Union College Magazine Spring 2013

SPRING 2013

UNION Bali mini-term offers experiential enlightenment | 12

COLLEGE A Magazine for Alumni and Friends

The need for speed: Faculty, students, alums share love of all things fast | 20

Drew Ivarson ’15 enjoys Union’s newest Steinway piano. The instrument, housed in Memorial Chapel, will be played by students and faculty, and world-class musicians performing in the Chamber Concert Series.

Several members of the Union community traveled to the New York City Steinway facility to choose the piano. The group included President Stephen C. Ainlay, Dean of Students Stephen Leavitt, Music Department Chair Diane McMullen, Dean of Academic Departments and Programs David Hayes, renowned pianist Jonathan Biss, and Concert Series Director Derek Delaney. The piano was made possible by support from trustee Kelly Williams ’86 and her husband Andrew Forsyth.

Williams is profiled on page 27 of this issue.

Photo by Matt Milless

For video of Union’s newest Steinway, visit http://www.youtube.com/ user/unioncollege

UNION

COLLEGE A Magazine for Alumni and Friends

SPRING 2013 Volume 107 • Number 3

ON THE COVER

A statue of Ganesha stands in the courtyard of Kertiyasa Bungalow, where Union students stayed in Ubud, Bali during a new mini-term.

20

12

Photo by Ryota Matsue

VICE PRESIDENT FOR COLLEGE RELATIONS

Stephen A. Dare SENIOR DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING

Gail Glover EDITOR

Charlie Casey caseyc@union.edu ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Erin DeMuth Judd demuthje@union.edu CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Christen Gowan Tina Lincer Phillip Wajda CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Matt Milless Ryota Matsue Tim Raab

12 Living and understanding life through art: Experiential enlightenment in Bali During the inaugural Bali mini-term in performing arts, Union students discover that outside-the-classroom experience is an

2

President’s Message

integral part of learning, and that to fully comprehend a culture,

3

Stay Connected

4

Across Campus

DESIGN AND PRODUCTION

you must also understand art and its vital significance to

2k Design

people’s lives.

PRINTING

Fort Orange Press UNIONCOLLEGE is published three times a year by the Union College Office of Communications, Schenectady, N.Y. 12308. The telephone is (518) 388-6131. Non-profit flat rate 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.

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.

Departments

20 The need for speed

26 Profiles

Dozens share their avocations—and vocations—that fulfill their

28 focUs

need for speed. We’ve heard from car enthusiasts, of course, but

30 Bookshelf

lots of others too. Some have airborne hobbies. Other described their cameras. And on campus, students and faculty described scientific instruments, improved processes, computers … even a Shakespeare production where speed’s the thing.

31 Alumni Clubs 32 The Classes 47 Unions 50 Arrivals 52 In Memoriam 56 Old Union

» Visit us online at www.union.edu/magazine

president’s message

The Built, Un-built, and Yet-to-be Built Union STEPHEN C. AINL AY, Ph.D.

T

his spring, Union hosted an Alumni Symposium in celebration of the 200th anniversary of Joseph Ramée’s “grand plan” for the College.

Paul Turner ’62, the Paul and Phyllis Wattis Professor of Art Emeritus at Stanford University, gave a talk on the genius of the plan and its influence on American campus planning. Art Lidsky, a well-known expert on campus planning who has assisted us at Union, gave a talk that provided a sweeping overview of the development of campuses across the world, and pointed to future architectural changes and colleges that keep pace with change and try to hold down costs. Panelists addressed the relationship between architecture, sustainability, student life, learning, and other captivating issues.

For my part, I delivered a talk titled “The Unbuilt Union.” I traced the many decisions that have been made to build and not to build, ranging from decisions President Eliphalet Nott and Ramée made in first conceiving of the Union campus to more recent decisions that have been made to renovate and build on our historic campus.

I concluded my remarks during the symposium by discussing the meaning our campus “gives off.”

By this, I meant that Union’s campus design—its architecture—provides messages to all those who visit the College or who choose to live and work here.

Indeed, the messages provided by our architecture compel many to join the Union community. I focused on four: 1) Union as a community of learners, 2) Union as an institution that prepares students for their respective “frontiers,” 3) Union as a place where people come to understand tradition and history while being simultaneously encouraged to “think outside the box,” and 4) Union as a place that affirms of the richness of diversity and our common humanity and purpose.

Ramée and Nott’s plan to place Union on a hill looking down the Mohawk Valley, their decision to build North and South Colleges with faculty and

2 | UNION COLLEGE Spring 2013

students living and working together, far more recent conceptions of the MacLean Atrium in the new Wold Center as an “academic town square,” and many other architectural decisions have created this special place, conveying these architectural messages.

I am reminded daily that the Union campus serves as a magnet for people—students, faculty, and staff—who want to be part of such a place. I am reminded daily the people who are drawn in by Union’s campus are people who make a difference.

You will see evidence of this in this issue of the magazine. While the campus was in its infancy when William Seward (Class of 1820) attended, the architectural qualities I described were already apparent. We learned from Walter Stahr at Founders Day that Seward was very much a product of Union and he maintained an affection for the College throughout his life. Drew Ivarson ’15, featured playing the new Steinway Model D piano that now graces Memorial Chapel, is current evidence that the campus still compels and still draws remarkable students.

Like so many of his fellow students, Drew integrates the study of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields with the study of the arts, understanding that this is critical to preparing for the new “frontiers.” Tory Chee ’13 has been central to building our community and building bridges between Union and Schenectady. “Campus Kitchens” is all about innovative initiatives. You will read about Joshua Anderson ’13 and Shilpa Darivemula ’13 who received prestigious Watson Fellowships. Their work, along with the work of the students and faculty who participated in our Bali mini-term, demonstrates the engagement of our students with the richly diverse world that surrounds us. Is it accidental that Union attracts these kinds of students? I don’t think so. I believe they are drawn and drawn in.

Let us all commit to preserving, enhancing, and supporting a campus environment that becomes home to these sorts of individuals.

U Stay connected “The days of the boring website read are over. The new EverTrue app delivers up-to-date Union news to your mobile and allows U to keep up with other alumni!”

– Catherine Hedgeman ’96 Catherine is just one of 2,000 alumni enjoying EverTrue. Don’t miss out on a fantastic way to connect with classmates and engage with the College. If you haven’t downloaded the app yet, go to the iTunes store or Google Play today!

ONLINE SPECIALS

Join the fun and conversation on the alumni Facebook page. It’s got everything you need—campus news, ways to get involved at Union, photos of your friends at great College events. Check it out!

Visit www.union.edu/alumni and click on the Facebook icon.

Correction: We would like to acknowledge the following people, who were listed incorrectly in the Annual Report of Donors:

Want to know more about your fellow alums’ “need for speed?” Interested in learning how Darren Binder ’90 started City Dogs Rescue to save dogs from high-kill animal shelters?

For more content and video, visit www.union.edu/magazine!

CLASS OF 1950

CLASS OF 1974

Frank Bailey League William Mertz Heyer

Garnet Society Stanley O’Brien

CLASS OF 1956

CLASS OF 1976

Society of the Idol Dr. Philip Goodman

A gift from William Peck was made in memory of June Rinkoff, Class of 1978

Spring 2013 UNION COLLEGE

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across campus

Seward’s place: A Founders Day tribute

W

hen he arrived at Union in September 1816, William Henry Seward was a 15-year-old boy unwise to the ways of a nation divided. Yet by the time he graduated in 1820, the education he received here unmistakably helped shape his stature as one of the most important American statesmen of the 19th century.

“He helped to lay the foundations of the American empire,” said Walter Stahr of one of Union’s most distin-

Therese A. McCarty, the Stephen J. and Diane K. Ciesinski Dean of Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs, with James Iacketta, winner of the Gideon Hawley Teacher Recognition Award, and Samantha Griffiths ’15, the student who nominated him.

guished alumni. “And he would be so proud to come back to Union to see what you all are doing, laying the foundation of a great college here.”

Stahr gave the keynote address at Founders Day Thursday, Feb. 21 in Memorial Chapel. In a season of all things Lincoln, it was fitting for him to help commemorate the 218th anniversary of the College’s charter.

As the author of the compelling Seward: Lincoln’s Indispensable Man, Stahr has introduced a legion of readers to Lincoln’s secretary of state, closest friend and confidant during the Civil War. The biography, along with Steven Spielberg’s Oscar-nominated film “Lincoln,” has thrust Seward back into the spotlight.

During his talk, Stahr recounted the life of a man who served as governor of New York, a state and U.S. senator, who survived an assassination attempt. As secretary of state, Seward engineered the $7.2 million

U.S. purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867, which has been mocked as “Seward’s Folly.” Stahr called that a myth, stating that newspaper coverage at the time was mostly favorable, which was borne out by the fact the deal passed the Senate, 37-2.

Stahr also touched on Seward’s time on campus, including his thoughts about longtime President Eliphalet Nott; his academic prowess; and his relationships with the faculty.

After a fight with his father over finances, Seward left Union midway through his senior year and headed to Georgia. By the time he returned to Schenectady in January 1820, the man who later helped write and sign the Emancipation Proclamation confronted a bitter North-South debate over slavery.

Yet in his commencement speech, Seward was confident the “American Union will probably be permanent” and predicted Americans would “worship the same God…on the banks of the Hudson or the Mobile or the Missouri.”

“The view of the Union that Seward first expressed here, at Union College, remained his view throughout his life,” Stahr told the audience.

AROUND

For more detailed campus news, visit www.union.edu/news

4 | UNION COLLEGE Spring 2013

JANUARY 2013

Walter Stahr, author of a biography on Seward, delivers the keynote address.

Union receives record

Nobel Prize-winning

5,643 applications

chemist, playwright and

from prospective

poet Roald Hoffman delivers

first-year students

a talk: “Indigo: A Tale of

vying to join Class

Craft, Religion, History,

of 2017

Science and Culture”

Earlier in the day, Stahr and President Stephen C. Ainlay appeared on WAMC, Northeast Public Radio’s program, The Roundtable. To listen, visit http://wamc.org/.

After the Founders Day convocation, Stahr and several faculty discussed Seward's legacy in a video teleconference with alumni and other friends.

Also at Founders Day, James Iacketta, a music and band teacher at Sillwater (N.Y.) High School, received the Gideon Hawley Teacher Recogni­tion Award.

The award, named for the 1809 graduate of Union who was New York State’s first superintendent of public education, is given to secondary school teachers who have had a continuing influence on the academic life of Union students. Iacketta was nominated by Samantha Griffiths ’15, an electrical engineering major who performs in the College’s jazz ensemble and pep band.

S E WA R D : T H E U LT I M AT E S U R V I V O R For William Henry Seward, 1865 was a year of anguish and loss, as is clearly depicted in Walter Stahr’s new book, Seward: Lincoln’s Indispensible Man. April 5, he fell from an out-of-control carriage, trying to stop its startled horses. He broke his right arm and fractured his lower jaw on both sides.

Confined to his bed, often delirious from pain, his doctors weren’t hopeful he’d recover.

But by the morning of April 14, he’d improved considerably and ate his first solid breakfast since the accident.

That same night, however, John Wilkes Booth fatally shot President Abraham Lincoln, and a Booth associate, Lewis Powell, made a ferocious attempt on Seward’s life.

Powell arrived at the Secretary of State’s home at about 10 p.m. and tried to persuade Seward’s son, Frederick, to admit him.

Frederick resisted and Powell beat him with a pistol until he collapsed. The would-be assassin then climbed the

stairs to Seward’s room.

Powell rushed in and leapt atop Seward, prone in his bed, and began slashing the older man in the face and neck.

Fanny, who had been keeping watch over her father, screamed and roused her brother, Augustus.

Augustus and the male nurse, Robinson, were both stabbed in the struggle, but forced Powell from the house.

All would survive the encounter, even the grievously wounded Seward. Fortunately, Powell’s downward stabs did not cause fatal injury and Seward was able to roll off the bed and away from his attacker.

But even after enduring such violence, Seward’s trials were not over. He was still coping with Lincoln’s death and closely monitoring Frederick’s recovery, when his beloved wife, Frances, died June 21.

Newspapers at the time almost unanimously attributed her passing to the assassination attempt. The New York Times reported that “infirm and feeble

as she had been for years, while those she loved so devotedly were in danger, disease had no power over wife and mother.

But when the strain was off, her over-taxed powers, mental and physical, gave way.”

A year later, Seward’s favorite child and only daughter, Fanny, died.

And yet Seward persevered, going on to serve as secretary of state for President Andrew Johnson. In this role, he completed that for which he is perhaps best known—the purchase of Alaska from Russia.

Seward died in Auburn, N.Y. on Oct. 10, 1872.

To watch a Founders Day video, visit http://www.youtube.com/user/unioncollege

Union celebrates Martin

Acclaimed pianist Jeremy

Wikoff Student Gallery

Luther King Jr. Day with

Denk returns to Memorial

features works by six

events including a talk—“A

Chapel in Union College

students in an exhibit:

Separate Place: Documenting

Concert Series, playing

“Selections from

African American History”—

Bartok, Liszt, Wagner, Bach

Photography 3: Color

by Dr. Jeanne D. Nutter

and Beethoven

Digital Photography”

Spring 2013 UNION COLLEGE

| 5

across campus

^

Union remembers Sean Murphy ’13, student killed in crash

M

FEBRUARY 2013

ore than 500 members of the campus community gathered for a heartfelt service in Memorial Chapel March 15, 2013 to mourn the loss of Sean Murphy.

A senior majoring in psychology, Murphy was a passenger in a car that crashed in nearby East Greenbush early the morning of March 13. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The 30-minute service began with a prayer from Frank Thomas, the College’s Catholic chaplain. Calling Murphy a gift to all those who knew him, he urged people to “find the strength to carry on in the face of this tragedy.”

A series of speakers followed, including President Stephen C. Ainlay, Murphy’s roommates and Sigma Chi fraternity brothers, and religious and academic leaders from campus.

Ainlay, the father of two sons not much older than the 22-year-old Murphy, said Union was made better by Murphy’s presence on campus. He described the close-knit community that makes Union special, noting that “when we lose one of our members, there is a hole, a tear in the fabric of our community.”

His voice breaking at times, Ainlay said his two boys call him a fixer.

“I can’t fix this,” he said.

Mark Wunderlich, dean of studies, shared thoughts from faculty members who taught Murphy. Jewish chaplain and Hillel Director Bonnie Cramer read Psalm 23 (“The Lord is My Shepherd”).

Then, one by one, some of Murphy’s fraternity brothers approached the stage.

To them, he was simply “Murph.” Their emotions still raw since learning of his death, they spoke of a loyal, sincere friend adept at making people laugh.

Daniel Gross ‘13 recounted a trip some of the brothers took last year to Key West, Fla., in an RV. Murphy was put in charge of the radio. He rewarded his travel party by putting rapper Ludacris’ song, “Georgia,” on repeat through the southern state.

“He was the best co-pilot you could ask for, whether driving or in life,” he said.

Daniel Costigan ’13 talked of Murphy’s love of the Washington Redskins and Virginia Tech Hokies football team. Luke Johnson ’13 recalled a Sunday afternoon driving back to Schenectady from a wedding when he got a text from Murphy: “Dude, we got a feather disaster.” Ten minutes later, Murphy texted again: “And I mean a feather disaster.”

Johnson later learned his blue down

comforter had somehow been ripped while he was gone.

“But rather than containing the feathers, he (Murphy) decided he would make our room a snow globe.”

As George Haydock ’14 said, “Murph could make a joke about anything.”

As the service came to a close, a collection of photographs of Murphy at various times in his life served as a backdrop to words of hope offered from Viki Brooks, director of the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life and campus Protestant minister.

“As you leave this gathering, look for hope in the frames of your own contexts,” she said. “Search for wholeness even as you struggle with this loss and be mindful of the wealth of people prepared to support you in your grief and walk with you through your questioning.”

When she finished, Murphy’s father, Stephen, asked to speak. He attended the service along with his wife, Coreen, and other family members.

He thanked the campus community for giving the family “a glimmer of light in the very dark place we are at right now.”

Then, barely holding back sobs, he said, “Sean had a great 22 years. We want to thank the Union family for making what turned out to be the last phase of his life, the best phase of his life.”

The service concluded with a piano interlude of Psalm 121 (“Our help is in the name of the Lord”) by Professor of Music Dianne McMullen.

A candlelight vigil was held around the Nott Memorial later in the evening.

Union celebrates Black History

Students once again performed

Kelly Adirondack Center receives

Month with events including a

“The Vagina Monologues” by

$95,000 from The Zemurray Founda-

talk by educator and author

playwright Eve Ensler, showing

tion ($80,000) and The F.M. Kirby

Vijay Giles, who spoke on

their support for women

Foundation ($15,000) to support

“Turning Your Stumbling

battling sexual and gender-

lectures, concerts, the Adirondack

Blocks into Stepping Stones.”

based violence.

mini-term and other programs

6 | UNION COLLEGE Spring 2013

Civil rights hero John Lewis to deliver Commencement address

U

.S. Rep. John Lewis, an influential figure in the civil rights movement who has dedicated his life to protecting human liberties, will be the featured speaker at Union’s 219th Commencement.

Approximately 483 students in the Class of 2013 will receive degrees during the ceremony, scheduled for 10 a.m. Sunday, June 16, on Hull Plaza. Lewis will receive an honorary doctor of laws degree.

The son of sharecroppers, Lewis grew up in Alabama and attended segregated public schools. Later, at Fisk University, he organized sit-ins at segregated lunch counters in Nashville. One of the original 13 Freedom Fighters who were beaten and arrested for challenging segregation on interstate buses, Lewis helped form the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.

At age 23, Lewis was an architect and keynote speaker for the March on Washington in August 1963, when 250,000 people gathered at the Lincoln Memorial for King’s iconic “I Have a Dream” speech. Lewis is the last surviving speaker from the march.

Perhaps Lewis’s most defining moment came less than two years later, when on March 7, 1965, he helped lead hundreds in a peaceful march for voting rights across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala. In what became known as Bloody Sunday, marchers were met by Alabama state troopers with billy clubs and tear gas.

Lewis suffered a fractured skull in the violent confrontation. The televised images of marchers being beaten jolted the nation and were the catalyst for the passage of the

Voting Rights Act several months later.

Lewis has represented Atlanta and several other cities in Georgia as a U.S. Congressman since 1986. The recipient of dozens of awards and honorary degrees, Lewis was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011 by Barack Obama, who praised him for his courage and commitment to social justice.

To learn more about Lewis, visit http://johnlewis.house. gov/. For more on Commencement, visit http://www.union. edu/events/commencement/

President to take sabbatical

F

ollowing the completion of the $250 million You Are Union campaign, which surpassed the goal by $8 million, the Board of Trustees has granted a six-month sabbatical to President Stephen C. Ainlay.

President Ainlay will be on leave from July 1 to Dec. 31, 2013 during which time he will develop recommendations for advancing the priorities of a revised Strategic Plan, in particular how the College will finance critical future projects.

“While there are many who helped the Campaign succeed, the Board is especially grateful to President Ainlay and Judith Gardner Ainlay,” said Mark Walsh ’76, chairman of the board. “They have travelled the country and

the world, telling the Union story, building support, and working with donors to secure transformative gifts. This leave is an investment in Union’s future.”

Sabbatical leaves for college presidents have become more common in recent years, Walsh said, as seen at a number of local peer institutions including Hamilton, Vassar and Skidmore.

Therese McCarty, vice president for Academic Affairs, will serve as acting president during President Ainlay’s leave. David Hayes, dean of academic departments and programs, will serve as acting vice president of Academic Affairs.

Students again participate in

An effort by Samantha

Alvaro Peters ’14

the 13th annual Recyclemania

Muratori ’14, the first funded

revives the

competition, a recycling and

by the new Green Fee program,

waste-reduction contest

will result in wireless thermo-

program, Phenomenal Males, with Alpha

between colleges across the

stats in apartments along

Phi Alpha brothers Joseph Mason ’13 and

U.S. and Canada.

Seward and Roger Hull Place.

De’Sean Suarez ’14.

mentoring

Spring 2013 UNION COLLEGE

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across campus

Student honored

V

Kelly Adirondack Center dedicated

P

MARCH 2013

resident Stephen C. Ainlay recalled the day a couple of years ago when Carl George, professor emeritus of biology, asked him to take a ride.

The two got in George’s car and drove 3.4 miles from campus to St. David’s Lane in Niskayuna. There, Ainlay saw property that includes a home built by noted Adirondack conservationist Paul Schaefer in 1934, and the Adirondack Research Library, which boasts one of the largest collections of Adirondack material outside the Adirondack Park.

“We can own this,” said George, who has lectured

extensively on the Adirondacks.

That quick trip culminated Feb. 16, 2012 in the formal dedication of the Kelly Adirondack Center. Its acquisition, made possible by the generosity of longtime College benefactor and trustee John E. Kelly III ’76 and his wife Helen-Jo, is the start of a new chapter in Union’s rich history with the Adirondacks.

Noting the College’s proximity to the six-million acre Adirondack Park, the state capitol and Tech Valley, Kelly, senior vice president and director of research at IBM, said “this is the perfect opportunity for Union to play

Teacher and historian

Richard Blanco, the fifth

Don Papson discussed

presidential inaugural poet,

“Abolitionism in the

read from his works and

Adirondacks” as part of the

participated in a dinner and

Kelly Adirondack Center’s

discussion with students.

lecture and concert series.

8 | UNION COLLEGE Spring 2013

a role in helping to preserve this park, while driving the economy of the region.”

In recent months, the Center has hosted public lectures and musical events, including conservationist and author Bill Weber, Adirondack singer and storyteller Dan Berggren and a photo exhibit

by Matt Milless, director of Student Activities.

To learn more about the Center, visit www.union.edu/ offices/adirondacks/index.php To watch a video of the dedication, visit http://www.youtube.com/ user/unioncollege

(Photo by Charles Steckler)

President Stephen C. Ainlay speaks at the dedication of the Kelly Adirondack Center.

ictoria Chee ’13, a Leadership in Medicine student who coordinates Campus Kitchens and is active with the Presidential Interfaith Campus Challenge, has been named a “Future Stakeholder” by the Stakeholders, an Albany-based not-for-profit that inspires people to take positive action in their communities.

She is among 10 winners of the group’s 2013 GOBY Awards (Get on Board Volunteer Awards), which recognizes exemplary volunteer service.

“Tori has emerged as a true campus leader,” said Art History Professor Lorraine Morales Cox, who nominated Chee for the award. She got to know Chee last fall, when a core group of faculty, staff and students mobilized to collect donations for Hurricane Sandy.

“What is really amazing about Tori is her excellent ability to build coalitions of people and build bridges between diverse groups who share a vision in addressing a need in the community.” She is, Cox added, “someone who clearly wins the admiration of everyone around her yet does so in a very humble, ‘behind the scenes’ kind of way.”

A native of Little Neck, N.Y., Chee is an interdepartmental major in biology and Asian studies, with aspirations of

for volunteerism working in international health care and health care policy.

Much of her campus volunteerism has addressed issues of poverty and hunger.

She has been involved in the Union chapter of the national Campus Kitchens organization since its inception three years ago. As director, she streamlined the method of organizing weekly shifts of students who cook food for the City Mission and also implemented a summer program. Last November, she organized the Campus Kitchens Thanksgiving “Turkey Palooza.”

In other volunteer and leadership roles, Chee is vice president of philanthropy and programming at Omicron

Delta Kappa, the national leadership honor society, and philanthropy chair of Alpha Delta Lambda, the community service sorority. She is a member of the Empty Bowls planning committee, the Leadership in Diversity Council, LGBTQ Allies and the Garnet Society, the student Alumni Association.

She has also volunteered at the Community Hospice of Schenectady and worked at a rural clinic in Cusco, Peru.

Last year, on an independent study in Taiwan, China and Hong Kong, she researched comparative health systems between Taiwan and the United States and studied with practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine.

Rapper’s delight: Professor mixes it up off Broadway

C

hristopher Chabris, rap star?

Not quite. But the associate professor of psychology got to spin his science recently on the stage of “Ingenious Nature,” a theatrical mixtape that recently completed its run at the SoHo Playhouse.

A creation of Canadian rapper and playwright Baba Brinkman, “Ingenious Nature” featured “mashed up stories from his love life with findings from the seductive field of evolutionary psychology, which tries to explain gender relations, political beliefs and teenage recklessness through the lens of millions of years of genetic selection,” according to the New York Times.

Throughout its six-week run, the show featured members from the science community who would speak to audiences after the performance. Brinkman was familiar with Chabris, having referenced his notable book with Daniel J. Simons, a psychology professor at the University of Illinois, The Invisible Gorilla, and Other Ways Our Intuitions Deceive Us, on his 2010 album, “The

Rap Guide to Human Nature.”

Chabris spoke about his research on cognition, intelligence and behavior genetics after one performance.

Chabris, who joined Union in 2007, has appeared on the Today show and National Public Radio (NPR). He has written for the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.

But he never expected his research to infiltrate the world of rap.

“A lot of things have happened as a result of writing our book, but being cited in rap lyrics and appearing on the stage of a rap show have to be two of the best,” Chabris said.

This year’s winter dance

Union makes President’s

A paper by Robert Olberg, the Florence

concert, Circling Beginnings:

Higher Education

B. Sherwood Professor of Life Sciences,

Dancing the Seasons,

Community Service

and colleagues, about dragonfly visual

explored changing seasons

Honor Roll for fourth

neurons and prey interception, received

and the splendor of nature.

time in five years

the Cozzarelli Prize from the National Academy of Sciences.

Spring 2013 UNION COLLEGE

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across campus

Union joins global campaign against gender violence

A

MARCH 2013 10 | UNION COLLEGE Spring 2013

dance, rise up and demand” an end to the violence.

The message was even more poignant in light of recent horrific events, including the gang rape of an Ohio teenager and the Taliban shooting of 15-yearold Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai for insisting girls be educated in Afghanistan.

“We are saying no to gender violence,” said Shilpa Darivemula ’13, moments after leading the dance. “It’s an important issue; we’re excited to bring awareness of it to Union.”

She, along with Suraiyah Abdul-Wahab ’13, Diana Tettey ’14 and Victoria Chee ’13, organized the event.

Photo by Matt Milless

s Tena Clark’s anthem “Break the Chain” reverberated from the first floor of the Reamer Campus Center, more than two dozen faculty, staff and students dressed in red or pink quickly assembled in front of Dutch Hollow February 14.

While the dancers and the crowd carried smiles, the message was serious: end violence against women and girls.

The event was part of a global campaign called One Billion Rising. With the United Nations estimating that one in three women in the world will be beaten or raped in her lifetime (or one billion), organizers encouraged participants to “walk out,

Seamus Feider-Sullivan ’13 works on his robot under the guidance of Dave Hodgson, assistant professor of mechanical engineering

Face off: Robots take to ice during Union-RPI game

F

ans at the inaugural Mayor’s Cup men’s hockey game between Union and RPI were treated to an unusual shootout during the second intermission: Robo-Hockey.

Four teams of mechanical engineering students who designed and built the wheeled robots—about the size of a briefcase—competed in a four-minute period in front of thousands of spectators.

Starting from one of the face-off circles, one robot got 20 seconds to fire a four-ounce blue puck past another robot positioned in the goalie crease. The process repeated itself until the period ended.

“This was a perfect opportunity to get engineering students and their academic accomplishments out in front

of people who normally wouldn’t go to an engineering competition,” said Ronald Bucinell, associate professor of mechanical engineering.

“We hope it also inspires young people to consider careers in engineering.”

Bucinell, along with David Hodgson, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, and Sudhir Khetan, visiting instructor of bioengineering, oversaw the project.

“This has been a good learning experience,” said Zach Reinert ’13, a mechanical engineering major from Houston. “We were skeptical at first, but it turned out to be fun. We ran into some things that didn’t work, but that’s good, because you just keep working until you get it right.”

Bill Nye (“The Science Guy”) spoke

After winning its second straight ECAC

to a capacity crowd in Memorial

Championship, the men’s hockey team

Chapel. Nye hosts three T.V.

headed to the NCAA Tournament,

series—“The Eyes of Nye,” “Stuff

defeating Boston College (5-1) in the

Happens” and “The 100 Greatest

first round. Union fell to Quinnipiac (5-1)

Discoveries.”

during the East Regional Final.

Two seniors awarded prestigious Watson Fellowships

J

oshua Anderson likes things simple. The mechanical engineering major helps run his parents’ self-sufficient farm in Maine, spent part of winter break traipsing around Paris with little but his backpack and doesn’t own a cell phone.

Shilpa Darivemula loves medicine and dance. A premed student majoring in biology and Spanish, Darivemula has performed Kuchipudi, a classical Indian dance, since she was eight years old. She has also taught dance to inner-city youth and interned in dance therapy.

The two students are among 40 nationwide who have been awarded a prestigious Thomas J. Watson Fellowship to spend the next year pursuing their passion.

The fellowship offers a one-year grant to seniors “of unusual promise” to study independently outside the United States. The stipend for individual award winners is $25,000.

Anderson will travel through the United Kingdom, Denmark, Belgium, Nepal and

Tanzania in support of his project, “Holistic Self-sufficiency: Exploring the Intersection of Community, Innovation, and Self.”

Tapping into his engineering background, he plans to immerse himself in ecovillages, monasteries and other self-sufficient communities to see how they provide basic necessities like utilities, shelter and farming.

For her independent study abroad last winter, Darivemula lived with indigenous Mapuche communities in Chile. There, she witnessed the power of communal healing through traditional dance.

Her Watson project, “Of Medicine and Mudras: Exploring Healing through Traditional Dance Cultures,” continues that theme.

Darivemula plans to visit Bolivia, Ghana, Indonesia and Cambodia. She will fuse her background in medicine with the mudras, or hand gestures, used to narrate stories in four traditional dances.

For more about the Watsons visit www.union. edu/news

Joshua Anderson ’13

Shilpa Darivemula ’13

Largest-ever group on Israel trip

T

Photo by Zak Smolen ’13

hirty students participated in a 10-day trip to Israel over winter break, 27 of them through Taglit-Birthright Israel: Hillel. They were the largest-ever Union contingent on the popular cultural immersion experience. Students, in their garnet Hillel T-shirts, are pictured here with their Dartmouth peers in Jaffa, Israel.

Spring 2013 UNION COLLEGE

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iVinG and UndE EXPERIENTIAL

ENLIGHTENMENT IN BALI

BY ERIN DEMUTH JUDD

Background: Wayang Kulit (Balinese shadow puppets) Right: A statue of Ganesha stands in the courtyard of Kertiyasa Bungalow, where Union students stayed in Ubud, Bali.

Photos by Ryota Matsue 12 | UNION COLLEGE Spring 2013

dERSTAndiNG through

T

iFE

ART

wenty four days. That’s all it took for Maria Dreeszen ’14 to realize she didn’t entirely get it before Bali.

“I gained first-hand experience of the role of religion in Bali by actually attending rituals and participating in them,” said Dreeszen, a pre-dental religious studies major. “I was living their spiritual way of life, rather than just solely reading a book about it, writing a paper on it or watching a video. And now I get that you really can’t understand something until you actively live it.”

Between Nov. 26 and Dec. 19, 2012, Dreeszen and 11 other students participated in Union’s inaugural Bali mini-term in performing arts. Developed and led by Jennifer Matsue, associate professor of music, director of the Asian Studies Program and director of the World Musics and Cultures Program, the term fully immerses students in Balinese culture through the performing arts.

“The arts are vastly important to understanding culture—any culture,” Matsue said. “Music and dance don’t exist in a vacuum, they exist in a culture and express the culture in which they exist.”

“You can learn so much through music, for instance. You can learn about political and spiritual beliefs, about gender and race, about history, economics, technology,” she added. “And there’s no better place than Bali to experience this deep relationship between arts and culture.”

The reason: life is lived through art in this Indonesian country.

“For almost every milestone in life, there is a ritual performance—everything from the first time a baby’s feet touch the ground to cremation ceremonies and temple celebrations,” Matsue said. “You can’t understand daily life in Bali without an awareness of gamelan (Balinese orchestra) and dance—they are integral to so many events.”

Colin Turley ’13, a physics major minoring in music and electrical engineering, certainly found this to be true.

“Unlike in the West, music and performing arts are integrated into everyday life. So to understand Balinese culture, we had to start by understanding art,” he said. “By studying and practicing their arts intensely for a few weeks, we received a window into Balinese culture.”

And they didn’t just study one art form; they studied many of them. And not just from a scholarly standpoint either.

Students were expected to become proficient enough to perform in the Balinese tradition, for the Balinese.

“This is a truly interdisciplinary mini-term, during which students study gamelan, dance, Balinese puppet-making, suling (Balinese flute), Balinese painting and Balinese drumming (kendang),”

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‘‘BY StudYinG And PRActicinG THEiR ARts INtEnSElY FOR

A FEw WEEKs WE REcEiVEd A

WindOW intO BAliNEsE CuLtuRE .

’’

— Colin Turley '13

Meghan Murphy ’14 (front) dances Rejang Dewa

14 | UNION COLLEGE Spring 2013

Matsue said. “In addition, they study some Indonesian language and participate in lectures about social issues in Bali.”

To be asked to do so much in so short a time, with art forms that were just weeks ago unknown to them, was difficult for the students. But they never shied away from the challenge.

“Performing these arts was both exciting and intimidating. I was intimidated because my novice understanding was not even level with Balinese children, and I was scared I would offend the Balinese with how much I was struggling to perfect these art forms,” said Caroline Aldrich ’14, a visual arts major minoring in mathematics. “But I knew I’d never again be able to experience or learn these things, so I did the best I could.

“And happily, everyone was pleased with our final performance, so I know the Balinese felt we had done a good job.”

They were able to perform well, in part, because of the instruction they received and experiences they had.

Learning from Balinese masters and witnessing real Balinese performances honoring the gods in temples—and even

attending a royal cremation ceremony— made it possible for Union students to do what few other visitors to Bali do.

They did what the Balinese people do.

Their dance and music lessons, and the temple celebrations and important rituals they attended, were not of the tourist variety. All experiences were traditional and authentic, and shared with the Balinese themselves.

“Learning Balinese performing arts was extremely difficult at first, and my having been trained in ballet, tap and jazz since I was three, didn’t help much at all,” Dreeszen said. “The way I had been trained to dance with my core contracted and my rib cage closed counteracted Balinese instruction, which is more focused on creating bent lines.”

“This completely different dance style felt unnatural initially, and I struggled mentally and physically,” she continued. “But our teachers were nothing but supportive and patient.

They helped us all feel like real Balinese performers by the end.”

This accomplishment left these young men and women much changed.

Aldrich, for one, knows that amassing possessions won’t amount to contentment or a sense of fulfillment.

“The Balinese live with so little, yet they are the happiest, most vibrant

Clockwise from top: Union students witnessed a royal cremation ceremony in Bali, part of which was this parade; Students take a gamelan lesson; I Gusti Nyoman Darta (middle) gives a drumming lesson to Jessica Rivetz '14 and John Lynch '16; Colorful sarongs on sale in Bali.

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Caroline Aldrich ‘14 makes a shadow puppet

16 | UNION COLLEGE Spring 2013

‘‘ THEiR KindNEss And TRuE DEsiRE TO

HElp AnYOnE THEY CAn TAuGHt ME

THAt MAtERiAl THinGs AREn’t GOinG

TO MAkE ME FEEl HAppy Or COMplEtE, But BEinG COmfORtAblE WitH

WHO I Am, And HElpiNG OthERs, Will.

’’

— Caroline Aldrich '14

people,” she said. “Their kindness and true desire to help anyone they can taught me that material things aren’t going to make me feel happy or complete, but being comfortable with who I am, and helping others, will.”

Dreeszen too will strive to find more balance in her life, and she’ll call on this experience for a very long time.

“I want to be a pediatric dentist one day, and I am confident the lessons of cultural awareness I learned in Bali will serve me well in terms of patient interaction,” she said. “A better understanding of how to interact with people who are different is invaluable; it’s something everyone should have.”

Matsue couldn’t agree more, which is why she remains dedicated to growing Union’s World Musics and Cultures Program. It highlights jazz, and the music and culture of Africa and Latin America, with Associate Professor of

Music Tim Olsen, and East Asian and Southeast Asian studies with Matsue.

In 2006, Matsue oversaw the acquisition of Japanese drums (taiko), and a gamelan. The same year, she arranged for a Fulbright scholar to give courses on Balinese music and culture. In 2011, two masters in Balinese performing arts taught at Union.

Union’s gamelan, named Gita Semara or “Song of Love,” is the only one in the Capital Region. It also figures prominently in Matsue’s dream to build a college and community gamelan ensemble.

“Gamelan is so wonderful, partly because students can learn to play so quickly,” she said. “Without a Balinese gamelan master, we can’t give perfect instruction, but it’s a start. Hopefully we’ll be able to hire a master in the future.”

Until then, though, she’s thrilled with the progress made so far.

Students at Rangki (Palace of Carvings)

Africa djembe drum (Union's World Musics and Cultures Program also focuses on African music and culture.)

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‘‘An AppREciAtiON OF OtHER

WaYS Of liFE COntRibutEs TO SOciAl JusticE And MAKES

EvERyOnE FEEl AccEptEd, It Adds A SEnsE Of PEAcE TO thE WORld. — Maria Dreeszen '14

Sarah Darsigny ’13 has make-up applied for the final music and dance performance she and her fellow Union students will give in Bali

Students can officially minor in World Musics and Cultures, or can create their own organizing theme major incorporating many of the program’s offerings. And of course, there’s the Bali mini-term. It took two years to build and launch, and will be led again in 2014 by Miryam Moutillet, senior artist-in-residence in Theater and Dance.

“Our World Musics and Cultures program has grown a lot. It’s all the more impressive because it’s relatively rare to have so much world music in such a small liberal arts environment,” Matsue said. “It augments Union’s interdisciplinary approach to education in a remark-

For more on Union’s World Musics and Cultures Program, and the Bali mini-term in performing arts, visit http://www.union.edu/academic/.

Click on “majors and minors.” A Bali mini-term video is also available at www.youtube.com/user/unioncollege

Union students learn to dance Baris 18 | UNION COLLEGE Spring 2013

’’

able way, engaging students with cultures and globalization in very immediate and theoretical ways.

“All the issues we study in different departments across campus—history, economics, gender, race, technology—can be learned about through music and the arts.”

This kind of interdisciplinary and intercultural learning, to Dreeszen, is imperative for one big reason.

“All people of all cultures laugh, dance, speak, eat and seek happiness in unique, amazing ways,” she said.

“An appreciation of other ways of life contributes to social justice and makes everyone feel accepted. It adds a sense of peace to the world.”

Clockwise from top left: Maria Dreeszen ’14 and Mary Kate MacKenzie ’15 enjoy themselves as they prepare for their final performance in Bali; Pendet dancers Sarah Darsigny ’13, Maria Dreeszen ’14, Mary Kate MacKenzie ’15 and Zoralys Molina ’13; Students wear formal Balinese temple clothing to attend a temple festival called Odalan. From left to right are Professor Jennifer Matsue, Hikaru Matsue (her son), Meghan Murphy ’14, Sarah Darsigny ’13, John Lynch ’16, Mary Kate MacKenzie ’15, Jacqueline Smith ’13, Caroline Aldrich ’14, Soun Sheen ’13, Zoralys Molina ’13, Jessica Rivetz ’14, Colin Turley ’13, Shim-In Borneman ’13 and Maria Dreeszen ’14.

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NEED FOR Think fast.

W

BY CHARLIE CASEY

e’d long had a suspicion that a number of readers of this magazine are fascinated with things that go fast; classnotes entries were full of high-octane cars, airplanes and the like.

But nothing could have prepared us for the response we received to the story call in the winter issue. Dozens were eager to tell of their avocations—and vocations—that fulfill their need for speed.

Predictably, perhaps, many of the responses came from car enthusiasts.

(Interestingly, we discovered an active community of alumni who are connected through cars and racing.) Others told of their airborne hobbies. Some described cameras. On campus, students and faculty described scientific instruments, improved processes and computers.

Here we offer a selection of Union people who love things that go fast.

Alas, there were too many to share on the printed page. So, we’ve created a web page with links to photos and videos. For much more, visit the web at: www.union.edu/magazine

20 | UNION COLLEGE Spring 2013

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NEED FOR SPEED

Taking Flight: Union’s SAE Aero Team > > > > > > While most students were enjoying spring break, the five members of Union’s SAE Aero Team were cramming to get their plane ready for a mid-April competition. The plane is remote-controlled and must lift and carry a payload over a prescribed course. Of the 40 teams in their category, Union placed eighth, fourth among U.S. teams.

Each member of the team had a specific task—engine, structure, landing gear, controls and others. A team leader integrates all the parts, and together they troubleshoot what comes along. What makes the experience most valuable, according to their advisor, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering Brad Bruno, is the opportunity to work with a realworld engineering team. “It’s a great experience for the students, and great exposure for our program and the College.”

The mythical Ferrari: Howard Blank ’70 > > > > > > Race cars. Airplanes. Space craft. Howard Blank seems to have the speed thing pretty well covered. But of all the things that go fast, the semi-retired commodities trader has a special place in his heart for the mythical Ferrari. He races regularly at events including the Ferrari Challenge Europe, with one race at the famed LeMans track, the Morocco Classic Rally and the 24 Hours of Spa. Last summer, he hosted President Stephen C. Ainlay at an event he drove at Nürburgring, the legendary track regarded as one of the most challenging circuits in the world. Blank, a pilot, also has his sights on outer space.

He has reserved a spot on Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic suborbital space program.

Experiments with fast particles: UCIBAL > > > > > > At the Union College Ion-Beam Analysis Laboratory (UCIBAL), students and faculty do experiments with sub-atomic particles traveling at speeds up to 20 million meters per second (45 million miles per hour). The particles attain these speeds by being accelerated with a 1.1-million-volt electrostatic accelerator, which is the primary instrument in UCIBAL. Scott LaBrake, senior lecturer and accelerator manager, and Michael Vineyard, the Frank and Marie Louise Bailey Professor of Physics, use the accelerator for experiments in several courses and for student-faculty research projects.

Most of the research is on the elemental analysis of environmental materials, such as atmospheric aerosol, water, and soil samples to study pollution. The accelerator is also used in an annual outreach program for local high school students and teachers. In the last 10 years, 230 Union students, 84 high schoolers, and 29 high school physics teachers have performed experiments in UCIBAL.

Top: The SAE Aero Team, from left, Bessena Cabe ’13, Charles Bouchard ’13, Jeff Ehrlich ’13, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering Brad Bruno, Jason Hargreaves ’13 and Joshua Rathgeb ’13. Bottom: Salina Ali ’15 and Prof. Michael Vineyard at the Union accelerator.

22 | UNION COLLEGE Spring 2013

What is a femtosecond? > > > > > > Union’s IBM intelligent cluster, a gift from the company in 2011, is advancing research on campus in notable ways. The first paper published using the machine, by Janet Anderson in the journal Biophysical Chemistry, analyzed the way protein G rotates in aqueous solution, by predicting properties measured in nuclear magnetic resonance experiments from molecular dynamics simulations. Each of five simulations consisted of 20,000,000 iterations, each representing a femtosecond (there are a quadrillion femtoseconds in one second). “Computer simulations are helpful in understanding molecular behavior that is invisible to the eye, and to interpret the results of experiments,” Anderson said. “These 20,000,000 steps of protein motion, equivalent to 200 nanoseconds of molecule time, would normally have taken months on a desktop computer. They took only 13 days on the cluster.”

The IBM intelligent cluster helps faculty and student researchers model and analyze molecular behavior in days instead of months.

Shakespeare, and step on it > > > > > > Each July, the Saratoga Shakespeare Company, with Prof. Bill Finlay as artistic director, mounts a full, professional production of a Shakespeare play in 10 days of rehearsal and “build” time for sets and costumes. Finlay, the chair of Theater and Dance at Union, has directed more than 12 productions for the company. “It is an intense, no-holds-barred, VERY speedy activity, a learning experience and professional artistic event that serves a very large Capital District audience,” said Patricia Culbert, senior artist-in-residence at Union and director of interns for SSC. Union interns get valuable real-world theater production experience and the benefit of professional artist workshops, and many have earned their Equity cards through SSC. They also get an appreciation for putting on a play in record time.

Aerogels, better and faster > > > > > > Aerogels are unique nanoporous materials that have applications ranging from insulating materials to windows to sensors to catalytic converters. But with aerogels, it’s all about time. They are not widely available due to the complex, time-consuming and expensive methods used to produce them. The College’s Aerogel Team, led by Profs. Ann Anderson of Mechanical Engineering and Mary Carroll of Chemistry, has developed and patented “rapid supercritical extraction” (RSCE) techniques using a confined mold in an automated hydraulic hot press. The process is fast (and potentially less expensive compared to current techniques), and more environmentally friendly due to minimized use of solvents. The work has been supported by six National Science Foundation grants. Now, the team is pursuing support that could lead to the commercialization of the process.

Middle: Onstage summer 2012 in Twelfth Night (left to right), Union College intern & theater major Robyn Belt ’14, cast member Sarita Luz Cordoba, Union College intern & theater major Carla Duval ’14, Senior Artist-in-Residence Patricia Culbert (partially hidden) & Union College intern Ryan Semerad.

Spring 2013 UNION COLLEGE

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NEED FOR SPEED

Russell Gee ’68 > > > > > > Russell Gee came by racing honestly, having grown up near the famous Watkins Glen track in western New York.

But it wasn’t until he retired at 59, in 2006, that he indulged his need for racing fender-to-fender. Today, he has a few podium finishes in the competitive Miata series in the SCCA, but “those young guys …” He also races vintage cars like a 1969 BMW 2002 and a 1969 Porsche 911. He has twice run the La Carrera Pan-America Race, a seven-day event from southern Mexico to Texas. In 2009, in the Porsche, “we were happy to have finished the event alive.” In 2011, in a 1959 Jaguar XK150S, he won first in class. A resident of Cambridge, Mass., he is a regular racer at tracks including Daytona, Lime Rock, Watkins Glen and Sebring.

Tony Romanazzi ’77 > > > > > > Tony Romanazzi, a dentist based in Glens Falls at the southern end of the Adirondacks, has the perfect way to get around the lake-filled region: an amphibious airplane that is aircraft, boat and land vehicle all in one. He built the experimental seaplane (Buccaneer Super X Cross Country B1B 503 RG) from a kit in 1990 and has been prowling the skies of Lake George and the Champlain Valley ever since. “To swoop down from the sky, land on water, drop the landing gear and taxi up a boat ramp at a marina … is nothing short of incredible,” he said. Among his favorite memories, he recalls meeting his Union mentor, the late Will Roth, professor of biology, at a small airport near Roth’s camp. As Romanazzi approached and saw Roth standing at the airfield, he thought, “Oh, what my pre-med buddies at Union would give for an opportunity like this.” Like the scene in Hitchcock’s North by Northwest in which a bi-plane crop duster chases Cary Grant, Romanazzi made a low pass that sent Roth diving behind his car.

When he emerged, he asked the smiling Roth, “Were you expecting Charles Lindbergh?”

Ian Prout ’94 > > > > > > Ian Prout has made a career out of teaching people to drive fast. He is founder, owner and president of Sports Car Driving Association, a Deep River, Conn.-based entity that sponsors about two-dozen high-performance driving events at the Northeast’s premiere tracks. So it figures that last year Ian would set two lap records at Watkins Glen and take five wins in as many starts in his ITR BMW 325i. Prout’s “dream weekend” came after 20 years of racing that included five race wins and a road racing championship. “I have had a good amount of success in it and won in a variety of cars over the years,” he said, “but the lap records are what mean the most.” Prout, who attributes his passion for motorsports to his father, Bill, did his senior thesis at Union on the political, social and economic implications of the development of the automotive industry. “Racing is a sport that requires preparation, discipline, planning, and strategy,” attributes he says are essential to running his business. “If you put in the work and planning, then the results are incredibly rewarding.”

24 | UNION COLLEGE Spring 2013

Ted Goneos ’94 > > > > > > As a student, Ted Goneos drove laps around campus in a big 1985 Chevy Blazer, a great car in the snow. Now, he does laps around the country, among other performance driving events. A friend of Ian Prout ’94 (see below), he has taken street and race cars to Ian’s driving events for a decade. He is also a graduate of the Skip Barber Racing School and other performance programs. In 2004, he began competing in the One Lap of America (www.onelapofamerica.com), first in a 1978 Pontiac TransAm, later in Porsches. His brother, Petros ’90, was co-driver in 2005 and 2006 for the one-week, 4,000-mile event. Goneos, with a Resumé of more than 40 race tracks, ice racing and endurance races, was planning for the 2013 One Lap this spring. For more on his automotive endeavors, visit Team Theogon at www.theogon.com.

Lorraine Thomas ’87 > > > > > > Birds, like athletes, can be very fast. Just ask Lorraine Thomas, whose hobby involves capturing through photography the athletic prowess of avian creatures and other wildlife. So it’s critical that she has a fast camera that can shoot eight frames per second to stop the fast motion. Equally important, she needs a high burst rate (consecutive shots before the camera slows or stops).

“Just like in sports photography, I don’t want to miss the best action,” says the Florida-based mechanical engineer. “Sometimes you just have to take several photos of the bird in action, so that you can select the best one.” (photo by Lorraine Thomas)

Jim Taylor ’66 > > > > > > Jim Taylor splits his time between working as CEO of Taylor Made Group, tending an eclectic collection of automobiles and driving those cars in exotic places. From his first car, a 1959 MG coupe he bought in his senior year at Union, his collection now numbers about 70 cars, most of which he drives as much as possible. His road rallies have taken him across China, Africa, Central America, Europe and throughout the U.S. Taylor, a trustee of the College, played a key role in the founding of the Saratoga Automobile Museum, where a number of his cars are on display. Taylor Made, based in Gloversville, N.Y., is a diversified supplier to the recreational marine industry and other markets.

Above: Jim Taylor ’66, left, and President Stephen C. Ainlay in a pair of Taylor’s rare sports cars near Great Sacandaga Lake.

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profiles

Fighting Hepatitis B |

H

epatitis B in the Asian communities is a silent disease that often isn’t detected until it’s too late. Dr. Loc T. Le ’84 is out to change that.

A gastroenterologist in Baltimore, Md., Dr. Le has just been named to a two-year term as chairman of the National Task Force on Hepatitis B, which focuses on education, research and intervention among Asian and Pacific Islander populations in the U.S. He also will advocate for screening and vaccination among the high-risk populations.

Most of those in the high-risk groups don’t know they have Hepatitis B until up to 80 percent of the liver is damaged or they develop liver cancer, Dr. Le said.

Those in high risk groups need to be tested, and education is key.

Education is something that comes naturally from Dr. Le’s upbringing.

Born in 1961 in Quang Tri, a small town on the border of North and South Vietnam, his early education was poor and frequently interrupted by the war.

But his parents, Thi and Dong Nguyen Le, put a premium on education for their 10 children.

The family fled Vietnam in 1975 and came to New York state under the sponsorship of a family in Cobleskill.

The family settled in Schenectady, and Loc—though previously lacking a formal education or familiarity with English—

26 | UNION COLLEGE Spring 2013

DR. LOC LE ’84

graduated with the top of his class from Linton High School in 1980. He followed his older brother, Phuoc, to Union where he graduated with honors in 1984 with degrees in mathematics and biology.

Also at Union, he earned the Bruce M. Garber Prize for the premedical student who exemplifies integrity and humane concern. Two younger brothers also graduated from Union, Thu T. Le in 1989, and Phu To Le in 1992.

He earned his M.D. degree from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in 1988. He completed his internship and residency at the Johns Hopkins Hospital/Sinai Hospital in Baltimore where he received the Best Resident of the Year Award in 1989 and 1991.

Dr. Le was chairman of the Division of Gastroenterology and director of endoscopy at Harbor Hospital of Baltimore in 1998-2004. He also had a part-time appointment as a clinical assistant professor of medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in 1995-2012, and as instructor in medicine at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in 1995-2005. As a teaching faculty at Sinai Hospital and Harbor Hospital, he received the Golden Apple “Best Teacher of the Year” Award in 1996 and 1998.

Today, Dr. Le is a senior partner at Woodholme Gastroenterology Associates

with several offices in and around Baltimore. He and his wife have three children.

Hepatitis B among Asians is different from the Hepatitis B among the general population in the U.S., Dr. Le explains.

Within Hepatitis B, there are eight subtypes, two of which—more prevalent among Asians—are more difficult to treat. Without screening, prevention and treatment—especially at birth when the immune system is weak—patients can take on Hepatitis B, which can develop into cancer or cirrhosis of the liver by age 40.

Among the general American population, the disease, normally transmitted between young adults in their late teens or early twenties, is usually transient and rarely becomes chronic.

He wants to aggressively advocate the CDC guidelines for Hepatitis B screening and vaccination in the high risk populations in the U.S., namely the Asians and the Pacific Islanders.

Dr. Le says he wants to make a real difference in the lives of people, and is very busy reaching out to the media, politicians, NGOs, CDC, NIH, drug companies, community activists, college students, and other physicians. He is forming a panel of advisors to help carry out the difficult mission of the Task Force in reducing Hepatitis B infection in Asian and Pacific Islanders in the U.S.

New piano is ‘perfect gift’ |

T

rustee Kelly Williams ’86 does not play the piano.

But she appreciates the transformative power of music, which is why she and her husband, Andrew Forsyth, donated a Steinway concert grand piano to the College.

“It’s a blessing for us,” Williams said after a concert by Drew Ivarson ’15 on the new piano in Memorial Chapel. “It’s not often that you can give a gift that can be enjoyed so much, so often and by so many. For me, it’s the perfect gift.”

The piano is the new musical centerpiece of Memorial Chapel and the acclaimed Union College Concert Series, which features internationally-renowned musicians in an acoustically superb setting.

Last fall, a piano selection committee from the College met at the Steinway factory in Queens, N.Y., where the group picked the best piano for the hall with the help of renowned pianist Jonathan Biss.

“It’s the perfect gift for Memorial Chapel because it’s a very enduring place for so many people and one of the most beautiful buildings on campus,” Williams said. “It’s like bestowing a gem on a beautiful woman.”

Williams' husband, Andrew Forsyth, says the gift is a fitting one for the school that helped to nurture his wife’s pragmatic and artistic nature. “Union is one of the finest embodiments of combining the principles of engineering and fine arts,” Forsyth said, “and Kelly is that herself.”

“It is wonderful to have an instrument which reflects the high quality of the world-class musicians who appear on the series,” said Derek Delaney, director of the Union Concert series. “We are so grateful to Kelly and Andrew for their generous gift.”

Williams, on the Board of Trustees since 2008, is

KELLY WILLIAMS ’86

managing director and head of the Customized Fund Investment Group at Credit Suisse. She earned a bachelor’s degree magna cum laude in political science and mathematics from Union, and a law degree from New York University in 1989. She spent her early career in global finance law at Prudential. In 2000, she joined Credit Suisse, one of the leading private equity and real estate investment management firms.

A generous benefactor of the College, she has counseled students seeking careers in the finance industry and hosted a series of events for alumni.

Last year, she was honored as a “Woman of Power and Influence” by the New York chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW), and was presented at the awards ceremony by President Stephen C. Ainlay.

Since 2006, she has served as a mentor to fellows of the Robert and Susan Toigo Foundation. She was elected to the YWCA Academy of Women Leaders in 2007. She is also a member of the Metro Chapter of the Young Presidents Organization. Last year, American Banker magazine named her one of the 25 Most Powerful Women in Finance.

For videos on Union’s newest Steinway, visit http://www.youtube.com/ user/unioncollege

Andrew Forsyth, left, and Kelly Williams ’86 admire the new Steinway in Memorial Chapel

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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

S-looping heart development in chicken embryo (By Sarah Bradner ’14)

diverse and intriguing work they do.

How a tube becomes a heart Ashok Ramasubramanian, assistant professor of mechanical engineering (With Quynh Chu-LaGraff (Biology), Kristin Fox (Chemistry), Tak Buma (Electrical Engineering), Kevin Chico ’14, Kyra Burnett ’13, Meagan Carnes ’14, Sarah Bradner ’14, Kateri Molinaro ’13, Kaelan Hansson ’15, Alex Jaksic ’15, Shaun Gordon ’13) A pair of atria, an aorta, a tricuspid valve, a pulmonary vein, the superior vena cava. All this—the human heart—is just a minuscule cylinder at first.

And that’s pretty wild.

“Initially, the embryonic heart forms as a straight tube, like a garden hose. To become the complex mature organ, it twists and bends as a baby grows,” Ashok Ramasubramanian explained, curling a string from his winter hat in demonstration. “But there are no fingers inside; the heart has to bend by itself—a process called looping.”

“Certain genes change its shape, but there are also forces,” he continued.

“Consider that you go to California and your head is a gene. If your head falls off you won’t go, but you can’t just say your head is all

28 | UNION COLLEGE Spring 2013

that gets you there. Other forces, like a plane, are involved. It’s these—the mechanisms of gene action—we study to see how the heart actually twists.”

Ramasubramanian and his colleagues analyze chicken embryos (their development is similar to humans’) using computer models and an atomic force microscope. Both help identify forces acting on the chick heart, which is only 1 mm long with a tube circumference of 400 microns in the s-looping stage they’re studying.

During this critical period, occurring in the first 48 to 56 hours of a chick’s 21-day incubation, groundwork is laid for the basic cardiac shape— two atria at the top and two ventricles at the bottom.

“Many babies are born with heart abnormalities, but most of these conditions we can’t treat in utero, partly because cardiac development is poorly understood,” Ramasubramanian said. “We study this with the hope of understanding.”

The team’s work is funded by an NIH Academic Research Enhancement Award.

The deification of nature Jillmarie Murphy, John D. MacArthur Assistant Professor of English “An attack on the brain first drove me from the haunts of men to seek mental repose and physical strength in the woods.” – Joel Tyler Headley, Adirondac; or Life in the Woods Headley, Class of 1839, isn’t the only writer who extolled nature’s capacity for healing. So did Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. To discover why, Jillmarie Murphy is studying select 19th-century nature writers, using the psychoanalytic paradigm of attachment theory and the tenets of restorative environment therapy.

A clergyman, associate editor of the New York Tribune and secretary of state (N.Y.), Headley was one of the first to hail the Adirondack Mountains as a health

Jim de Sève (center) with Sukur (left) and Nur (right) while filming ManDove

resort. Adirondac (1849) chronicles his experiences inside the Blue Line, where he spent two summers escaping the strain of urban life.

“I’m interested in the importance these writers placed on developing affectional bonds with their surroundings, and how attachment to place became pathologized as a result of war, disease, death, race and gender,” Murphy said. “Adirondac is one of the earliest attempts by an American writer to explain how withdrawing to nature restores both mind and body, and helps provide a more direct connection to one’s inner spirit.”

Murphy plans to publish an article analyzing land attachment and restorative environments in Adirondac, as well as a book covering attachment theory and place in the literature of the early American Republic.

Of doves and men Jim de Sève, filmmaker-in-residence Traditional Javanese wisdom says that a real man must have a wife, a house, a dagger and a singing dove. It’s this final requirement—still highly prized today—that Jim de Sève explores in his documentary ManDove, which he directed with husband Kian Tjong.

The film follows Indonesian men as they raise perkutut (zebra doves) and enter them in singing competitions.

Winning birds not only prove their owners’ masculinity, they also sell for tens of thousands of dollars.

Believed to possess magical abilities, like warning a family of danger, doves are hand-bathed and hand-fed. The cherished birds are also housed in ornate, colorful cages that cost about $800. During competition, these cages are hoisted up on 23-foot poles so that judges can walk beneath, choosing the best singers based on cadence, rhythm and other criteria.

None of this is described outright in the documentary, there is no omniscient narrator. But viewers learn much from the actions of the subjects themselves.

“Audiences are used to a National Geographic-style documentary that makes them privileged viewers,” de Sève said. “We want viewers to want to know more, and experience the curiosity and ambiguity of travel. Thus, we withheld some information.”

ManDove has been screened to acclaim at the Russian Academy of Science, the Flaherty Film Seminar Series in New York City and the Taiwan International Documentary Festival. Learn more at www.singingdove.com.

Spring 2013 UNION COLLEGE | 29

bookshelf

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 Spring 2013

SIMON SOBO ’64

RAYMOND J. STECKER ’78

MATTHEW A. KARLYN ’94

Commodore

Cancer, Courage and Collateral Damage: An Inspiring Story of Resilience, Hope and Determination

A Guide to IT Contracting: Checklists, Tools and Techniques

BookBaby

It is 1876 and the world’s richest man, 84-year-old Cornelius Vanderbilt, lies dying in a New York townhouse. Obsessed by the legacy he’ll soon be leaving to the world, Vanderbilt invites a journalist inside, wanting one more chance to spin his life story. It’s a story filled with risk and intrigue: his legendary service in the English Navy during the War of 1812; his dominance in the steamship and then railroad industries; his construction of Grand Central Station; his inner battles with the ghosts of his father and mother. Down but never out, Vanderbilt’s life is one of extraordinary resilience and passion. In Commodore, readers see the man behind the facade, his childhood hunger and desperation, his inner doubts, and his fierce determination to succeed at all costs.

Xlibris Corporation

In this deeply personal memoir about his battle with brain cancer, Ray Stecker gives readers intimate access to his experiences and those of his family. The book is a journey through the unknown, through everything from fear, sadness, panic, loneliness and anger to flat-out, gut-wrenching laughter. The intent is to give a cancer patient, a patientto-be and their loved ones the strength to fight the battle they must fight, and the courage to adjust to whatever future lies ahead. Stecker explains his transformation— physically, emotionally, medically—from what he calls his before-cancer self to his after-cancer self. The differences aren’t always what you expect.

CRC Press

Co-written by attorneys Matthew Karlyn and Michael Overly, A Guide to IT Contracting distills critical business and legal lessons the authors learned drafting and negotiating IT-related agreements. It provides detailed information concerning technology agreements and makes understanding IT contracting issues easy for non-legal professionals. Key resources within the book include checklists to help readers organize concepts, online references, resources and aid for contract drafting, and a CD-ROM with reusable check-lists and a complete glossary.

U alumni clubs

s

Members of The Garnet Society, Union’s student-alumni association, promote Union’s new social media app, EverTrue.

From left to right are Jenna Langhans ’13, Alexa DiBenedetto ’14, Josh Davis ’14, Shari Kram ’13 and Cristina Vazzana ’13.

s

Alumni enjoy the Sigma Chi golf outing in St. Augustine, Fla. in December 2012.

s

Peter Li ’15 and Rachel Refkin ’15 joined other Union students, alumni and community members at the Times Union Center in Albany, N.Y. in January for the inaugural Mayor’s Cup. Union won the exciting match 3 to 2, besting rival RPI.

s

Alumni gather at a pub to watch the nationally televised Union vs. Dartmouth hockey game in Philadelphia.

UPCOMING ALUMNI CLUB EVENTS M AY 3 1 - J U N E 2 : Union College ReUnion

J U N E 2 9 : Cape Cod 1st Cape Cod Club gathering Barley Neck/Orleans Playhouse

J U L Y 1 7 : Troy, N.Y. Tri-City Valley Cats game, picnic

JUNE 16: Union College Commencement

J U L Y 1 3 : New York City N.Y. Yankees vs. Minn. Twins

AUG. 11: Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Day at the track

O C T. 1 1 - 1 3 : Union College Homecoming & Family Weekend

For more, visit www.union.edu/alumni

Spring 2013 UNION COLLEGE

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the classes

Garnet Guard Alumni who have celebrated their 50th ReUnion.

GARNET GUARD CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Bob Howe ’58 135 Chevy Chase Dr. Wayzata, Minn. 55391 howex001@umn.edu

1950 N. Donald Boink writes, “Lynn and I went on a cruise to the Panama Canal this March and made a few stops along the way. We’re enjoying being back in central New York after 18 years on Cape Cod. It’s wonderful to have kids and grandkids nearby. Cheers to all.”

1952 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Dr. Arthur Stockman 7124 Switchgrass Trail Bradenton, Fla. 34202-4177 (941) 907-8064 astockman@jcaho.org

1953 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Garrett Murphy 7 Maxwell Street Albany, N.Y. 12208-1607 gmurphy6@nycap.rr.com (518) 438-7319 From the correspondent: “This will be our first ReUnion without our leader and head class agent, John Moses, who passed away in December.

Your correspondent will very much miss his many upbeat messages of class happenings. John’s love of Union was pervasive. In his presence or in his correspondence, he made us feel it as well. As we come back to the

32 | UNION COLLEGE Spring 2013

Lewis W. Hallenbeck ’40 visits Jackson’s Garden with his grandson, Tim M. Palace ’15 in September 2012. He and Tim come from a long line of Union alumni. Lewis, who passed away in December 2012, represented the sixth generation of his direct family to attend the College.

campus for the 60th time this spring, we will be warmed by our memories of John.”

William R. Holzapfel was recently sworn in for his sixth four-year term as city attorney and director of the Law Department of the City of Elizabeth, N.J. Bill has been the city attorney since 1993. He is the recipient of the diplomat designation in municipal law and the Distinguished Service Award from the New Jersey Utilities Association, for his work on the New Jersey Digest of Public Utility Decisions. Bill has also been elected a fellow of the American Bar Foundation and is a retired colonel in the United States Marine Corps Reserve.

William R. Holzapfel ’53 is sworn in for his sixth four-year term as city attorney and director of the Law Department of the City of Elizabeth, N.J. He was wearing his Union tie for the occasion.

1955 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Ken Haefner 1346 Waverly Pl. Schenectady, N.Y. 12308 haefnerkb@juno.com Dom Carbone writes, “Fran and I, plus Betty Ford, Fran’s 92-year-old mother, attended President Ainlay’s reception in Naples and enjoyed his commentary about Union, its glorious past, current happenings and a positive look into the future. Hey guys, two years until our 60th. Let’s talk it up.

I was sad to hear from his daughter that Walt Tennant

1954 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Avrom J. Gold P.O. Box 559 Whitehouse Station, N.J. 08889

William “Bill” Rudolph ’55, a member of Delta Upsilon fraternity, Student Council and the Block U Society who played lacrosse during his Union days, passed away Dec. 17, 2012.

His daughter, Deborah Rudolph Keenan, is a member of the Class of 1982.

passed away. He was a great leader and will be missed.”

1956 CLASS CORRESPONDENTS

Dr. Alan Greene 241 Perkins St. H401 Boston, Mass. 02130 Martin Stein 1107 Pipestem Place Potomac, Md. 20854 judithkstein@verizon.net Philip Dubois writes, “It was a pleasure and an honor to spend three years with Ernest Gardow, who passed away in June 2012, as a fraternity mate in Chi Psi at Union. He was a very unselfish man who gave much of himself, his time and his extensive knowledge to friends, fraternity brothers, schoolmates, and a wide array of clubs and associations during his college years. He was the most instrumental person in overseeing the business functions of the fraternity house for three years. Rarely was it run better.

After graduation he continued sharing his time and talents for a wide array of associations and college functions, and this continued into his business career. It was an honor to have known, lived and worked with him—to have listened to his music and socialized with such a

1959 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

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

William “Bill” Allen ’59

regular guy with so much talent during my years at Union College. Good-bye and fond farewell.”

1957 CLASS CORRESPONDENTS

James R. Fisher 172 Patriot’s Crook Martinsville, Va. 24112 fisherstwo@gmail.com Paul Mohr 140 E Duce of Clubs Ste A Show Low, Ariz. 85901 dadtired@frontiernet.net Jay Fromer, Ben Levy, Ted Davis and Harry Benedict, and their wives, all attended a recent Union alumni reception with President Stephen Ainlay in Palm Beach, Fla. They enjoyed the time they spent with each other, as well as other class representatives.

These four members made the Class of ’57 the most represented class at the reception.

1958 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Richard T. Steinbrenner 9 Hunters Trail Warren, N.J. 07059-7105 r.steinbrenner@att.net Heiki Ellermets writes, “Enjoying second retirement after 30 years in the Air Force (retired as a colonel in 1989) and then spent 10 years as a Realtor.”

John Williamson writes, “A few months ago at the Kona Airport on the big island of Hawaii, I had a chance meeting with the governor of the state, who happens to be our classmate, Neil Abercrombie.

By all accounts, Neil is serving his state well. He looked great and I had a very enjoyable talk with him.

Speaking of classmates, I spend a few days each year with Allen Peck. Allen lives in suburban Denver and is tough to keep up with on the slopes. As for me, I am a retired law book publisher in Denver who spends a lot of time playing golf, skiing, trout fishing and traveling with my wife, Beth.”

Donald J. May writes, “I was a practicing lawyer for 47 years in Ellicot, Md., when I suffered a severe heart attack on 29 May, 2011 (my birthday).

It required the replacement of a heart valve and the installation of the pacemaker.

I also suffered a stroke and some brain injury from lack of oxygen during my heart attack. When I awoke three weeks later, I was blind in one eye, had some facial paralysis and lost all memory of my years professing the law and practicing from before the heart attack. It was a heck of a birthday present. Yes, I can walk and talk, but little else.

Not fun. I have learned too that yes, women outlive men.

In my assisted living facility, there are five women and one man—me.” Don, who was also a warrant officer in the Army Reserve for 22 years, would

A CHARITABLE RETIREMENT PLAN Invest in a quality education for generations of Union students.

Establish a charitable gift annuity at Union College that: • Guarantees fixed income for your lifetime (a portion of which may be tax-free) • Realizes significant tax breaks, including an immediate federal deduction • Gives satisfaction from financially supporting Union College

Age

Annuity Rate

Deduction

Annual Income

65

4.7%

$6,653

$1,175

70

5.1%

$8,673

$1,275

75

5.8%

$10,254

$1,450

80

6.8%

$11,673

$1,700

70/70

4.6%

$5,997

$1,150

75/75

5.0%

$8,185

$1,250

80/80

5.7%

$9,863

$1,425

Based on a $25,000 cash gift using the IRS discount rate of 1.2% for Feb. 2013.

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

Spring 2013 UNION COLLEGE

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the classes

in Florida, travel and watch our grandkids play ice hockey, soccer, baseball and football. Our 17-year-old granddaughter is the place kicker for the boys’ football team. It won’t be long before our great-granddaughter will be playing sports as well.”

Seven brothers of the Kappa Sigma pledge class of 1957, who went on to graduate from Union in 1961, got together on Cape Cod in October 2012 to celebrate their 55th pledge reunion. Front row, from left are Sam Selwood, Bob Morgan and Bill Reaman; back row, from left are Bill Marx, Don Crist, Dave Muench and Bob Hurlbutt.

Dr. Peter Adasek ’61, right, visits with Bruce Allison, former Union College athletic director and wrestling and lacrosse coach, and his wife, Ann, in Loveland, Colo.

welcome hearing from Union classmates and swim teammates. Write him at The Woods, 3830 Baker Road, Westminster, Md. 21157, or call him at (410) 635-2930.

1960 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

John H. Nickles 1303 River Road West Coxsackie, N.Y. 12192 Charles Roden writes, “Please copy me at kiw702@aol.com on notes you submit for my next class letter.”

34 | UNION COLLEGE Spring 2013

1961 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Bill Condon 1365 Van Antwerp Road Apt. I-91 Niskayuna, N.Y. 12309 bcond041@nycap.rr.com (518) 382-1096 Dr. Peter Adasek writes, “Sun Hui and I have been together four delightful years. We continue to enjoy Czech/ Slovak folk dancing, waltzing with the Broadmoor Waltz Club, and ballroom dancing at the International Dance Club in Colorado Springs.

In May 2012, we visited my former Union College wrestling coach, Bruce Allison and his wife Ann, in Loveland, Colo. Neither seems to be aging. And in

Thomas R. Zentall ’62

1963 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

September, I represented Union at the inauguration of Colorado College’s new president, Jill Tiefenthaler.

I got to wear an academic gown for the procession and then Sun Hui and I dressed up ‘to the nines’ for the inaugural dance. This year, I was also very happy to be promoted (honorary) to clinical professor at the University of Colorado School of medicine. I continue to do pro bono lectures on child abuse where the opportunity arises, and we continue to enjoy living in Colorado Springs.”

1962 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Ollie R. Bunch 441 Stub Hollow Road New Hartford, Conn. 06057-2513 Thomas R. Zentall writes, “I am the DiSilvestro Professor of Arts and Sciences (an endowed chair) and professor of psychology at the University of Kentucky. I am president-elect of the Eastern Psychological Association and will preside over the annual meeting in Boston in March 2014.”

Harry Sauer writes, “I retired last July after 50 years in the global engineering and consulting business. My wife, Lynne, a Skidmore graduate, and I spend time at our condo

George Ball 6929 Country Line Road Wayland, N.Y. 14572-9553 gball@frontiernet.net James Gross writes, “Our 50th ReUnion is this May and I will attend. My son Peter ’05 was captain of the lacrosse team junior and senior years. We’re grandparents of Pete’s kids, Leila, 3, and Matty, 1. I’ve been vice chairman of Williamson, Picket, Gross Inc. (real estate) since its inception in 1971 and I work with son, Peter, who is my partner. I’ve been married for 42 years to Marsha, the chairman of the board.”

Dan Schwarz writes, “I had a festschrift published in my honor—Reading Texts, Reading Lives: Essays in the Tradition of Humanistic Cultural Criticism in Honor of Daniel R. Schwarz. Endtimes?

Crises and Turmoil and the New York Times, 1999-2009 has been getting quite a bit of attention. I had many NPR and other media interviews about the book and lectured at major NYC venues like the NYPL. My talk, ‘The History and Future of the New York Times,’ filmed at the Museum of the City, was aired on CSPAN at least twice in late December and January. I was part of a February 2012 BBC documentary on Damon Runyon, about whom I had written a book: Broadway Boogie Woogie; Damon Runyon and the Making of

Building Our Third Century New York City Culture. I edited the Penguin book on Runyon, Guys and Dolls and Other Writings.”

Mike Slomka writes, “Still practicing orthopaedic surgery in St. Pete, Fla. Have three grown children and eight grandchildren in St. Pete, Charlotte and Atlanta.

I attended the Frozen Four Hockey game with Joel Nussbaum, Dave Scheichet and Jimmy Gross in Tampa (old farts watching hockey).

We hope to see all of you at ReUnion.”

1964 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Anton Warde 36 Two Lights Rd. Cape Elizabeth, Maine 04107 wardea@union.edu Simon Sobo writes, “My new novel, Commodore, is now available at Amazon.”

Alan Horn became chairman of The Walt Disney Studios in June 2012, overseeing worldwide operations for a diverse collection of movies from Disney (live action and animated), Pixar, Marvel and Lucasfilm, as well as the company’s music and theatrical groups. Upcoming films from The Walt Disney Studios include Marvel’s Iron Man 3, Disney•Pixar’s Monsters University and Disney’s The Lone Ranger.

Alan previously served for 12 years as president and chief operating officer at Warner Bros. Entertainment and was an executive producer on 2012’s The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Alan and his wife, Cindy, reside in Los Angeles and have two adult daughters, Cody, NYU (2010) and Cassidy, Stanford (2012).

PLANNED GIFTS A bequest distribution was received from the estate of Lionel Furst, Class of 1950.

This gift is restricted to the Wicker Wellness Center, which is consistent with his lifetime of support of organizations and issues related to health and medical care.

A bequest distribution was received from the estate of Allen J. Wood; the proceeds restricted to the Union College Concert Series.

An unrestricted bequest distribution was received from the estate of Barbara Groundwater. Barbara was the widow of Robert E. Groundwater, Class of 1943.

Gregory S. Clear, Class of 1975, named Union College a remainder beneficiary of the charitable remainder trust established by his father, Albert F. Clear. Ultimately, proceeds will establish the Gregory and Kathleen Clear Endowed Scholarship.

A trust distribution was received from the estate of Naomi Chambers, to be added to the Walter R.G. and

Naomi Baker Scholarship in support of students studying engineering, science or mathematics. Mrs. Chambers was the widow of Walter R.G. Baker, Class of 1916.

In support of the Union College Annual Fund, a trust distribution was received from the estate of Robert L. Slobod, Class of 1935.

A bequest distribution was received from the estate Calvin G. Schmidt, registrar emeritus, and member of the Class of 1951. This gift, along with earlier distributions, will be added to the Calvin G. Schmidt ’51 Endowed Student Employment Fund. Cal was registrar at Union for over 25 years.

A trust distribution was received from the estate of Nathan and Romana Obenzinger. Proceeds established the Ronald M. Obenzinger Memorial Endowment. This endowment will be used to create the Ronald M. Obenzinger Professorship in memory of their son, Ronald Matthew Obenzinger, Class of 1961.

A bequest distribution was received from the estate of Don Hewitt Blanks, Class of 1945. This unrestricted gift will be added to an earlier distribution and will be used at the discretion of the trustees.

CHARITABLE LEAD TRUST Charitable Lead Trust distributions were received from:

• Willard G. Taylor, Class of 1952: proceeds were added to the Willard G. Taylor (1952) Scholarship • Nathan & Romana Obenzinger: proceeds were added to the Ronald Matthew Obenzinger (1961) Memorial Premedical Scholarship and to the Ronald M. Obenzinger (1961) Prize • Margaret N. Deal: proceeds were added to the Harold S. & Margaret N. Deal Memorial Scholarship in support of students majoring either in biochemistry or pre-health programs

A bequest distribution was received from the estate of Seth R. Kline, Class of 2002.

The use of these funds will be determined at a later date.

CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITIES

A bequest distribution was received from the estate of Elizabeth C. Milano. This gift will establish the Dr. Joseph ’36 and Betty Milano Scholarship.

Mrs. Milano was the widow of Joseph E. Milano, Class of 1936.

• Paul E. Kummer, Class of 1943. The proceeds from this gift will be added to the Paul E. Kummer, Class of 1943, Endowed Scholarship.

Charitable gift annuities were estabished by:

• William S. Parry, Class of 1965. The proceeds from this gift will be added to the Jonathan Stanley Parry Scholarship.

Spring 2013 UNION COLLEGE

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1965

1967

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

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

Joseph Smaldino 720 Cameron St. Sycamore, Ill. 60178

A paperback edition of Larry Baldassaro’s book, Beyond DiMaggio: Italian Americans in Baseball, has been published by the University of Nebraska Press.

Charlie Plesums writes, “My wife is taking me out to dinner for my 70th birthday— in Paris. Not Paris, Texas or any of the dozen others in the USA. We both have part-time retirement jobs and love to travel. My retirement job is as a custom furniture maker, and my wife is CFO for about 20 (small) companies. Europe last year was England, and a separate trip to Netherlands/ Belgium, plus domestic flights to Montana, Maryland, Hawaii, and a driving trip to Iowa and surrounding states.”

1966 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Antonio F. Vianna 7152 Tanager Drive Carlsbad, Calif. 92011-5033 simpatico1@juno.com Edward (Ned) Shultz, dean of the School of Pacific and Asian Studies at University of Hawaii at Manoa and assistant vice chancellor for International Programs and Exchange, was recently named president of the East-West Center’s Alumni Association Executive Board.

EWCA’s mission is to promote better relations and understanding among the people and nations of the United States, Asia and the Pacific.

36 | UNION COLLEGE Spring 2013

Doug Horan writes, “I still play gentleman farmer here in Lexington, Va., as I have been most years since I retired in 1997. My next excitement will be building a small barn for my John Deere tractor, Gator and assorted other manly farm implements. I am chair of the regional library board, which keeps me pretty busy.

I also volunteer at the APCA, have tutored students with learning difficulties, read to pre-schoolers, and help out locally on civic issues. We love it here in the Blue Ridge Mountains and enjoy having W&L and VMI in town, though watching students troop past my coffee shop early in the morning might make a less deluded man feel old.”

Voice actor Jeffrey Hedquist can now be heard nationally on TV commercials for Premier Care and the National Peanut Board, and regionally in 11 states for Casey’s General Stores.

1968 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

John Dresser Etna, N.H. dresserdmd@myfairpoint.net Stephen Cheuvront writes, “Recently retired after 40 years working for CSC in and around the Washington, D.C. area. I celebrated my one-year heart transplant anniversary on Valentine’s Day.” Ben Volinski writes, “My plans for ReUnion are unsettled.

Youngest son Jonathan is graduating from Tulane Law School and new daughterin-law Faaria (wife of middle son Jeffrey) is graduating

Kenneth A. Merchant ’68

Glen Rapoport ’69

from Columbia School of International Policy & Affairs at about that time. Oldest son Jay is an emergency vet in N.H. Judy and I are well.”

The photography of Dan Mead and his wife, Sally Eagle, was recently displayed in Westover School’s Schumacher Gallery. The exhibit, titled “Sustainable,” explored environmental issues facing the earth and society today. The couple and their work were featured in December 2012 in The Litchfield County Times.

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the management accounting section of the American Accounting Association awarded the 2013 Lifetime Contribution Award to Kenneth A. Merchant. He is the Deloitte & Touche LLP Chair of Accountancy at the University of Southern California. He was honored “for his research on relevant topics that advance business practice, innovative casebased teaching focused on how business actually operates, and his service to both companies and professional organizations.”

Kenneth also earned degrees from Columbia University (MBA) and the University of California, Berkeley (Ph.D.), and he was awarded an honorary doctorate from the Turku School of Economics (Finland) in 2010.

1969 CLASS CORRESPONDENTS

Ray Pike Salisbury, Mass. rnwpike@comcast.net George Cushing Delanson, N.Y. gcushing@nycap.rr.com

Glen Rapoport writes, “What a nice and useful app [EverTrue is]. Greetings from Beaufort, S.C.”

1970 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Frank Donnini 239 Rushlake Ct. Newport News, Va. 23602-6348 fpdonnini@aol.com Richard Lewis writes, “After 19 years at Wayne State University in Detroit, I have made a move to Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles. It’s an exciting time for my wife and I, bringing us close to my daughter in L.A. and my son in San Francisco, and new opportunities for work and pleasure.”

1971 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

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

Hal Tugal writes, “After working in commercial industry for 30 years and having held positions as VP engineering, VP marketing, and director of Program Management office, I moved to working for the Department of Defense USAF as an engineering supervisor heading environmental, manufacturing, quality assurance, and facilities groups for the Space Fence Program. Working as a civilian in the U.S. government is very different and I am enjoying every bit of it.

My oldest son, Erik, graduated from Tulane University last spring, having majored in political economy and attended Russian Immersion Language school at Middlebury College in Vt. My youngest, Kurt, is attending High Point University at High Point, N.C. Being a hockey family, we follow Union with further personal interest from my son Erik, who played hockey at our hometown Acton-Boxborough H.S. with Wayne Simpson, who is a senior right-winger on the team. Go Union!”

Phil Di Sorbo writes, “Nice not to be working full-time anymore, but still actively engaged. Internationally, our Africa Hospice Initiative is alive and well. I continue to work every week with hospice colleagues in Zimbabwe. Grants work is done from my home office, with 2-3 trips a year in country. We finished 2012 having raised over $1.1 million for hospice care in Zimbabwe. Locally, I have started working two days a week with the Schenectadybased Ellis/VNS health system. We are building a practice to integrate palliative care and palliative medicine upstream in the management of degenerative chronic diseases. Part of that continu-

Mike Rone ’72

um will include a new palliative home care team and a new delivery model for hospice care—both intended to assure improved access and quality of life for patients and families in our region. On the home front, Cindy and I continue to enjoy our rural homestead, currently breaking in a too-active new golden retriever puppy named Barley.

And our tenth grandchild arrived May 8! We have truly been blessed. Reach me at pdisorbo@fairpoint.net.”

1972 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Frederick A. Levy LCSW 732 Thimble Shoals Blvd.

Suite 702 Newport News, Va. 23606-4256 glida1@verizon.net Howard Haimes is chief pharmaceutical scientist supporting the Medical Acquisitions Group of the Joint Program Executive Office at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds. He writes, “Our married daughter, Elana Pistorio, has completed her masters in museum science at Harvard University. Elana’s husband Michael is finishing George Washington Law School. Our son Elliot works in process development at Life Technologies and has married Teresa Fong, who is completing her MBA at Northeastern University.”

Ed Young writes, “Mike Rone, a brother of Delta Phi fraternity, and resident of St. Paul and then Orono, Minn., was 63 when he died on Dec. 29, 2012.

Mike had a graceful and fearless approach to life, which was honed early on through competitive diving at Union.

He built a manufacturing company, Northern Contours, in which he enjoyed the people, risk and game of business.

He was a philanthropist and proudly rode in the Dana Farber Pan Massachusetts ride for decades. His curiosity about the world and the people in it inspired him to seek lifelong learning and understanding. He was a private pilot, world traveler, skier, cyclist and, of special note, everyone’s best friend.”

1973 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

George C. Schwab 1710 Broadway, Apt. B Schenectady, N.Y. 12306 (518) 372-6507

Rhode Island Governor Lincoln D. Chafee nominated Patrick A. Guida for the Rhode Island Board of Education in January. Patrick is an attorney with Duffy and Sweeney Ltd., and formerly with the Providence law firm of Tillinghast Licht LLP. He has served with numerous organizations relating to education, and was appointed to the Board of Regents in 2001 and elected as vice chair in 2005. Patrick has also represented his state at the National School Board Association National Delegate Assembly since 2000.

Robert G. Wakeman ’75

1974 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Gerald A. Dwyer geraldadwyer@gmail.com Thomas Warger writes, “I have served as a fellow at the National Institute for Technology in Liberal Education since 2011. My role is to assist development of their program in shared practices.

NITLE helps liberal arts colleges integrate inquiry, pedagogy and technology.”

1975 Cullen and Dykman LLP recently made Robert G. Wakeman a partner to the firm in its Albany, N.Y. office.

Robert has nearly three decades of experience, concentrating in banking and commercial lending. Prior to joining Cullen and Dykman, he was a partner in the Albany office of Lombardi, Walsh, Wakeman, Harrison, Amodeo & Davenport PC. Robert is a member of the New York State Bar Association Section on Business and Banking.

1976 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Leslie Steinecker-McHugh 17 Virginia Place Patchogue, N.Y. 11772 lesmch2@aol.com

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1977 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Tony Romanazzi 73 Bay St. Glens Falls, N.Y. 12801 romanquatro@gmail.com

Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University recently named Judy Aschner M.D., chair of the pediatrics department at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore and professor and university chair of pediatrics at Einstein. Judy was previously with Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, where she had served as director of neonatology and the Julia Carell Stadler professor of pediatrics.

Dr. Robert A. Kaslovsky has returned to Albany Medical Center, where he will serve as professor of pediatrics and head the Division of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine. He was previously at Albany Med from 1981-2005, during which time he progressed from pediatric resident to the director of the Pediatric Pulmonary Division and head of the Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Center. Most recently, Robert was the chief of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine and director of the CF Center at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Mass.

1978 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Jeff Laniewski Jlaniew1@maine.rr.com Barb B. Desautels writes, “Enjoying being a full-time college professor—my students are awesome. I now have three grandchildren, whom I adore. Spend my spare time relaxing at my

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lake house. Can’t believe our 35th ReUnion is around the corner.”

Ray Stecker writes, “I am planning to make it to ReUnion in June—what a bunch of old geezers we are!

Hope to see many of you there. I headed over to Tufts University to catch up with Jed Kanner as we watched his daughter play in a basketball game. She was one of the stars; it reminded me of Jed’s prowess on the lacrosse field.

I also continue to receive very entertaining emails from Peter Delahunt and am always cautious to keep my office door shut before opening them. I also keep in touch with Rob Sherman ’80 who was another lacrosse standout, and I hear occasionally from John Breault, who is a big honcho in the executive recruiting business. Of course, George Garivaltis, supreme athlete and allaround great guy, is the person I see the most. He has 50 acres on top of the world in Florida, Mass. He is a 1-handicap golfer and we get a chance to play a few rounds each year. His daughter is a Union graduate.

Finally a plug for my book: Cancer, Courage and Collateral Damage, which was published late fall 2012.

It is available on Amazon.

According to the reviews posted so far, it has been helpful to quite a few people, and that is what I was hoping.

Foosball in the ‘Skellar anyone?”

1979 Market Probe, a global market research and consulting organization, recently named Steven Marks vice president and head of St. Louis operations. He brings over 30 years

of research and management experience to the company.

Prior to joining Market Probe, Steve headed his own strategic research and consulting group, serving clients in numerous industry sectors, including telecommunications, entertainment, media, financial services, retail and CPG. Eric Nodiff organized a successful Manhattan fundraising event, including attendance by Roger Landau and Steve Krisky ’80, on behalf of Ted O’Brien’s campaign for the New York State Senate.

O’Brien, a former Democratic Party County Chairman and member of the Monroe County Legislature, was successful in his first run for the state Senate. He represents the 55th Senate district, which includes portions of Monroe (Rochester) and Ontario counties.

Murray Levison writes, “Was back in Rochester, N.Y. in January 2013 and caught up with classmates Kevin Geary, Kevin Kilbourne and Paul McLaughlin. The weather reaffirmed my decision to live in California. I’ve worked more than 30 years in local government for five cities in three states. Recently, I was re-elected president of our labor organization, representing nearly 550 of my agency’s management and administrative employees. Between my wife and I, we have three children and two grandchildren. I’m starting to make plans for following my wife into retirement. I’m looking forward to seeing classmates at our 35th ReUnion in 2014.”

1980 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Richard Budd Stefan Zavodnika 25 971 01 Prievidza, Slovak Republic buddwick@hotmail.com James Loree recently became president of Stanley Black and Decker Inc. In 1999, James joined Stanley Black and Decker, an American manufacturer of tools and household hardware and provider of security products and locks, as its chief financial officer. He became the company’s vice president and COO in 2009 and is now responsible for all operations of the company, including revenue and income.

Russell A. Davidson, president of KG&D Architects & Engineers in Mount Kisco, N.Y., has been elected to the American Institute of Architects’ College of Fellows for his contributions to the field and to society at large.

Russell, a managing partner of Kaeyer, Garment & Davidson, has worked on numerous high-profile building projects, including the White Plains City School District’s Post Road Elementary School; the Seven Bridges Middle School in Chappaqua; and the Media Arts Lab at the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville.

1981 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Alan Saler 17040 Magnolia Boulevard Encino, Calif. 91316 alan@alansaler.com James Libous was recently named an IEEE Fellow, recognized for contributions to switching noise minimization in CMOS technology.

Being an IEEE Fellow is the highest grade of membership

and is recognized by the technical community as a prestigious honor and an important career achievement. The IEEE is the world’s leading professional organization for advancing technology for humanity.

John Connor Jr. writes, “In November 2012, I was elected city judge of the City of Hudson (N.Y.). I’m also in private practice and am the track and basketball coach at Hudson High.”

1982 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

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

Adelberg, Rudow, Dorf & Hendler LLC recently named Carol Ghingher Cooper a member of the firm. An ARD&H associate since 2002, she was selected twice as a “Rising Star” by Maryland Super Lawyers and named in Washington D.C. & Baltimore’s Top Rated Lawyers 2012 Edition. Serving in the firm’s family law and litigation practice groups, Carol sits on the Maryland State Bar Association’s Lawyer Assistance Program committee and is also a member of the Women’s Bar Association of Maryland and the Baltimore County Bar Association.

1983 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Cory Lewkowicz 74 Taylor St. Needham, Mass. 02494 lewkowicz@aol.com From the correspondent, “I’ve switched gears a bit, and am going back to grad school— AGAIN. I have a Ph.D. in developmental psychology, but am in the process of re-specializing in clinical

Erik Skorina ’12, son of Frank Skorina ’83 and Holly Howard ’83, with his nine-year-old sister, Laurel Skorina

psychology at the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology. My memory functioned much better the first time around. Also, if you are on Facebook and are not a member of the ‘Union College Class of 1983’ page, please join us! Feel free to email me at lewkowicz@aol. com for information.”

Randy Klimpl Neuringer writes, “I have recently started my own technology recruiting agency. I had worked for six years, running a recruiting team at HBO in the H.R. department, and decided to launch my startup. My company places full-time employees and consultants that focus on IT, digital and broadcast/production engineering and operations.

In the few months that we have been in business, we have made placements in NBC, HBO, Huge and Cognizant.”

As the Class of 1983’s 30th ReUnion nears, the Blues Brothers announce they will be performing again. Rob Derbabian writes, “We are moving closer to a Union College Blues Brothers ‘final gig’ at ReUnion 2013. As of now we will be playing from 2-5 p.m. on Saturday, June 1 under the tent at Library Plaza.”

Ilene Landress won a Golden Globe (best television show— musical or comedy) as executive producer for the HBO show “Girls.” Many people commented on it on the Union College Class of 1983 Facebook page, including Jason Brandt, who wrote, “It’s a long way from ‘Not Like Dreams Do’ in the Nott for sure!”

Andy Levine was recently featured in Forbes magazine, as one of “10 Leaders Who Aren’t Afraid To Be Transparent.” Andy works for Development Counselors International.

Doug MacFadden was recently promoted to chief informatics officer for Harvard Catalyst at Harvard Medical School.

Frank Skorina and Holly Howard write, “Our oldest (of four), Erik Skorina, graduated from Union in June 2012 with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering.

He returned to Union for an additional term to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics.”

Dan Wawrzonek is the director of application development for United Health Care in Basking Ridge, N.J.

1984 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Kathleen Kozera Rowe 33 Fairway Ave. Delmar, N.Y. 12054-3332 Jennifer (Shaw) ShawBrachfeld writes, “Just want to give an appreciative shoutout to my friend and Sigma Delta Tau Sister June Schechner for the quiet philanthropy her family provided for New Jersey Hurricane Sandy victims. I am her children’s pediatrician, and when they learned we were seeing

patients and running our practice for over a week without power or internet access, they provided space in their office building for us to set up internet access and lanterns to see patients— and a hot meal and warm beds for my family as well.

On a broader note, they used personal resources to send trucks of supplies down to the shore communities during those first few days while others were still getting organized. Throughout the years, the Schechners support multiple charities and give freely of their time to support those less fortunate.”

1985 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Jon Mathewson PO Box 1262 Middletown Springs, Vt. 05757-1262 Douglas Elder recently joined Automation Engineering Incorporated, a global supplier of high precision automation systems, as chief executive officer. Previously, Douglas was president and CEO of Boston Semi Equipment group, where he grew the company to over 50 employees and $26 million in revenue.

Tim Hesler is a senior expert for McKinsey & Company in the corporate finance strategy practice in New York. Still providing management consulting services after 14 years for companies in corporate treasury and financial risk, he also likes speaking at industry conferences and writing articles. He writes, “Being head agent for the Class of ’85 is always enjoyable, and helping out as an alumni interviewer for future classes is terrific.”

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1986 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Phil Bean pbean@haverford.edu Dr. Charlene Alouf was recently profiled by Delaware County News Network. The story focused on her work at the HAN Fertility Center and the joy she feels in helping couples start or grow their families.

Gale Burstein recently accepted a position at Erie County Department of Health located in Buffalo, N.Y. as commissioner. She writes, “My heart has always been in public health. The ‘commish’ is a challenging, but very gratifying, role. I feel that I have the opportunity to help make my community a healthier place to live.”

1987 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Paul Malatesta 148 Washington Avenue Chatham, N.J. 07928 paul.malatesta@gmail.com

Barton & Loguidice P.C. recently named Anthony P. DaRin P.E. vice president.

Anthony manages highway and bridge design, dam safety engineering, and construction administration for the firm. He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the American Society of Highway Engineers, where he serves as CNY Chapter president.

Anthony has been with the firm for 23 years and has been involved with more than 200 transportation assignments working with the NYSDOT, NYSTA and various counties throughout New York State.

40 | UNION COLLEGE Spring 2013

Karl Hartmann, Mark Zimmerman, Mike Schulitz and Christos Nikolis, all Class of 1990, spent New Year’s together with their families. It is a tradition they have carried on for the past 10 years.

1988 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Dana Rosen Isbitts 480 Alexandra Circle Weston, Fla. 33326 danaisbitts@myacc.net (954) 385-9827 W. Todd Harder writes, “This summer I was selected interim head coach of the local high school football team. I’ve been an assistant there at Kingston High School for the last four years. We had a great year, which was supposed to be a rebuilding year, taking the team to the State’s Sweet Sixteen. Otherwise, I’m still with Morgan Stanley on the left coast in Seattle, although we’ve changed our name a number of times the last couple of years. I also earned my CFP in 2010.”

1989 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Stephanie Spencer Wiggs 1722 Pine Street Livermore, Calif. 94551 swfcorg@aol.com Jennifer Hermann recently joined MedRisk as director of data analytics, overseeing all outcomes analysis and reporting. Previously, Jenn held senior management positions at some of the largest workers’ compensation insurers in the industry,

including Travelers Inc., The Hartford and Specialty Risk Services.

Jonathan Artz writes, “Hello from the West Coast, I’m glad to join the Dutchman network! Anyone who needs or wants information about the San Francisco area, I’d be glad to assist you with places to visit and to avoid—so you don’t waste your precious travel-vacation time.”

1990 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

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

Worcester Polytechnic Institute recently welcomed David Medich to its faculty.

The assistant professor of physics was previously at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, where he was director of the Radioactive Materials Program and director of radiation safety. With research expertise in brachytherapy physics and nuclear diagnostic imaging, he is a consultant for the International Atomic Energy Agency.

David Adinolfi was promoted to head of the Special Prosecutions section of North Carolina’s Attorney General’s office on Sept. 3, 2012.

Darren Binder ’90 and Dave Liedman (left) have started City Dogs Rescue in Washington, D.C. To date, they’ve saved close to 250 dogs from high-kill animal shelters, mostly in the south. All the animals have been adopted into good homes. Here, Darren and Dave sit with their rescued yellow Labrador, Cody, and a City Dogs Rescue puppy named Chloe. She’s since been adopted. For more, visit www. citydogsrescueDC.org or www. facebook.com/citydogsrescue

Dr. Hari P. Bezwada, a surgeon at Princeton Orthopaedic Associates who specializes in hip and knee replacements, was recently featured on www.nj.com.

The story focused on the rising demand for these joint replacements.

Kevin Whitaker recently joined the Geneva City School district as assistant superintendent for school improvement and accountability. Previously, he was high school principal at Newark Central School.

1991 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Karen Valyou Zador 313 Stonehurst Parkway St. Augustine, Fla. 32092 karenzador@gmail.com

In November 2012, the United States Patent and Trademark Office officially welcomed Scott Daniels as a new administrative law judge to

the Patent Trial and Appeals Board. Previously, Scott practiced patent law at Davis & Bujold PLLC, before opening his own firm in 2008 in Concord, N.H. His legal career has increasingly evolved from patent and trademark prosecution in mechanical, business methods and electrical technologies into various IP litigation matters.

Jeff Kimball recently returned to his position as a pilot for FedEx after completing a four-year active duty mobilization with the U.S. Navy.

He resides in Virginia Beach, Va. with his wife, Danielle, and daughters Lauren (6) and Kate (3).

Lisa DaRin has been executive director for Upstate Orthopedics in Central New York for over 10 years. She was heavily involved with the launch of the Upstate Bone and Joint Center in East Syracuse as well.

1992 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Stephanie Fray Apartment 7 D 10 West End Avenue New York, N.Y. 10023-7828 sfray1@gmail.com Edwin M. Adeson ’91 and Lisa A. (McGloin) Adeson continue to reside in Queensbury, N.Y. with their three children, Jonah (16), Isaiah (13) and Elliana (11). Ed operates his own law office, specializing in bankruptcy and family law.

Lisa is a practicing pediatrician and a partner with Glens Falls Pediatric Consultants PC. They write, “We still visit Union several times per year, especially during hockey season. Our email is eadeson@roadrunner.com.”

1993 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Jill Bernstein 170 E. 83rd St., #3K New York, N.Y. 10028 jilldbernstein@yahoo.com Sheri (Hoggins) Prevratil writes, “My husband Frank and I live in Colonie with our 15-year-old son, Seth, and 9-year-old son, Frank.

I work as the manager, Corporate Credit for the New York Independent System Operator, Inc. Life is really good and we are very blessed. I can be reached at sprevratil@gmail.com.”

Timothy Fisher writes, “I’ve been a practicing Ob/Gyn and chair of women’s health at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Keene since 2006. My wife, Kathy, has been expertly juggling her pediatrics practice and management of our household and crazy lives. Our children, Elizabeth (10) and Jackson (8), are keeping us plenty busy as we shuttle them to practices, swim meets, elementary band, dance recitals and hockey games. I recently completed a graduate program at Dartmouth in health care delivery science and am putting my new skill-set to good use as the chair of surgical services for our 125-member multispecialty group and 169-bed community hospital. Finally, I’m thrilled to report that my baby brother, William Fisher, will be joining the Union family this fall as a member of the Class of 2017!

I’m looking forward to a few days of reminiscing with old friends in Schenectady this spring—is it possible that it’s been 20 years?”

A Thanksgiving weekend gathering included, from left, the families of Bill Callahan ’94, Eric Weinberger ’94, Alex (Kreisler) Weinberger ’94, Derek Evans ’94, Steve Rotkiewicz ’95 and Fran D’Angelo ’94.

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 Bill Callahan hosted a gathering of alumni families at his home in Los Angeles over Thanksgiving weekend.

Guests included Eric Weinberger, Alex (Kreisler) Weinberger, Derek Evans, Steve Rotkiewicz ’95 and Fran D’Angelo.

1995 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Caroline Paine Pannhorst 32 Nottingham Way North Clifton Park, N.Y. 12065 cpannhorst@msn.com Scott Steele was recently named director of the University of Rochester Medical Center’s new Office of Research Alliances. His appointment is part of a broader multi-year effort to enhance support for science and engineering research activities and the translation of research results into technologies that benefit society. Prior to first joining the university in 2008, Scott served in the White House Office of Science and

Technology Policy, as a representative of the National Science and Technology Council and later as the executive director of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST).

Matt Baumgartner was honored with the Outstanding Communicator Award from the Capital Region chapter of the Public Relations Society of America in January. A well-known restaurateur in the area, Matt is the owner of Bombers Burrito Bar, with locations in Albany and Schenectady, N.Y.

1996 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Betsy Phelps Seplowitz 104 Tompion Way Ballston Spa, N.Y. 12020 bseplowitz@yahoo.com Tanweer Ansari, his wife Erum and daughter Eva Shahzadi, who was born on Dec. 2, 2011, recently celebrated Eva’s first Eidh holidays in NYC. Eidh is an Islamic holiday which happens twice a year and is one of the most festive and holiest holidays in Islam.

Rachel Schaffer writes, “After years of wearing hard hats and steel toe shoes, I traded in practicing occupational safety and health law

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Children of Saral Patel ’98, from left, are Shiv (6), Vir (1), Yash (5), and Dhruv (2)

for motherhood. I live in Baltimore, Md. with my husband and two children, Ethan (4) and Alexis (2.5).

Best to all.”

currently organizing an alumni event for Seville Term Alumni July 7-13, 2013. Visit www.spanishstudiesorg/ reunion for more. Abrazos.”

Liza Burnett Fefferman was recently named executive vice president of publicity for RADiUS-TWC, the new boutique label from the Weinstein Company.

1998

1997 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Sara Amann Garrand 367 Schauber Road Ballston Lake, N.Y. 12019 sgarrand1@nycap.rr.com Karen (Sigel) Carswell is marketing and alumni relations manager at Spanish Studies Abroad, located in Amherst, Mass. She writes, “I accepted the position February 2012 and am

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Ryan T. Smith, MBA ’00 284 Sussex Circle Jupiter, Fla. 33458 rsmith@thebenjaminschool.org Courtney Seymour and Pete Farnum are pleased to announce that they are expecting their second child.

They write, “We may miss our 15th ReUnion this year as our baby is due in late May.” This child will join three-year-old brother, Stuart. Having started her career at Union in 2001, Courtney is enjoying her new role as collaboration, outreach, and initiatives librarian at Schaffer Library.

Saral Patel lives in Ellicott City, Maryland with her husband and four young boys. Saral works as an anesthesiologist assistant in Washington, D.C. and is the president of the American Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants (2013-14).

Ethan and Alexis, children of Rachel Schaffer ’96 42 | UNION COLLEGE Spring 2013

Kathleen Barclay ’99

Michael Votto ’00

1999

Jason “Jay” Scherman writes, “Hello Union, I’m impressed with this [EverTrue app].

Good form!”

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Kellie Forrestall 360 First St. Lowell, Mass. 01850 forrestkj@hotmail.com Kathleen Barclay recently joined Maguire Cardona, P.C., a civil litigation and general practice firm, as senior associate attorney. Kathleen focuses her practice on medical malpractice defense, errors and omissions, product liability, general liability defense and insurance coverage. Prior to joining Maguire Cardona, she practiced law in Boston before moving to the Albany, N.Y. area. She spent the past four years as a senior associate and litigator in a highly regarded Albany firm.

Bacon Wilson, P.C. recently announced that Adam J. Basch was distinguished as one of the law firm’s six “Rising Stars” in Boston Magazine. Adam is a member of the litigation department whose areas of practice include construction litigation, personal injury, general litigation and commercial litigation. He serves as a member of the Wilbraham Planning Board and the United Way Allocation Committee, and teaches litigation and business law at Baypath College.

2000 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

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

The Hill profiled Shennell Antrobus in December 2012.

The story focused on his past career in public relations, his transition into law enforcement, and his new job as U.S. Capitol Police public information officer.

Michael Votto was recently named one of Connecticut Magazine’s “40 Under 40.”

The list honors some of the best and brightest young professionals in the publication’s circulation area.

Michael, associate general counsel of the Knights of Columbus, was recognized for his civically minded pro bono work, community involvement, and leadership in the family business. He is CEO of Votto Vines, a wine-importing, tourism and consulting company.

Jonathan J. Kelson has been named a Partner at Diserio Martin O’Connor & Castiglioni LLP, a law firm headquartered in Stamford, Conn.

He focuses his practice on commercial and general civil litigation, and intellectual property.

2001 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Erin (Aloan) Grogan 143 Streeter Hill Road West Chesterfield, N.H. 03466 erinlgrogan@gmail.com Scott Schrum started with Allstate Corporate in Malvern, Penn. as a sales instructor in June 2012. Recently, he got engaged and the wedding is set for Sept. 28, 2013 in Lancaster, Penn. (http:// sept28.com).

Danielle Marquis writes, “I was recently elected chair of the Marketing Committee for the Association of Energy Service Professionals.”

2002 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Gina L. Campanella campanella.gina@gmail.com Daniel Flint was recently featured in The Florida TimesUnion. The story focused on his passionate and innovative approach to teaching history at A. Philip Randolph Academies of Technology in

Dylan, son of Adriana Zavala ’03

Violet, daughter of Adriana Zavala ’03

Jacksonville, Fla. Daniel has won several accolades for his work in the classroom. He writes, “I was selected as the 2012 Florida state winner of the Tom and Betty Lawrence American History Teacher Award. I am also the winner of the 2013 Jacksonville Florida Chapter Tom and Betty Lawrence American History Teacher award.”

Adriana Zavala lives in Manhattan and is mother of two beautiful children, Dylan and Violet. She and her husband, Anthony, wed last summer in NYC in company of their family and friends.

2003 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Katrina (Tentor) Lallier 50A Locust Street Danvers, Mass. 01923 katrina@alumni.union.edu Portia Zwicker writes, “I recently earned a certificate in technical writing, and am now looking for my first entry-level job as a technical writer.”

Jeffrey Fairfield writes, “Hello from the Northwest! Glad to see a new forum (EverTrue) to connect with other alumni.”

Scott Schrum ’01 and his fiancée, Bethany Edwards, stand with Top Chef Season 7 winner Kevin Sbraga. The couple ate at his restaurant in Philadelphia on New Year’s Eve.

Kelly Whalen recently finished a degree in educational leadership and administration and continues as a special education teacher and the team leader at Holten Richmond Middle School in Danvers, Mass. She recently began part-time consulting and co-teaching at Salem State University.

2004 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Rachel Marin rachel.marin@gmail.com (973) 670-7692 Amie Tracia Geary writes, “This year has been a great year for me. My husband and I welcomed our daughter, Kylie Rose Geary, on Dec. 14, 2011. I also opened my own law practice, Geary Law LLC, in Boston and Burlington, Mass. in September 2012.”

2005 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Andrea Doenges andrea.doenges@gmail.com

Northjersey.com profiled Phillip Chorba in January.

The story highlighted his acting career, which has included a role in “Silver Linings Playbook.” The film starred Bradley Cooper and Robert DeNiro.

Thomas Hickernell ’06, now in remission after being diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia, participates in a telecast from his hospital room to his graduation ceremony at Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons in 2012

2006 Marty O’Brion writes, “In my free time I recently started a bakery in Boston with my mom called ‘Tootles—where Goodbyes turn into Hellos.’

Business is cooking and it offers a great opportunity to spend more time with my mom. If anyone is in the area, be sure to give me a ring for finger-licking good cupcakes and muffins. Union provided me a great foundation to pursue my hopes and dreams, thank you!”

The New York chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) recently nominated Thomas Hickernell as 2013 Man of the Year. On April 26, 2012, the day he fulfilled requirements for medical school graduation from Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons, Tom was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia. Determined to help, Tom’s sister Katherine set up ‘Team Tom’ to support the LLS Light the Night fundraising event. While Tom underwent intensive chemotherapy, he managed

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Team ‘Neon Extreme,’ which includes Mark Rautiola ’07 and 14 fellow alumni, ran the 2012 Cape Relay in support of Project ReMind, and to raise money for frontotemporal degeneration research.

to help raise more than $18,000 for the event, held in October 2012. It made ‘Team Tom’ one of the top fundraising teams in New York City.

Tom is now in remission and pursuing translational research projects in Columbia’s Center for Orthopaedic Research. And he’s competing with several other nominees to see who can raise the most for LLS research and patient initiatives, and thus be named Man and Woman of the Year.

More information on the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the Man and Woman of the Year Campaign, and ‘Team Tom’ can be found at www.GoTeamTom.org.

Kevin Flike writes, “In spring 2012 my wife Kimberlee earned a 3.9 GPA while attaining her master’s in nursing from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA. This is her second master’s degree; her first is from Boston University and is in the medical sciences.

Kimberlee and I will be moving back to the northeast when my medical retirement from the U.S. Army is complete this summer.

After six years of being away from the northeast, we look forward to re-connecting with family, friends and the Union community.”

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Keith Gooberman, vice president of trading and platform operations at Varick Media, was recently profiled

by Ad Age. The story focused on his career and the industry he works in. For more, visit http://adage.com.

2007 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Nick Salvatoriello nick.salvatoriello@gmail.com Victoria Morgan Hurley ’05, one of nine children, is engaged to Nicholas Salvatoriello, one of 11 children. The wedding ceremony will take place on June 1 in Cohasset, Mass. at the residence of Michael and Victoria Hurley. It promises to be HUGE, with many Union alums in attendance. The couple is grateful to Union for helping bring them together!

Mark Rautiola writes, “In 2011, Alexandra Sparks’ father Kenny died after a 6-year battle with frontotemporal degeneration (FTD), a progressive degenerative brain disease. The family’s experience made it clear to Alexandra (Class of 2008) that there was little awareness of FTD and even less public funding for research. In May 2011, Alexandra, myself, Eric Rautiola, Todd Buffum, Abby

Valerie Gomes ’08, Kelly Fitzpatrick ’07 and Kathleen Rucci ’09 (right) attend Kelly’s marriage to Marques Rich Dec. 1, 2012 in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

Rachel Fitz ’09 and Brian Glavotsky became engaged Dec. 22, 2012. Rachel is in medical school on Long Island and Brian is a CPA in New York City. They are planning a May 2014 wedding.

Weiner ’08, Lara Levine ’08, Erin Lawson ‘08, Liz O’Connor ’08, Stephanie Hargadon ’08, David Schneidman, Jeff Meola ’06 and Brendan Merrell ran the Cape Relay, a 190-mile road race from Quincy, Mass. to Provincetown, Cape Cod. We were team ‘Neon Extreme’ and we raised $26,000 for the Association of Frontotemporal Degeneration. This success inspired Alexandra, Eric, Todd and I to found the non-profit Project ReMind, to fund FTD research and raise awareness of the disease. In 2012, ‘Neon Extreme’ grew to 36 runners in the race, who fundraised over $50,000 for Project ReMind and FTD research. The team included most original Union members, plus Tom Simmons ’08, Marc Magee and Ryan Goltzman. This year ‘Neon Extreme’ has 72 runners in the race, adding alums Eric D’Silva and Ross Williams to the roster. Visit www.Project ReMind.org for information on FTD, and pictures and videos from our runs.”

worked with documentary film director Eugene Jarecki, two-time winner of the Grand Jury Prize for Documentary at the Sundance Film festival (2005 and 2012). Shirel was a co-producer for the 2012 film The House I Live In (and she was at Union recently for a showing of the film and to talk to interested students about the industry).

Shirel Kozak, a former student of Andy Feffer who had a very strong interest in film studies just before Union College established the minor, has become a film producer in NYC. Most notably, she has

2008 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Dana Cohen 250 E. 63rd Street, Apt. 1001 New York, N.Y. 10065 dana.lynn.cohen@gmail.com Douglas Richardson, a captain in the U.S. Army, served a tour in Afghanistan and was awarded the Bronze Star. He is completing his MBA at NYU’s Stern School of Business and is to become an associate in investment banking at a firm in New York City.

Christian Shultz, a doctoral student in theoretical nuclear physics at Old Dominion University, has been awarded a Jefferson Sciences Associates/Jefferson Lab Graduate Fellowship for 2012-13.

The award will support his research into hybrid mesons

Notes from Afar

Jordan Silletti ’09 and Thomas “Win” Schellens ’07

using lattice quantum chromodynamics. QCD is the theory of quarks and gluons, the subnuclear particles that make up protons and neutrons. Gluons are the “glue” that holds quarks together.

Sherri Normand and Kyle Tilley recently became engaged. Sherri is a financial analyst at BNY Mellon and Kyle is an engineer at General Electric. An August wedding in York Harbor, Maine is planned.

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 Jordan Silletti became engaged to Thomas “Win” Schellens ’07 in Central Park in New York City on Jan. 19.

Jordan is a project manager at NYSERDA and Win is a standards and certification engineer at ASME; both work in New York City. A spring 2014 wedding is planned.

1971

1974

Jonathan “Jock” Conly writes, “I’ve been in Islamabad since June as the Pakistan country director for the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Given Pakistan’s size (sixth largest population in the world) and strategic significance to the United States (between Afghanistan and India, and with nuclear weapons), my classmates and the rest of the U.S. taxpayers are financing a robust foreign aid program here. We are helping Pakistanis increase the availability of electric power, stimulating economic growth in agriculture and small business, helping build community infrastructure in unstable areas, and improving the availability and quality of basic education and health services. Security restrictions in Islamabad are not as tight as they are in other parts of the country, so life is pretty close to normal here. I’ve particularly enjoyed Pakistani hospitality, including, of course, the wonderful curries, tandooris, biryanis and other foods. I plan to retire from the Foreign Service and return to the old (1745) house that my wife Laurie and I just bought in Granby, Mass. this year.

We’ve moved so often and so far in a Foreign Service career, that we are determined not to move again until they wheel us into a hospice in about three decades.”

Dave Vesty and his wife, Sandy, recently made their third, consecutive trip to Swaziland with the Young Heroes organization. While there they built playgrounds, participated in Bushfire (the premier music event in South Africa) and raised awareness of HIV/AIDS. They also visited and worked closely with children orphaned by the HIV/AIDS epidemic—children sponsored and helped by the fundraising efforts of the Vestys and others.

1976 Ralph Auguste was posthumously honored for his dedication to social action, generosity and education in his native Haiti during a ceremony celebrating the University Quisqueya’s new building. The building houses the Rectorate of UniQ and the center of entrepreneurship and innovation. Ralph was considered one of the founding members of the university.

1983 Jennifer Cornell recently had a chapter published in Adventures in Manifesting: Healing from Within. Jenna is a holistic general practitioner at the Healing Rooms in Western Australia. Check out her page on Facebook: “The Healing Rooms.”

1990 Pamela Kustas writes, “I made a career change for an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. I have moved to Singapore and joined Bloomberg as an equities market specialist to provide analytical equity expertise to prospective clients and current users. I will be traveling and covering clients in S.E. Asia. I am excited to be here collaborating with customers and our product development team to influence the future direction of Bloomberg’s products.

Can’t wait to start traveling!”

1999 Jennifer Trotts Fein writes, “Married Rich Fein in 2005, divorced in 2010. Kept his name but left the country.

Living my dream life as an ex-pat based in Melbourne, Australia, traveling around Asia and learning Chinese.

Come say ni hao, mate!”

2005 In January Adam Grode, visiting scholar at the Kazakh University of International Relations and World Languages, gave a talk at the American Corner in Almaty (Kazakhstan) on the cultural heritage of the Silk Road. He focused on the rich traditions of the Silk Road, and his experiences in Russia and Central Asia, and after his talk he performed on a Kazakh dombra and Kashgar rawap.

Spring 2013 UNION COLLEGE

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2010 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Let us know Have you changed careers?

Traveled?

Won an award, gotten married or had a baby?

Been published or promoted?

S U B MIT A C L AS S N O T E :

Email classnotes@union.edu, the deadline for the fall magazine is July 1.

Photos are welcome too.

Send high-resolution images that are at least 1 MB in size.

Ewo Harrell Orlando, Fla. (407) 506-3713 ewo.harrell@gmail.com Nicole Silverman earned a master’s in public health from Columbia University. She is an intern at NYU Medical Center and is going back to graduate school this fall to pursue a Ph.D. Jack Scott is a casting assistant at Central Casting.

He supports casting directors, working closely with productions, casting background talent for shows that include Blue Bloods, Elementary and 666 Park Avenue.

Damond Health writes, “Almost 100 people turned out for the Union College Speed Networking event in NYC Feb. 28. The evening was a great success; I look forward to it next year, again.”

2011 Jake Anderson and Sam Bartsow, owners of Forsake Shoes, were featured in Democrat and Chronicle in December 2012. The story focused on their fledgling business, a men’s shoe line that combines the ruggedness of hiking shoes, the waterproof qualities of rain boots and the stylishness of casual kicks in an all-inone kind of footwear. For more on Forsake visit www.kickstarter.com or http://www.forsake.co/.

Freestyle skier Kelsey Albert was included in a January story published in the Schenectady Daily Gazette.

The piece focused on freestyle skiing, a January race event in Lake Placid, N.Y., and the World Cup. 46 | UNION COLLEGE Spring 2013

Hilary Zelson is working as an artist in glitter and photography, and teaching art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Her work has been incorporated into numerous shows, and she was one of the youngest to be included in the “Adirondacks National Exhibition of American Watercolors.” In 2012, her photographs from “Colors of Night” were on display in the Washington Art Association’s exhibition, “Young Talent 2012.” This past summer, Hilary’s painting, “Eagle Nebula,” was included in the 55th Annual Chautauqua Exhibition of Contemporary Art, judged and curated by author and art critic Kim Levin. The piece won the Deborah Anderson Award. In 2013, Hilary will be creating a display for the Boston Children’s Museum in honor of their 100th anniversary.

2012 Brittany Gilbert spent summer 2012 traveling to the Canadian Rockies and Ireland to paint en plein air.

In Ireland, she participated in Europe’s largest plein air festival, Art in the Open, where her artwork earned ‘Highly Commended’ recognition. Her paintings can be viewed at www. brittanyrgilbert.com.

Connor Gallo is a search consultant in Daley and Associates’ executive search division. The boutique executive search and contract staffing firm, located in Boston, is dedicated to matching the right talent with the right opportunity.

U N F I LT E R E D Union as students experience it

Maura Driscoll '15 is one of 10 student-bloggers offering up thoughts on everything Union, from Meatless Mondays, rugby and mini-terms to hot-sauce adventures, studying and dance.

READ THEIR WITTY, HONEST, FUN AND QUIRKY BLOGS AT

http://muse.union.edu/unfiltered/

unions

Alumni at the wedding of Sarah Meyer ’06 and Alexander Wilde ’06

Kelly Whalen ’03 and Matthew Mertens with their wedding party

2003

2005

Kelly Whalen and Matthew Mertens were married on Nov. 17, 2012 in Salem, Mass.

The bridal party included Amy Fairbanks Smith, Jorie Kelly Johnson ’02 and Kelly’s twin brother, Michael. A.J. Bodden was an usher. Other alumni in attendance were Meredith Gaylord ’02, Adam Polansky, Stephanie Block Prokosch, Dennis Quandt and Sarah Joines ’02.

Noah Kayman and Lia (Kim) Kayman ’06 are happy to announce their marriage on Nov. 20, 2011 at the New York Country Club. They reside in Riverdale, N.Y. with their two Boxer dogs.

2004

Michelle (Lividini) Loiacono ’04 with fellow Union alumni at her wedding

Michelle (Lividini) Loiacono married John Loiacono on June 30, 2012 in Larchmont, N.Y. Union alumni in attendance were Kara Cotich, Marti (Schulman) Freund, George Freund ’03, Laura (Maslauskas) Murphy, Edward Murphy, Kinzey Fritz, Annie Berkowitz, Leigh (Notestein) Avsec, Giselle (Parrelli) Ferraro ’07 and John Thompson ’77.

Elizabeth Casler and Aaron Lazar were married on May 25, 2012 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Alumni in attendance included Robert Lazar ’75, Mike Silvestro, Will Tamm, Adam Howe, Marc Salvia, Mike Kane, Larry Kaplan, Bill Maron, Katie Bellucci ’08, Tim Moriarty, Jim Bush, Mike Freundlich, Grant VanDerBeken, Brendan McGuire, Courtney Riepenhoff Doucette and Jay Carrig.

On July 16, 2011, Aaron Ginsberg (son of Harris Ginsberg ’72 and Susan Ginsberg) married Jill Safinski in New York City. Among the guests were Mike Silvestro,

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unions

Alumni at the wedding of Elizabeth Casler and Aaron Lazar ’05

Alumni at the wedding of David Busino ’06 and Diana Koch ’06

Alumni at the wedding of Ryan Laddey ’06 and Ashima Taneja

Members of the Class of 2009 attended the wedding of Chip Miller ’09 and Kaitlin Tierney in November 2012. Pictured are (front row) Libby Fortier, Dan Spero, Carl Winkler, Rachel Smooke, Emma Sands-Milsom, (back row) Tim Shelton, Andy Kehl, Fred Steiner, Matt Douglas, Alex Wolf, Chip Miller, Gabe Kramer, Ted Hancock, Charlie Bennett, Thayer Dennison, Paul Procops and Sam Werner.

Marc Frieman, Dylan Wilks, Matt Greene, Bill Silver ’72, Gary Starr ’72, Steve Karotkin ’73 and Nancy Kessler Karotkin ’74.

2006 Sarah Meyer and Alexander Wilde are happy to announce their marriage on Oct. 7, 2012 in Cavendish, Vt. They reside in New York City. Alex and Sarah were married on a gorgeous fall day, just over a decade after they met during Union’s outdoor orientation.

The ceremony was officiated

by Adam Sultaire and attended by over 30 Union alums, including Jared Tilbor, Thomas Moffitt, Alexander Saunders, Chris Curcio, Caitlin Mahoney, Ben Birnbaum ’07, Ashley LoTempio, Sam Calder ’07, Nordo Nissi ’07, Jackie Coffey, Garrett Lunden, DeVer Warner, James Sargent, Charles Benedict, Andrew Draznin ’07, Dave Busino, 48 | UNION COLLEGE Spring 2013

Diana Koch Busino, Mike Hamill, Michael Vila ’07, Kevin McCormick ’07, Dave McCormick, Adam Nebenzahl, Kristen Nelson, Sarah Bills, Tom Purcell, Elizabeth McCormick, Rachel Goldberg Nissi ’05, Josh Weissglass ’05 and Gregg Meyer ’84.

The wedding of David Busino and Diana Koch took place on May 26, 2012 in Manchester, Vt., with the reception at Hildene in Manchester.

Alumni in attendance included Colby Garb, Harrison Paras, Sarah (Meyer) Wilde, Alex Wilde, Samuel Coppola Jr. ’74, Ronna (Feldman) Coppola ’76, Andrew Palumbo ’05, Ann (Bartlett) Singer ’74, Mitchell Singer ’73, Lawrence Busino ’72, William Busino Jr. ’71, Dawn (Chupay) Tonneau ’88, Jeff Brais, David McCormick, Erin Loggie, Jeff Shrensel, Adam Sultaire and Kevin Murphy.

Ryan Laddey and Ashima Taneja are happy to announce their marriage on Oct. 6, 2012 at Maritime Parc in Jersey City, N.J. They reside in New York, N.Y. and honeymooned in Australia and New Zealand. Alumni who attended included Dave Korim, Michael Simon, Marc Wiener, Ed Brandt, Dan Wardwell, Dan Taft, Ben McGuire, Amanda Goodman, Sarah Heitner, Jen Pangburn, Stephanie Schuman, Katharine Linehan, Rohan Singh, Jamal Ricks ’08, Nola Rudolph ’08, Heather McGuire (2008, MAT), Ryan Kaupelis ’07, Nevin Smith ’05, Courtney Allen ’03 and Lawrence Rosenthal ’88.

Ian Peck and Kimberly (Tentor) Peck are happy to announce their marriage Dec. 15, 2012 at The First Presbyterian Church in Schenectady’s Stockade. A reception at Glen Sanders Mansion in Scotia followed.

The couple resides in Pittsfield, Mass., where Ian is a lead systems engineer for General Dynamics and Kimberly is a

Ian Peck ’06 and Kimberly (Tentor) Peck

Alumni at the wedding of Nicole Silverman ’10 and Douglas Richardson ’08

children’s photographer. In attendance were Cynthia (Howell) Battiste ’78, David Battiste ’77, Pamela (Howell) Tentor ’80, Timothy Howell ’84, Megan (Howell) Swenson ’94, Scott Swenson ’95, Katrina (Tentor) Lallier ’03, Matthew Lallier ’03, Edward Lallier ’00, Timothy Wade ’83, Esther (Quirk) Wade ’81, Scott Bradbury ’06, Erika (Schnitzer) Bradbury ’08 and Dr. Richard Breault ’52.

2007 Julianne Sarah Passeri and Guy Anthony Mitrano were married Oct. 7, 2012 at a ceremony at the Mansion on Turner Hill in Ipswich, followed by a reception. The groom’s uncle, Robert Colt of Winchester, officiated. Julianne is a middle school English teacher in the Reading Public Schools. Guy is director of social media at Subaru of New England. The couple resides in Danvers, Mass.

2008

2010

Erika Schnitzer and Scott Bradbury ’06 were married on Nov. 10, 2012 in Maplewood, N.J. Alumni in attendance included Andrea Leifer, Rohan Singh ’06, Trevor Simon ’06, James Pagano ’06, Carly Hirschberg ’06, Mike Simon ’06, Ian Peck ’06, Kelli Ketcham ’06 and Jeffrey Schrensel ’06.

The couple honeymooned in Hawaii before returning to their home in New York City.

Nicole Silverman and Douglas Richardson ’08 were married at Tappan Hill Mansion in Tarrytown, N.Y. on Nov. 10, 2012. Alumni in attendance were Daniel Bloomstone, Lori Cassorla, Carly Mand, Britney Mironovich ’09, Stephanie Libous ’12, Lorry Xie ’11, Katie Suominen, Karen Chan, Simone Sampson, Kimberly Autuori, Gene Prentice ’07, Scott Lotherstein ’08, Caroline Kernan ’08, Pye Russell ’08, Kyle Tilley ’08 and Jude Mason ’08.

Erika Schnitzer ’08 and Scott Bradbury ’06 Spring 2013 UNION COLLEGE

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arrivals

Tanner Jaite Edward Chaves (Chaves ’93)

Brendan Robert (Hedgeman ’96)

Dillon Prior Devin (Devin ’96)

Beatrice Wren McKenzie (McKenzie ’99)

Hanno Froese ’99 with wife Petra Findeisen and daughter Hannah Saphira

Carl Eric and Philip Adam Sayeed (Sayeed ’00)

Stephen Flaherty ’01 and son Coleman

Cameron, 3, and Eliza Barry (Barry ’01)

1993

1997

2000

Heather (King) Chaves is happy to announce that she and her husband, Claudio, have added a son to their family. Tanner Jaite Edward Chaves was born on Jan. 8, 2012. Heather has been working in sales as a senior radiology/imaging solution consultant for Cerner Corporation for 10 years. The family lives in Nashua, N.H.

Daniel Wood and Sarah Wood are proud to announce the birth of a baby girl, Zoë Elizabeth. She was born on Sept. 24, 2012 in Austin, Texas.

Sameer Sayeed and wife Caroline are pleased to announce the birth of their twin boys, Carl Eric and Philip Adam, born Oct. 30, 2012 at 2:42 p.m. and 2:43 p.m. at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Manhattan.

Carl was six pounds, one ounce and 21.1 inches, and Philip was six pounds, three ounces and 20.2 inches.

Big brother Oscar Daniel, who is 27 months old, is very protective and loving already.

received and felt over the past few months has been indescribable.”

1996 Kate Hedgeman and Stephen Martini are proud to announce the birth of Brendan Robert on Aug. 20, 2012. He weighed seven pounds, 12 ounces and was 21 inches long.

Heather (Rock) Devin writes that Dillon Prior Devin was born July 18, 2012.

50 | UNION COLLEGE Spring 2013

1999 Conor McKenzie and Julie Marcal McKenzie are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Beatrice Wren. She was born on May 30, 2012 and weighed seven pounds, four ounces. They reside in Arlington, Mass.

Hanno Froese writes, “I had an exciting end of 2012/beginning of 2013. On Oct. 22, our daughter, Hannah Saphira, was born. On Jan. 1, I took over the position of general manager of Hilti Kunststofftechnik in Germany, a subsidiary of the Hilti Corporation.”

2001 Stephen Flaherty writes, “My wife Jes and I are beyond happy to welcome a healthy baby boy into the world.

Coleman John Flaherty was born Oct. 29, 2012 during Hurricane Sandy in Boston.

The joy and love we have

Kate (Stefanik) Barry and Matt Barry ’00 welcomed a baby girl, Eliza Halpin Barry, 7 pounds and 3 ounces, on Oct. 29, 2012. They write, “Our 3-year-old daughter, Cameron, has proven to be a doting big sister and we are all doing well.”

Raffaella Murano and her husband Roberto Ticchioni of Perugia, Italy are happy to announce the birth of their son, Davide Nicholas Ticchioni, who made his debut on Sept. 15, 2012.

Davide made his first trip to the USA in November 2012 and is looking forward to his second trip in May 2013.

One day soon he also hopes to visit Union College!

Davide Nicholas Ticchioni (Murano ’01)

Sarah Antoinette Haushalter (Haushalter ’03)

Cooper Pray Clark (Clark ’03)

Rebecca Falzano ’03 and Steve Pogson with daughter Clio

Olive Pilar Dumais (Dumais ’04)

Eloise Hennelly Eagleton (Eagleton ’04)

Esther (Tess) Jeanne Larkin (Larkin ’05)

Amos Sheldon and wife Mercedes welcomed Albert “Quint” M. Sheldon V on Jan. 19, 2013. He weighed 8 pounds, 2 ounces. Amos writes, “We are glad to have him arrive and he’s been working on figuring things out!”

four years and living in Brooklyn, N.Y. for the past two years. Lindsay is the program director for the Manhattan based non-profit REACH Grenada, and Chris will be graduating medical school in the spring of 2013.

McArdle ’09. Molly, Ed and Tess live in New York’s Capital Region and look forward to introducing a new Union Athletics fan.

2005

Jeff Marcoux ’05 and Stefanie Middleton Marcoux welcomed their beautiful baby girl, Juliet Bay Marcoux, on July 3, 2012.

Juliet was 7.13 pounds and 20.5 inches long.

Mercedes and Amos Sheldon ’03 with son, Albert M. Sheldon V

2003 Dr. Lisa Visentin Haushalter writes, “My husband Jason and I welcomed our first daughter, Sarah Antoinette Haushalter, on May 31, 2012. She was 7 pounds, 8 ounces and 20 inches long. We live on Long Island, where I joined a private pediatric practice.”

Ned Clark and his wife Kate welcomed their first child, a boy, Cooper Pray Clark, on Aug. 17, 2012. Ned is vice president and program director of Travelforteens. com, a teen travel company based in Wayne, Penn.

Rebecca Falzano and husband Steve Pogson welcomed a baby girl into the world. Clio Kennedy Pogson was born in Portland, Maine on Jan. 15, 2013.

2004 Steve Dumais and Theresa Finney Dumais are happy to announce the birth of their daughter, Olive Pilar Dumais, born Sept. 26, 2012 in Washington, D.C. Olive was 6 pounds, 7 ounces and 20 inches long. She is thriving and can’t wait to visit Union someday soon.

Lindsay Haffner Eagleton and her husband Chris welcomed their daughter, Eloise Hennelly Eagleton, into the world on Sept. 13, 2012. Lindsay and Chris have been married for

Molly Flanagan Larkin and Ed Larkin welcomed a baby girl, Esther (Tess) Jeanne Larkin May 5, 2012 at 1:50 p.m., weighing seven pounds, 15 ounces and measuring 20 inches in length. Tess joins both large families of Flanagans and Larkins, including aunts Dr. Kelly Larkin ’89, Elizabeth Flanagan ’05 and Mary Larkin ’09; Uncle Tom Larkin ’04 and future Uncle Patrick Forrest ’02; Great-great-uncle H.W. Smith Jr. ’45; and cousins Mike Flanagan and Brandon

2006

Juliet Bay Marcoux (Marcoux ’06) Spring 2013 UNION COLLEGE

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^

in memoriam

1930s Joseph A. Woolman ’35, of Philadelphia, Penn., Oct. 9, 2012. He was 99.

John J. Morrison ’39, of Coatsville, Penn., who worked in sales in the metal finishing business and sang in the St. John’s Episcopal Church choir in Pleasantville, N.Y. for 25 years, and who enjoyed reading and opera, Jan. 6, 2013. He was 95.

1940s Lewis W. Hallenbeck ’40, of Slingerlands, N.Y., who served with the Naval Construction Battalion (Sea Bees) during World War II and worked with the Army Corps of Engineers before spending 32.5 years with the New York State Department of Transportation, where he was chief engineer, Dec. 4, 2012. A member of many community organizations who was very involved with Union, supporting the Hallenbeck Family Endowed Scholarship Fund, Lewis was recognized by the College in 2010 with an Outstanding Alumni Engineering Award.

He was 93.

Burton R. “Burt” Payne Jr. ’41, of Glendale, Calif., a metallurgical engineer who created several companies, including Pasadena Steel Treating and Payne Chemical Corporation & Heat Treating Supply, Feb. 7, 2013. A member of the International Metallurgical Congress who represented the U.S. in several foreign countries, he was 94.

Harold J. Delchamps ’42, of Los Angeles, Calif., a medical doctor, psychiatrist and psychoanalyst who enjoyed a career that spanned 55 years, Aug. 31, 2012. He was 92.

52 | UNION COLLEGE Spring 2013

DONALD S. FEIGENBAUM ’46

D

onald S. Feigenbaum ’46, who with his brother, Armand ’42, founded a renowned Pittsfield-based international systems engineering firm, died March 5, 2013.

He was 87.

He was executive vice president and chief operating officer of General Systems Co., a firm that designs and helps implement operational systems for corporations and governments worldwide.

The brothers have long been involved with Union, both as benefactors and advisors. For more than a dozen years, they hosted the Feigenbaum Forum, a gathering in which academicians discussed characteristics of a new generation of leaders and how better to integrate liberal arts and other studies.

Union’s administration building, where their portraits hang in the firstfloor lobby, was dedicated in their honor in 1996.

“All of us at Union College mourn the loss of Don Feigenbaum,” said President Stephen C. Ainlay.

“He loved Union College and always acknowledged the profound difference it made in his life. He was a loyal ‘son of Union’ who

Edward S. Schulze ’42, of Peoria, Ariz., who flew PB4’s out of CoCo Beach, Fla. with the U.S Navy, logging many flying hours in the Bermuda Triangle before working with Sealed Power Corporation, eventually becoming group vice president, Dec. 22, 2012.

He was 92.

gave back to the College in many ways. He was also a friend and I will miss him very much.”

The College honored Donald’s achievements with an honorary doctorate in 1996. In 2003 he was awarded the “Outstanding Engineering Alumnus” award. Among his many other awards, he received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the University of Massachusetts, and a Doctor of Science from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.

Donald Feigenbaum’s work and publications in the field of systems technology profoundly influenced the origin and application of systems engineering principles that have fundamentally changed modern management practices. His approach

consistently increased customer value, lowered operating costs, and improved innovations at many major companies throughout the world.

Donald Feigenbaum graduated from Union in 1946 after serving in the United States Navy. He joined General Electric and was rapidly promoted to manager of the company’s jet engine business.

He left in 1961 to become general manager of International Systems Company. In 1968, the brothers founded General Systems Company.

Donald and Armand co-authored several books. Their 2003 The Power of Management Capital is in essence “a rule book for management and leadership innovation in the 21st century.” The book considers the basic drivers of productivity and profitability and integrates tested management concepts into a single holistic approach.

In 2009 the brothers built upon their earlier books by assembling a roadmap to promote constant innovation and growth called The Power of Management Innovation.

Richard D. Conly ’43, of Haverford, Penn., a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran who served in Japan with Occupation Forces and wrote for the military newspaper there, and was a copywriter for N.W. Ayer in Philadelphia, Nov. 9, 2012. Richard, who also

worked for General Electric in public relations and sold advertising space for publications including The Saturday Evening Post and The Atlantic Monthly, was 92. Survivors include his son, Jonathan “Jock” Conly ’71, and grandson, William Deegan ’08.

^

^

JOSEPH M. HINCHEY ’47

A

J

oseph M. Hinchey ’47, of Westwood, Mass., a life trustee and former chairman of the Board of Trustees, died Feb. 2, 2013 at the age of 87.

An attorney and retired senior vice president of Analog Devices Inc., he was elected to a four-year term as chairman of the board in 1994.

He was national chairman of the $150 million Bicentennial Campaign, and chair of the Presidential Search Committee that hired Roger H. Hull. He received the Alumni Gold Medal for distinguished service in 2007.

Born in Elmhurst, N.Y., he enlisted in the U.S. Navy Submarine Force at age 17.

After World War II, he was selected for the V12 Officer Training Program at Union.

Hinchey received his B.S. in electrical engineering and went on to earn his law degree from Boston College Law School in 1980. He had worked for General Dynamics and Texas Instruments before taking a leave to study law.

He joined Analog Devices in 1980.

Lewis Orlowski ’43, of Laguna Beach, Calif., an engineer specialist with Ford Aerospace who developed electrical and optical circuit designs for guided missiles, June 29, 2011.

He was 89.

Dean C. Eger Jr. ’45, of New Bern, N.C., Dec. 5, 2012.

He was 90.

NORMAN L. KREISMAN ’47

He was predeceased by his wife of 58 years, Barbara (Bright) Hinchey.

Survivors include five children, a brother and 10 grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to Pond Home, 289 East St., Wrentham, MA 02093; Scholarship America, Hinchey Scholarship Fund, Development Department, 1550 American Blvd. E., Suite 155, Minneapolis, MN 55425; or the Joseph M. and Barbara B. Hinchey Scholarship, College Relations, Union College, 807 Union St., Schenectady, NY 12308.

Victor T. Starsnic ’46, of Whitehall, Penn., a U.S. Navy veteran who served in the Pacific during World War II, earned master’s degrees in education and engineering from the University of Pittsburgh, and worked at Dravo, retiring in 1988 as head of the civil and structural engineering department, Jan. 10, 2013. He was 88.

World War II veteran and champion of mental health services in Florida, Norman L. Kreisman ’47, of Sarasota, died Dec. 26, 2012. He was 87.

He spent his professional career in the wallpaper business, leading several companies he worked for as president, before retiring from Dunhill Wallcoverings in 1986. Shortly thereafter, inspired by his daughter, Diane, who has faced challenges associated with a mental health disorder, Norman became a staunch advocate of mental health services.

During the past 20 years, he mobilized influential individuals in Florida to improve treatment availability—across all races and socio-economic classes— for those with mental illnesses. A two-acre health care campus and inpatient crisis hospital at not-forprofit Coastal Behavioral Healthcare in Sarasota is

Morris J. Brookner ’46, of West Palm Beach, Fla., a World War II veteran who served in the U.S. Navy and was stationed in Pensacola, June 18, 2011.

He was 90.

Jamie Dennis ’48, of Hillsboro Beach, Fla., April 8, 2012. He was 85.

Warren F. Howe Jr. ’48, of Essex, Conn. and formerly of West Haven, a U.S. Navy veteran who served during World War II and was an agent with Connecticut General and Manufacturer’s Life before spending 20 years

named after Norman, in recognition of his efforts to establish the city’s first and only publically supported psychiatric emergency crisis center in the early 1990s.

Involved with many community organizations, Norman served three consecutive terms on the board of Coastal Behavioral and was honored with the title director emeritus.

And on July 28, 2011, the mayor of Sarasota declared it Norman and Dorothy Kreisman Day. On this date, Sarasota’s Kreisman Center was renamed the Kreisman Campus for Integrated Health Care.

Norman was also active at Union, having been treasurer of the New York City Alumni Association and an Admissions interviewer. He received the Alumni Medal in 1967, in honor of his service to the College.

Norman is survived by his wife, Dorothy, and children Stuart and Diane.

with Colonial Bank, becoming assistant vice president and West Haven branch manager, Jan. 1, 2013. He was 88.

Alfred J. Siesel ’49, of Carlsbad, Calif., former president and chairman of the Siesel Company, who led the company for 38 years with his brother, Daniel, until his retirement in 1988, Oct. 23, 2012. Also president of the League of Advertising Agencies, he was 83.

Arthur H. Summers ’49, of Endwell, N.Y., a U.S. Navy veteran who participated in

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in memoriam

the V-12 program during World War II and was a professional engineer with NYSEG who volunteered with Meals-onWheels, Oct. 26, 2012.

Edward R. Younglove ’49, of Johnstown, N.Y., who served with the U.S. Naval Reserve aboard the USS Marias in the Far East and Persian Gulf before heading the Fabmika Division at Sprague Electric Co. in North Adams, Mass., and then retiring from Custom Electronics in Oneonta, N.Y. as quality control manager.

Edward, who was 88, also taught for many years at the Sprague-Franklin Institute.

J. George Follett ’49, of Watertown, N.Y., who was St. Lawrence County district attorney before becoming St. Lawrence County family court judge in 1967, retiring from the bench in 1982, Nov. 27, 2012. He was 85.

George F. Abbott ’49, of Raleigh, N.C., Dec. 30, 2012.

He was 85.

1950s Lionel Furst ’50, of Beverly Hills, Calif., a travel executive for 41 years who co-owned APA Travel and later worked with Revel Travel and Altour, and was active on the boards of numerous community organizations, March 24, 2012.

He was 83.

Francis H. Meehan ’50 on Oct. 25, 2011. He was 83.

Charles V. Emmi ’50, of Callahan, Fla., who served with the U.S. Navy as a machinist during World War II before working for General Electric, the U.S. Postal Service and eventually the FAA, Dec. 14, 2012. Actively serving his community in a number of

54 | UNION COLLEGE Spring 2013

capacities Charles, 96, also sat on the Callahan Town Council for 10 years.

Richard A. Insogna ’50, of Amsterdam, N.Y., who served in the Pacific Theater with the U.S. Army during World War II and earned his J.D. from Cornell University, going on to practice law for nearly four decades, Dec. 28, 2012.

He was 86.

Jack L. Shangraw ’50, of Keene, N.H., who served with the U.S. Navy during World War II and was onboard the USS New Orleans when it was badly damaged by torpedo fire, and went on to work for Sylvania Electric as an electrical engineer for 29 years, Dec. 9, 2012. He was 89.

Henry Gardner Moyer ’50, of Gilbert, Ariz., May, 3, 2012.

He was 84.

John P. “Jack” Miller ’50, of Chandler, Ariz., who served with the Army in North Africa and Italy during World War II and spent 30 years in law enforcement, including the New York State Troopers and Schenectady Police Force, Jan. 28, 2013. Jack, who attained the rank of captain and volunteered with the Tempe and Chandler Police Departments, was 89.

Robert D. Conklin ’50, of Daytona Beach, Fla., a U.S. Army veteran who enjoyed collecting stamps and camping, Oct. 5, 2011. He was 82.

Robert B. Grindley ’51, of Wheeling, W.Va., who served in the U.S. Navy and Reserve and was manager and then president of the Hawley Corporation, Oct. 10, 2012.

“Grin,” who was involved with many community organizations, was 83.

Richard C. Speidel ’51, of Fayetteville, N.Y., a U.S. Army veteran who served during the Korean War, retired from AT&T as district manager in 1987, and was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church and the Calvary Club, Nov. 19, 2012.

He was 83.

James H. Derby ’56, of Masons Island, Conn., who served with the U.S. Army during the Berlin Crisis and in Vietnam, where he earned the Bronze Star Medal, before practicing orthopedic surgery in New London for many years, Jan. 1, 2013. He was 78.

Hubert Bedford “Hugh” Harris ’51, of Aliceville, Ala., a U.S. Army veteran and industrial engineer who retired from Huyck Felt Company, and was a member of West End Baptist Church, Dec. 12, 2012.

He was 82.

George S. Kang ’58, of Thousand Oaks, Calif., an Air Force weather officer who coordinated Korean Air Force training with the 30th U.S. Air Force Weather Squadron stationed in Korea at 10 U.S. Air Force bases, Jan. 4, 2013.

George, a research scientist in the voice system section of the information technology division at the U.S. Department of Defense Naval Research Laboratory, was 82.

Jerome F. Hanshue ’54, of Bridgeport, W. Va., and formerly of Saratoga, N.Y., who served in many civic and service organizations, and was executive vice president and director of Adirondack Trust Co., Oct. 11, 2012. He was 81.

Joseph Honet ’54, of Detroit, Mich., Feb. 13, 2012. He was 78.

William David Rudolph ’55, of Asheville, N.C., a U.S. Air Force first lieutenant and Air Force Reserve captain who earned his J.D. at Columbia University, where he was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar, Dec. 17, 2012. William, who spent most of his law career at Colt Industries Inc., rising to assistant general counsel, was 79.

Frank R. Kiwus ’54, of Lancaster, Penn., a budget executive with the New York State Government who earned a master’s in public administration from SUNY Albany and operated several antique shops during his life with his wife, Nancy, Feb. 5, 2013. He was 80.

Arthur Simolunas ’56, of Arlington, Va., who spent 30 years working with the FAA, Nov. 7, 2012. He was 78.

1960s Garrett Richard “Dick” Mullee ’62, of Fort Myers, Fla., a U.S. Air Force veteran who spent 31 years with General Electric, during which time he was involved with the first decommissioning of a U.S. nuclear power plant, Jan. 18, 2013. Dick, a member of Epiphany Episcopal Church in Fort Myers, also worked for the Tennessee Valley Authority’s nuclear division.

Robert F. Ehrlich ’63, of Bangor, Penn., who was repeatedly honored by IBM during his long career with the company, and was COO of Information Systems at Mack Printing in Easton, Penn., Dec. 24, 2012. He was 71.

Peter George Tierney ’66, of Bluff Point, N.Y., who served with the U.S. Marine Corps in Vietnman and was director of the Yates County Soil and Water Conservation District before beginning a 30-year career in investments and financial planning, Dec. 28,

^ JOHN MOSES ’53

J

ohn Moses ’53, of Stamford, Conn., who served as an M.P. in the U.S. Army, was a longtime Union College supporter and enjoyed a successful career in management, died Dec. 8, 2012. He was 84.

Following his military service, John, who earned a master’s degree from New York University, worked with New York Telephone (now Verizon), where we became director of operations and development. He was also employed

by Marriott International as director of management training, development and quality.

John, always dedicated to his community, was president of the CT/ Westchester chapter of the Association for Psychological Type; president of the Stamford Senior Center; and a member of the advisory board of the Southwest Connecticut Commission on Aging.

He also did much for Union College.

A head agent of his class, longstanding member of the Alumni Council and Annual Fund National chair who served on numerous ReUnion committees, John was instrumental in the creation of the 1953 Room in Abbe Hall. For his devotion and hard work, he received the Alumni Gold Medal and the Distinguished Service Award.

Survivors include his wife Patricia, daughter Debbie, son Jonathan and stepsons Nicholas and Paul Verbitsky.

2012. Also the owner of The Bloomin’ Lily, he was 68.

1970s

Martin F. McDonald Jr. ’68, of Glenville, N.Y., who enlisted in the U.S. Navy and joined the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. before starting a career at General Electric in Schenectady, N.Y., where he worked as a contract administrator and manager for 40 years, Nov. 11, 2012. He was 81.

Mike Rone ’72, of Orono, Minn. and formerly St. Paul, who worked with his father in the family cabinet manufacturing business, Medallion Kitchens, before co-founding Northern Contours in 1992, Dec. 29, 2012. Mike, who was 63, loved to travel and visited countries including Africa, Turkey and Italy.

James “Johnny” Healy ’74, of Schenectady, N.Y., and formerly of Chelsea, Mass., a World War II veteran who was a communications expert in the Marshall Islands and was a nuclear engineer with General Electric until his retirement in 1988, Oct., 21, 2012. He was 89.

Robert Peter Toal Jr. ’74, of Amsterdam, N.Y., an electrical engineer who worked with General Electric, WGY and New York State Government Services, and was a member of the Schenectady Amateur Radio Association, Nov. 12, 2012. He was 69.

Dave Kodl ’76, of LaGrange, Ga., a mechanical engineer at Duracell and a member of MENSA and Westminster Presbyterian Church who loved the outdoors, Nov. 6, 2012. He was 57.

David Bartosh ’77 on April 7, 2011. He was 62.

Gordon E. Clickman ’78, of Colonie, N.Y., who worked for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for 35 years and operated a marina on Lake George for several years, Feb. 1, 2013. A member of the Northeast Stock Car Racing Old Timers who enjoyed auto racing, he was 64.

S. Paul Anzalone ’79, of Rotterdam, N.Y., a senior civil engineer with the state Department of Transportation, Structures Division, who served with the U.S. Air Force and New York Air National Guard 109th Tactical Airlift Wing, Jan. 12, 2013. A member of the Carman Volunteer Fire Department and many other community organizations, he was 73.

1980s Timothy S. Agar ’82, of Sacramento, Calif., an avid outdoorsman and accomplished businessman and journalist who earned his master’s degree in journalism at the University of Arizona, Dec. 19, 2012. He was 52.

David C. Owens ’83, on Aug. 7, 2012. He was 57.

William Alan Rose ’84, of Clifton Park, N.Y., Jan. 12, 2013.

2000s Kathryn Barry Truax ’04, of Ruxton, Md., who taught fifth grade and literature to sixth- and seventh-graders at Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic School in Bethesda, and was the school’s director of development, Dec. 2, 2012.

Kathryn, who enjoyed sailing on the Chesapeake Bay, was 30.

Friends of Union College Norma C. Jacob, an administrative assistant at Union for 26 years who was an active member of Annie Schaffer Seniors and Scotia-Glenville Seniors, and a longtime member of Eastern Parkway United Methodist Church, Oct. 15, 2012. She was 92.

William C. Dixon, of Clayton, N.Y., who served with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and received numerous honors for his service, and who spent 27 years with the New York State Department of Transportation before retiring and working as an adjunct professor of engineering at Union, Jan. 24, 2013. He was 82.

Spring 2013 UNION COLLEGE

| 55

old union

The man who witnessed Abraham Lincoln’s assassination

U

nion College doesn’t have all the president’s men, but it has its share.

William Henry Seward, Class of 1820, Abraham Lincoln’s secretary of state, is arguably the most famous and important. Yet Henry Reed Rathbone, Class of 1857, has his place in the Great Emancipator’s history, and that of this country, as well.

He was there, in that Ford’s Theatre box, the night the 16th president was shot.

But 11 years before the assassin’s bullet felled Lincoln, Rathbone was a 16-year-old young man entering Union College. He lived in North College, was a member of Sigma Phi fraternity, and followed a classical academic path, taking courses in Greek, Latin, physics, geometry and moral and mental philosophy.

Upon graduation in 1857, he practiced law for a short time in Albany, N.Y., where his father was mayor.

Rathbone joined the Union Army at the start of the Civil War, serving as a captain in the 12th Infantry Regiment and fighting in the Battle of Antietam and the Battle of Fredericksburg. By war’s end, he had attained the rank of major and soon asked Clara Harris to marry him.

The daughter of U.S. 56 | UNION COLLEGE Spring 2013

Senator Ira Harris, Class of 1824, trustee and former acting College president, Clara Harris was Rathbone’s stepsister. His mother, Pauline, married Ira Harris after she was widowed.

Newly engaged, Clara Harris and Rathbone, then an aid to the president, were invited to join the Lincolns for a production of Our American Cousin at Ford’s Theatre on April 14, 1865.

That night, John Wilkes Booth crept into the presidential box and shot Lincoln in the back of a head. Rathbone tried immediately to prevent the assassin’s escape. He failed, and bore the scars of it forever.

Accounts differ on the

nature of the dagger wound Booth dealt Rathbone. Some report it was grievous (running from his shoulder to his elbow), others that it was not severe.

But most agree that his inability to prevent the death of Lincoln, combined with the horrors he witnessed as a soldier, must have contributed to his unfortunate end.

Despite marrying Clara Harris in 1867 and raising three children with her, Rathbone suffered emotionally.

A New York Times story from the period mentions that he experienced dyspepsia and melancholy, and while normally “quiet and agreeable,” sometimes “exhibited violent and overpowering temper.”

Clara, the paper stated, considered separation from her husband, but decided against it because she didn’t want to be parted from her children.

In December 1883, while living with his family in Germany and serving as U.S. consul there, Rathbone murdered his wife and then attempted to stab himself to death. According to the same New York Times article, published Dec. 28, 1883, “They found Mrs. Rathbone dying on the bed, weltering in her blood. Mr. Rathbone lay on the floor, bleeding from five different wounds. A six-shooter, with three empty chambers, and a dagger covered in gore were found nearby.”

The report goes on to say, “Doctors were summoned immediately, but Mrs. Rathbone died without being able to give an account of the deed … [Mr. Rathbone] appeared not to connect himself with the crime. He seemed to believe a stranger had committed it. The neighbors say that Mr. Rathbone lived on most affectionate terms with his family.”

Following his wife’s death at 49, Rathbone was institutionalized in the criminal ward of a German asylum, where he lived until his death at the age of 74 in 1911.

VOL

U

NTEER

make all the difference

SUSANNA RYAN BERGER ’99

“I worked with a great team to establish an alumni club in Boston, bringing together Union’s family and friends in an exciting way.”

MATT COHEN ’98

“Union is far more than our college years alone.

Volunteering helps us stay connected and share our love for Union while giving back.”

REWARDING

“It borders on cliché to say I have an obligation to support Union because I was supported by those who came before me, but it really is that simple.”

MEMORABLE

LARRY SWARTZ ’73

ENGAGING

APPRECIATE

When it comes to mentoring current students, rallying support for the College or planning the best regional events, alumni volunteers—like U—are better qualified than anyone else.

Union sends heartfelt thanks for your time, energy and wisdom.

CLIFF MASTRANGELO ’63

“The benefits I have accrued for my voluntary time are immeasurable, it’s been sheer enjoyment. You will be amazed how gratifying it is to be a volunteer.”

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nion volunteers, who serve as ambassadors and cheerleaders for their

THE REWARDS OF VOLUNTEERING ARE MANY. YOU CAN: • Reconnect with your classmates • Expand your Union network • Give back to Union in a whole new way

alma mater, are integral to the success of the College’s Annual Fund, its class ReUnions and alumni club events. The classmate-to-classmate

connection has proven the most effective way to engage others and encourage them to become involved with the College.

So join the ranks of over 800 alumni volunteers; we’d love to have you! All it takes is 2 to 10 hours each year. You’ll be helping your alma mater, having fun and making great memories at the same time.

Visit www.union.edu/alumni/volunteer/ or contact the Office of Alumni Relations at (518) 388-6168.

Office of Communications 807 Union Street Schenectady, NY 12308-3169

Please recycle

October 11–13, 2013 We look forward to seeing

U

back!

WEEKEND ACTIVITIES:

• • • • • • • •

See

Pre-game tailgate cookout and kid’s carnival Attend the harvest dinner with your family President’s welcome reception Generation U young alumni reception Traditional Sunday brunch Union College athletic events Departmental receptions & gatherings Alumni lectures

this fall!

www.union.edu/hfw