From Lease to Loss: Landlord Misleads Students by Selling Homes to Union
down deposits, everything,” Rosie Crooker, one of Kennedy’s housemates, said.
When Kennedy Snyder, a junior at Union College, leased an off-campus house on Union Avenue, she assumed that her senior year plans were set. However her plans were quickly thrown into disarray when she and her housemates were informed that their landlord had sold the property to the school.
Union College is known for its residential campus. For those looking to live off-campus, the college has a system that randomly selects students who are free from their residential obligations.
“We went through the entire process with the landlord—signed lease agreements, put
To lease an off-campus house, you must reach out to the landlord around your sophomore year to be considered for the property. As students move into junior year, deposits are made, and ultimately, John Gula, the former landlord of three popular off-campus houses, selects the group with the highest deposit.
Kennedy and Rosie took the initiative during this process and secured a house, submitting their deposit along with 10 housemates to Gula during Winter Break of 2024, “All while the landlord knew the school was buying the house,” Rosie stated.
Prof. Emeritus Wicks: Remembering
Electricity tops the list of human created marvels. Virtually every modern endeavor needs it. Engineers and inventors who made it happen were celebrated. Edison and Westinghouse and Steinmetz were household names.
Only 1% of homes had electricity when Steinmetz arrived. Schenectady was soon called The Electric City, and Steinmetz called The Wizard. He also started electrical engineering at Union College.
Steinmetz also became a notable citizen with many interests.
Clumsy lanterns fueled by slaughtered whales could be eliminated by the electric light invented by Thomas Edison, but it would require new industries and education. Edison started what became the General Electric Company in Schenectady. Recruited in 1894 was a severely handicapped dwarf named Charles Proteus Steinmetz. He had escaped the threat of prison as a student socialist in Germany.
See STEINMETZ on page 2
While Union College is an institution which works to educate undergraduate students in order to prepare them for a future in further education and/or entering a professional work environment, it also commits to these students long after they have graduated. Alumni relations is an essential part of both fundraising and finding ways to honor the legacies of Union graduates.
One way this is done comes in the form of ReUnion, a yearly spring
gathering of alumni where they can participate in activities, reminisce, and relive old (or not-so old) memories while back on campus at their alma mater. This past week’s ReUnion, which occurred between Thursday the 15th and Sunday the 18th, saw 724 alumni and their families from six decades of scholarship participate in these events spread over the four days.
The first of these days consisted of welcome events and tours for the class of 1975, as well as a
See REUNION on page 2
Sarah Ramirez Contributing Writer
Frank Wicks Professor Emeritus
Alexander Sano News Editor
We’re beautiful on the inside, too
Leo Baeck Institute Steinmetz with Albert Einstein
Houses on Union Ave across from the Union College Campus
ALEX SANO, NEWS EDITOR sanoa@union.edu
LEASE continued from page 1
During Winter Break, when the deposits had already been placed, Gula approached Catie Straube, Director of Residential Education and Housing. Straube stated, “We recognized the need for senior independence housing. We thought it was a great opportunity to expand beds on campus and took up the offer.” Upon receiving this offer, Gula provided tours of the properties to college staff.
In time, Gula was able to sell the properties to Union College, at which point Vice President of
STEINMETZ
Steinmetz became president of the school board. He worked with notable Socialist mayor George Lunn to establish public parks. Other interests of his included the world’s first flying club and trick photography. His restored electric car is displayed and used to transport dignitaries at commencement.
I resided in Steinmetz Hall for thirty years as an engineering professor, while also researching electric history, and delivered related talks about how Edison started our modern electric world with the light bulb, and how George Westinghouse, who also attended Union College, moved electricity over long distances with high voltage alternating current, which Steinmetz improved and educated on.
Steinmetz also volunteered at the STEM inspired Steinmetz Exploratorium and Edison Tech Center, and the related long arduous citizenship tasks of creating
Finance Scott Jones and Director of Facilities and Campus Development Marc Donovan headed the operation. One key detail Gula failed to mention during the process was that students had already secured these houses with prior deposits.
Kennedy states, “It was around 8 p.m. on a Monday when Gula called to break the news. I immediately emailed Catie [Straube, director of residential education and housing] to request a meeting for the next morning [where] she told me Gula had asked the school to buy the houses and claimed he had
no names or deposits, though 24 of us were involved.”
Gula had possession of multiple deposits but failed to disclose them to Union during the purchase process. After much time passed, Kennedy, along with her other 11 housemates, were concerned regarding whether or not they would see a refund. Abbi Uhl’s mother, a housemate’s parent, describes the situation as “an added and unnecessary stress.” Eventually, these students finally received their deposits back after a messy, unlawful ordeal. Those who were
continued from page 1
bronze statues of Steinmetz and Edison and Westinghouse at corner plazas in downtown Schenectady.
In addition, he initiated the bronze statues of Union College alumnus William Seward and Underground Railroad icon Harriet Tubman at the Schenectady Public Library. The theme is leaders, friendship and diversity.
Steinmetz Hall, built in 1930, is named in his honor and is slated for demolition after the completion of the new Electrical Engineering Building, with funding from alumni Mary and Richard Templeton.
On display at the entry to Steinmetz Hall is a portrait of Charles Steinmetz in front of a blackboard filled with diagrams. The Nott Memorial is shown through the window. I suggest moving this picture to the new building. It will preserve heritage and can stimulate curiosity and inspire future faculty and students.
released were given the option to either accept their release and find another place to live, or decline in order to honor the location they wanted to live at originally and pass those releases onto other seniors attempting to live off campus.
“I am not happy about the added stress of the off-campus release process through Union, just to find out that Abbi’s house was on campus, and we didn’t need to go through that process.” Uhl’s Mother states.
On that note, these popular off-campus houses on Union Ave
ALUMNI Continued from page 1
business pitch competition, which saw $15,000 in capital gifted to a student-led business startup. Friday’s activities included an alumni golf tournament, class visitations, a luncheon in the Nott Memorial with president Harris, and receptions for over a dozen organizations around campus. Saturday saw alumni join together for the Alumni Parade, a 100+ year old tradition of ReUnion weekend, the Celebrate U awards ceremony, an alumni soccer game, a lobster dinner, and a 15-minute fireworks display on the rugby field. The weekend concluded with a day
full of seminars and lectures from 10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. across campus. As alumni circled the campus, reuniting with old friends and teachers, many current students on campus found opportunities at these various events to connect with professionals working in the fields of their own majors. This casual mentorship which occurs across all forms of alumni relations is essential to the mission upholding Union’s commitment to not only its students today, but all Union College students, past and present.
are now in the hands of Union College. So, what will housing for these properties look like in the future? This purchase aims to increase the amount of senior independent housing on campus. Straube states, “Over the summer, we are going to do the required fire safety work, making sure the fire alarms work, locks, and that will give us more time to do future renovations in those spaces” Whether these houses will be placed in a housing lottery will be determined.
Frank Wicks
Charles Steinmetz’s portrait in Steinmetz Hall
Frank Wicks
A ceremony for the statue of Steinmetz and Edison
Frank Wicks
Bronze statues of William Seward and Harriet Tubman, initated by Steinmetz
Union College
Alumni from the class of 1975
Union College
Alumni gathered in Memorial Chapel
It’s Not Just About Trees
Union’s Historical Aesthetics Have Begun to be Removed
Isobel Petersen Staff Writer
Recently on campus, a collection of students and faculty members created a Change.org petition as a way to “Stand Up for Nature at Union.” The petition was clearly written with the best intentions for the campus. The Union Community rallied together through the lens of environmental impact, environmental justice, and campus aesthetics. Students and other individuals associated with the college signed off to prevent nine small trees from being cut down to create space for a major new construction project. Ultimately, the petition was disregarded and the trees were cut down anyway.
While the student concern was reasonable, the petition itself highlighted some misguided priorities. It seems deeply ironic to cite lapses in campus aesthetics when referencing the removal of these trees, which is such a small part of this multi-year, multi-million dollar construction project.
This new building will have distinct aesthetic repercussions. The plan for the project pays very little homage to the deep and rich history of the college, both in design and principle. The original architectural plan for Union College, crafted by
Ramée, was one of intention.
According to an archive in the Union College Special Collections, the original vision for the liberal arts college was to make campus “more than just a functional space.”
Union has a distinct and recognizable campus, with its arches drawn from modern classical tradition. Even ISEC, though finished in 2020, was clearly designed with Ramée’s
plans in mind. The Science and Engineering Complex fits in perfectly with its stucco walls and smooth arches. Truly, each building follows a cohesive pattern that reinforces those early values and the beauty of the liberal arts college. This new building, even with its design not fully finalized, does not pay the same respect to the tradition and beauty of the historic college. In fact, its appearance reflects that of a very
typical design for new science and technology buildings at colleges and universities elsewhere. These original plans make the building stick out like a sore thumb amongst the other, more classically designed buildings at Union.
The original announcement of the building, published by Union College, points to the school as “the first liberal arts college to offer engineering in 1845.” This is exactly what the implementation of this new building fails to embody.
First and foremost, Union is a liberal arts school. Students come here to appreciate the beauty and rich history of the school, as well as have a college experience within a location that acts beyond that “functional space,” as Ramée intended almost two centuries ago. Unfortunately this new development, while exciting, needs to reflect the aesthetic and historic value of the college, and its current design fails to do so. Straying from these ideals is a sad trend that keeps repeating at Union.
This new project is thrilling for the school and a great way to expand academic spaces and departments. However, it forces us to wonder whether the modernization of the college takes precedence over the traditional liberal arts values and history that we have here at Union College.
I Love Union College’s Trimester System
It’s May, and my TikTok For You page is full of college graduation content. It’s also full of people discussing their summer plans because they just finished school. But at Union? I’m writing this from my dorm, and moving out isn’t on my radar yet. This is because, unlike the vast majority of other colleges, we get out of school in mid-June. We also don’t go to school in December. That makes us unique, and I love it.
One time, I was on a Zoom call with people from other schools, and I told them I took my last fall term final on November 17th. They were shocked. This truly makes Union unique; quarter system schools have a similar academic calendar, but they go back for finals after Thanksgiving. We don’t. Our calendar is so unique that only two other schools I know have December off are Carleton College and Dartmouth College.
Believe me, I feel great satisfac-
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tion in November when I take my last final. I don’t like the idea of going home, spending a week eating Thanksgiving food, and going back to school for finals. My December without classes has been worth it thus far.
In my sophomore December, I spent my time applying for internships. The internship application process sucks, but I’m glad that I only had to worry about my applications at that time. Almost every other college student was taking finals while I was writing cover letters. As a result, a few days before Christmas, I got the interview invite that led to my first internship.
In December of my junior year, I went on Union’s mini-term to Argentina. I’m a Spanish minor, so I needed to practice the language. It was a remarkable experience. I expanded my communication skills and became more comfortable with the language. I also don’t want to spend a full trimester away from Union, so I’m glad I could go on a mini-term to still improve upon my Spanish. In my senior year in December, I will
go on Union’s mini term to Spain to practice the language again.
Currently, in May, I’m glad that I’m still in school because I get to socialize. Being in college with your friends is a special experience, and if I went to another school, I know I’d be in my hometown, missing my college friends and waiting for my internship to begin. I’ve made Union friends from at least eight U.S. states, two Canadian provinces, and two other countries (that I’ve counted). I’m glad we’re all in the same place right now, thanks to our academic calendar.
However, I should also acknowledge a drawback to our calendar; since we aren’t in school in December, we get out 3-6 weeks later than other schools. This creates difficulties for internships, and I know people who’ve left campus early to start them. I’ve had to tell my recruiters that Union gets out abnormally late and I can’t come to orientation on June 2nd, the start of week 10 of spring term.
Both of my internships have accommodated my later school end
Concordiensis welcomes letters to the editor on its coverage and school-related issues. Submissions are selected by the editor (including from comments posted to our social media pages) to provide a variety of opinions and voices and all are subject to editing for accuracy, clarity and length and to remove personal attacks. Letters may be emailed to concordy@union.edu. The writer’s full name, class year and e-mail or phone number must be included, but only the name and class year will be published.
WHAT ARE U LISTENING TO?
Selection of songs picked by Union Students. Check out the top songs picked by you!
Gabriella Bouvier ‘27 is listening to Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright by Joan Baez
Zoe Amram ‘26 is listening to The View Between Villages by Noah Kahan
date. For example, my recruiters moved up the start date for me and others on the quarter system. This also meant that my end date was later than other interns, but Union starts the fall term two weeks later than semester system schools, so I don’t care. The fact that I will start and end my internship later hasn’t been a big deal.
Additionally, I’ve seen professors accommodate people who’ve had to leave campus early. In one of my classes this term, my professor scheduled our term presentations early for people who have to leave campus for internships. I know another professor who lets people take his final exams early if needed.
When applying to Union years ago, I wasn’t thinking about the unique academic calendar, but now have grown to love it. I’m glad I picked this place over several semester schools. With the trimester system, I feel like I get to enjoy a unique college experience with help of our long winter break and late campus move-out date.
Aden Yankwitt ‘28 is listening to Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey
Joseph
Allyson Bennett Staff Writer
Gillian Paseka | Concordiensis Breaking Ground and New Building Information located outside of ISEC.
SIENNA CHAMBIAL, EDITOR chambias@union.edu
Spring Fashion in Full Bloom at Union
Alekhya Buragadda Contributing Writer
Spring has officially arrived—and with it, the return of bold statements, soft textures, and the ultimate student goal: staying comfortable while also looking good. And the students around campus have shown that spring fashion does not have to be complicated to make a lasting impression.
“I dress comfortably and aesthetically, while also trying to diversify my outfit to not only fit with the spring vibes but also the unpredictable weather,” said firstyear Andrew Diaz, sporting olive cargo pants and a colorful tee. It’s a smart combination: simple yet sharp, translational enough for chill mornings and warmer afternoons. “Spring is always changing,” he added, “so your outfit should be able to handle anything.”
That’s the energy many students are leaning into–flexible pieces that can carry them through unpredictable temperatures and packed schedules. Hennessy Hurtado and Hope Sanders, also from the Class of 2028, know the power of mixing practicality with personality. “Comfortable, just something that I won’t sweat in,” Hennessy explained, highlighting how breathable fabrics are essential once the spring sun starts showing up. Hope added, “Depends… [I try to] dress classy
sometimes while also moving. [It is] slightly harder to balance in the spring with changing weather, so I usually go for a graphic tee and thinner leggings.”
Their honest takes reveal a deeper shift happening in youth fashion—the move away from rigid trends and toward styling that fits your own vibe and weather. Graphic tees, light knits, soft tones, and relaxed fits are dominating the hallways at Union, making it clear that the students are prioritizing fashion that flexes with their day, prioritizing their comfort.
Spring fashion isn’t only about adapting to the weather – it is also about experimenting. One first year,
Pic Kerins, dressed in a custom-made jeans and oversized sweater, shared that she “sewed it [herself] to style it. Spring is easier to play around with different styles, so my style basically depends on the day.” This creativity is exactly what makes spring such a standout season – the freedom to mix layers, try new silhouettes, and throw on something unexpected.
The looks across campus are varied, with each student having their own take on the season, but all outfits seem to share a common thread: confidence. Whether it is sleek sunglasses with denim jeans, or oversized fits made from scratch, the students have made it clear that
spring isn’t just a fashion fiesta, it’s also the mood and persona that they carry.
Sophomore Kavita Trivedi added, “some days my outfits are better planned than the others. It’s either very intentional or just a reflection of how I woke up feeling that day, which can range from cheery florals to low-effort hoodies and sweatpants.”
The diverse looks of students of Union prove that even with a closet full of basics, some statement pieces, and the courage to switch it up, are the key ingredients in creating amazing outfits. Wear what feels right, and let the weather and your mood guide your outfit!
A Movie Review of ‘Conclave’ Ralph Fiennes’ Riveting Guide to Papacy
Maren Kreutzer Contributing Writer
Ralph Fiennes graced us yet again on the big screen with a simply divine performance in Edward Berger’s ‘Conclave’, released October 25, 2024.
The movie sees Fiennes, as Cardinal Thomas Lawrence, somberly lead a group of cardinals to chirp over who shall sit on the proverbial golden throne next, following the tumultuous process of pope-hood. It feels all too fitting that this film would be released just a few months before the late Pope Francis’ unfortunate death—a bit of a silver lining, in fact, because, this time, the public actually knows what any of this papal business means.
The film is so accurate that I felt at times as though I were watching a documentary—the scandals and chittering gossip felt ironic in such a holy environment. ‘Conclave’ beautifully captures the juvenile pettiness
accompanied by the prospect of power: a classic trope that successfully had me taking sides and rooting for “the good guys”. Suspenseful, witty, and insightf-
ully touching, this film has it all, including a shocking twist that threw even my mother, an avid plot guesser (whose successrate in predicting plots is impressively high).
One aspect that is done extremely well is the juxtaposition of the ancientness of Catholicism against the brutalism of the modern world. Countless shots of bright red capes billowing against harsh grey concrete are striking and almost dystopian; the cinematography is stunning.
A large part of the film’s charm comes from Fiennes’ performance, which simply steals the show. His cadence drips with tension—even in the way he carries himself with that sweeping, and severe yet weary shuffle. Despite his character’s harshness, his conviction is true. One of my favorite scenes involves an endearing moment with a turtle, which reflects his years of acting experience and brilliance all in one scene.
Fiennes has invented yet another memorable character for his fans, and the film history books. If there is one film you must watch this year, make it ‘Conclave’, in all its enthralling charm.
“Lilo & Stitch” Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp
by Miley Cyrus
IMDb website
A sill from ‘Conclave’ featuring Ralph Fiennes.
Kavita Trivedi x’27
Narayani Yogi ’28 and Suzanna Diaz ’28 enjoying a sunny spring day at Union.
Alekhya Buragadda ’28 Pic Kerins in an everyday spring outfit.
Pollen Allergies: Victims Must Unite!
Naomi Nayor Staff Writer
Union College students always look forward to Spring Term. Union holds exciting and widely anticipated events like Springfest, Lobsterfest, and more. In addition, the weather is finally nice—or is it? Maybe it’s nice for those who are not victims of Spring’s selective wrath. However, the people who do experience Spring’s wrath dread this time of year. And what is Spring’s wrath, you may ask? All of the pollen soaring through the air.
Now, we will look at a typical day for one of pollen’s victims. Let’s call him Dusty. First, Dusty wakes up and finds himself only able to breathe through one nostril. The clogged nostril starts to twitch as he throws himself onto the floor and runs to the nearest tissue. After sneezing for what feels like an eternity, Dusty walks over to the bathroom and looks at his reflection in the mirror. His eyes are bloodshot! They are surrounded by crust as tears try to flush the pollen out.
Dusty heads back to his room and takes a look at the pills, eye drops, and nasal spray on his desk. These medications used to work, but as climate change gets worse by the year, the medications become less and less effective. In addition, Dusty has spent all of his
savings on medicine that doesn’t even work. His wallet is empty, and he wishes he could go up to the creators of these so-called “allergy relievers” and demand his money back. Dusty sighs and reminds himself that allergy season will be over soon.
Dusty is one of the many exam-
ples of people suffering from spring allergies. Walking around Union’s campus, hearing the sounds of sniffling, sneezing, and coughing is unavoidable. Students and staff may seem happy on the outside, but a good portion of them do not show how much they are actually suffering. Each year, more and more
individuals fall victim to Spring’s wrath. As trees sprout and flowers bloom, the high levels of pollen swarm towards people when they least expect it. Victims have had enough.
If we keep going down this path, it is safe to say that the apocalypse
will fight for anything they need, even if it causes harm. People will scramble and beg for everything they want as those who work for these stores have to speed to keep products in stock. It will be just like the COVID-19 pandemic all over again. And who wants that? Abso-
will start. Spring is going to become so aggressive that the world will have to stay indoors 24/7, and close all of their windows and doors. On top of that, before taking shelter, everyone will be rushing through grocery stores and drug stores, stocking up on necessities. They
lutely no one. What we need is a revolution. We must kick pollen in the butt. So, everyone, grab your eye drops and nasal sprays and throw them all across the pollen. It is over eight billion people against these tiny little specks. We can do this.
Sinister Plot Discovered for Union’s Trees
With one fell swoop of an axe, so tumbled down the last of the nine trees slated for slaughter outside of the Make Lab. Their crime? Obstructing the path of temporary fencing for campus construction. Yes, after years of “deferred maintenance” and buildings languishing, crying, pining for TLC, nine trees paid the ultimate price in the name of, *checks notes*, a new STEM building. This cash infusion and infrastructure spree will undoubtedly be welcome to the various STEM disciplines on campus who, one can only imagine, previously raised funding for capital improvements through bake sales and searching for money in library couch cushions. Though, unsurprisingly, the nine disemboweled pin oaks could scarcely satisfy Union’s insatiable thirst for felled lumber. Still, 807’s investigative team was dumbfounded to find that it was not the wood of the trees that was the target of collegiate lumberjackery, nor indeed the extra space provided by the unmitigated massacres, but in fact the trees’ leaves.
Yes, leaves. Nature’s facial hair.
The oft overlooked residents of our evergreen oxygen keepers. But what could be the aim of Union’s devious plot? To that question, I answer with a question: why do you think the West Dining Hall is closing down?
West Dining Hall will be converted into Union’s first consolidated Thneed™ manufacturing plant, with leaves to augment their silky soft texture provided by the wholesale dismemberment of campus greenery. The sandwich station? Converted to a sewing machine. The grill? Screen printing. The cafeteria? Conveyor belts. The coffee station? Well… actually that will remain. All in the service of converting our precious leaves into versatile, super absorbent, high-quality linens!
Now, you may ask yourself, how did the 807 investigative team find out about this scheme? One need only open their eyes to see the signs. If the past is prologue, one may first have been alarmed by President Harris ambling around the garden with an axe-shaped guitar and stovepipe hat singing “How Bad Can I Be?” from the Lorax movie. You may also have seen cartoon woodland creatures escorted from the Make Lab pin oaks carrying nothing but the fur on their backs
(and to think they had almost paid off the mortgage on those trees). One chainsaw-wielding facilities worker claimed to have seen the word “Unless” etched into the trunk of a doomed tree, but they determined it must just have been a prehistoric environmental science project. Even fewer noticed the short, hairy, orange man flying away from Union’s former forests (this was definitionally not President Trump
who, while orange, I’m told is 7 ‘5 “ with a forty inch vertical and decidedly speaks for no trees).
This plan is not without its benefits for Union students. A work study position will soon open where Union students can assemble the inaugural thneeds™ for a breathtaking $5 an hour and a tote bag. And, while unconfirmed, the 807 Investigative team is aware of intermediate plans to establish a plot of tents atop the
carcass of Jackson’s Garden which will serve as Union’s long-sought fourth Freshman dorm.
As far as the orange man spotted flying away from the scene? Despite exhaustive searches, our team has yet to find a satisfying answer. Preliminary theories include that, like the Dutch before him, he thought he was in Albany and promptly flew to his destination (luckily with no car to submit to the hellscape of Albany parking). Others believe he’d heard of the Skellar milkshakes and, when he found they were no longer, decided to leave after settling for a falafel bowl.
Pollen, our formidable foe, under microscope
Dusty, 1947 (colorized)
Ryan Cudworth 807 Editor
Rare photo of Union College Thneed during user testing
Found in the wake of this evergreen rampage
807 ONION STREET SATIRE
ANGELINA MARTINELLI,
martina2@union.edu
Concordiensis
Editor-in-Chief
Matthew Lowry ‘27
News Editor
Alexander Sano ‘28
Opinions Editor
Gillian Paseka ‘27
Sci/Tech Editor
Abigail Trzepla ‘27
Sports Editor
Noor El Maayargi ‘28
Pop/Culture Editor
Sienna Chambial ‘27
807 Editor
Ryan Cudworth ‘25
Notices Editor
Angelina Martinelli ‘28
Photo Editor
Kavita Trivedi ‘27
Staff Writers
Naomi Nayor ‘28
Allyson Bennett ‘26
Contributing Writers
Isobel Petersen ‘27
Maren Kreutzer ‘27
Sarah Ramirez ‘27 Frank Wicks, Professor Emeritus
Finance Chair
Aaradhya Sharma ‘27
Concordiensis is the official student newspaper of Union College since 1877 and is published on Thursdays; weeks 2-9 during Fall, Winter and Spring terms.
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5/19/25,
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Twelve StudentAthletes Honored on Prize Day
El Maayergi Sports Editor
A total of 12 student-athletes received a total of 16 awards on Prize Day. Eleven sports earned honors, with Women’s track and field earning three, more than any other sports. Women’s Hockey, Golf, Soccer, and Softball each earned two awards.
Women’s Track and Field’s Gabby Baker was awarded both the Alan Lake Chidsey Citizenship Award (for a senior with distinctive contributions to government in student affairs) and the UNITAS Diversity Leadership Award (for significant contributions to fostering diversity on campus). Lauren Armstrong earned one of the two GE Energy Steinmetz Awards (for the mechanical engineering senior with the best senior project).
Women’s Hockey’s Maren Friday earned the other GE Energy Steinmetz Award, as well as the Warner King Prize (for the engineering senior who contributed the most to Union’s traditions and ideals).
Softball’s Tatum Perkins earned the Charles M. Tidmarch Prize (for the political science major with the best thesis) and the Albert C. Ingram Prize (for the social sciences student with the most outstanding
scholarly work).
Women’s Soccer’s (and the Opinions Editor of Concordiensis) Gillian Paseka earned the Anthony C LaVecchia Memorial Award for being the student with the keenest interest in journalism, especially political journalism. Grace Caneperi earned the Ashraf M. Ghaly Geo Research Prize for having the best research student and original results in any geo-related field.
Women’s Golf’s Liz Bentsianov earned both the Lewis Henry Morgan Prize (for being the anthropology major with the best thesis) and the Dr. Reuben Sorkin Award for Proficiency and Premedical Studies (for the senior demonstrating proficiency in undergrad studies leading to a medical degree).
The Joel A. Halpen Prize (for the student with the most commitment to service in the local community) went to Jonathan Anderson, who is on the football team. The Joel D. Ticknor Prize (for the senior demonstrating capacity for long-term thinking and plans to use their career to solve the world’s problems) was given to Men’s Swimming & Diving’s James Javier Jr.
Nate Bott, on the Men’s Soccer team, earned the GE Edison Mechanical Engineering Prize (for the mechanical engineering sophomore
Track Achievements at AARFTC Championships
Track and Field ended the season with recently, highlighted by a firstplace finish and program record in the men’s 4x800 relay. Nate Okwaning, Myles Lucey, Cameron Colasurdo, and Aidan Duane clocked in at 7:49.31. Jason Bois broke the school record in the 110m hurdles with a time of 11.81, earning fourth place. Nate Okwaning ran a personal best of 10.77 in the 100m and placed 10th.
On the women’s side, Annabel Dobash ran a personal best of 17:56.80 in the 5,000m. Dobash also joined Cat Dacey, Caroline Kelly, and Kyleigh Record in the 4x800 relay, where they took eighth with a
Essien Named Liberty League Rookie of the Year
that has demonstrated exceptional leadership). The Lee, Williams, Dr. Norman ‘43, and Dr. George Wrubel ‘53 Memorial Prize (for the senior preparing for dentistry or medicine based on achievement and character) went to Paige Tromblee, a member of the Women’s Tennis team.
Finally, the Thomas J. Judson Memorial Book Prize (for the student showing academic excellence and sincere interest in modern languages) was given to Men’s Lacrosse’s Kyle Goodwin.
These awards not only highlight the impressive academic, athletic, and civic achievements of Union’s student-athletes, but also show the broad impact they have across fields, from engineering and political science to anthropology and medicine. With honors spanning eleven sports, this year’s recipients reflect the spirit of excellence, leadership, and service that defines Union. Prize Day was a reminder that student-athletes are just as committed in the classroom and around campus as they are in competition. Their achievements speak to their strong dedication to learning, teamwork, and making a difference. As another academic year comes to a close, these students leave a lasting mark on Union, setting a high bar for those who come next.
First-year Iyene Essien was named Liberty League Rookie of the Year after a record-breaking debut season with Union women’s golf. Essien posted a program-best scoring average of 77.27 and had two individual wins.
Joseph, Maurer Earn All-Region Honors
Gillian Joseph and Greta Maurer were named to the IWLCA All-Region Teams after leading Union to a No. 24 national ranking. Joseph earned first-team honors with 74 points, while Maurer made the second team.
time of 9:38.97. Gabby Baker had a personal best of 57.86 in the 400m, finishing 12th overall.
Although not at the AARFTC Championships, Ashley Sheldon jumped 1.67 (5’5.75”) at the Liberty League Championships. This jump not only matched Union’s program record and won her second conference title in two years, but will also send her to the NCAA D3 Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Sheldon is one of the 22 students to qualify for the high jump nationally, as well as only the third Women’s Track and Field athlete to make the national tournament.
Jason Plante | Union Athletics
Nate Okwaning running his personal best in the 100m.
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Courtesy of Union Athletics Benn Neff, Will Plante, Michail Fitzmaurice, and Liam Fitzgibbon posing after their program record-breaking 4x800.
Courtesy of Union Athletics
Annabel Dobash’s personal best in the 5,000m earned her 8th place at AARFTC.
Run, Ribs, and Reggae
ReUnion Weekend: Fireworks
Allyson Bennett | Concordiensis
Students lined up, awaiting the start of the running portion of the Run, Ribs, and Reggae event. This event was hosted by Union Athletics on Wednesday, May 14.
Allyson Bennett | Concordiensis
Two of Union’s athletic trainers, Ashley Martinez and Adrianna Symicek, pose for a photograph while displaying the 2025 edition of the Run, Ribs, and Reggae T-shirt.
Allyson Bennett | Concordiensis
Students cross the finish line of the running portion the Run, Ribs, and Reggae event.
The ReUnion fireworks lighting up the sky with bright colors on Saturday, May 17.