of graduates endures to this day, making possible huge advancements like the new Peter Irving Wold Center; ensuring day-to-day operational costs are covered; providing scholarships to students studying everything from music to anthropology to engineering and neuroscience. During the 2010-2011 fiscal year, 10,585 donors gave over $6.6 million, with 8,005 contributing $4 million in unrestricted gifts. Seventeen percent of these funds supported academics, campus life and operations; 15 percent supported financial aid, and 8 percent supported athletics. The remaining 60 percent—the unrestricted funds—buoyed faculty and student research, campus enhancements, and other components of Union’s educational mission. Not surprisingly, Union has honored Charlie Waldron multiple times, bestowing two honorary degrees on him in 1930 and 1934. He was also the recipient of the Alumni Gold Medal in 1935 and the Founders Medal, posthumously, in 1980. As a student, the ever-involved young man won the Daggett Prize for

1936, and William A. Waldron (former trustee), Class of 1935, also hold Union degrees. His grandchildren, Jeffrey Waldron ’66, Peter Waldron ’64, Gail Waldron ’72, William Waldron ’74 and Jared Squires ’84 followed in his footsteps as well. “He was a very warm, friendly man and I remember he always had this funny story,” said Charlie’s daughter, Jessica Spacil, who fondly recalls roller skating around Union’s campus as a child. “He would say that he had a dream about being left 10 million dollars—that he’d give 9 to the College and only keep a measly million for himself. That shows just how he felt about Union.” Charlie Waldron died in 1975. Primary Source: Encyclopedia of Union College History by Wayne Somers Left: Charles Waldron on campus Below: An invitation to alumni from Charles Waldron (and Heidi)

“conduct and character.” Even now, the College is celebrating his legacy with an Annual Fund campaign in recognition of the fund’s 100th year (www.union.edu/giving). During his lifetime, Charlie was also a part-time professor of history at Union, the acting dean of students, director of admissions and an alumnus trustee. He edited the Union Alumni Monthly

until 1939 and led the Graduate Council until 1946. His immense dedication to his alma mater isn’t surprising when you consider the fact that Union was in his blood. Charlie’s father, William A. Waldron, is a member of the Class of 1879 and his grandfather, Charles N. Waldron graduated in 1846. An uncle and his two sons, T. Van Antwerp Waldron, Class of Winter 2012 UNION COLLEGE

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look back

Class of 1934 overcame hardships, built successful lives BY MILTON SCHWEBEL ’34

s lone survivor, I celebrate the Union College Class of 1934. We came together 81 years ago, not long after the stock market crash on Black Friday. Even as we approached the campus on opening day, the families lined up outside the soup kitchen in downtown Schenectady were stark reminders of the nation’s economic woes. We hardly needed reminders because many of us were from families that struggled to make ends meet and scrimped to put together the $400 tuition fee, plus room and board for those lucky enough to live on campus. Many of us were commuters. To save trolley car fare, some of us hitchhiked 15 or 20 miles in this upstate New York snow belt. I brought healthy brown bag lunches; my friend Jack ate beans on white bread day after day. A downtown restaurant served a bowl of soup and two hard rolls for 15 cents, perfect on days I had to stay late. We didn’t complain. In 1930, only 30 percent of students finished high school. We were fortunate to be given a passport to the intellectual and social adventure that college offered. More than that, we hoped in those grim times that a college diploma would boost our prospects of employment or of winning a scholarship for graduate or professional school study. One morning after required chapel our class met outdoors, not far from the early 19th century Round Building, from which paths radiate in every direction. I 56 | UNION COLLEGE Winter 2012

Milton Schwebel ’34, far right, with Ellis Trombley ’34 and C. Malcolm “Dusty” Rhodes ’35, both of whom passed away recently.

can picture this clearly: about a hundred of us, less than half our number, were standing there, late teenagers, tall and short, the future college scholars, athletes, debaters, actors, a bit ruddy-cheeked and hair-tousled in the crisp and windy autumn air. The agenda was simple: elect a class president. We chose Alex Turner, the tallest amongst us. We were not the rah-rah boys of the 1920s, wearing raccoon coats at football games. Sure, we cheered our teams, played sports, talked about girls, girls, girls, dated and did some zany things like swarming into Proctors theater, past the ticket taker and under the benign smile of the manager who seemed to prefer an unpaid audience to none at all. But with all the fun, under the ominous shadow of the Depression, we were very serious about making a success of college. Our professors did their part. In my senior year, several courses had a powerful influence on me: Stanley’s yearlong seminar on the history

of philosophy, Larabee’s seminar on social and political philosophy, Gottshalk’s course on international relations, and Cummins’—whose gray pallor was a mark of his coal mining experience in his young years—on labor economics. Together, they helped me develop a world outlook, as well as adeptness in the use of the analytic tools of those respective fields to make sense of the ever-shifting national and global scenes. Wordsworth, after all, had warned us of the destructive effects of change, in particular, the industrialization that changed this beloved England: “The world is too much with us…in getting and spending we lay waste our powers…” In courses in many fields at Union, we learned to cope with changes. Those were some of the intellectual benefits of college. On a more emotional plane, occasionally the vivid picture of my spirited classmates on that autumn day in September 1930 flashes through my mind, accompanied now by the painful

thought that they are all gone. But what a life they led. Hardened by circumstances, intellectually disciplined in college, socialized to work together in class, in sport, orchestra, or college theater, they were prepared to join the “greatest generation” during World War II and aid the nation at large in producing its postwar prosperity. Does the happy fate of the Class of ’34 offer hope to college students today? It’s too early to say. In the early ’30s, millions of the unemployed as well as workers uncertain of their future banded together with farmers and veterans and demanded jobs. They swept Roosevelt into the White House. Within months after taking office, he and Congress gave the people what they wanted in programs like the WPA and CCC, pick and shovel but also whitecollar jobs, even employment for actors, artists and historians. After five years of deprivation and despair, the effects on the nation’s morale were a joy to behold. Instead of the haunting melody of “Brother Can You Spare a Dime,” the Class of ’34—and many millions more—were singing “Happy Days are Here Again.” Will the Class of 2014 do the same? Milton Schwebel lives in Arizona. He was a professor, department chair and associate dean for graduate studies at New York University’s School of Education, and dean of the Rutgers Graduate School of Education. This story was first published in Schenectady’s Daily Gazette.

Rooted in tradition

Rich in academic excellence

Committed to future leaders

THE UNION COLLEGE ANNUAL FUND Celebrating 100 Years of Annual Giving Honor this important milestone and continue the tradition of supporting todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s students. ONLINE: www.union.edu/give BY PHONE: (518) 388-6175 BY MAIL: Union College Annual Fund 807 Union Street Schenectady, N.Y. 12308

Please make checks payable to Union College.

founded 1795

Periodicals postage paid at Schenectady, N.Y. 12308 and an additional mailing office.

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ALL ALUMNI ARE INVITED BACK TO CELEBRATE REUNION TRADITIONS.

Weekend 2012 WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS

• The 101st Alumni Parade • Alumni golf outing

May 17–20

• Honoring 100 years of Bailey Cup winners

• Faculty & alumni presentations

• Lobster clambake

• 50th Class Medallion ceremony

• Family picnic & kids carnival

• Alumni athletic events

• Convocation

• Women’s hockey ReUnion

• Generation U young alumni

• Class receptions • 125 years of Sigma Xi reception

celebration • ReUnion gala dinner • Fireworks

Visit www.union.edu/reunion for updates and specific information.

Help us commemorate the Annual Fund’s 100th anniversary and celebrate your ReUnion by making your Annual Fund gift at

www.union.edu/give HONORED CLASSES: 1942, 1947, 1952, 1957, 1962, 1967, 1972, 1977, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1997, 2002, 2007, 2011