Honoring our veterans
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plaque commemorating the 76 Union College men who lost their lives in World War II was recently placed in Memorial Chapel, which also houses memorials honoring veterans of other conflicts, including World War I, the Civil War, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. There is also a plaque for WWII in Memorial Fieldhouse. The Memorial Chapel remembrance was donated by WWII veteran Clifford Benfield, Class of 1946.
Alum makes expansion of Audubon collection possible
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generous donation from David Seeley ’70 has made it possible for Schaffer Library to enrich and expand its collection of prints by John James Audubon. Seeley made the gift in honor of former College President Harold Martin, whom he knew well while he was a student. Seeley is shown here with one of the 13 new reproduction prints, and is accompanied by College Librarian Frances Maloy (left) and Laurey Goldberg, major gift officer. This spring, the library will host a mini exhibition, showcasing both existing and new additions to its stunning Audubon collection.
New York Six receives $1.25 million Mellon grant
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FEBRUARY
he New York Six Liberal Arts Consortium has been awarded a three-year, $1.25 million grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to support new collaborations in the areas of globalization and language learning. Union is a member of the consortium, along with Colgate University, Hamilton College, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, St. Lawrence University and Skidmore College. The New York Six International Initiative will help schools expand the global aspects of their academic programs and engage
students and faculty in the study of global issues, on campus and abroad. One of the components, the Upstate-Global Collective, will support teaching and learning around academic themes that have historical roots in upstate New York but that also are of current consequence worldwide, such as sustainability and human rights. “President Ainlay has worked hard to heighten awareness of the many rich opportunities embodied in the history and cultural context that we share in this region, so we are very keen
on using grant support to establish an international initiative that has its roots in upstate New York,” said Therese McCarty, the Stephen J. and Diane K. Ciesinski Dean of the Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs. “Working together, we believe the six colleges can be strategic in the ways in which we demonstrate how our liberal arts colleges offer a diverse array of opportunities that prepare students to live in a global society.” Another component, the Study Abroad Collaboration, will allow Union and the other five schools to share existing
programs on a space-available basis. International experience is a key part of a Union education. Nearly 60 percent of Union students go on terms or mini-terms, one of the highest percentages among U.S. liberal arts colleges. The College offers more than 45 programs in 46 countries on 6 continents, and there are currently 27 full terms abroad. In addition, three-week mini-terms are offered during winter and summer breaks. To learn more about the initiative, visit www.union.edu/news
Union hosts “Defining and Framing
Renovations to
Union observes Black History
the Humanities Today,” a forum
floor of Memorial
Month with variety of events,
showcasing the arts and humanities
Fieldhouse
including talks, concerts, a
in upstate New York, sponsored by
complete with new
special “Diversity in Dining”
4humanities@NY6, an initiative of
basketball court
menu, discussions, documen-
New York Six Consortium
and improved track
tary screening and more
Spring 2014 UNION COLLEGE
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