Union Magazine Fall 2019

FALL 2019

UNIONCOLLEGE A Magazine for Alumni and Friends

SPECIAL INSERT:

THE POWER OF UNION

Volume 114 / Number 1

A strategic plan for every student

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Hat and Key: By a poet and a painter

Fifty years ago—fall 1970—the College welcomed its first full-time female students. In January 2020, we’ll begin a year-long celebration showcasing the impact of Union women on the College and the world with a series of programs, exhibits and events on campus and around the country.

We’d love to hear about your Union experience. Please email us makingourmark@union.edu.

Photos are welcome, too.

Above: Deborah Davis ’73, the author of books like Strapless, Party of the Century and Gilded, stands on campus. During her time at Union, the English major organized a lecture series called “Conversations with Women.”

Top, Middle: Linda Young Fisher '74 and her family arrive on campus Top, left: Marnie Delaney ’73 (left) gets helps from her sisters, Pam and Joelle, as she arrives on campus in 1970.

Bottom, left: Deidre McCarthy ’74 arrives on campus in 1970

FALL 2019 // Volume 114 // Number 1

UNION COLLEGE IN THIS ISSUE:

ON THE FRONT COVER

Hanging in the Nott. The feet belong to (from left) Jiaer Xu ’20, Hayden Woodyatt ’20, Kayla Fisher ’20, Melany Lecero ’20 and Kathryn Beal ’20. (Photo by Matt Milless)

CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

Tom Torello 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 Shawn LaChapelle DESIGN

2k Design PRINTING

Fort Orange Press

UNION COLLEGE 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.

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SPECIAL INSERT:

Hat and Key

The Power of Union

A poet tells the stories behind a painter’s whimsical works.

Strategic Plan of Union College // 2020-2025 A plan that is about the power of unions between ideas, approaches, individuals and groups.

Departments 2 President’s Message

22 Media

48 Unions

4 Around U

27 Alumni Clubs

52 Arrivals

15 Immersion

28 Class Notes

53 In Memoriam

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

» Follow us on social media

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Together, crafting a plan for every student

L

ong before I arrived at Union, I knew that the first task of every new college president is to survey the current state of the institution and to chart a course for the future.

To many, planning might not seem like the most exciting project, and perhaps something to take for granted. After all, wouldn’t one expect a new president and administration to arrive with a clear plan for the school’s future? Not so fast.

From the beginning, I was heartened to see that virtually every member of the Union community— students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents and friends— was along for the journey to develop what would become our strategic plan.

There was widespread excitement and a real investment in the process as we considered what Union could become over the next five years.

And there was no shortage of committees, meetings and reflection.

An executive committee on campus. An ad hoc committee of trustees. Four working groups cochaired by faculty and staff. An alumni survey. Town halls and breakout sessions. Research and discussion, followed by more research and discussion.

This collaborative process surfaced many compelling ideas that were distilled over the summer to produce our strategic plan, The Power of Union. The executive summary is in the middle of this issue.

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Quite simply, it’s about every student.

Our vision: to develop every student to lead with wisdom, empathy and courage, in ways large and small, now and across multiple tomorrows.

Our mission: to provide a rigorous, holistic and immersive residential liberal education that emphasizes integration, innovation, inclusion and reflection for every student.

By every student we mean that all students should have access to all programs and activities that make a Union education special. Success is every student achieving to his or her full potential.

Achieving our vision for every student naturally requires resources. It is up to us on campus to carefully manage our resources to ensure that we thrive in the changing landscape of higher education.

Achieving our vision also requires new resources. Union has been fortunate throughout our history that so many alumni and other friends share and support our mission.

Just as there was a widespread investment in the process of developing a strategic plan, there is an investment by the whole Union community to ensure that Union thrives.

DAVID R. HARRIS, Ph.D.

61

%

We asked, you answered

considered their Union experience “excellent,”

32

%

The College’s new strategic plan took shape after consultation with a number of stakeholders. When we asked for input from alumni, they responded.

A lot. About 16 percent of more than 15,000 alumni attitude surveys were answered, an impressive response rate for this kind of instrument.

called their Union experience “good”

The survey helped guide us toward a central theme of the new strategic plan; 76 percent of alumni listed critical thinking and problem solving as one of the most important skills a student can learn.

Among the takeaways…

85

%

ALUMNI SEE UNION GRADS AS

“hardworking,” “smart” and “self-motivated.”

were highly likely to recommend Union to a prospective student

YOUNG ALUMNI S EE G R A D S A S A L L OF TH OS E T H IN GS P LUS

“leaders” and “socially adept.”

ADDIT IONALLY… Respondents said they would like to see more alumni programming aimed at career networking and mentoring opportunities for grads.

The survey also asked alumni to name one program that had a special impact.

The resulting “word cloud,” gives a fun glimpse of what makes Union special.

Dance Program

Club Hockey

Senior Thesis

Baseball

Hockey

Lacrosse

Sigma Chi

Football Swim Team Gamma Phi Beta Kappa Sigma

Crew

We Care About U Schenectady

Cross Country

Tennis

Outing Club

Intramural Sports Concer Committee

Student Forum

Track and Field

Study Abroad Ethics Bowl

Glee Club

Athletics Chi Psi

Alpha Delta Phi

Delta Phi Gatesman

ALAS

Newman Club

Rugby

Phi Gamma Delta

AOP

Term Abroad

Ozone House

Sigma Delta Tau

Theta Delta Chi Gatekeeper

Field Hockey

Jazz Ensemble

Phi Delta Theta Garnet Minstrelles

ETH Exchange

Philomatheans

Air Force ROTC

Delta Upsilon

Soccer

Idol

Work Study

Kappa Alpha

Delta Gamma Student Government

Hillel

Theater

Sigma Phi Mountebanks WRUC Concordiensis Alpha Epsilon Pi

Dutch Pipers

Minerva Delta Delta Delta

Basketball

Internship

Psi Upsilon

Big Brothers Big Sisters Wrestling

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The power of Union on display at Convocation

Pres. David R. Harris shares highlights from Union's new Strategic Plan.

U

nion opened the 225th academic year Sept. 10 with a Convocation that welcomed the Class of 2023, recognized student and faculty achievements, and touched on highlights for the coming year.

One of the most significant developments will be the implementation of a new strategic plan that will guide the College’s decision-making over the next five years.

Titled “The Power of Union,” the plan has been in the works for nearly a year with input solicited from across campus to create a blueprint for the College.

Beginning his second year as president, David R. Harris spent a large part of his address sharing highlights of the plan.

In his remarks to a standing-room-only crowd in Memorial Chapel, Harris focused on the plan’s vision to “develop every student to lead with wisdom, empathy and courage, in ways large and small, now and across multiple tomorrows.”

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“

U N I O N I S N O T O N LY O U R N A M E ,

BUT ALSO THE KEY TO OUR FUTURE S U C C E S S . T H E S T R AT E G I C P L A N I S ABOUT THE POWER OF UNIONS BETWEEN IDEAS, APPROACHES, INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS, AND HOW THEY POWER THIS SCHOOL AND ITS PEOPLE TO EXCEED THE LOFT Y G O A L S W E S E T F O R O U R S E LV E S .

”

– PRESIDENT DAVID R. HARRIS

He touched on the themes supported by the plan’s title. These included the power of unions between tradition and innovation, between liberal arts and engineering, between classroom and experiential learning, and the power between town and gown.

“Union is not only our name, but also the key to our future success,” Harris said.

“The strategic plan is about the power of unions between ideas, approaches, individuals and groups, and how they power this school and its people to exceed the lofty goals we set for ourselves.”

The College, Harris said, must do more to increase accessibility, stating “We won’t be successful if excellence is only available to those fortunate enough to be wealthy or from groups that have been represented at Union for much of its history,” he stressed.

Plans are to expand an initiative created by Harris shortly after assuming the presidency last fall. Making U Possible ensures that students from all backgrounds have the resources to have a full Union experience. This includes providing financial assistance to allow students to participate in mini-terms, terms abroad, internships and pre-orientation programs.

Harris acknowledged the challenges faced by the College including declining college-going populations, the increased cost of higher education and attacks from multiple sides on the value of a liberal education.

But the College must make the case that “Union continues to be the place to prepare people for known and unknown futures, to prepare them for multiple tomorrows,” he said.

Harris also noted some upcoming milestones. Among them are the scheduled completion of the Integrated Science and Engineering Complex. The $100 million project is the most ambitious in the school’s history.

The College also will kick off celebrations marking 50 years of coeducation and faculty-led study abroad.

Harris reiterated his message from last

fall and in a town hall this spring that he remains committed to addressing sexual assault and related issues on campus. This includes an external review of the school’s Title IX policies and procedures. Also, an advisory committee of students, faculty and staff is reviewing policies and practices regarding sexual assault and other campus safety issues, including personal safety, crime prevention and reporting procedures.

“Sexual assault is a problem on college campuses,” Harris said. “Union College is not immune. As with all aspects of the College, we as senior administrators, staff and faculty have a substantial role. But so, too, do students, in part because there are many places where you will be and we will not.”

View the Facebook video (facebook. com/unioncollege/videos) of Convocation featuring Harris’s full remarks.

Also at Convocation, Harris welcomed the 552 members of the Class of 2023, one of the most diverse in the school’s history. The students come from 27 states and the District of Columbia. They

Raphael Kummer-Landau ’22 recipient of the Hollander Prize in Music

represent 15 countries, including Cambodia, China, Ghana, Morocco and Poland.

Lori J. Marso, the Doris Zemurray Stone Professor of Modern Literary and Historical Studies, and professor of political science, was honored with the inaugural Stillman Prize for Excellence in Research. The prize was created by David I. Stillman ’72, Abbott Stillman ’69 and Allan Stillman in honor of Abraham Stillman, father and

grandfather. It is given annually to a faculty member to encourage outstanding research. Marso joined Union in 1997.

Raphael Kummer-Landau ’22 received the Hollander Prize in Music, established by the late Lawrence J. Hollander, dean of engineering emeritus. A tenor, KummerLandau performed “Proud of Your Boy,” from the movie Aladdin accompanied by Tim Olsen, professor of music, on piano.

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Adirondack mini-term

H

iking Mt. Jo, canoeing Rich Lake.

Talks with local town supervisors and school board members. Visits to Santanoni (a late 19th-century great camp) and the abandoned mining town of Tahawus.

This is just a slice of what Union’s first Adirondack mini-term offered.

Built around the theme of “A Peopled Wilderness,” students and faculty spent three weeks (Aug. 18 - Sept. 8.) studying the Adirondack region of upstate New York. The goal was to learn about the Adirondacks and its population through the lenses of literature, history, socioeconomics and outdoor experiences.

Students explored a range of interdisciplinary topics that included geology of the Adirondacks (with Holli Frey, professor of geology); history of the Adirondacks (with Andrew Morris, associate professor of history); people of the Adirondacks (with David Cotter, professor of sociology); and Adirondack literature (with Jillmarie

“

Murphy, associate professor of English).

The mini-term was coordinated by J. Douglass Klein, Kenneth B. Sharpe Professor Emeritus of Economics.

“My favorite aspect of the experience was getting to meet people who work as town planners in the Adirondacks. As a passionate environmentalist, I spend a lot of time thinking about the natural world and fighting to save and protect as much of that land as I can,” said Kira Wilson ’20, an environmental science major. “I got an inside look at how people living in the Adirondacks balance care for the land with the need for economic growth in their communities.”

“In an environmental policy course, we often hear about the ‘other side of the story,’ but never interact with people who are on that side,” she added. “This term was really well-rounded in who we met and

I G O T A N I N S I D E LO O K AT H O W P E O P L E L I V I N G

IN THE ADIRONDACKS BALANCE CARE FOR THE LAND WITH THE NEED FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

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”

– KIRA WILSON ’20

worked with, and with the opinions they shared on the future of the Adirondacks.”

The group also attended a lecture by author and environmentalist Bill McKibben, camped, swam and helped out with trail maintenance.

“The best part of the experience was probably helping out at the Farm2Fork festival,” said Whitney Schwab ’20, a geology and anthropology interdepartmental major. “Not only does the festival help the local economy, but it was exciting to be able to actually point to the farmer whose food we were serving. Afterwards, we were even able to visit the farm where some of the food was grown.”

Drawing from the journals they kept and research they conducted, students gave presentations on one of four topics during Homecoming & Family Weekend in October—“Differential Migration in the Adirondacks,” “Nature vs. Development,” “Tourism and Business Development,” or “Conceptions of Nature.”

“The projects we were able to come up with are really amazing,” said Tyler Hummer ’21, a mechanical engineering major. “One of the goals of this mini-term was to explore alternative ways to present research results.”

“Some of our presentations included a podcast, building a website, interactive objects to spread awareness for issues, and augmented reality in which a simple poster can come to life with videos, quotes and graphics,” he added. “This made an awesome mini-term even more successful and fun.”

Alumni Mike Newell ’74 and Jordanna Mallach ’00 also participated in the term.

Newell shared his experiences as an Adirondack guide, while Mallach, a Harrietstown board member, prepared dinner for the group and talked about living in the Adirondacks.

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College recognized for promoting STEM to women, underrepresented groups

U

nion has received the 2019 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education.

The College is among 50 schools honored for encouraging and assisting students from underrepresented groups to enter the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Winners were featured in the magazine’s September issue.

The College was recognized for its SUCCESS-LEADERS program (Stimulating Undergraduates: Creating Contributors in Engineering and Science for Society).

Funded by an initial grant from the National Science Foundation in 2014 and 8

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overseen by Joanne Kehlbeck, associate professor of chemistry, the program supports the recruitment and retention of women and underrepresented groups in all STEM disciplines.

Known as SUCCESS Scholars, 10 exceptional students are selected each year to receive opportunities to enhance their education through early introduction to research opportunities, connections to industry and internships, study abroad and leadership training.

The classes of 2018 and 2019 boasted a 100 percent graduation rate, including 62 percent women and 33 percent underrepresented students.

Others in the SUCCESS-LEADERS program include Samuel Amanuel, associate

professor of physics and astronomy; Ronald Bucinell, associate professor of mechanical engineering; Rebecca Cortez, associate professor of mechanical engineering; Holli Frey, associate professor and chair of geology; Laura MacManusSpencer, associate professor of chemistry; Michael Hagerman, professor of chemistry; Chad Orzel, the R. Gordon Gould Associate Professor of Physics and director of Undergraduate Research; and Matt Malatesta ‘91, vice president for Admissions, Financial Aid and Enrollment.

“We know that many STEM programs are not always recognized for their success, dedication and mentorship for underrepresented students,” says Lenore Pearlstein, owner and publisher of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. “We want to honor the schools and organizations that have created programs that inspire and encourage young people who may currently be in or are interested in a future career in STEM. We are proud to honor these programs as role models to other institutions of higher education and beyond.”

Recent studies show that women are vastly underrepresented in the STEM fields, comprising about a quarter of the workforce. Only 2.9 percent of black women, 3.6 percent of Latinas and 4.8 percent of Asian women earn STEM degrees.

Union has a history of success with undergraduate STEM education initiatives that encourage the recruitment and retention of women and underrepresented students. Since 2000, Union has been awarded five STEM education initiative grants from the NSF, totaling more than $3 million.

USA Today College Guide named Union a top-five institution for women studying STEM fields.

TOLL DAY 2019 On Oct. 5, John Calvin Toll Day—the College’s annual day of service—celebrated its 24th anniversary. Hundreds of students cleaned up parks, public spaces and provided other help in Schenectady and the surrounding region.

Coordinated by the Kenney Community Center, Toll Day strengthens Union’s commitment to the city through volunteer opportunities.

Call me a runner

M

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation recently re-named the state tree nursery in Saratoga Springs in honor of Col. William Fox, Class of 1860. Fox was a Civil War veteran who led troops at battles in Antietam, Chancellorsville and Resaca.

Later, as assistant secretary of New York State’s Forest Commission, he worked to expand the state Forest Preserve, which included more than 1.6 million “Forever Wild” acres when he died in 1909.

att Futterman ’91 has a new book, Running to the Edge (see Media p. 23), which follows the arc of running coach Bob Larsen’s career from coach of an unlikely group of national champions to Olympic mentor.

Futterman, when he isn’t working as deputy sports editor for the New York Times or writing books, is a marathon runner, a passion that appears to have taken hold at Union.

On campus this spring, Futterman read to students an excerpt from his book about an experience in 1991, when he liked to run in the GE Realty Plot just east of campus, often passing another student, a young woman he did not know.

When he finally met her one night in the basement bar of his fraternity, he was smoking a cigarette.

It’s just her and I, not passing on a frigid street in mid-stride but standing there face to face.

“You’re a runner,” she says. “How could you possibly be smoking?”

There is no good response here, other than to tell her she’s right and to stub out my cigarette.

It’s the first time anyone has ever called me “a runner.” I like the sound of it.

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New program extends financial aid

T

o make Union affordable for more families, the school has launched a bold financial aid initiative that will significantly reduce the cost of attending.

Union is one of a small percentage of schools committed to meeting the full financial need of all admitted students.

However, the College recognizes that the methodologies to determine need-based aid have limitations, including a heavy reliance on home equity in determining a family’s contribution. In addition, the methodologies also ignore factors such as existing debt and recent changes in family income. Some families are relying too much on borrowing and investments.

Union will continue to meet all demonstrated need. However, the school is now expanding the criteria to qualify for Union scholarship assistance. Families making up to $250,000 per year, who have an expected family contribution of $90,000 or less, will qualify for at least $20,000 in scholarship assistance. Previously, some families at such income levels would qualify 10

UNION COLLEGE | FALL 2019

for little or no scholarship assistance.

These grants will help families who are struggling to meet those contributions plan for their children’s futures and see that a Union education is attainable.

The new Making U Possible Family Grants are part of Making U Possible: The Presidential Initiative for Scholarship and Immersive Excellence. Created last fall, the initiative ensures that talented students from all backgrounds not only can afford a Union education but also are able to take full advantage of opportunities in and out of the classroom. This includes providing financial assistance to participate in mini-terms, terms abroad, internships and pre-orientation programs.

Making U Possible Family Grants will be available starting with students who are applying to be part of the Class of 2024.

Union will shift a portion of the funding set aside for merit scholarships to help pay for the new grants. The College will continue to offer merit scholarships, which typically range from $15,000 to

$20,000. Students who qualify for Making U Possible Family Grants are also eligible for merit scholarships.

The new grants will not affect funds available for need-based aid. The average need-based scholarship at Union is $38,535. More than 60 percent of Union students receive financial assistance.

Union's comprehensive fee, which includes tuition, room, board and mandatory fees, is $71,385 for the 2019-2020 academic year. The estimated cost for books and personal expenses is approximately $2,000.

“We are excited to be adding the Making U Possible grants as an additional resource to help students from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds afford Union," said Matt Malatesta ‘91, vice president for Admissions, Financial Aid and Enrollment.

The new grants come as applications have climbed to more than 6,000 annually over the past decade.

Williams Center for Campus Community Safety dedicated

W

hen Kelly Williams ’86 decided to support the College’s plan for a new home for its Campus Safety Department, she had one request.

“I’m not interested in funding a police station,” said Williams, founder of a private equity firm. “Safety isn’t about building walls.

It is about connectedness. It is about being vigilant about other people’s dignity.

Safety is showing respect for other people.”

Williams shared her vision Oct. 17 at the dedication of the Williams Center for Campus Community Safety. A member of Union’s Board of Trustees since 2008, Williams and her husband, Andrew Forsyth, provided the lead gift for the $1.6 million project.

Housed in a former bank building at Nott Street and Van Vranken Avenue, the center is directly across from one of the campus’s main entrances.

Union paid $135,000 for the 4,200-square-foot building, which has been vacant since 2013. The College received a $25,000 grant toward the purchase from the Schenectady County Metroplex Development Authority.

The Wright Family Foundation, a longtime proponent of Union whose mission is to “provide funding in support of neighborhood revitalization, jobs and career support, education and social needs,” also provided support.

Following an extensive renovation, the College moved most operations of its Campus Safety Department to the site, including its 26-member security force, in time for the fall term.

A number of services provided by the department, including vehicle registration; transportation and ID card processing; and 24-hour accessibility and video monitoring, will remain at the current location in College Park Hall.

The Williams Center is an inviting space, with offices, a command center, conference rooms and an interview room

Robert D. Bertagna ’85, chairman of the Board of Trustees, Kelly Williams ’86 and President David Harris at the dedication of the Williams Center for Campus Community Safety.

designed to make people feel comfortable when discussing sensitive issues.

Its location also makes it accessible to the broader community, which was one of Williams’s wishes. Neighbors have already stopped in since the center opened last month.

“An amazing thing has happened to our department,” said Christopher Hayen, director of Campus Safety. He expressed his appreciation to both the past and current administration for the much-needed space.

“We are all looking forward to working with the neighborhood,” he said.

Metroplex officials viewed the project as critical to their efforts to redevelop lower Nott Street and the surrounding area. Recent projects include the $3 million renovation of the county’s former Department of Social Services building into apartments and Mohawk Harbor, a $150 million residential, office and retail development on the Mohawk River. The Golub Corporation headquarters and College Park Hall are nearby.

“This corner needs to look better,” President David R. Harris said of the

College’s decision to purchase the 60-yearold property in the city’s Northside neighborhood. “And now, not only do we have a space that works for our campus, but we have a space that creates a beautiful entrance to our campus.”

Williams has several family members with a background in law enforcement, including her father, Jim. The support of the Williams family foundation for the center honors them in part, she said. She also envisions the center hosting special programs and events aimed at educating the campus and the broader community on critical issues.

“People will feel welcome here,” she said. “Our hope is that this space will become a locus of healthy discussions that need to be had about all elements of safety.

We want it to be a safe haven for people during a crisis. We want it to be a listening center. This should be a place where people feel comfortable sharing their points of view. I wanted this to be called a campus community safety center. It is about the broader community, of which Union is a part of, and it is about safety.”

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| TIMELINE | The College announced its new early action option for admission.

JULY

High school students may apply to Union by Nov. 1, will be notified by Dec. 20 and have until May 1 to accept.

Unlike early decision, early action is non-binding. If admitted, a student is not required to attend.

President David Harris and his family hosted students and cast members from “Hamilton” at the President’s House.

The acclaimed musical was playing at Proctors Theatre in Schenectady.

AUG.

SEPT.

The Class of 2023 arrives.

66 27 15 %

Top 10%

States

Countries

Students come from 27 states and the District of Columbia.

They also represent 15 countries, including Cambodia, China, Ghana, Morocco and Poland. The class is one of the College’s most diverse and global, with 35 percent international or students of color. More than two-thirds of the class ranked in the top 10 percent of their high school class and 15% are first-generation students.

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More than 130 students

An exhibition of sculpture and photography,

across a multitude of disciplines conducted summer research. About half of the student group is funded internally through the Union College Summer Research Fellowships and the Summer Scholars Program. Others are supported by grants to faculty or departments, or by foundation support.

“Digging Deeper: How Hair, Hamilton, and a Burial Ground Brought New Light on the Schuyler Family and the Founding of Union College” opened in Schaffer Library.

The exhibit was inspired by a rare lock of George Washington’s hair discovered in a library book in 2018. The book belonged to the son of Gen. Philip Schuyler, a close friend of Washington and a College founder. The opening coincided with the two-week run of the hit musical “Hamilton” at Proctors Theatre in Schenectady.

Thanks to a Presidential Green Grant and the initiative of Lilia Tiemann, coordinator of Admissions events, and Sonia Sandoval, learning environments specialist, walking trail signs have been posted around the campus perimeter.

The signs are meant to encourage members of the College community to exercise by providing fun facts along the route. Walkers can download the Zappar app, which allows them to scan a ZapCode on each sign to get each fact. Facts change every term, and by the time all eight signs have been reached and scanned, walkers will have tread 1.67 miles (one way).

“Abby Golodik ’18: A Precarious Balance & Frank Rapant ’07: After the Fire,” was on view at the Feigenbaum Center for Visual Arts, Crowell and West Galleries.

Five faculty members and their research were featured on Union College Week on WAMC’s “The Academic Minute.” It airs on public radio stations across the country.

• Krisanna M. Scheiter, associate professor of philosophy: Aristotle on the Virtue of Vengeance.

• Carol Weisse, professor of psychology and director of Health Professions: Lessons Learned at the Bedside of the Dying.

• Lori J. Marso, the Doris Zemurray Stone Professor of Modern Literary and Historical Studies, and professor of political science: Feminist Cringe Comedies.

• Andrew Morris, associate professor of history: When Natural Disasters Became National Disasters.

• Mary K. Carroll, the Dwane W. Crichton Professor of Chemistry: How Do We Make Buildings More Energy-Efficient?

Kathleen LoGiudice, professor and chair of Biology, begins as college marshal. Watch a video on Union’s You Tube channel (youtube.com/user/unioncollege) to learn more about her.

Russ Winer ’73, the William Joyce Professor of Marketing at the Stern School of Business at New York University; and Don Lehmann ’66, the George E. Warren Professor of Business in Marketing at Columbia University, returned to campus.

They offered students advice on pursuing graduate business degrees in a talk titled “Career Paths in Marketing: M.BA., Ph.D. and Beyond.” They also participated in a seminar with faculty that focused on “Research Frontiers in Marketing.”

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& Family Weekend More than 2,000 guests attended Homecoming & Family Weekend (Oct. 18-20), enjoying everything from pumpkin-carving and football to rugby, face-painting, a picnic and tours, and presentations from student clubs.

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2019

SCIP explores human side of biomedical engineering

B

iomedical engineering is more than simply building a device and getting it to work.

It’s about interacting directly with patients and providers to improve outcomes.

This was a common lesson among Union students in the two-month Summer Clinical Immersion Program (SCIP) based at Albany Medical College.

“The main take away for me was that healthcare can always be improved,” said Paidamoyo Ewing ’20, a biomedical engineering major. “The patient’s experience with the device is equally, if not more, important.

Biomedical engineers play a major role in finding solutions without causing too much stress to the patient.”

Julia Beekman ’20, also a biomedical engineering major, found value in the program’s direct access to those giving care.

“There are so many medical needs that go unnoticed because no one thought to watch how doctors and nurses interact with medical technology,” she said. “Sometimes it isn't about revolutionary research. It’s about wanting a device to turn 80 degrees but it only turns 60.”

Now in its third year, the program begins with eight weeks of shadowing physicians at AMC on a problem-finding mission. Back at Union, students work in teams through an expanded senior capstone design course to develop prototypes and explore commercialization.

“One of the most important steps in engineering design is to identify and define the problem; however, this step is often

missing from capstone design courses,” said Jennifer Currey, associate professor of biomedical engineering.

“The SCIP enables our students to engage in needs finding in the clinical setting and to work with medical professionals throughout the design process to develop innovative solutions. Our students are able to see that being an engineer is more than designing solutions to problems. It is about being empathetic.

It is about listening to all the stakeholders to develop meaningful solutions.”

Leading the program with Currey are Shane Cotter, associate professor of electrical engineering and chair of the electrical, computer, and biomedical engineering department; and Sudhir Khetan, assistant professor of biomedical engineering.

It is supported by a grant from the National Institutes Health called the NIH Team-Based Design in Biomedical Engineering Education Program SCIP, HOP JUMP (Summer Clinical Immersion Program, Hands on Prototyping, and Jump-starting Design Projects towards Translation.)

The summer experience is done in partnership with Amy Johnson ’80, entrepreneur-in-residence at AMC’s Biomedical Accelerator and Commercialization Center (BACC).

For Beekman, who minors in anthropology, the program explored “the more human aspects of engineering, which is one of the things that I love about the field. Union always stresses the interdisciplinary nature of the education offered here, and I think the SCIP program is the perfect example of that.”

Summer Clinical Immersion Program (SCIP) at Albany Medical College

FAC ULT Y: Jennifer Currey, associate professor of biomedical engineering Shane Cotter, associate professor of electrical engineering and chair of the electrical, computer, and biomedical engineering department Sudhir Khetan, assistant professor of biomedical engineering

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‘Hat and Key’ works put words to paint

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alter Hatke, professor emeritus of visual arts, had produced a series of paintings, visual puns that played on his name, each with a hat and key.

Jordan Smith, a poet and professor of English, set out to tell the story behind each one.

This project started with an email to Smith from former colleague Adrian Frazier, who sent a link to some broadsides by Jack B. and William B. Yeats and suggested a similar collaboration between a contemporary poet and artist.

Smith had just visited Hatke’s studio and admired the wit and variety of recent paintings and got to work. The result is a set of short

dramatic monologues in long lines (the form suggested by the dimensions of the paintings) in which, as Frazier writes in his foreword, “the poet engages with the mysterious man in the hat, or rather the mysterious hats from whom men have departed, only to deepen the mystery.�

The images and poems were combined into a limited set of prints celebrating the simultaneous appearance of the hats, the keys, and the voices associated with them.

Production of the prints, which hang in the central stairway of Feigenbaum Hall, was made possible by a grant from the Humanities Faculty Research Fund of Union College.

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Building Our Third Century

The remainders of a pooled life income fund and nine charitable gift annuities established with Union were received from the estate of Paul E. Kummer, Class of 1943. Proceeds were added to the Paul E. Kummer, Class of 1943, Endowed Scholarship. Mr. Kummer received his degree in chemistry and was a member of Kappa Sigma. He enjoyed a long career at a division of British Petroleum, retiring as vice president and technical director.

A quarterly trust distribution was received from the estate of Naomi Chambers and added to the Walter R. G. and Naomi Baker Scholarship. Mrs. Chambers was the widow of Walter R.G. Baker, Class of 1916.

A quarterly trust distribution was received from the estate of Robert L. Slobod, Class of 1935. Proceeds will be used to support areas of greatest need.

The remainder of a charitable remainder annuity trust was received from the estate of Stanley G. Peschel, Class of 1952. The proceeds will be used at the discretion of the Trustees of Union College. Mr. Peschel was a member of Psi Upsilon and active with WRUC. An electrical engineer and entrepreneur, he was a leading innovator, designer, and inventor of high and ultra-high voltage technology, holding over 23 patents.

An annual trust distribution was received from the estate of Jeremiah Gray, Jr., Class of 1956. Proceeds will be used to support areas of greatest need.

The remainders of eleven charitable gift annuities established with Union were received from the estate of Ronald Q. Jennett, Class of 1952. Proceeds were added to the Ronald Quentin Jennett, Class of 1952, and Margaret Anne Jennett Endowed Scholarship. Mr. Jennett received his degree in mathematics and was a member of Delta Phi. While at Union, he was selected to attend St. Andrews University in Scotland, in one of the college's first foreign exchange student programs.

He enjoyed a long career as an aerospace engineer with a global aerospace and defense company.

A trust distribution was received from the estate of Doris A. Hawk. Mrs. Hawk was the widow of Clinton T. Hawk, Class of 1951.

Mr. and Mrs. Hawk set up a trust to ultimately benefit Union College. The proceeds will be used to support areas of greatest need. Mr. Hawk received a degree in economics and was a member of Kappa Sigma. He was part of the Texas National Guard as an aviator, Captain, and also had a long career at Vought Aircraft Industries.

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| MEDIA |

ALAN ROSNER ’65

NORMAN DOVBERG ’68

DIANE MEHTA ’88

JOHN DONOHUE ’90

An Instructional Chapbook for Translating Horizontal to Vertical Text

Guitars of the Gods: The Redemption of A. Lester Lord

Forest with Castanets

All the Restaurants in New York

Independently published

Thirty years ago, Alan Rosner took up Asian calligraphy in order to write western texts vertically. The merging of letter forms familiar to westerners with composition and brush dynamics from Chinese and Japanese calligraphy results in a directly legible, vertical script that adds expressive, improvisational effects to western texts. The instructional chapbook serves as a template for others to follow, along with some rules of thumb to make the semi-cursive script visually legible. The contents are the 20 haiku that he used as exercise pieces to develop fluid letter forms. A PDF of the chapbook is available for download at rosnerart.com/ chapbook

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Independently published

Lester, one-time drummer in the Heavenly Band and former God of Earth was banished by Boss, the creator of the universe, to live as a mortal among us humans. Having followed the rule of non-intervention as God, he failed to help Mankind when he had the chance. As a human he has twice now failed to save us from ourselves. In the wake of the 2016 elections, in which Luce (Lucifer) has facilitated the Russian interference, the world appears to be doomed as Trump and the Republicans use their power to undermine all the progress humanity has recently made.

Unless Lester can find a way to get Boss to break his own rule and intervene, our situation is hopeless. Guitars of the Gods is the third book in the A. Lester Lord series, following Cosmic Casino: The True Word of A. Lester Lord (pseudonymously written as Joseph D. Nehemiah) and The Brief Long-Term Therapy of A. Lester Lord.

Four Way Books

In her debut book of poems, knit together with personal essays, Diane Mehta explores her own cultural history— Indian Jainism and American Judais—as well as her ideas about faith, feminism and family.

Born in Frankfurt, Germany, and raised in Bombay and New Jersey, Mehta studied with Derek Walcott and Robert Pinsky in the nineties and has been an editor at PEN America’s Glossolalia, Guernica and A Public Space.

Her book about writing poetry was published by Barnes & Noble books in 2005.

Abrams Image

That New York City has an estimated 24,000 restaurants comes as no surprise to John Donohue, who celebrates about 100 of these landmarks with a book of pen and ink drawings, each with a splash of color. He also includes a few customer testimonials and detail sketches of kitchen gadgets. Donohue observes that New Yorkers love little more than having someone else prepare their food. And there’s the restorative aspect: “A few hours at a good restaurant with good company can do wonders to heal the psychic bruises of a hectic week,” he writes. “And there are never any dishes to do.”

MATTHEW FUTTERMAN ’91

NATE FITCH ’93

THOMAS BURKE ’00

GIANLUCA AVANZATO ’18

Running to the Edge: A Band of Misfits and the Guru Who Unlocked the Secret of Speed

Climbing: From First-Timer to Gym Climber

Eastbound into the Cosmos

City of the Hills

MadHat Press

Independently published

American culture is strange, and it appears even stranger after a hiatus. Cue Everett, back in Chicagoland after living in China. His head is spinning. His father has just died, plus, basic reentry to the life he once knew is increasingly taxing and complicated. On top of that, it seems that while he was abroad, everyone Everett cared about dove off the deep end into some particular madness.

Exhibit A: Everett’s mom, recently widowed and with a newfound faith in healing crystals and a pony-tailed guru.

Exhibit B: former roommate Dino and his new ascetic lifestyle—no more tasty food, ditto with sexy thoughts and the rest of life’s pleasures.

Increasingly driftless and desperate, Everett signs onto an unconventional business venture that lands him at the center of the high-stakes world of mushroom smuggling.

How do we remember a place we once called home? And how do we forget it? In City of the Hills, Oneonta native Gianluca Avanzato locates places from his hometown in upstate New York and explores a variety of tensions associated with home: obedience and independence; adventure and boredom; loneliness and community. Steeped in Avanzato’s personal experiences, this concise but dynamic collection invites the reader to reflect on his or her own understandings of home and relive personal experiences— from ding-dong ditching to first love. Most importantly, these poems offer space for some kind of reconciliation between past and future, hope and hopelessness, remembering and forgetting.

DoubleDay

Futterman chronicles running coach Bob Larsen and his ragtag team of unknown San Diego underdogs—the Jamul Toads—who in 1976 shocked the established running clubs by winning the national AAU title in cross country. Larsen, who would later coach a powerhouse team at UCLA and mentor Meb Keflezighi and Deena Kastor to Olympic medals, was ahead of his time when America’s running craze began in the late 60s. He developed a regimen that emphasized group running, isolation, altitude, high mileage and intensity, a formula East African runners used to dominate the sport in the 80s.

The book includes sections on the science and passion of running and essays on Futterman’s own running adventures (some at Union) that explore the one thing all runners share, a quest to run faster.

Falcon Guides

The first in a progression series aimed at beginner climbers, Climbing: From First-Timer to Gym Climber, walks you through your first time trying to rock climb and offers basic instruction on the fundamental skills needed to get off the ground and onto the wall.

Nate Fitch is a faculty member of the outdoor education department at the University of New Hampshire where he teaches climbing classes. He is active with the American Mountain Guides Association, where he is a climbing wall instructor provider and a single pitch instructor assistant provider.

CONSIDERATION

Media, formerly Bookshelf, features new titles by or about alumni and other members of the Union community. To be included, send a copy of the work (book, DVD, CD) and synopsis to: Office of Communications Union College Schenectady, NY 12308 or synopsis and high-resolution image to: magazine@union.edu

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| MEDIA |

Scrabble and Our friends in the Annual Fund found a creative way to show the many ways your support helps. And to test your knowledge of campus names.

Enjoy.

TWITTY J. STYLES, professor of biology emeritus

ROBERT SAMET, assistant

Son of Prince Edward County

Deadline: Populism and the Press in Venezuela

Dorrance Publishing Co.

His father’s strong commitment to education brought Twitty Styles from an upbringing in the midst of racial segregation to prominence as an educator and parisitologist. The memoir begins more than 90 years ago in Farmville, Va., where Styles attended Robert R. Moton High School, which became a test case for Brown v. Board of Education. It traces his time in the Army, undergraduate years at Virginia Union University and doctoral study at New York University. He joined Union in 1965 and retired in 1997, when he and retiring colleague Prof. Carl George founded Unitas, a campus organization that promotes diversity and community.

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professor of anthropology

University of Chicago Press

Since 2006, Venezuela has had the highest homicide rate in South America and one of the highest levels of gun violence in the world. Former president Hugo Chávez, who died in 2013, downplayed the extent of violent crime and instead emphasized rehabilitation. His successor, President Nicolás Maduro, took the opposite approach, declaring an all-out war on crime (mano dura).

What accounts for this drastic shift toward more punitive measures? In Deadline, anthropologist Robert Samet answers this question by focusing on the relationship between populism, the press, and what he calls “the will to security.” Drawing on nearly a decade of ethnographic research alongside journalists on the Caracas crime beat, he shows how the media shaped the politics of security from the ground up. To learn more about Deadline, see p. 20.

ACRO SS 3. Hockey's home 8. Name on admininstration, arts buildings 10. A sports venue, a building, a treasurer 15. They're drawn to ReUnion 17. Lincoln's secretary of state 19. Class of 1938 geologist and benefactor 21. Giving society named for first campus structure 22. Science, tech, engineering, mathematics 25. Conducted by 80 percent of Union students 26. Work experiences, through Becker Career Center 29. Taps composer 30. Building named for Union's fourth prexy 31. A goddess, a house system, a fellowship 32. Extracurricular interest groups 33. '72 grad, Cosmo editor, mystery writer 34. Katie Morosky in 1973 film shot on campus

DOWN 1. Dancer's pavilion 2. An applicant's first stop 4. Adirondack studies namesake 5. His poem is on the main gate 6. Nott's third wife 7. Math prof and gardener 9. Study away 11. Home of theater, post Nott 12. Big target of Annual Fund support 13. Mrs. _______ Garden, near Hale House 14. Union ranked for this initiative to save resources 16. Lioness and cub, under paint 18. 50 years ago, the change that welcomed women 20. Formerly Carnegie Hall 22. Wizard of GE and a symposium 23. In song, weaver of laurel leaves 24. Department of 26 sports 27. He wrote Ode to Old Union 28. U.S. Prez # 21

crossword fans rejoice.

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Thank you to our 2018-19 Parents Circle families:

Parents Circle

“

Union students are having such positive experiences with so much opportunity in academics, athletics, the arts and beyond. We are proud to support this vibrant college community.

- Risa and Eric Siegel P’21

Eric and Risa Siegel P’21 with daughter, Samantha ’21

”

T

he Parents Circle is a philanthropic group that works in concert with school leaders to enhance the Union experience for students and their families by supporting faculty, staff and the broader campus community. Members become College insiders and investors in its success, ultimately developing stronger ties to their student’s Union experience.

We invite you to join with us in supporting the educational programs and activities that will make your child’s Union experience extraordinary.

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Anonymous Alison and Charles Batchelder ’84 Tina Brown-Stevenson and Harry Stevenson Jeanne and Thomas Capasse Sandra Eng-Caulfield and Thomas Caulfield Terri and John Cerveny Patricia and Francis D'Iorio Lauren and Brad Egna Sharon and George Gmelch Aparna Joesph and Abbey George Wendy Hansen and Philip Askenazy Irene and David Harding Daphne and Peter Hoffman ’82 Regina and Jaap Ketting Nancy and Henry Klingeman Ann and David Kurtz Julie Steinberg Levy ’87 and Michael Levy John Masini Jane Dougan and Roger Matthews Susan and Eric Miller ’91 Anne and Michael Moran Julie and Matt Nagorsky ’79 Liz and Thomas Niedermeyer Nedra and Mark Oren Katharine and Eugene Prentice Janet and Michael Rogers Maura and Alan Rutkin ’80 Kim and Martin Sands ’83 Risa and Eric Siegel Constance and Angelo Silveri Elizabeth and Richard Solazzo Leslie and David Steiner Bruce Stuart Stacy and James Sullivan Michele and David Tarica Elizabeth and Jon Tilkemeier Louise and Robert Tritt Cynthia and William Wall ’82 Judith and Peter Wasserman Pamela and William Wicker ’71 Anne Wilson Robert Wilson Elizabeth and Edward Youmans Guilan Yu

To learn more about the Parents Circle, please contact: Noelle Beach Marchaj '05 Director of Parent and Family Philanthropy Cell: 860-655-2875 marchajn@union.edu

Alumni Clubs WASHINGTON, D.C. The Washington D.C Club hosted a breakfast lecture on the Hill on “U.S.-China Technology and Trade Tensions,” with Associate Professor of Political Science Mark Dallas. Pictured are Dolly Mastrangelo, Jamie Werner ’05, Jennifer Ash- Maher ’87, Mark Dallas, Paul Vivian ’71, Zeng Caochong ’17, Willam Hutchens ’92 and Clifford Mastrangelo ’63.

NEW YORK CIT Y Six generations of Engeye Minerva Fellows reconnected in New York City and met with five Engeye scholars. The scholars were visiting the United States before embarking on the next step of their academic careers in Uganda. Pictured are Sarah Yergeau ’10, Alexis (Biz) Deeb ’12, Ilyena Kozain ’14, Joe Hinderstein ’15, Charlotte Bloom ’15, Matt Wolford ’16 and Justin Salm ’17.

CONNECTICUT Beth Finger ’93 and Rachel Katz ’94 attended the Jack Howard- Potter ’97 exhibit, “Bringing Steel to Life,” April 13.

On May 3, Michelle (Packer) Honig ’87 and Traci (Faber) Kamil ’87, along 35 other sorority sisters and alumnae, had their Tri- Delta NYC ReUnion at Connelly’s Pub and Restaurant.

On April 10, the Alumni Club of New York City hosted a special presentation by Stephen M. Berk, the Henry and Sally Schaffer Professor of Holocaust and Jewish Studies. More than 200 alumni attended the event.

Save the Date UPCOMING ALUMNI CLUB EVENTS JAN. 17, 2020 Union vs. Yale: Hockey Reception & Game New Haven, Conn.

JAN. 29, 2020 Union vs. Harvard: Pre-Game Dinner & Game Boston, Mass.

JAN. 25, 2020 Mayor’s Cup Albany, N.Y.

FEB. 17, 2020 Legacy Admissions Day Union College

Visit uconnect.union.edu for more information on these and other events.

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CLASS NOTES

CL AS S

Garnet Guard Alumni who have celebrated their 50th ReUnion.

GARNET GUARD CLASS CORRESPONDENT

John Honey ’61 121 Waterside Dr., Box 1175 North Falmouth, Mass. 02556 jahoney@msn.com

1945 Jack Trenner ’45 is doing fairly well. He is proud to be a 94-year-old alumnus of Union College. His last visit to the College was several years ago when he was in his 80s, bringing his 2nd wife and his son and daughter-in-law to see where he spent such happy times.

U

and director of the co-op education program. The faculty loan program was available to select IBM employees that would be sent out primarily to teach students of minority, deaf and blind schools. The assignment was for one year at no expense to the school.

I was fortunate to receive an administrative position due to my personnel management experience at IBM. I enjoyed being able to assist Xavier students with their future career goals upon graduation.”

1950 Nancy Proctor writes, “Alan D. Raber died Feb. 2, 2019. My Dad was very proud of his time at Union, where he played lacrosse, was a member of Psi Upsilon, and got his introduction to radio broadcasting, which became his career in Allentown, Pa. While recovering from a lacrosse injury he met a student nurse,

Wilbur R. Van Eysden writes, “A picture of a real ’45 alum’s collection!”

N O TE S

Edith Morgan, who would become his wife. They were married for 48 years and had four daughters (Linda, Susan, Nancy and Betsy), six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.”

1951 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

James Taub 711 S. Market Street Johnstown, N.Y. 12095 (518) 762-1172 shrevie711@hotmail.com

1952 Jerome Klein writes, “Linda and I are enjoying our move to an adult community, Newbridge on the Charles in Dedham, Mass. All the important parts are working but for bones and joints. Three kids—Andrea, Bennett and Adam—are thriving as well as 3 grandsons—Alex, Evan and Dana. I retired in 2017 but still have a few interesting consultations in pediatric infectious diseases. Would welcome calls (781-234-2665) or e-mail at Jerome.klein@ bmc.org”

1953 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Wilbur “Dutch” Van Eysden writes, “In 1986-87, as part of IBM’s faculty loan program, I was assigned to Xavier University of Louisiana as a career guidance counselor 28

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Alan D. Raber ’50 died Feb. 2, 2019. He is remembered on pg. 53.

Hubert Plummer 21 Temple Road Setauket, N.Y. 11733 (631) 941-4076 whp@plummerlaw.com

Charles B. Vallone ’65 writes, “It is with sadness I note the passing of Richard Blum. I came to know Dick when I started at Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory in June of ’65. Cornell was a non-profit broad-based research facility in Buffalo, N.Y., owned by Cornell University. It later became a “for profit” organization known as Calspan Corp. Dick was in a sister department of mine, the Electronics Research Dept. I was in the Avionics Dept. Both departments later merged. Dick was an ‘ace’ engineer in the areas of RF, radar and microwave systems, and antenna design. Dick had earned his master’s degree from MIT (1955). Cornell carried out many cutting-edge research projects for the Air Force, Navy and Army. Dick was a primary contributor to many of these programs, producing hardware, systems and test results. These included a cutting-edge technology 50-Megawatt S Band Radar facility used to track and analyze early Soviet satellites. Also, a four-horn mono-pulse radar antenna and radar used in the study of terrain following systems concepts. Dick was truly someone for a young engineer to know and admire. Not only was he a ‘hands on’ RF hardware design ace, he accomplished it all with a severe vision impairment, which caused him to depend

on thick lenses and the necessity to place his face a few inches in front of the written text, schematics and hardware in order to perform his job. I understand the vision impairment settled on him when he was in high school.

So he dealt with it in achieving his BSEE at Union and his masters at MIT. Hats off to you Dick. Fondest of memories of a great engineer.”

In memory of Garrett Murphy, who died Nov. 26, 2018, El Harp writes, “Dear Garry: Your classmates, faculty and friends at Union College will always remember your many achievements at Union— freshman cross-country, varsity track, Newman Club, Hale Club, the Idol magazine— and so many other phases of our college days over those four years together. Being our devoted class correspondent since graduation kept you very involved in the Annual Fund Drive and all of our ReUnion planning, including our 65th ReUnion held just this past May. Union College is important in all of our lives, but you exemplify the very best of ‘Union’s Sons,’ as the old song tells. We, your classmates, are so pleased and proud to have known you and your lovely wife, Catherine. We have been blessed to be your classmates and to have had you in our lives. We will miss you. God bless, your classmates of ’53.”

Elwyn (El) Harp of West Hartford, Conn., was honored in the spring by the Old Guard of Connecticut for his lifetime of service. The Old Guard, a group of retired professional and executive men residing in the Hartford area, has been in existence for 53 years and presently has over 200 members who share civic involvement and fellowship.

1958 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Robert B. Howe 135 Chevy Chase Dr. Wayzata, Minn. 55391-1053 howex001@umn.edu

El Harp ’53 received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Old Guard of Connecticut this spring.

El is the first recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.

His involvement began with membership, he was elected president and then for over a decade was liaison with the West Hartford YMCA (the group’s continuing sponsor).

El had a successful business career and upon retirement continued his contributions to the community and his church, as well as the Old Guard. El has also contributed his energy and leadership to the Annual Old Guard Golf Tournament, which raises funds for scholarships for children to attend YMCA Summer camp.

According to Bob Schaefer, president of the Old Guard, Harp “has been a mentor to youth and to Old Guard members alike. He is the glue that binds people together.”

To honor El Harp, Shari Cantor, the mayor of West Hartford, issued a proclamation that the day of the presentation be declared El Harp Day in tribute to his many contributions to the community.

1954 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Avrom J. Gold 33 Madiosn Lane Hilton Head Island, S.C. 29926 (908) 581-1455 avromgold@gmail.com

Robert Richter writes, “Retired almost 20 years now, still happily married to Gladys.

Spending much time in creative woodworking. Sorry that neither of us is able to make the trip, but we remember the glory days!”

1955 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Ken Haefner 1346 Waverly Pl. Schenectady, N.Y. 12308 kbhaefner@gmail.com

1957 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Paul Mohr 140 E Duce of Clubs Ste A Show Low, Ariz. 85901 dadtired@frontiernet.net

David Horton writes, “Finally, my wife and I are grandparents!

Our granddaughter was born on March 2. When she is a little older, she will enjoy wearing the Union dress from the bookstore that classmate Bob Howe and his wife, Sondra, sent. Went to Germany and France in June. In Paris, we visited with Jean-Louis Chardot and his wife. Jean-Louis lived in Chi Psi during my senior year. On we go!”

Thomas Allen writes, “I was pleased to see that one of my students, Florraine WalcottTaylor, Union Class of 2019, was featured in the winter edition of the Union College magazine as one of 12 graduates the magazine has tracked since enrolling at Union.

My non-profit company has been guiding high achieving students like Florraine through the college process since 2013. It was doubly gratifying that her potential was realized at my alma mater. My wife and I have been enjoying life in the Wine Country of Northern California since the fall of 2017. Doyle has been the Rector of St. Patricks Episcopl Church in Kenwood since that time.”

1959 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

John B. Munson ’57 died Feb. 9, 2019. He is remembered on pg. 55.

William “Dal” Trader 5361 Santa Catalina Avenue Garden Grove, Calif. 92845 daltrader@earthlink.net (310) 629-8971

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CLASS NOTES

Emeritus at the University of California, Berkeley.

A group of alumni and friends enjoyed a reception with President David Harris and his wife, Anne, at the Wychmere Beach Club (Cape Cod) this summer

1960

1963

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Charles E. Roden kiw702@aol.com

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

1961 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Bill Reaman P.O. Box 301 Cataumet, Mass. 02534 (508) 566-0866 billreaman@yahoo.com Bill Reaman and John Honey drove from Cape Cod to Schenectady to attend the Scholarship Luncheon in May. They write, “We had lunch with Emily Coello ’20, the recipient of the Class of 1961 Scholarship. We enjoyed our time with this wonderful student.”

Bill Reaman ’61 and John Honey ’61 with Emily Coello ’20

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1965 Larry Baldassaro, professor emeritus of Italian and former director of the Honors College at the University of WisconsinMilwaukee, is the recipient of UWM’s Spaights Plaza Award.

The official statement about the award claims, “Inclusion on the Spaights Plaza marker is one of the highest honors awarded by UWM to a member of the university community, and is an enduring means by which the institution pays a timeless tribute to colleagues who have made significant and lasting contributions to the university.” Baldasaro has written articles on Italian film, politics, and culture; and numerous essays on Dante in American and Italian journals.

A baseball historian, his books include Beyond Dimaggio: Italian Americans in Baseball.

The American Philosophical Society recently announced its newest class of members, which includes Martin Jay. Martin is the Sidney Hellman Ehrman Professor of History

Robert May writes, “Big change in my life—my wife Jill and I have moved to Olympia, Wash. to live near our daughter Beth, who teaches music at a community college nearby. In October, I published a new book, Yuletide in Dixie: Slavery, Christmas, and Southern Memory (University of Virginia Press).”

supporting the organization for over 30 years, and are now providing duffle bags filled with clothing, toiletries and other necessities to over 100 residents at SCO’s Independence Inns. The inns, of which there are seven, provide shelter and support for young people who have run away or are experiencing homelessness.

Philip, a senior partner at Montfort, Healy, McGuire & Salley from 1974 to 2013, served as a trial attorney defending physicians and hospitals.

1967 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Joseph Smaldino 6310 Lantern Ridge Lane Knoxville, Tenn. 37921 smaldinoj@comcast.net (815) 762-5984 Robert May ’65

1968 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

1966 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Antonio F. Vianna 7152 Tanager Drive Carlsbad, Calif. 92011 simpatico1@juno.com Philip J. Catapano, Esq., was recently presented with the Extraordinary Service Award from SCO Family of Services.

Philip and his family have been

John Dresser Etna, N.H. jdressernh@gmail.com

1969 CLASS CORRESPONDENTS

George Cushing Delanson, N.Y. pinyachta@gmail.com Ray Pike Salisbury, Mass. rnwpike@comcast.net

Members of Phi Sigma Delta fraternity Ernest Dellheim ’69, Donald Bentrovato ’69, Reinhard Eichinger ’69, John Bulova ’69, Edward Blechner ’69, Glen Rapoport ’69, Abbott Stillman ’69 and Jeff Kurzius ’69 attended ReUnion 2019.

One of Union’s first alumnae Editor's note: The Union College magazine had the pleasure and privilege of interviewing Mary Jack Wald '67 before she passed away Sept. 28, 2019. She was 86.

M

ary Jack Wald ’67 was one of the first women to attend Union College full-time. She enrolled in the fall of 1963.

“I arrived at Union that summer with my then-husband, an ROTC and history instructor, and our seven-year-old daughter, Danis,” Wald recalled. “I’d been pursuing a degree at every base in every country where my husband had been stationed. To have four years at Union was heaven for me.”

She studied English literature and earned her B.A. in June 1967. Wald, then Mary Jack Light Lloyd, was 33 years old.

“I don’t remember much of a female presence on campus at the time. There was a female librarian and, of course, female administrative assistants, but to my knowledge the only other female students were a few in the night school,” Wald said.

“But it did not seem to be a big deal that I was a woman enrolled in day classes.”

“In my German class there was a young man named Robert Sussman. We were seated next to each other and I was then quite pregnant with my son, Lem,” she continued. “At one point, Robert whispered in my ear, ‘Don’t worry, my sister just had a baby, and I will be able to help you to the hospital.’ Union men were gentlemen.”

Indeed, the students often babysat for Wald’s children. She and her family lived in a home on campus, near the fieldhouse.

“The students were always up for adventure. They engaged our children with various activities, sledding, ice skating and bike riding were some favorites,” Wald said. “Often, the sitters asked me to chaperone their fraternity parties, too.”

Her time at Union left her well prepared for the next chapters of her life.

M A RY J A C K WA L D ’ 6 7 Major: English Literature Profession: Literary agent

The four years she spent studying German with Professor Frederick Klemm were especially useful.

“My husband’s next assignment was to Germany, where we lived off base in a small town called Morbach,” Wald said. “Boy, did I put those four years of study into practice.”

“But the English Department is where I found myself. It offered me the opportunity to explore, formulate and express opinions,” she added. “I found my joy of reading at Union, which carried me through the rest of my life—personally and professionally.”

Her mentor, English Professor John Bradbury, was a wonderful teacher who offered excellent guidance. Wald wrote her senior thesis on “The Epic Qualities in Herman Melville’s Moby Dick,” for which she was awarded the William F. Allen Essay Prize.

Wald went on to a career in publishing, first with Random House and then with Ballantine Books and Western Publishing.

As a woman in the industry, she rarely felt any hostility. But she does remember brushes with pioneering women.

“An exciting memory was the day Gloria Steinem marched past Random House campaigning for equal rights for women,” Wald said. “As the march wound

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its way down Madison Avenue, women could be seen leaving Random House and joining in solidarity.”

“Female solidarity could also be found inside the building—what would now be called networking,” she continued, adding that this is where she met a female editor who hired her to do freelance work for Ballantine Books.

Throughout her life and career, Wald was also fortunate to have great support at home. After her first marriage ended and she returned from Germany a single mother with two young children, her parents were always there for her. And her husband of many years, Al Wald, has been an instrumental source of encouragement.

It’s one reason she was able to start her own literary agency, Mary Jack Wald Associates.

“Being a literary agent, I helped enable authors to have their day—to have their work recognized,” Wald said. “Such work was sustenance for me and it brought me great joy and pride. Just as my time at Union does. I will never forget my years there, with many thanks for the happy memories.”

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CLASS NOTES

Robert Brown writes, “For the past three years I have been the mechanical project manager for Turner Construction at the new science and engineering building project here at Union College.”

Robert Brown ’69

Robert Saltzman writes, “I retired from GE Global Research (45 years), from being a firefighter and paramedic (38 years), and from the fireworks business (35 years, during which I was involved in producing most of the displays at Union). I now work with the Union College Academy for Lifelong Learning (UCALL—http://union.edu/ UCALL), serving on the Curriculum and Special Events Committees, taking courses,

and giving presentations on various topics. I recently gave an all-day presentation at College Park Hall on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. I serve on the Board of Directors of the Schenectady Amateur Radio Association, the Niskayuna, N.Y. Historical Committee, and am still active with the Grand Boulevard Fire Company. I also organize blood drives for the American Red Cross. I seem to be busier in retirement than when I was employed. I just celebrated my 50th ReUnion, serving on the ReUnion Committee, and joining the Garnet Guard. It was a wonderful weekend reconnecting with classmates.”

1970 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Frank P. Donnini Newport News, Va. fpdonnini@aol.com Stuart Shapiro writes, “Published a book: IDENTIFI YOURSELF: A Journey in F**k You Creative Courage, published by Waterside.” The book is available on Amazon.

1971 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Henry Fein, M.D. Rockville, Md. hgfein@aol.com

Members of the Class of 1969 attended ReUnion in May. In the back row are Don Barrett, Joe James, Paul Koprowski and Mike Chater. In the front row are Mike Solomon, Bill Gritsavage, Joe Douglas and Bob Hayes.

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Following his presentation in March on environmental issues and potential solutions to ministers, elected officials and stakeholders in the region, Ivan Cooper was awarded the “Keys to the City” of Fes, Morocco! Ivan address questions of solid wastes, leachate, leather tannery wastes, olive production wastewater, olive oil production solid waste, groundwater contamination, and chlorination of water supplies. Ivan is a

principal and national water/ wastewater practice leader at Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc. in Charlotte, N.C.

Ivan Cooper ’71 is presented with the “Keys to the City” of Fes, Morocco.

Burt Yankiver writes, “I am working as a medical director for a Hospice in Portland, Maine and continue as a physician advisor to Care Management at Maine Medical Center. My wife and I split our time between Portland, Maine, and Brooklyn, N.Y., where we are active with our new grandchild, Benjamin (14m).

We recently took a Viking cruise from Venice to Barcelona. A wonderful experience over two weeks.

My regards to all.”

1972 Fred Levy writes, “June 19, I celebrated 46 years in my psychotherapy practice. I have been in solo practice for 25 years. My wife, Cindy, and I will be married 40 years this October. My son, Josh, has just recently taken his doctorate in history and is currently at South Florida University in Tampa in a post-doc. My daughter, Elana, is co-pastoring with her husband at a Presbyterian Church just outside of Tulsa.

Sometime within the next year or two, I’ll be retiring, and I’ve

already started to transition to my second career as a poet.

It’s been a good run, which fills me with joy and gratitude.”

Howie Goldberg writes, “I recently retired from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention after 37 wonderful years working principally in reproductive health. The focus of most of my work was improving international family planning and maternal and infant health programs. I managed to work on six continents and in over 50 countries during my time at CDC. (I’m living proof that civil servants sometimes do useful work!) My wife Jane (a former Ellis Hospital nurse) and I have three grandchildren and are happily living in Atlanta.

We’d love to hear from (or even better, see) old friends from Union.”

1973 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Larry Swartz Niskayuna, N.Y. larry.swartz@agriculture.ny.gov Joseph Achenbaum writes, “Married Wyneth Kay Carter, MBS from Graduate School of Business from the University of Chicago. We have been married for 44 years and have a son who lives in Manhattan. My website is www.winstonadvisors.com.

I retired seven years ago.

Wyn can be found on several internet sites. She is and has been on several boards, most recently with the Garden Club of America. We are well, happy and doing great.”

1974 CLASS CORREPSONDENT

Cathy Stuckey Johnson San Mateo, Calif. caj1080@hotmail.com

Dick Connery took a trip to the Oakland, Calif., area to visit his daughter. He wore his Union cap, hoping to see some other Union grads. No luck until he attended the “Oaktober Fest.”

One woman stopped him and said her grandfather was a graduate. A few steps more and a ’96 graduate stepped up.

He writes, “I thought, ‘I should have taken a selfie for the magazine.’ Resolved to do this, at a wine tasting at Jalopy Wines in Los Olivos, the host, Luke Sundquist, came up and said his grandfather was Norman Fox II ’43 and I got my selfie!”

of Baltimore Hebrew Congregation’s executive board. Our two kids are grown and my husband, Paul, continues to work in orthopedics at Hopkins.”

1975 Kathleen Hughes Baird writes, “Last year, to celebrate my joining the Medicare generation, my husband and I planned and went on a 4-month trip around the world, titled ‘Pittsburgh to Nantucket, the Long Way.’ The goal was to stay in warm climates so we could travel (mostly) with carry-on luggage, mix it up between extravagant and simple and basically do a ‘world tasting.’ We ended up visiting 17 countries, traveling over 50,000 miles and using over 200 conveyances

Luke Sundquist, grandson of Norman Fox ’43, left, and Dick Connery ’74

Amy Juskowitz Sponseller writes, “I continue to volunteer with Johns Hopkins Camp Sunrise for children with cancer (32+years); coordinate a bone marrow registry in Maryland; and am a member

including airplanes, cruise ships, ferries, Ubers, motorcycles, buses, cars, trains, trolleys, cable cars, a barge, an elephant and a camel. We were on guided tours, on our own and since my husband is an Episcopal priest, we attended church within the Anglican tradition each Sunday or held our own services when no church was nearby, inviting those with us to join in. An amazing world!”

A group of alumni got together at Camp Cripple Creek at Full Moon Resort in Big Indian, N.Y., August 19-23.

In attendance was Full Moon’s

Jean Deely and Mark Skolnik ’76 and Deb Zimmerman Judd ’76 and her husband, David, enjoyed a great trip to Scotland together. History, hiking, exploring and a bit of whisky tasting!

Alumni attend Camp Cripple Creek at Full Moon Resort in Big Indian, N.Y., August 19-23.

Kathy Hughes Baird ’75 with husband, Joe Baird, at the temples at Ankar Wat in Cambodia

owner, Michael Densmore, Stephen Beck, Tom Behrendt, Lisa Kaston-Behrendt, Mark Maurer, Bob Shugoll, Gerry Coleman ’76, Jeff Barnes ’76, Gray Watkins ’73, Vicki Herzl Watkins ’76 and Paul Magaril ’76. Spouses Gail Maurer, Wendy Beck, Eileen Shugoll and son Elliott Shugoll also attended.

for the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera this past March/ April. Our sixth production together! We were joined by Mark Shugoll ’73 and his wife, Merrill, for opening night.”

1976 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Jill Schneier Wegenstein Carmel Valley, Calif. jwegenstein@gmail.com

Members of the Class of 1974 at the ReUnion 2019 welcome reception.

Helena Binder writes, “Had a marvelous and meaningful time collaborating with Maestro Bob Bernhardt ’73 on ‘Carmen’

Helena Binder ’76, Bob Bernhardt ’73 and Mark Shugoll ’73

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CLASS NOTES

1977 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Leila Shames Maude LeeShamesMaude@alumni. union.edu Irving Kaufman writes, “Still working at our BeWell Family Practice in Somerset, N.J., with Reva, my wife and office manager. We are now reversing and preventing Pre Alzheimer’s disease using the Recode Protocol of Dale Bredesen MD from UCLA. I am chairman of the Department of Family Medicine at Saint Peter’s University Hospital and medical director of Stein Hospice. Our four children are all doing fine.

We are enjoying our ‘pied a terre’ in Manhattan, and exploring spirituality at the West End Synagogue irvofnj@yahoo.com” Irene (Sachs) Deitel writes, “Still working full-time as a nurse practitioner for Northwell Health system in order to fund my two addictions: my quilting and my grandchildren, not in that order!

Ten-year remission, all is good.”

1978 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Jeff Laniewski, Florence, Ariz. jlaniewski4@gmail.com Dan Rosenbaum and son Michael ’23 completed this year’s Five Boro Bike Tour, with about 20,000 of their closest

Dan Rosenbaum ’78 and son Michael ’23

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and wettest friends. The jersey got lots of shout-outs from spectators and other riders, including one young woman who reported excitedly that she was starting at Union this fall—then passed Dan quickly on a hill.

Joseph Ades writes, “With my younger daughter headed for college (alas, neither one to Union), I’ve decided to take early retirement from my private medical practice in Tarrytown, N.Y. Lots of plans for more volunteer work, political action, travel, photography, kayaking, biking, etc. Scubadoc@optonline.net”

1979

Susan Kaplan ’80 with husband, Rob Gelman, and children Heather, Jacob and Matthew.

graduating med school and starting his residency in W.Va., and Matthew is living and working in Brooklyn at a tech company and loving it. All good things!”

Civil rights attorney Debra Katz, who has represented women in several groundbreaking sexual harassment cases, received the Raphael Lemkin Human Rights Award from T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights on May 22. The New York-based T’ruah, which represents more than 2,000 North American rabbis and cantors, selected Katz for her work representing Christine Blasey Ford, victims of Harvey Weinstein, and other survivors of sexual assault and sexual harassment. In March, Katz’s work on behalf of Jewish communal professionals alleging sexual harassment by Jewish mega-donor Michael Steinhardt was featured in The New York Times.

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Kurt Hamblet San Luis Obispo, Calif. kurthamblet@gmail.com

1980 William Fuzia writes, “After retiring from careers in both the military and sheriff's office, and after 25 years of living in Oregon on our quarter horse ranch, my wife and I returned to her home town in Bluefield, W. Va. We have kept ourselves very busy in retirement with raising, training and showing our Golden Retrievers, as well as trail riding on some of the most scenic trails around. I also try to keep up with the somewhat daunting restoration and maintenance of our old historic home (Belle Terre) and being quite involved in Virginia Masonry. Life is good.”

Susan Kaplan writes, “My husband, Rob Gelman, and I just got back from a boat-bike trip where we biked from Amsterdam to Bruges! Fabulous experience. Our children: Heather is at Barclays more than 10 years now; Jacob is

Debra Katz ’80 participates in a panel discussion with other honorees. On May 22, she received the Raphael Lemkin Human Rights Award from T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights.

Sara Simmons Campbell writes, “2018 gave me two exciting working/travel opportunities through FEMA under contract with Dewberry. I spent the first several months of the year working on Hurricane Harvey relief in Galveston, Texas and got very attached to that historic community. A disaster that got significantly less press, Super Typhoon Yutu, brought me to a much more remote island, Saipan in the [Northern Mariana Islands]. Every trip is a learning opportunity, and I am glad to use my skills to help in some small way.”

Alan S. Rutkin, a partner in Rivkin Radler law firm, has been recommended by Legal 500 in the “industry focus: insurance—advice to insurers”

Alan Rutkin ’80

Treading a nontraditional path through science

I

nspiration can strike in the most unexpected places—like a meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry.

Emily Monosson ’83 was attending such a meeting in the mid-2000s. At the time, the independent toxicologist conducted research on a variety of projects with a variety of entities. But Monosson was part-time. She worked 20 hours a week while caring for her two young children.

This befuddled the name tag maker at the meeting.

“I was proud of having no official affiliation and flexibility so I could pick the kids up from school, but still produce meaningful work,” said Monosson, who studied biology at Union. “When I was asked for an affiliation for my badge, apparently the machine couldn’t print a badge unless all the fields were filled out.”

“So I put housewife. It was an eyeopener,” she continued. “With that affiliation, I had become invisible. People looked right past or through me. This is when I became aware not of any bias against women, but against part-time science moms and those who are not affiliated with a known organization. I was probably guilty of the same before I’d had kids and changed how I did science.”

The experience inspired her first book, Motherhood, the Elephant in Laboratory: Women Scientists Speak Out (2008, Cornell Press). In it, 34 women (including Monosson)—from physicists to paleontologists—discuss managing careers and motherhood.

“I felt like I was alone, trying to balance career and kids and deciding to take a nontraditional path through science.

E M I LY M O N O S S O N ’ 8 3 Major: Biology Current position: Independent toxicologist, author

There is a lot written about this now, but there wasn’t then,” Monosson said. “I wanted to change the perception that people who are part-time or take time off are less dedicated to their science or career. I wanted to have a discussion about it.”

“Also, anyone choosing to work outside academia in science was considered a ‘drop-out’ and in some circles they still are,” she added. “I wanted to show this isn’t true. That actually having scientists out there—from the playground nature group to administration in academia—is good for the whole scientific community and beyond.”

Motherhood marked the start of another chapter in Monosson’s career— melding her technical expertise with writing for more general audiences. Her books include Natural Defense: Enlisting Bugs and Germs to Protect Our Food and Health (2017); Unnatural Selection: How We Are Changing Life, Gene by Gene (2014); and Evolution in a Toxic World: How Life Responds to Chemical Threats (2012).

“I write about toxicology because there was and is so much misinformation about chemicals in consumer products, in our homes and so on,” Monosson said.

“I also want to educate readers about toxicology—what we study, how and why it matters. Whether pharmaceuticals or industrial chemicals, these impact all of us and the environment, often in ways we

’83

could have never imagined.”

“I also want to get people thinking about what we can do to solve some big problems,” she added. “Whether through individual actions or larger efforts like reduced antibiotic use and more sustainable farming.”

Monosson, who occasionally teaches classes in environmental toxicology at the University of Massachusetts (Amherst), was drawn to toxicology at a young age.

“I was interested in how the body works, right down to what’s happening in the cells. This came in large part from studying biology at Union,” she said. “It was so cool to think about what was happening from limb to cell. I was also interested in environment and health, so toxicology was a great combination of all this.”

Biology Professor Barbara Boyer made Monosson’s time at Union special, as did her field hockey and lacrosse coach Marty Morrison, and the friends she made freshman year.

“I did my senior project with Barb and have kept in touch with her over the years,” Monosson said. “She was a role model as a young mom and biology professor with an active research program.

She was always very accessible.”

Monosson holds an M.S. and Ph.D. in biochemical toxicology, both from Cornell University. When she’s not writing she enjoys spending time with her husband, Ben, and their children, Sam and Sophie.

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CLASS NOTES

category. Alan practices in the firm’s insurance coverage group, which was also recognized in Legal 500’s U.S. rankings.

1981 Lawrence Thal writes, “After a long and rewarding career spanning 38 years at the Federal Reserve Bank of N.Y., I have officially retired effective May 1, 2019.”

1982 Richard Zucker writes, “I recently left Microsoft in Redmond and have joined Google in Seattle as a manager of site reliability engineering.

Combined with my 22 years at Intel, I am well on my way to completing a big tech company bingo. I just need to also work at Amazon, Facebook and Apple.”

From March through June, Dave traveled to 25 states playing golf for 100 days at 100 different courses to raise funds for Alzheimer's research and increase awareness (www.100days100courses. com). In addition to a few snakes, alligators and coyotes, the Union community came out in full force to support him.

TeeOff by PGA Tour (CEO Gary Cohen) sponsored the entire cross-country tour. Along the way, Dave was joined by alumni, staff members and relatives who joined his foursomes and supported the cause. His route passed through Schenectady, where he attended the Union graduation of his nephew, Ian Blakelock ’19. The coastto-coast journey ended with Alzheimer’s Awareness Night at the Pawtucket Red Sox game arranged by Joe Bradlee ’14.

In total, Dave’s efforts raised $50,000 and created the Purple Ball Army.

Stuart Jablon writes, “After 30 years in the produce industry, I’ve decided to return to my roots. I’ve been accepted to be a Peace Corps country director in Costa Rica. This completes the circle I started when I became a Peace Corps Volunteer in Jamaica after graduating Union 37 years ago.”

1983 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Cory Lewkowicz Needham, Mass. corylewkowicz@gmail.com

Over 6 million people have Alzheimer’s disease in the U.S., and they are cared for by 16 million unpaid friends and relatives. Having lost both his mother and mother-in-law to the Alzheimer’s disease in the last year, David Blakelock decided to do something to raise awareness and resources to fight the devastating disease.

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David Blakelock ’83 with Gary Cohen ’83, CEO of TeeOff by PGA Tour, and his wife, Sarah McMahon Cohen ’84.

New York State Senator Jim Tedisco ’72 and Malcolm David Bliss ’83, VP Partnerships at Common Energy, enjoyed seeing each other at public events to celebrate progress in the transition to clean energy.

In May 2019, they both attended the groundbreaking for a new solar facility in Clifton Park, N.Y.

School in Mass. Rich and I are living in Bedford, Mass., and our son, Evan, just completed his freshman year at Northeastern U. A colleague and I have published The High School Years: A Parent’s Guide.

Seeing it on Amazon and other websites and holding it in my hands is a thrill.”

Adam Spitz just published his first novel, E.M.R. A fictional medical thriller dealing with corporate medicine and artificial intelligence in an electronic medical record system. Some of his personal experiences as a doctor in training in NYC are incorporated.

Members of the Class of 1984 with President David Harris at ReUnion 2019

1985 Robert Veideman writes, “Retired from a great career of nearly 30 years at General Electric, and joined a new company, Arcosa, in Dallas, Texas. Our triplets will start their senior year in college this summer—two Clemson tigers and one U.S. Air Force Academy cadet. Time is flying, and we are excited to see what they do next! If any of you are ever in Dallas, please reach out!”

1986

1984 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Linda Gutin Cary, N.C. lindagutin@hotmail.com Alison Malkin writes, “I’m finishing my 29th year as the prevention/intervention social worker at Newton North High

Karyn Jenkins ’84, Howard Carpenter ’84, Robin (Rosenbaum) Fischer ’84, Renee (Haber) Haber-Schwartz ’84, Lori (Favata) Flood ’84, Linda Gutin ’84, Julie (Abelman) Gansberg ’84, Cindy Tenner ’84, Roberta “Bobby” Cohen ’84, Alison Malkin ’85, Lynn (Pietrocola) Carpenter ’84 and Susie (Wilder) Danziger ’84 attended ReUnion in May.

E.M.R by Adam Spitz ’84 (cover by Hayley Spitz)

Philip Bean writes, “In the 37 years that followed my arrival at Union as a freshman in 1982, I inhabited higher education: 10 years as a student, 4 years as an instructor, and 23 as an administrator, including 20 years as a dean at Harvard and Haverford. However, I have left

the business to become the executive director of the Central New York Conservancy, which seeks to restore and preserve the park and parkway system Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr., designed for my hometown, Utica. After 23 years spent in Boston and Philadelphia, it’s great to be close again to family and friends in Upstate New York, and although I had a good run in higher ed, learning new tricks has proven to be very refreshing.”

Philip Bean ’86

Janice Thompson writes, “Last year, my husband, Jeremy, and daughter, Isolde (‘Bee’), bought a 200-year-old home in Harpswell, Maine, a tiny coastal village near Brunswick.

It used to house a full-scale restaurant and bar, and we are having a great time making the space into a community center, where people come for potluck gatherings, group

Jeremy and Bee, husband and daughter of Janice Thompson ’86

meetings, concerts, documentary screenings and book clubs. I just started a job as the development director at the Harpswell Heritage Land Trust (hhltmaine.org) and couldn’t be happier with the slower, saner pace of our lives. My novel is finished and I’m working hard to get it sold. I’m writing for the local paper and just joined the Harpswell Concert Band. Life is good.”

1987 Dawn Tamarkin writes, “I have decided to take a new job in a new location. I am going to be a professor of biology at National University in San Diego, Calif. After 24 years as a community college professor in Springfield, Mass., this will be a new experience for me in my work, as well as in location.

We move this summer, and hope to make it to four more baseball stadia on our cross country drive (only three left after this!). My husband and I are looking forward to this new adventure.”

1988 Alumni and friends gathered at the home of Steve Pennypacker ’87 on Feb. 10. In attendance were Ilene Greenwald, Art Greenwald ’87, Meg Egan Dworkin ’87, David Dworkin ’87,

Michele Long, Jeff Long ’87, Cathy Markes Stewart, Anne Marie Johnson Osler, Charlie Limoges ’87, Marianne Hladik Limoges ’86, Bruce Osler ’89, LeAta Jackson, Deni Rightmire Kea ’86 and Jim and Elise Pennypacker (Union parents).

Matthew Hopkins writes, “I am now in my 10th year as head of a small independent school (Augustine Classical Academy) and having the time of my life.

My family and I are living in Stillwater, N.Y., now (closer to school) and I am still coaching rowing. Our oldest daughter is a year out of college, the next two are in college (Princeton and Cornell) and everyone else attends ACA. If you are coming to Sch’dy for a ReUnion, don’t hesitate to look me up, we are only 30 min. north, outside of Saratoga.”

Christopher Chihlas MD is the first in his family to become a physician and decided to pursue medicine after experiencing a traumatic head injury as a teenager shortly before his time at Union. He then attended medical school at Virginia Commonwealth University, graduated in 1992 and then attended an orthopedic surgery residency, also at VCU. Once completed, he joined a private practice orthopedic group as a general orthopedist with added interest

Alumni and friends gathered at the home of Steve Pennypacker ’87

in foot and ankle orthopedics, where he remained for 18 years in Rhode Island. In 2015, he joined Southcoast Physicians Group in Massachusetts, where he presently remains on staff. He is one of the few surgeons in the region who perform advanced arthroscopy of the ankle, is a team physician for the Providence College Friars, and a consultant for NBC Sports Boston, providing frequent commentary regarding injuries to players on the RedSox, Patriots, Celtics and Bruins.

1989 Dr. Virginia Giugliano was recently featured at spotlightnews.com. The brief Q&A focused on her business, Amazingly Ageless Medi-Spa, in Latham, N.Y. Virginia, who graduated from Albany Medical College, went on to complete her specialty training in obstetrics and gynecology at the Albany Medical Center Hospital. In 1997, she cofounded Albany IVF along with her late husband, Dr. Peter Horvath. One year later, Dr. Giugliano became board certified and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Members of FIJI Jeffrey Slippen ’89, Jonathan Roberts ’89, David Azia ’89, Steven Goldwyn ’89 and Marc Cohn ’89 attended ReUnion in May.

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CLASS NOTES

Michele Mordeno Armour writes, “Chris Armour and I will be celebrating our 25th anniversary this summer and are living with our two children Max (18) and Lucy (16) in Norfolk, Mass. After working as an assistant district attorney for over 20 years, I was appointed as a judge for the Trial Court of Massachusetts in 2016. Chris is working as a middle school social studies teacher and football coach.

Max will be attending University of South Carolina in the fall and we are touring colleges with Lucy.”

1990 Mary Jo (Conley) Burke writes, “Effective July 1, I am the director of faculty and curriculum at the Miller School of Albemarle in Charlottesville, Va. Despite this new role, I will stay in the classroom, teaching two sections of Latin.”

1992 Edward Martin has joined MSC Industrial Supply as senior vice president of sales and customer success. Edward joins MSC following a 27-year tenure with General Electric, where he served as chief commercial officer and led sales organizations for several of the company’s industrial-related businesses. He most recently served as chief commercial officer for GE’s Power’s Industrial Solutions business with responsibility for worldwide sales, marketing, pricing and commercial operations.

1993 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Jill D. Bernstein New York, N.Y. jilldbernstein@yahoo.com Evan Legros writes, “The 38

UNION COLLEGE | FALL 2019

Legros Law Firm, PLLC's Internship Program was founded in 2005 to benefit pre-law and current law students at New York City area colleges and universities.

While the program has greatly prospered over the years, given Union’s unique trimester system, I felt a strong need to include Union College students who have a desire to possibly attend law school, or to those who wish to experience the possibility of a career in law. The program is of great value to Union students as they have the opportunity to observe various court hearings, receive hands-on legal training and attend a number of legal workshops and networking events with attorneys, judges and current law students. It is equally of great value to the firm and to myself as a huge supporter of Union College and for the on-going need for our students and alumni to succeed. Students who have successfully completed the program include Justin C. Gump ’17 (Legros Law Firm, PLLC intern, December 2016), Zachary Baum ’18 (Legros Law Firm, PLLC Intern, summer

Kirk Andreae ’94, Keith Bovardi ’94, Rob DuPuy ’94, Deborah (Kroll) Goodman ’93, Deb (Murray) Vaidya ’94, Peter Savage Jr. ’94, Natasha Zabka ’94, Lee Popper ’94, Victoria (Wulfsohn) Koehler ’94, Wendy (Miller) Jung ’94, Adam Schwartz ’94, Kristen BigosZimmerman ’94 and Casey Kurz ’94 attended ReUnion 2019.

2017), Justin M. Lange ’19 (Legros Law Firm, PLLC Intern, summer 2018) and Michael M. Secchiaroli ’20 (Legros Law Firm, PLLC Intern, November/ December 2018).

Noah Genel was recently appointed by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio to be the commissioner and chair of the New York City Business Integrity Commission.

Andrea Bracciante Ely, Alexandra Rand Simes, Betsy Mitchell Wallon, Kasha Lewis Cacy, Jill Bernstein, Greta

Wilson Spiess and Beth McDermott managed to find 24 hours to get together and catch up. Jill Bernstein writes, “A casual night in Connecticut and a brisk morning walk made for a great way to throw it back 25+ years! Looking forward to catching up again soon with a few more friends from near and far.”

1994 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Randall Beach Schenectady, N.Y. rsbeach72@gmail.com Amy Aronstamm Scruton writes, “I’m enjoying administration and have just finished up my fourth year as principal of Willard Intermediate School in Santa Ana, Calif. Willard is a Turnaround Arts school, a program of the Kennedy Center and former First Lady, Michelle Obama.”

Michael M. Secchiaroli ’20 (left) and Justin M. Lange ’19 (right) recently participated in the Legros Law Firm’s Internship Program. The firm was founded

by Evans J. Legros ’93 Esq. (center)

Andrea Bracciante Ely ’93, Alexandra Rand Simes ’93, Betsy Mitchell Wallon ’93, Kasha Lewis Cacy ’93, Jill Bernstein ’93, Greta Wilson Spiess ’93 and Beth McDermott ’93 recently got together.

1996 Mark Reid writes, “Promoted to Colonel, United States Marine Corps, and slated to command headquarters and service battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command in Norfolk, Va., beginning summer 2019.”

Drawn to dining destinations

I

t was a probably just a matter of time before John Donohue ’90 would turn to drawing the facades of New York City’s culinary landmarks.

The former night life editor and cartoonist for The New Yorker has always had a love of drawing, and an appreciation for that favorite New York City pastime— letting someone else do the cooking.

Drawing is therapy, says Donohue, who usually starts and ends each day holding a pen and sketchpad. In the morning, it’s a toy (a duck on a tricycle); at night, it’s a dish rack of clean pots, pans and plates.

Recently, he has taken to the streets of New York to capture a pen-and-ink snapshot of dining destinations. He finds a place out of traffic, draws quickly and makes no corrections. He often adds a splash of color when he gets home.

The title of his new book, All the Restaurants in New York (see “Media” p. 22), may seem a bit aspirational. (He covers about 100 of an estimated 24,000

The Odeon in Tribeca by John Donohue ’90

JOHN DONOHUE ’90 Major: English with economics minor Current Position: Development officer

in the city.) But Donohue captures the favorites of Manhattan and a few in the other boroughs. Among them, Tavern on the Green in Central Park, the Russian Tea Room and Barbetta in Midtown, the Odeon in Tribeca and Katz’s Deli on the Lower East Side.

Diners and owners are excited to see their favorites, and Donohue sells prints on his website: www.alltherestaurants. com. He also takes requests.

He is at work on similar books covering the gastronomic hotspots of London and Paris, due out in the next few years.

“Drawing puts me in the present moment,” he says. “That’s why I do it without any corrections. It’s a very therapeutic process.”

Donohue lives in Brooklyn with his wife and children and works as a development officer for a large human services non-profit.

At Union, he was an English major and economics minor. He worked on the Idol,

’90 the student literary magazine, and won the Academy of American Poets Prize.

He did a term abroad in York, England.

Though he dabbled in art at Union— designing and selling t-shirts for campus events—and spent his early career as a writer, he didn’t find drawing until about 20 years ago after reading Drawing with the Right Side of the Brain.

Donohue published five cartoons in the New Yorker, but decided against pursuing cartooning. Even the most prolific of the magazine’s cartoonists publish less than 10 percent of their output.

In 2011, he edited Man With a Pan, an anthology of culinary adventures by men who cook for their families: Jim Harrison, Mark Kurlansky, Mark Bittman and Stephen King to name a few. The book was a New York Times best seller.

“I’ve always been interested in food,” Donohue says. “Before I was looking at how you cook it. Now I’m just looking at it another way.”

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CLASS NOTES

Matthew MacInnis writes, “After nearly 20 years with Ernst & Young in Toronto, I am leaving to join Manulife/John Hancock as their global head of tax. I’ll remain based in Toronto, but will no doubt be visiting Boston more often.”

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

the United States, Jack’s work has been featured with city governments, public art shows, sculpture parks, galleries and city and state parks in numerous locations since 1996. His sculptures reside in the collections of numerous cities and parks and have been components of sets for nationwide television shows, including “Gossip Girl,” “Billions” and the “Carrie Dairies.” His sculptures have been sold to a wide variety of national as well as international clients and his 30-foot-tall sculpture, “The Muse,” has a permanent home at The Southern Vermont Arts Center in Manchester, Vt. Last year, the College dedicated Dancer 11, a gift of HowardPotter that overlooks Jackson’s Garden.

Sara Amann Garrand Ballston Lake, N.Y. sgarrand1@nycap.rr.com

1998

Eric Seplowitz exhibited his latest series of photographic works, “Micro Landscapes— Small on a Large Scale,” at the Stamford (Conn.) Jewish Community Center. The photos, some from a single exposure and some built through a composite of hundreds of exposures, provide a unique view into common, everyday objects.

1997

Alumni and friends enjoyed an opening reception in March for Jack Howard-Potter’s show, “Bringing Steel to Life,” at LIC Arts Open Gallery at the Factory in Long Island City.

Among one of the most prolific LIC artists displaying large scale sculpture across

Jack Howard-Potter ’97 with one of his sculptures during an exclusive Union College private tour and presentation of his latest exhibit, “Bringing Steel to Life,” on April 13 at the Long Island City Arts Open Gallery at the Factory.

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CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Ryan T. Smith Jupiter, Fla. ryan.smith@thebenjamin school.org

On Feb. 28, Fruh Realty cut the ribbon for their new office at 19 Green St. in downtown Newburyport, Mass. The brokerage company was founded last year by Alison (Martin) Fruh and her husband, Kevin. Combining her experience in advertising and operations with his in real

Daniel Pesikoff ’99 writes, “In February, we celebrated out daughter’s Bat Mitzvah in Houston with some fellow Union alumni.” In attendance were Josh Mondlick ’99, Josh ’94 and Jessica Leif ’95, Rachel (Kraus) Rowan ’97, Heather ’97 and Daniel Pesikoff.

estate, they built a brokerage company that is changing the way business is done on the North Shore Seacoast. Kevin and Alison were both raised in Newburyport and returned in 2005. Learn more at https:// newburyport.wickedlocal. com/news/20190326/ strongfruh-realty-opens-newburyport-store-strong Courtney Seymour writes, “After spending the better part of two decades growing my career as a librarian at Union, I have recently accepted a position at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine. This summer I will be moving my family so I can start as the associate college librarian for research services at Helen Ladd Library.

It’s an opportunity I couldn’t find anywhere else.”

Fruh Realty, founded by Alison (Martin) Fruh ’98 and her husband, recently opened a new office in Newburyport, Mass.

1999 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Kellie Forrestall BeeBee Lowell, Mass. forrestkj@hotmail.com

2000 Daniel T. Kirsch gave a talk for his new book—Sold My Soul for a Student Loan: Higher Education and the Political Economy of the Future­at the Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza (Albany, N.Y.) July 13.

American higher education boasts one of the most impressive legacies in the world, but the price of admission for many is now endless debt. As this book shows, increasing educational indebtedness undermines the real value of higher education in our democracy. To help readers understand this dilemma, the book examines how student debt became commonplace and what the long-term effects of such an ongoing reality might be. Sold My Soul for a Student Loan examines this vitally important issue from an unprecedented diversity of perspectives, focusing on the fact that student debt is hindering the ability of millions of people to enter the job market, the housing market,

Making a difference everyday

J

ennifer Canney Paster ’98 is only the second woman in the history of the Brookline (Mass.) Police Department to attain the rank of lieutenant.

“When I started 19 years ago, the majority of my coworkers and supervisors were great, and I certainly didn’t face the obstacles that the women who came before me had to face,” Paster said. “I’ll always be thankful for those women who paved the way for me and others.”

“Women are definitely starting to take more visible roles in law enforcement,” she continued. “It’s so important for kids, especially teenage girls, to see people who ‘look like them’ in the careers they set out to obtain. The best compliment I ever received came when I helped a 5-year-old boy cross the street and I overheard him say to his mother, ‘Mom, I want to be a policewoman when I grow up!’”

Making this kind of impact is what it’s all about for Paster, who was promoted to lieutenant in 2017.

“I love helping people. On almost every shift I encounter someone having one of the worst days of their lives,” Paster said.

“I have the training and the ability to help them navigate that problem. If I can leave someone a little bit better than I found them, then it’s been a good day.”

Currently head of the department’s Crisis Intervention Team, Paster oversees a relatively new approach to responding to people with mental health concerns.

CIT officers are trained to deescalate situations and, when applicable, direct people into treatment instead of jail.

“When I started 19 years ago, we were arresting people for crimes like needle possession when it was obvious they were

JENNIFER CANNEY PASTER ’98 Major: Sociology with a minor in psychology Current Position: Head, Crisis Intervention Team, Brookline Massachsetts Police Department

struggling with addiction issues, or for trespassing when their real issue was actually homelessness,” said Paster, who majored in sociology and minored in psychology at Union. “The result is that the three largest mental health providers in the nation are actually jails—Cook County, Los Angeles County and Rikers Island.”

“Across the country, our profession has taken a look at how we have operated historically, and it’s obvious to most of us that these types of arrests or incarcerations are in no way solutions,” she added.

So now, Paster and other CIT officers are doing their best to find better options.

“I spend a lot of time collaborating with district attorneys, defense attorneys and our judge to make sure that people are being treated as opposed to punished, when appropriate,” she said. “I respond to people and families following opiate overdoses to see if those struggling with addiction will engage in treatment. I collaborate often with local mental health service providers to help people in advance of crisis.”

Paster also helped form the Autism and Law Enforcement Coalition to foster deeper understanding of autism spectrum disorders among law enforcement. She teaches Rape Aggression Defense courses and is a member of the Massachusetts

’98

Association of Women in Law Enforcement and the National Association for Women Law Enforcement Executives.

When she thinks about her time at Union, she thinks of it fondly, remembering where she met lifelong friends and the impact of one particular professor.

“I think a lot about Professor Martha Huggins and how impressed I was by her strength and courage. She was an excellent mentor for me; a strong leader who really encouraged me to push myself,” Paster recalled. “As part of my senior thesis, we worked with the Schenectady Police Department and she arranged for me to go on ride-alongs to study police decision-making and discretion.”

“At the time, I never would have considered a career in law enforcement, but I sometimes wonder if Professor Huggins saw something I didn’t. My senior thesis is sitting on the shelf in my office next to my law books, just to remind myself of how a 20-year-old saw not only my profession, but the world.”

Paster holds a master’s degree in criminal justice administration from Western New England University. When she’s not working, she likes to spend time with her husband, Mark, and their four children, Cora (8), Libby and Jack (5), and Graham (3).

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CLASS NOTES

the consumer economy, and the political process.

masters of public health at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health in 2006, I moved to Charlotte with Jeremy Losaw.

We have two kiddos and enjoy traveling the planet together.

Most recently, we spent two weeks traveling throughout Vietnam.”

2001 Danielle Marquis was promoted to vice president of marketing strategy for AM Conservation Group and Franklin Energy. She leads corporate marketing, digital marketing and the creative team at the holding company level for these private equity-backed product and services companies within the sustainability industry. Danielle has led the integrations of various brands due to the company’s merger and acquisition activity over the last several years.

Devon Wimberly writes, “I am excited to share with you all after 12 years in the construction sales industry, I am back in the classroom! In the summer of ’97, I stepped onto the Union College campus as a member of AOP. In need of an opportunity. Union put its calculated trust in me and today I am proud to pay it forward putting the pieces back together working with students with autism at Niskayuna High School.

Professor Berk used to always say, you are either getting ready for, going through or

Devon L. Wimberly ’01 and Colleen Wimberly attended the 50th AOP/HEOP anniversary celebration during ReUnion in May.

2003

coming out of something in life. I am proud my travels began at Albany Academy.

Super proud of the Union College experience and humbled to serve in education today and tomorrow.”

Oscar Suarez was promoted to partner at Halloran Sage in Hartford, Conn. As a member of the firm’s insurance and banking, lender liability & foreclosure practice groups, he guides his clients through the mercurial world of commercial litigation, and zealously represents insureds in automobile, general liability and premises liability claims.

He is admitted to practice in the states of Connecticut and New York. Oscar has been recognized as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers® and honored as a “New Leader of the Law” by the Connecticut Law Tribune. He received his JD from the University of Minnesota.

2002 Jenna Triggiani Pulkka writes, “I’m the owner-dentist of Lisbon Family Dental Care. I live in Yarmouth, Maine, with my husband, Kristian, and two sons, Kamden (5) and Brody (2).”

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Katrina Tentor Lallier Shrewsbury, Mass. katrinalallier@gmail.com

Kaleea Alston-Griffin ’04 with daughter Maleea Griffin-Prado, an aspiring member of the Class of 2025

weekend in May. I had Maleea the summer before my senior year at Union and graduated right before she turned one year old. I raised her for that year in off-campus housing.

After graduation I went on and got my master’s degree in social work, and graduated in 2006. The legacy I leave for my daughter is one of determination and perseverance. She is finishing her sophomore year and wants to come to Union!”

2005 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Noelle Marchaj Old Saybrook, Conn. marchajn@union.edu Joanne Xuereb Burgos is a licensed mental health counselor in her private practice, A Better Tomorrow Mental Health Counseling, in Queens, NY. (ABetterTomorrow

Jenna Triggiani Pulkka ’02 with husband, Kristian, and sons Kamden and Brody.

Devon Wimberly ’01 (left) with Willie Deane, Schenectady High School ’96, Purdue University Hall of Fame inductee, attending Niskayuna Unified Basketball Game May 6, 2019.

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Kerry Burch writes, “I was recently promoted to the director of the office of innovation & strategy for Mecklenburg County Public Health in Charlotte, N.C., where I’ve worked as an epidemiologist for the past 12 years. After completing my

Oscar Suarez ’03

2004 Kaleea Alston-Griffin writes, “My daughter and I came up for Legacy Day & ReUnion

Joanne Xuereb Burgos ’05 with daughter, Karina, and husband, Armando.

KALEEA ALSTON-GRIFFIN ’04 Major: Sociology with political science minor Current Position: Social work clinician

’04

Student –> mom –> alum –> social worker

K

aleea Alston-Griffin ’04 was like a lot of students. Resident advisor, sociology major, political science minor. Safe Space member and president of the program board. She wrote papers, went to classes, hung out with friends, participated in several clubs.

The difference? During her senior year, she did many of these things with her daughter in tow.

“I hid the pregnancy as long as I could during my junior year. It was difficult to walk around campus with a belly,” Alston-Griffin recalled. “I felt awkward and embarrassed; as if everyone was looking at me all the time.”

“Many students were concerned, some asked questions about my choice to keep my child and others shared their own experiences when in a similar situation,” she added. “It amazed me how much honesty a belly produced. How vulnerable it made me and also how uncomfortable or comfortable it made others.”

As her pregnancy progressed, she met with Dean Fred Alford. He was always supportive, she remembered, and helped

her plan for what lay ahead. Alston-Griffin did not miss any classes her last year at Union.

“My daughter, Maleea, was born in July before my senior year. Starting classes with a newborn baby that you’re nursing (and who wouldn’t take a bottle) was not easy,” she said. “There was a stigma of being a young mother. I felt judged walking around campus, though I am not sure if it was my own feelings of what I thought others were thinking when they saw me.”

“I knew I was going to graduate. I knew I was motivated enough to push through the sleepless nights and stress over childcare,” Alston-Griffin continued. “I was also fortunate to have the support of friends, my daughter’s father (now my ex-husband) and staff members at Union.”

One of her professors told her about a daycare her own children attended.

Alston-Griffin was able to enroll Maleea for a couple of hours three days a week.

Much of the rest of the time, mother and daughter were together.

“I worked as a babysitter and nanny while I was at Union. The families allowed

me to continue to work for them once I had Maleea,” Alston-Griffin said. “I took her to work with me. This was great for me because they loved her and she loved them back.”

After graduation in June 2004, Alston-Griffin enrolled in the University of Connecticut School of Social Work and earned her MSW. She’s now a social work clinician who serves children in the foster care system in the Hartford area.

At Union, Deidre Hill-Butler, associate professor of sociology, was an inspiration.

“She was very influential. She’s an African-American professor who is not only amazing at what she does, but she was the first black female teacher I ever had,” Alston-Griffin said. “I learned so much in her courses—they were impactful and every chance I got, I took her classes.”

For all the challenges of being a young mother, Alston-Griffin wouldn’t change the way her life has played out.

“When I was a student, it was tough for both me and my daughter. A mother at 20 years old, I was just doing my best.

What I realize now is that my best was absolutely good enough. I am so proud of that,” Alston-Griffin said. “I have a 16-year-old daughter who hopes to come to Union herself and when I look at how far we’ve come; it makes me smile.”

“I am so proud of my daughter—and my son, Michael. They are my greatest accomplishments. I hope every child feels this from their mother and father,” she continued. “Show your children that you are proud of who they are; this is one of the most valuable shields you will arm them with as they go out into the world.”

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CLASS NOTES

MHC@gmail.com) When not working, Joanne enjoys spending her free time with her husband and their newborn daughter. Joanne feels very fortunate to be able to do what she loves as well as be with the family she adores.

Alex J. Nitka was promoted to tax partner by Dannible & McKee, LLP, a certified public accounting and consulting firm with offices in Syracuse, Binghamton and Albany, N.Y. Alex started with the firm in 2008 and works with a variety of clients, specializing in the architecture and engineering industries, where he provides business valuation and ownership transition consulting services. He has also been named principal at Dannible/ McKee and Associates, Ltd., an affiliated entity based in Syracuse and recognized nationally for providing valuation, ownership transition and financial consulting services to A/E firms. Alex is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the New York State Society Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA), and a Certified Public Accountant in New York. He earned his master’s degree in accounting and finance from Syracuse University.

2006 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Sarah T. Heitner New York, N.Y. sarah.t.heitner@gmail.com Brad Akin was recently promoted to associate business manager in the New York City office of Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, a business and financial management firm.

He joined FBMM more than 10 years ago as one of the first New York office employees.

Originally from Larchmont, N.Y., he began his career in artist management. Brad is a member of the Country Music Association and a supporter of the New York chapter of Women in Music.

2007 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Jackie Siedlecki Murphy Delmar, N.Y. jaclynrenemurphy@gmail.com

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Bridget Graham ’09

Jeff Hyde graduated from the Babson MBA program (May ‘19) and is moving to Los Angeles to pursue a career in marketing technology or advertising technology.

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

2009 CLASS CORRESPONDENTS

Bridget Graham relocated to Charleston, S.C., in June of 2017 to take a role in healthcare administration at the Medical University of South Carolina. In April 2019, she had successfully opened and operationalized a 100,000-square-foot pediatric multi-specialty medical office building and outpatient

Beth Solomon and Jacob Bunch (University of South Carolina) got engaged on Feb. 17, 2019. Beth defended her dissertation in educational leadership-higher education on April 4, 2019 and graduated from Clemson University with her Ph.D. and a graduate certificate in athletic leadership on May 9, 2019.

2010

Dana Cohen Bernstein New York, N.Y. dana.lynn.bernstein@gmail.com

Gabe Kramer Los Angeles, Calif. kramerg3@gmail.com

technical team leader of a foreign aid program funded by the British and American governments. He expects to reside in Rwanda until mid-2020.

Sean Mulkerne ’09 with wife, Laura.

2008

Carl S. Winkler New York, N.Y. carl.s.winkler@gmail.com

Alex Nitka ’05

surgery facility, the first of its kind for MUSC Health. She will continue in her role as the operational project manager and this fall will be opening an 11-story children's hospital for MUSC Children’s Health in the Charleston community.

Jeff Hyde graduated cum laude from the F.W. Olin School of Business at Babson College in May, 2019.

After separating from the Navy in 2017, Anthony Savaglio attended Cornell University for graduate school and received his MBA in May. He is now living in Palo Alto, Calif., and working for Cisco Systems as a product manager.

2011 Sean Mulkerne became a British citizen in January 2018, retaining his American citizenship as well. He moved to the U.K. after graduation in 2009 to complete an MSc at the London School of Economics and maintains a long-term presence. Just after, Sean and his wife, Laura, moved to Rwanda, where Sean is the

Samantha Traver Weglinski writes, “After three years practicing as a veterinarian in North Carolina, my husband I returned to Upstate N.Y. in the summer of 2018. We purchased our first house in Glenville and I have joined a small animal practice, Companion Animal Medical Center on Hamburg Street in Rotterdam. We are

Before the big race, a break to train KAREN BERTASSO ’06 At Union: Neuroscience, Soccer and Track Current Position: Orthopedic Physician's Assistant

N

ow that she’s on the right side of 2:45, the qualifying standard for the Olympic Marathon trials this February in Atlanta, Karen Bertasso ’06 is about to try something new: take time off work to focus on running.

It’s a new concept for one of the nation’s top marathoners, who until now has had to balance her 80 mile-perweek training around her work life as an orthopedic physician’s assistant, a job that requires long shifts on her feet.

Through three graduate programs and two hospital jobs, time to train has been scarce. When she took her current job at the VA Hospital in Albany, it was with the understanding that she would be taking

’06

time off this fall and winter to train for the trials. And to get married.

Success came gradually for Bertasso.

In 2008 she ran a marathon in Jacksonville, Fla. in 3:57, a respectable first marathon time but perhaps not much to suggest what was to come. In five years, when she was done with graduate school, she had hired a coach, joined an elite regional team—Willow Street Athletic Club—broke three hours and set her sights on the Olympic trials.

She ran four sub 2:49 marathons before breaking the barrier with a secondplace finish at the Hartford. Conn., marathon last fall. Though her racing resume is filled with top finishes at more

than 20 marathons, she has an unusual range with multiple championships at the 5K distance.

She plans to do altitude training in January either in Colorado or New Mexico, and to find a place to acclimate for a possible warm day in Atlanta.

Bertasso is coached by three-time Olympian Jen Rhines.

Women’s marathoning is more competitive than ever, as evidenced by more than 600 who qualified for the Olympic trials by late summer. Bertasso attributes her own rise in part to social media. “When you can see what other people are doing, you realize what you are capable of,” she said. “It’s really made a huge difference for me.”

Her work in orthopedics gives her an appreciation for the limits of the human body. “I’m mindful of what’s going on and I see the repercussions of someone pushing through an injury,” she said. “So, I’m a little more cautious and I back off.”

At Union, Bertasso was a busy neuroscience major who split her athletics between soccer in the fall and indoor and outdoor track in winter and spring. Though trained as a soccer player from an early age, her success in track— she was on Union’s record-setting 4 x 800 relay—convinced her to pursue the next levels in running.

“The track kids were always nice, and [Coach Dave] Riggi was really laid back,” she recalled. “I really enjoyed the environment and I realized running is a lifetime thing I can do after college.”

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CLASS NOTES

thrilled to be back in the area and I could not be happier with my new job.”

Pets of Samantha Traver Weglinski ’11

Daniel Blum has been appointed the new chief executive officer of BioHemp International, Inc. He has a distinguished résumé and a strong background in business development with over eight years’ experience across a variety of sectors, including fintech, sales and hospitality. Previously, he was a business development executive at Pitchbook Data, where he oversaw technology covering the private capital markets, including venture capital, private equity and M&A transactions.

2012 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Anna Meiring Boston, Mass. annameiring@gmail.com Joshua Gilman graduated from Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in May 2019, earning his M.D. He is pursuing a residency in internal medicine at Boston University Medical Center.

Benjamin Engle writes, “Since my last update, I celebrated my fifth anniversary at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in summer 2019. I was recently promoted to program manager for the

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UNION COLLEGE | FALL 2019

former medical school roommates took their talents to medical school and represented the Union community proudly at St. George’s, the new physicians began their residencies in New York City in summer 2019.

Alumni from the Class of 2012 ran into Karla Mueller, sister of Professor Mueller and aunt to Anna ’11, Paula ’12 and Laura ’17, at a winery in Sedona, Ariz., when she saw a Union baseball hat on the table. Pictured are Darcy Randall, Kathryn Egizi, Kimberly (Perry) Barnes, Claire Lavelle, Samantha (Guidon) Berkowitz, Paige Valchuis, Allyson Boertzel, Iris Mansour and Anna Meiring.

Gateway Rail Program, a multibillion dollar collection of rail infrastructure improvements between Newark, N.J., and Penn Station in Manhattan. My primary focus is on the Gateway Hudson Tunnel Project, known as one of the most urgent infrastructure projects in the United States, which would construct a new rail tunnel for Amtrak and N.J. TRANSIT under the Hudson River and rehabilitate the existing tunnel that was built in 1910 and suffered significant damage during Superstorm Sandy. In academic news, I completed my second master’s degree after receiving my master in public administration from New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service in May 2018.”

Melanie Watman, MD, MPH and Aviva Dworkin, MD graduated from St. George’s University School of Medicine on June 2, 2019 at David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center in Manhattan, N.Y. After these friends and

year first date—almost 10 years to the day—by taking her to see a show at Proctors Theatre.

Following the show, Benjamin, under the guise of wanting to visit the campus bookstore, popped the question on their special bench outside of Schaffer Library on the Union Campus. Melanie said, “Yes!” The couple celebrated the marriage proposal with their parents afterwards at the couple’s favorite Schenectady restaurant, More Perreca’s.

2013 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Cristina Vazzana Boston, Mass. vazzanaca@gmail.com

Melanie Watman ’12. MD, MPH and Aviva Dworkin ’12, MD graduated from St. George’s University School of Medicine on June 2, 2019.

Benjamin Engle brought Melanie Watman back to Schenectady on April 28, 2019 to re-create their freshman

Benjamin Engle ’12 and Melanie Watman ’12 recently became engaged. (Photo by Samantha Siegel ’21)

Eric William Dyer has joined the Nonprofit Organizations Group as an associate with the Boston law firm Casner & Edwards. He focuses his practice on providing a wide array of legal services to nonprofits, including assistance with formation, day-to-day operations and tax-exempt status. He has considerable experience helping healthcare entities navigate complex regulatory and compliance matters, particularly with 42 CFR Part 2 and HIPAA, government audits and investigations, due diligence reviews and licensing. Eric has authored several legal articles on regulatory health care issues related to substance use disor-

Eric Dyer ’13

der providers. He is a graduate of Albany Law School (JD) and Clarkson University (MBA). Prior to joining Casner & Edwards, he was an associate in Barclay Damon LLP’s Healthcare Practice Group.

2014

2015 Shanna Shi relocated to Cincinnati, Ohio, to take a role with the research & development department of the Cincinnati Reds after finishing her MSPH at the Emory University Rollins School of Public Health.

Sarah Bradner completed her PhD in biomedical engineering at Tufts University.

Junior Rivas ’14, Michael Vallejo ’16, Geguel Landestoy ’16 and Quisqueya Witbeck ’16 (front) stopped at the Hogback Mountain overlook in West Marlboro, Vt., on their road trip home from ReUnion 2019.

Envoy rooftop in Boston’s Seaport to celebrate Pastore and Krasa’s send-offs to Juneau, Alaska and Henapepe, Kauai, respectively.

Tri-Delta sorority members Caroline (Aldrich) Jacobs ’14, Julianna Spievack ’14, Erica Antman ’14, Carson Mehl ’14, Jennifer Taubes ’14, Carolyn Infante ’14, Casey Tepper ’14, Courtney Collier ’14, Stephanie Hynes ’14, Amanda Blake ’14, Emily Zangrillo ’14 and Kayla Masterman ’14 attended ReUnion 2019.

Sara Miltenberger ’15 received the Student Program Innovation Award from Columbia University’s The Earth Institute for her role as president of the Sustainability Management Student Association.

2016 CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Lauren Woods Watervliet, N.Y. 2016@alumni.union.edu Dave Leavitt ’12, Suhaila Amalanayagam ’12, Rebecca Krasa, Quisqueya Witbeck and Emily Pastore gathered on the

In the summer of 2019, Jakub Kaczmarzyk started at the NIHfunded MD/PhD program at Stony Brook University School of Medicine. He is studying artificial intelligence in medical imaging, and he hopes to develop clinical software that leverages artificial intelligence to improve detection, prognosis and tracking of disease.

Laura Schad graduated with her Masters of Public Health degree from the Central New York Masters of Public Health Program, a joint program between SUNY Upstate Medical University and Syracuse University.

2017

Tim Romano ’09 (UGC 2011) proposed to Danielle Lussier ’14 during ReUnion weekend (May 18, 2019) in the Nott Memorial.

They write, “Thank you to the Union staff, including Ritchie Assini, for assisting with the surprise.”

Dave Leavitt ’12, Suhaila Amalanayagam ’12, Rebecca Krasa ’16, Quisqueya Witbeck ’16 and Emily Pastore ’16

Vito Capuano, Thomas Lawton and Jack O’Connor joined together in 2018 to create Taasa Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to stimulating a holistic approach to economic and social self-sufficiency by improving access to healthcare programs in the developing world. They write, “We believe that a healthy community is a vital prerequisite to future development. Taasa’s inaugural

project is to aid and expand a local health clinic in rural Uganda. The clinic treated over 1,500 patients last year. With continued support from the Union community, we intend to remain invested in the current clinic, while also expanding healthcare, educational and economic programs throughout Uganda, and hopefully the developing world. For more info visit taasahealth.org” Jake Ulrich writes, “In January 2019, I successfully passed my preliminary exam in civil and environmental engineering at Duke University, allowing me to officially become a Ph.D. candidate. Additionally, in May 2019 I will be receiving my master of science in civil and environmental engineering from Duke University, where I will continue my studies and hopefully obtain my Ph.D.”

2018 Cassandra Call and Michael Warrener ’16 are excited to announce that they got engaged this past November.

Michael proposed on a beautiful autumn day at sunset, while the couple was hiking at Lover’s Leap State Park in Connecticut. They live in New Haven, Conn., and are planning a wedding for December 2020.

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U UNIONS

’02

Alumni at the wedding of Genevieve Moran ’02 and Benjamin Schwab

2002 Genevieve Moran and Benjamin Schwab were married on May 18, 2019.

It was a true reUnion!

2006 Evan Gouzie and Kristen Margeson were married Dec. 1, 2018. Alumni in attendance included Reed MacNaughton ’04, Kalen Sargent, Taylor Condon, Sarah Serbun, Emily Williams, Craig Williams, Alexandra Dichne, Chase Chevalier, Brad Akin, Corey Hayes ’07, Nathaniel Brown, Gordon Carlson, Lauren Canepari, Jessica Ritchie, Derek Mayer ’07 and Victor Mattson ’49.

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’06

Christopher Carr ’06 just celebrated the first anniversary of his marriage to Anne F. Slick in Kennebunk, Maine

2008 Lauren Olivia Youngman and John Henry Bartnicki were married March 9, 2019 at the SmogShoppe, an events space in Culver City, Calif. Lauren is an associate specializing in family law at Youngman Reitshtein, a law firm in Beverly Hills, Calif. She received a law degree from George Washington University. John is a film and television producer in Los Angeles. He was a producer on The Jungle Book movie in 2016.

He graduated from Boston University.

Evan Gouzie and Kristen Margeson were married Dec. 1, 2018. Alumni in attendance included Reed MacNaughton ’04, Kalen Sargent, Taylor Condon, Sarah Serbun, Emily Williams, Craig Williams, Alexandra Dichne, Chase Chevalier, Brad Akin, Corey Hayes ’07, Nathaniel Brown, Gordon Carlson, Lauren Canepari, Jessica Ritchie, Derek Mayer ’07 and Victor Mattson ’49.

2009

’06

’09

Alumni at the wedding of Evan Gouzie ’06 and Kristen Margeson

Alumni attend the wedding of Sean Wade ’09 and Tricia Linden ’09

Sean Wade and Tricia Linden were married on April 13, 2019.

Best man Brian Wade ’07 and parents of the groom, Tim ’83 and Esther Wade ’81, along with numerous alumni, were in attendance for the celebration.

2010 Ryan Skeuse and Lindsey Mulvany were married Aug. 25, 2018 at Devil’s Thumb Ranch, Tabernash, Colo., with a number of alumni in attendance. The couple lives in New Jersey, where Ryan is a mechanical engineer, and Lindsey is a wedding and portrait photographer.

’10

At the wedding of Ryan Skeuse ’10 and Lindsey Mulvany, from left, are Jason Shaffer ’10, Collin Doyle ’10, Mike Wakita‘’10, Ryan Skeuse, Lindsey (Mulvany) Skeuse, Kevin Skeuse ’13, Stephanie Doyle ’09 and Rebecca Skudder ’10.

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UNIONS

2012 Kaitlyn Oldewurtel and Kyle Wengerter were married June 18, 2017 in Cresskill, N.J. Alumni in attendance included Gui Bin Zhang, Ali Mailman, Melanie Watman, Benjamin Engle, Jaclyn Mandart and maid of honor Lindsey Ryan.

Rachel Feingold, Esq., and Jack Genberg, Esq., were married Oct. 13, 2018, at Park Chateau in East Brunswick, N.J. Alumni in attendance included Rachel’s father, cardiologist Dr. Aaron Feingold ’72, Jerry Levine ’71, Bob Michaelson ’72.

Mandy (Pace) Donnelly, Elizabeth Lehmann, Brittany Gilbert, Ewo Harrell ’10, Elana Vetrano, Elizabeth D’Agostino, Esq., Alexandra Mailman, Gui Bin Zhang. Dr. Amanda Louis and Caroline Clark ’14.

’12

Alumni attend the wedding of Kaitlyn Oldewurtel ’12 and Kyle Wengerter

2013 Andrew Churchill ’11 and Alyssa Feldman were married May 6, 2018. Alumni in attendance included Yohan Dupuis, Farangis (Abdurzokzoda) Starkman, Daniel Starkman, Patrick Flanagan, Randall Miller, Andrew's parents Marcia Garel and Kip Churchill, Phillip Gluck,

’13 50

’12

Alumni attend the wedding of Rachel Feingold ’12, Esq., and Jack Genberg, Esq.

Alumni attend the wedding of Andrew Churchill ’11 and Alyssa Feldman ’13

UNION COLLEGE | FALL 2019

Scrabble/ crossword answers FROM PAGE 24

AC RO S S 3. MESSA RINK 8. FEIGENBAUM 10. BAILEY 15. ALUMNI 17. SEWARD 19. WOLD

’13

21. TERRACE COUNCIL 22. STEM Alumni attend the wedding of Dylan Katz-Wicks ’13 and Samantha Stagias ’14

25. RESEARCH 26. INTERNSHIPS 29. BUTTERFIELD 30. NOTT 31. MINERVA 32. CLUBS 33. WHITE 34. STREISAND DOW N 1. HENLE 2. GRANT HALL 4. KELLY 5. PAYNE 6. URANIA 7. JACKSON

’15

9. TERM ABROAD 11. YULMAN Alumni attend the wedding of Samantha Griffiths ’15 and Adam Kocienski

12. SCHOLARSHIPS 13. PERKINS 14. SUSTAINABILITY

Olivia (Joyce) Benesch, Aviva Dworkin, Shari Kram, Tess Skoller, Rebecca Scahill, Carly Orden and Jenna Langhans.

Dylan Katz-Wicks and Samantha Stagias ’14 were married Dec. 31, 2016.

2015

16. IDOL

Samantha Griffiths married Adam Kocienski in January 2019. In attendance were Philip Kretschmer, Adam Weisse, Sydney Giller, Elizabeth Magas, Carson Miller, Timothy Hobart, Shanon Douglass, Elisa Huerta, Valerie Commerford and Connor Dunn.

20. REAMER

18. COEDUCATION 22. STEINMETZ 23. PHOEBUS 24. ATHLETICS 27. LUDLOW 28. ARTHUR

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U ARRIVALS

2004 Jack Cole and his wife, Victoria, welcomed their second daughter, Piper Jane Cole, on April 19, 2019. Their 4-year-old, Grace, is thrilled to be a big sister.

Jack Cole ’04 with wife, Victoria, and daughters Piper and Grace (Cole ’04)

Karina Faith Burgos (Burgos ’05)

Josh Dubs and his wife, Lauren, (and big brother Matthew) welcomed Isabelle Barbara Dubs on April 8, 2019. Josh is a partner at the Buffalo law firm Webster & Dubs, P.C. Lauren is a pharmacist with a local insurance company.

2005 Karina Faith Burgos, due on Valentine’s Day could not wait to enter the world and was born Feb. 5, 2019 to Joanne Xuereb Burgos and her husband, Armando Burgos.

Dan Kirsch, Sara Kirsch and big brother, Jack, welcomed Samuel Bryan Kirsch on April 8.

Jack and Sam Kirsch (Kirsch ’05)

Benjamin Cromeek Bell (Cromeek ’07)

2007

HEY

U Have you changed careers?

Traveled?

Won an award, gotten married or had a baby?

Been published or promoted?

LET US KNOW

Jess Cromeek and her husband, Duncan Bell, of Rockville, Md., welcomed their son, Benjamin Cromeek Bell, on March 5, 2019.

2008

Shoshana Wren Blythe (Federico ’08)

Theodore Ludwig (Funkhouser ’11)

Rachael Federico and Matthew Blythe welcomed their second daughter, Shoshana Wren Blythe, April 25, 2019. She was born in Silverton, Ore., weighing 7 pounds, 9 ounces. Marie Schubert ’09 assisted in the birth.

2011 Shannon Funkhouser and David Ludwig ’09 welcomed baby boy, Theodore, on April 11, 2019.

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SUBM IT A CL ASS NO TE :

Email classnotes@union.edu, the deadline for the summer magazine is April 15.

Photos are welcome too.

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

8 IN MEMORIAM

8 .... . . . . .

1940s .. . . . . . . .

Dr. Arthur H. Aufses Jr. ’44, of New York, N.Y., who practiced general surgery for more than four decades with Mount Sinai and served as chair of the department of surgery for 22 years, April 15, 2019. Arthur, who organized the surgical team that performed the first liver transplant in New York State, held leadership roles in numerous medical organizations and received many honors. In 2003, he gave the Commencement address at Mount Sinai School of Medicine and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree. He was 93.

James W. Blue ’45, of Avon, Ohio, and formerly of Bay Village, who served with the U.S. Army during World War II and held a Ph.D. from Purdue University, April 24, 2019. A nuclear physicist with NASA, he also conducted research for the Cleveland Clinic on fast neutron therapy for cancer patients. A member of Sigma Chi fraternity who enjoyed fishing, vacationing at Disney World and spending time at the family cottage on Manitoulin Island, he was 96.

Donald H. Sommers ’45, of Albany, N.Y., who was a longtime Albany attorney, June 2, 2019. He was 96.

Charles J. Guare ’46, of Glenville, N.Y., who served in the Pacific Theater with the U.S. Army during World War II and held a Ph.D. from Indiana University, May 1, 2019. A research chemist at General Electric Research and Development Center and Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory, he was also an adjunct chemistry professor at Union College. Charles, an award-winning tennis player and accomplished ballroom dancer, was 94.

Wayne N. Umland ’47, of Willow Street, Penn., March 2, 2019. He was 94.

Dr. Glenn A. Folmsbee ’48, of Norman, Okla., who graduated from Columbia University and New York Medical College and served as a Navy medical doctor, April 2, 2019. Glenn, who had a private practice in Philmont, spent 25 years as a medical missionary with his wife, first in India and then for 20 years in Chiapas, Mexico.

Someone who liked to tinker, fixing things and creating folk art, he enjoyed discussing contemporary issues. He was 91.

Harold J. Enstice ’48, of Clarence, N.Y., who was Little All American in football while at Union College and signed a contract with the Detroit Lions before being named in 2007 to the Union College Athletics Hall of Fame, April 5, 2019.

A World War II veteran who served as an Army tech sergeant with the 36th Infantry Division, he received the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and WWII Victory Medal. An insurance salesman with the Harris Hill Agency, he was active in his community and was named the Clarence Citizen of the Year in 1980. He was 96.

served with the Army during World War II, March 22, 2019. Frank, who had a 42-year career with AXA/Equitable Life Insurance Company (Atlanta), was active in St. Anne’s Episcopal Church (Atlanta). He enjoyed reading, music, archaeology and fishing.

He was 94.

Col. John C. Akin ’49 (USAF ret.), of New London, N.H., who graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and served with the U.S. Air Force in France and Korea, Feb. 27, 2019. The director of Selective Service for the State of Ohio, with later assignments as manpower officer and director of education and training, he completed the Air War College Program and earned an MBA from Central Michigan University.

John, who established Akin Reality and was president of Doubledave Inc. during retirement, composed and copyrighted the words and music for a dozen songs.

Also the author of the book, The Halls of Navy, he was 92.

.........

1950s .........

Leighton H. Peebles Jr. ’49, of Acton and formerly of Westford, Mass., who served with the U.S. Army in the European theater during World War II as a translator and MP in the Signal Corps, Jan. 18, 2019. Larry, who held a Ph.D. from MIT and was a research chemist in private industry before retiring as an evaluator at the Office of Naval Research, was active with the Gordon Research Conferences. The third president of the Adhesion Society, he was also a church acolyte coordinator, vestry member, Boy Scout leader, bridge player, square dancer, photographer and volunteer. He was 93.

Alan D. Raber ’50, of Bethlehem, Pa., who was a U.S. Navy aviation electronics mate with the Atlantic Fleet during World War II, Feb. 2, 2019. A member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Alan spent 38 years with WKAP radio as news and sports director, program director and operations manager. Coordinator of Conelrad, an emergency broadcast radio station, for 30 years, he also severed 25 years on the board and executive committee of the Allentown Police Athletic League. Past president of the Pennsylvania Associated Press Broadcasters Association, he was 93.

Frank J. Breunig Jr. ’49, of Maryville, Tenn., who graduated from Columbia University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and

John R. Vesty ’50, of North Falmouth, Mass., a member of Alpha Delta Phi and World War II veteran who began his career

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IN MEMORIAM

with E.I. Dupont in Wilmington, Del., Jan. 7, 2019 at 93. He later moved to Fayetteville, N.Y. and ran his own marketing and technical writing company. He built a camp in Indian Lake and wrote two books about his beloved Adirondacks, Adirontreks: Places and People in the Adirondacks and Encountering Stumpton, the latter a fictional account based on Indian Lake.

Relatives include brothers, Hartley ’50 and Charles ’54; and a son, David ’74.

Dr. James M. Gavin ’50, of Defreestville, N.Y., who was a graduate of Vincentian Institute and Albany Medical College, April 28, 2019.

James, who practiced family medicine in Defreestville for 30 years, was medical director for CDPHP during retirement.

He also joined Union College’s UCALL program, teaching many courses in a variety of fields and serving on the steering committee. An avid reader passionate about classical music, particularly opera, he was 90.

Charles R. Downing ’50, of Hackettstown, N.J., who held a M.S. in botany from Cornell University and served as a signalman with the U.S. Navy Armed Guard during World War II, May 18, 2019. Awarded the American Theatre Medal, Victory Medal, Asiatic Pacific Medal and Philippine Liberation Ribbon, he was a senior research biologist for Mobil Chemical Company for 23 years. Past treasurer of the Northville/ Northampton Historical Society and a member of the Knights of Columbus St. Francis Council 884, he was 92.

Rev. Msgr. James F. Dorrill ’51, of Mobile, Ala., who studied theology at Our Lady of the Angels Seminary and held a masters and Ph.D. in English from Harvard University, Jan. 22, 2019. James, who joined the University of South Alabama in 1969 as an

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UNION COLLEGE | FALL 2019

English professor, was chaplain to the Catholic Campus Ministry and also chaired the English Department. Named Teacher of the Year (1987-88), in 2002 he was elevated to Chaplain to His Holiness and received the title monsignor. The author of several articles and reviews, he was 89.

Nathaniel B. Allan ’51, of Larchmont, N.Y., who served with the U.S. Army during the Korean War and spent 30 years in advertising, Feb. 4, 2019. Nat, who worked at firms including Procter & Gamble, BBDO, Ted Bates and Co., Scali, McCabe, Sloves and Cunningham and Walsh, also served on their boards of directors. An enthusiastic golfer and tenor saxophonist in several bands, he retired from Lee Hecht Harrison in 2000 and spent 38 years as a member of the Larchmont Shore Club. He was 88.

Dr. Harold Gramse ’51, of Cummaquid, Mass., who graduated from Georgetown University School of Denistry and completed graduate work at the University of Maryland, March 13, 2019. A member of the Naval Dental Corps who practiced dentistry in Springfield for more than 40 years, he was on staff at Baystate Medical Center. Also a member of the American Dental Association of Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Dental Association and the Valley District Dental Society, he was an avid outdoorsman. He was 90.

Savi W. Clough ’51, of Newburgh, N.Y., who served with the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was a storekeeper for Hudson Valley Bookshop, Oct. 29, 2018.

One of a long line of Union graduates, including his grandfather Clinton Clough (1893), uncle Wilson Clough (1917), late brother Garrett Clough ’53 and brother Frazen Clough ’55, Savi was 89.

Frank M. Morgan ’52, of Waterbury, Conn., who did post-graduate studies at the University of Bridgeport and served in the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division as a counterintelligence investigator, March 6, 2019. Employed by Uniroyal Chemical Company for more than 38 years, he served in many capacities, including as east coast representative for technical sales and EPDM rubber business manager and worldwide purchasing manager.

Frank, who volunteered on the Southbury Planning and Zoning Commission and with Woodbury Scout Troop 480, served many years on the vestry of St. Paul’s Church. He was 88.

William B. Matern ’52, of Gainesville, Fla., who was a paratrooper during World War II, earned an engineering degree from Union College and retired from GE, April 15, 2019.

He was 96.

Dr. Irwin S. Barg ’53, of Fresno, Calif., who was a surgeon and founding member of Urology Associates of Central California, July 17, 2018. Passionate about the outdoors, cooking, art and music, he practiced medicine for 48 years. He was 86.

Richard J. Blum ’53, of Buffalo, N.Y., who held a M.S. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Feb. 24, 2019. An avid ham radio enthusiast, he enjoyed an engineering career with Sylvania Electronics, Bell Aircraft Corporation and Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory. He was 88.

Harold B. Olsen Jr. ’54, of Easton, Md., who retired in 1994 after a 32-year career in corporate communications with Mobil Oil, March 20, 2019. President of Sigma Phi and the Interfraternity Council at Union, he also played varsity men’s tennis.

Pre-deceased by brothers Donald ’52 and Richard ’62, he is survived by daughter

Karen (Olsen) Pugliese ’85; son David ’87; daughter-in-law Jennifer (Johnson) ’89; and grandson Jack Pugliese ’21. Also survived by wife Janet, daughter Susan, sons-in-law Jack Pugliese and Bill Linthicum, and seven other grandchildren (Emily Pugliese; Ryan, Sam and Sarah Olsen; and Anna, Billy and Abby Linthicum), Harold was 86.

Dr. David C. Heyman ’55, of Montoursville, Pa., who graduated from Albany Medical College and served in the U.S. Navy as a ship’s doctor, April 21, 2019. First a general physician at Williamson Miners Memorial Hospital (Ky.), he practiced anesthesiology at Shore Memorial Hospital (N.J.) until 1982. Later retiring from Anesthesia Associates of Williamsport in 2001, he was a member of the Susquehanna Hospital medical staff, Congregation Beth Ha-Sholom and the Williamsport Country Club. He was 86.

Thomas J. Powers ’56, of Ballston Spa, N.Y., who held a masters from RPI and began his career as a math professor at Union College, March 3, 2019. Later professor and chair of the math department at Columbia Greene Community College, he spent 30 years there before retiring in 1998. Tom is survived by his wife of 50 years, Judith Ann Powers; children Jennifer Powers ’92 and Thomas Powers Jr. ’94; and grandchildren Ellie Rutkey, Izzy Rutkey, Jonah Powers Kulpa and Jade Powers Kulpa. He was 84.

Dr. Richard Propp ’56, of Cohoes, N.Y., who graduated from Albany Medical College and served in the U.S. Public Health Service before joining Albany Medical Center, April 21, 2019. An associate professor and member of the hematology division at Albany Med until 1975, he spent the next two decades in private practice with

Internal Medicine and Hematology. Richard, who later joined the N.Y.S. Department of Health and served as the head of medicine at Albany Memorial Hospital, co-founded B’nai Sholom congregation. Also a founder of Clowns-on-Rounds, he was 85.

Joseph F. Basista ’56, of Greenville, Pa., who was a member of ROTC in college and served in the U.S. Air Force as a supply officer, June 1. 2019. He was 84.

John B. Munson ’57, of Bainbridge, Wash., who served with the U.S. Navy and conducted postdoctoral studies in neurophysiology in Pisa, Italy, Feb. 9, 2019.

He was 86. John, who retired from the University of Florida (Gainesville) as a professor emeritus, researched peripheral nerve regeneration and its role in recovery of spinal cord function after injury. An active runner, swimmer and cyclist, he was a member of Cedars Unitarian Universalist Church and volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and Seattle Fringe Festival.

Edward S. Langholz ’57, of Plainview, N.Y., who graduated from Adelphi University with a Master’s Degree in mathematics and worked for over 30 years on Wall Street as a systems analyst, with the last 20 years as a vice president at Prudential Securities, Oct. 24, 2018. Edward, who loved tennis, running, bridge and traveling, was proud of being an alumnus of Union College and member of the Delta Chi fraternity. He loved to write and was a frequent contributor to the op-ed pages of the newspaper, a vestige of his days on the paper at Union. He was 82.

William K. Carlson ’57, of New Jersey, a member of the Fountain City Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses and U.S. Air Force veteran, Nov. 7, 2018. He was 82.

Robert L. Zangrando ’58, of Akron, Ohio, who held a master’s and doctorate in history from the University of Pennsylvania, Feb. 22, 2019. A professor of history at the University of Akron from 1971 until 1994, he had also been an assistant professor at Rutgers University and an adjunct professor at Yale University, where he edited the Yale Press. A tireless advocate for civil rights, he was the first male recipient of the Feminist of the Year award from the Akron N.O.W. He was 87.

Nicholas J. Magliato Sr. ’58, of Highland, N.Y., who spent 29 years with IBM in various positions in engineering, manufacturing and finance, June 1, 2019. Nick, who was also an independent consultant for IBM, Rolm and Siemens, founded Asset Management & Control Inc., a technology redeployment company. The holder of a patent for the controlled disposition of environmentally and technologically sensitive assets, he was an active member of UNICO, the Italian Center and the Town of Lloyd Revolving Loan Fund committee.

He was 83.

H. Richard Lewis ’59, of Scotia, N.Y., who graduated from Albany Law School and practiced law in Schenectady for over 50 years, Feb. 6, 2019. Rich, who practiced with the firms of O’Loughlin, Lewis, Lynch & Harrigan; Lewis, Kaehler, Bates & Angle; and Lewis, Kaehler, Bates, Angle & Cioffi, was active in his community. He was the Town of Glenville’s attorney, the Glenville representative to the Schenectady County Legislature, and was chair of the Schenectady County Industrial Development Agency, among other roles. Also the president of the Schenectady County Bar Association, he was 80.

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IN MEMORIAM

.........

1960s .........

Richard S. Dougall ’59, of Pittsburgh, Pa., who retired after 35 years as a professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Pittsburgh, April 8, 2019. A life member and past president of the Western Pennsylvania Mushroom Club, he taught mushroom classes for seniors at Carnegie Mellon University for six years and gave many mushroom presentations over the years. Active in St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Glenshaw, he was 81.

Robert L. Page ’60, of Greenwich and Argyle, N.Y., who graduated from the State University at Albany and worked as Washington County’s planning director, March 18, 2019. Bob, who also operated Page’s Market for many years, was an expert fly fisherman who tied his own flies.

A volunteer in the Gill Room at the Greenwich Free Library, he enjoyed golf, gardening, reading, cooking, rug hooking and raising Labrador retrievers. He was 80.

Joseph D. Coons ’59, of Greenacres, Wash., who worked for Proctor & Gamble and Southern New England Telephone before owning Ohio radio stations WOHI and WOHI-FM, Feb. 21, 2019. Also the founder of Paperwork Systems, Inc. and JCA Systems, he was a broker with Bellingham Yacht Sales before starting his own yacht charter company, Skylark Charters.

Active in many community organizations, including as president of the Rotary Club of Bellingham and as a founder of the Citizen’s Scholarship Foundation of the Tri-State Area, he was also an instrumentrated pilot. He was 84.

Graham C. Thompson ’60, of Lauderdale by the Sea, Fla., who held an M.B.A. from Syracuse University and served in the U.S. Navy, earning master salvage diver certification, March 9, 2019. First an overseas loan officer with Union California Bank, he went on to a career with USAID as a foreign service officer, serving in leadership roles in Washington, Bangladesh, India and the Ivory Coast. A member of the Science of Spirituality (Lisle, Ill.,), Graham retired as senior career development officer. He was 80.

Harold D. Munson Jr. ’59, of Bridgeport, Conn., who served in the U.S. Army as a signal corps engineer and was an electrical engineer before taking over the family business, Hitchcock Munson Opticians of Stamford and Darien, April 9, 2019. An optician for 45 years, Hal was longtime member of Black Rock Congregational Church and participated in mission trips to Brazil and Panama. Also a youth mentor with the Christian Service Brigade, he enjoyed skiing, photography and visiting the beach with his family. He was 85.

Ronald A. Wotherspoon ’63, of Land O’Lakes, Fla., who served in the U.S. Army and played amateur baseball with the Capital District’s Twilight League, Feb. 24, 2019. Ronald, who officiated football (CDFOA) from 1980-2010, baseball (SBUO) and softball (NYSSOO of Albany), was inducted into the Semi-Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004. A youth baseball coach in Schenectady and Scotia, N.Y., he owned Green Acres Tavern in Scotia (1965-1970) before running the Knotty Pine House Restaurant in Rotterdam Junction.

President of both the Schenectady County and New York State Restaurant and Tavern Owners Associations, he was 81.

Julian M. Olf ’64, of Sarasota, Fla., who heled an M.A. in English and comparative

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UNION COLLEGE | FALL 2019

literature from Columbia University and a Ph.D. in drama and cinema from New York University, Jan. 5, 2019. During his 44-year career, he chaired theatre departments at the University of Toledo and the University of Massachusetts, and was also editor of Theatre Journal. Julian, whose plays and screenplays were produced all over the country, won numerous awards for his work. He was 76.

Rita F. Feigenbaum G’67, of Albany, N.Y. who held a master’s degree in American Studies from Union and later served the College as an assistant instructor in visual art, Aug. 20. 2019 at the age of 94. In 1972, she authored the first book published by the Union College Press, American Portraits 1800-1850; a catalogue of early portraits in the collections of Union College, a project that grew out of her master’s thesis. She spent most of her career in the museum field, including service as assistant curator at the Albany Institute of History and Art, and as registrar for the Jewish Museum in New York City.

Arthur F. Klein Jr. ’67, of North Caldwell, N.J., who held an MBA from New York University and was an international insurance broker for nearly 40 years, March 21, 2019. An Eagle Scout, lifelong Yankees fan and avid golfer, he was a former member of the Ridgewood Country Club. He was 74.

Robert E. Snyder ’67, of Lutz, Fla., who held an M.A. from Union College and a Ph.D. in interdisciplinary social science from Syracuse University, April 26, 2019. Robert, who taught American studies in the State of Florida University system for 38 years, was the author of Cotton Crisis and Pioneer Commercial Photography: The Burgert Brothers of Tampa, Fla. A humanities

......... consultant on the Ken Burn’s film, Huey Long, he served on the board of directors and was president of the Florida Historical Society. A local sports fan, he was 76.

Richard H. Sweed ’67, of Rome N.Y., who held a degree in electrical engineering and worked for 40 years with the federal government at Griffiss Air Force Base, April 29, 2019. He was 74.

James F. Moon ’68, of Fort Pierce, Fla., who retired as a computer systems analyst from the State of New York, Feb. 3, 2019.

James, who could usually be found playing tennis or softball in his spare time, spent summers at Sacandaga Lake, N.Y. He was 76.

John Z. Devine ’69, of Cincinnati, Ohio, who attended Union College and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in philosophy, physics and electro physics, Oct. 15, 2018. His lifelong career with General Electric included work at the Research and Development Center, Gas Turbine Development Lab and GE Aviation. Active for many years with BSA Troop 59 (Glenville, N.Y), he was a serious amateur photographer and was involved with the Cincinnati Dahlia Society and Granny’s Garden School. He was 81.

Donald F. Durocher ’69, of Alpharetta, Ga., who held a Ph.D. in physical inorganic chemistry from Brandeis University, spent 32 years with Kimberly Clark/SchweitzerMauduit and held many patents, June 5, 2019. Active with St. David’s Episcopal Church (Rosewell), he enjoyed studying Mandarin, practicing yoga and Tai-Chi, beekeeping and birdwatching. An avid reader who loved to travel, he was 71.

1970s .........

Dr. Albert C. Dearden ’70, of Ocean City, N.J., who served in the U.S. Air Force, held a master’s degree in business administration and graduated from Rutgers Medical School, April 20, 2019. Albert, who opened Oak Tree Pediatrics in 1990 and practiced there for more than 20 years, was on staff at Atlantic Care Medical Centers and Shore Medical Center. At Shore Medical, he initiated and was medical director of the pediatric advanced life support program.

A member of the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church Choir and the Egg Harbor Township Republican Club, he was 71.

John T. Platel ’73, of Marlboro, N.Y., who retired from and worked many years with IBM in Poughkeepsie, Feb. 8, 2019. An avid stamp and coin collector who enjoyed Boy Scouts, photography, camping and fishing, he was 75.

James C. Derrico ’76, of Cary, N.C., Feb. 1, 2019. He was 64.

Dorothy C. Hunt ’77, of Brandon, Fla., April 25, 2018. She was 69.

Mark J. Taube ’79, of Tucson, Ariz., who worked for Raytheon for more than 30 years and was a senior principal software engineer, Aug. 26, 2018. He was 60.

.........

1980s

.........

Dan Schelde ’80, of Watervliet, N.Y., who was a canal operator for the New York State Canal System in Waterford for many years, April 27, 2019. An Eagle Scout who enjoyed camping, history and tabletop games with his children, he was 61.

David M. Haber ’81, of Greensboro, N.C., who was actively involved with Tikvah-AJMI, a grassroots Jewish organization that helps adults with mental illness, May 28, 2019.

David created “Tech with Dave” at Carolina Estates to help other residents manage problems with computers, smart phones and other devices. Also a photographer for Jewish Family Services and a regular attendee at Beth David Synagogue, he was 59.

Alice P. Szema ’84, of Holmdel, N.J., who held a B.A. in foreign languages and literature from the National Taiwan University and worked for Taiwan International Telephone Company before earning an M.A. from NYU, March 2, 2019.

An educator at private/public schools and community colleges, Alice was a certified Montessori administrator and superintendent who earned a B.S. in computer science from Union College. A supporter of scholarships and awards at Stony Brook School of Medicine, Gettysburg College and Albany Medical College, she was 86.

Thomas L. Kozloski Jr. ’85, of Gansevoort, N.Y., who began his career with Albany International (now Kadant) in 1985 and was employed there until his passing, Feb. 17, 2019. Tom, known for cooking and feeding everyone, enjoyed the outdoors, hiking, skiing, canoeing, boating, fishing and camping. He especially liked tending his garden and bird feeders. He was 67.

Barry C. Cohen ’85, of Chappaqua and formerly of New City, N.Y., Feb. 8, 2019.

He was 55.

Clark B. Perkett ’85, of Queensbury, N.Y., who held an MBA from the University of Connecticut and was a senior vice president at Bank of America in technology solutions, June 3, 2019. A member of the Lake George School Board (2013-16), he enjoyed spending time with family, cheering on the Patriots and watching thunderstorms from his front porch.

He was 55.

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IN MEMORIAM

8 DONALD S. HOLMES, professor of management emeritus

Edward T. McManus Jr. ’89, of Norwalk, Conn., who played football and ran track in high school and was named a Connecticut State All Star, May 27, 2019. A longtime member of the Country Club of Darien, he worked in the financial industry before becoming an entrepreneur in the LED lighting business. He was 53.

.........

D

onald S. Holmes of Duanesburg, professor of management emeritus and director emeritus of the Industrial and Social Science Research Center in the College’s former graduate programs, died F eb. 15, 2019 at the age of 95.

At Union from 1966 until his retirement in 1990, he specialized in statistical process control at Union’s Graduate Management Institute (later Union Graduate College), from which he later received an honorary degree.

He served in the Navy in World War II, trained at midshipman’s school at Columbia University. As a gunnery officer on a minesweeper, he participated in the invasions at Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

Before Union, he was a math instructor at Emory University, and worked for 18 months for the Army Chemical Corps Inspection Division before returning to teaching math-

ematics and statistics at Georgia Tech.

He worked many years for GE before again returning to teaching at SUNY Albany and eventually Union.

At Union, he took visiting professorships at the University of Munich in Germany and at Middle East Technical University in Ankara, Turkey. He also formed a private consulting firm, Stochos, Inc., which offered statistical process control software and consulting to industries around the U.S. and overseas.

He held a B.A. from Juniata College, and an M.S. from Purdue University.

Survivors include three sons; Donald Jr., Peter and David. His wife, the former Mary Jane Mason, passed away in 2011 after 67 years of marriage.

Memorial contributions to leatherstockinghonorflight.org, which takes veterans from their home towns to visit the war memorials in Washington.

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UNION COLLEGE | FALL 2019

1990s . . . . . . . . .

Kistra L. Damaso ’95, of Walpole, Mass., who graduated from Boston University and held a master’s degree with a focus on occupational therapy, Jan. 10, 2019.

Kistra, who worked with National Seating and Mobility, was an elected member of the Walpole representative town meeting and the Old Post Road School Parents Advisory Committee. She was 45.

.........

2000s . . . . . . . . .

Brendan C. Lofton ’00, of Canandaigua, N.Y., Jan. 3, 2019. He was 40.

Ryan J. Murray ’01, of Voorheesville, N.Y., who was vice president of his family’s business, the Murray Group, died May 16, 2019, after a 19-month fight with multiple myeloma. Ryan, who held an MBA from Union College, played basketball during his undergraduate time at the College, and enjoyed vacationing with his family in Naples, Fla. He was 40.

Kyle L. Zenlea ’04, of Hartford, Vt., May 28, 2018. He was 35.

8 BINYAVANGA WAINANA

Friends of Union College Rao R. Guntur, of Athens, N.Y., who held bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering and a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the University of Technology (Delft, Holland), Feb. 28, 2019.

Rao, who spent 30 years in academia, taught undergraduate and graduate students in the Middle East and United States, including at Union College. He was 79.

Jean A. DiMeo, of Schenectady, N.Y., who graduated from Mildred Elley Business School, Feb. 18, 2019. A secretary at General Electric before serving as a card cataloger in Union College’s Schaffer Library (1964-1979), she was a communicant of St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church and St. Gabriel’s Women’s Club. Also a lifetime member of the Rotterdam Senior Citizen’s Association, which honored her with the Senior Citizen Volunteer of the Year Award in 1990, she was 101.

Catherine G. Pierce Phelps, of Fort Edward, N.Y., who retired from Union College after many years in the finance office working in student accounts, April 27, 2019. A longtime communicant of Shenendehowa United Methodist Church, she loved attending Union College hockey games and was involved in Girl Scouts for many years. Also treasurer of the Mohawk Pathways Council and an avid reader, she enjoyed vacations at the family lake house in the Adirondacks (“Camp Bobcat”) and at the beach. She was 81.

Glen Nissen, of Delanson, N.Y., who retired from the NYS Troopers (Troop G) in 1990 and was a security guard at Union College and Ellis Hospital, April 5, 2019. A member of St. George’s Lodge #6, F&AM in Rotterdam and the Danish Brotherhood of America, Schenectady Lodge #190, Glen served in the U.S. Marines and attended Duanesburg Reformed Presbyterian Church. He was 83.

B

inyavanga Wainana, a prominent Kenyan writer who challenged popular perceptions of gender, identity and the African experience, passed away May 31, 2019 at the age of 48.

Wainana was Union’s visiting writer in residence from 2006 to 2008. He taught courses in creative writing and contemporary African fiction.

He was introduced to Union by his predecessor, Mikhail Iossel, and former professor Ed Pavlic. Harry Marten, the Edward E. Hale Jr. Professor of English Emeritus and department chair, said on Wainana’s arrival, “I hope Binyavanga startles students into a kind of awakening. Union has a very powerful comfort zone and he’s damned good at challenging that.”

Wainana’s popular 2005 essay, “How to Write About Africa,” was a sendup primer filled with stereotypes common to western writing about the African continent. “Never have a picture of a well-adjusted African on the cover of

your book, or in it, unless that African has won the Nobel prize,” he wrote.

He won the Caine Prize for African Writing in 2002 and went on to establish Kwani?, a literary magazine promoting Kenyan writers.

In 2006, he won the Virginia Quarterly Review’s prize for short fiction with “Ships in High Transit,” which was also nominated for a National Magazine Award. In 2007, he declined an invitation to join the Young Global Leader Summit in Dalian, China, writing to his nominator, Queen Rania of Jordan, “It would be an act of great fraudulence for me to accept the trite idea that I am ‘going to significantly impact world affairs.’”

His 2011 memoir, One Day I Will Write About This Place, won acclaim in Africa and abroad. Three years later, he published on-line a “lost chapter” in which he came out as gay. He announced that he was HIV positive in 2016.

8 FALL 2019 | UNION COLLEGE

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Ways of Giving to Union Now is a great time to reflect on all that you are thankful for—family, friends, community.

It’s also a great time to support organizations like Union that have special meaning to you.

HERE ARE A FEW EASY WAYS TO MAKE YOUR GIFT:

Credit-Card

pencil-alt

SHIELD-CHECK

hands-usd

CREDIT CARDS

CHECKS

GIFTS IN KIND

Make checks payable to Union College.

Mail to: Union College, Office of Annual Giving, 807 Union Street, Schenectady, N.Y., 12308.

GIFTS OF SECURITIES

PLANNED GIVING

Simply and securely make your gift at union.edu/giving

For bequests, charitable gift annuities and charitable remainder trusts contact Steve Jo, director of Gift Planning, at (518) 388-6913 or jos@union.edu

For gifts of personal property contact Melanie Buhrmaster, senior director of Alumni and Parent Engagement and the Annual Fund, at (518) 388-6716 or buhrmasm@union.edu

S E E

W H AT ’ S

For gifts of appreciated stock, call the Office of Annual Giving at (518) 388-6175.

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N E W

on social media On YouTube, take a biking tour of Schenectady with President David Harris.

youtube.com/user/unioncollege

On Instagram, see student portraits and profiles by Stephen Nadler ’21.

Students already featured include Blake Newcomer ’21, Brian Huang ’21, Lola Oyetuga ’20 and Melany Carvalho ’20.

504 likes

instagram.com/unioncollege

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UNION COLLEGE | FALL 2019

Union nurtures an inventive spirit

A

t age 12, Babs Soller ’75 knew she wanted to be a chemist. She discovered the formula for how to do that at Union, where she was part of the College’s second coed class.

“I received wonderful scientific training and undergraduate research opportunities, and my research advisor, Tom Werner, greatly influenced my thinking as a chemist,” said Soller, speaking of the Florence B. Sherwood Professor of Physical Sciences Emeritus. “My time at Union gave me the self-confidence to try new things and find a job where I was making a difference and having a tremendous amount of fun.”

When downsizing loomed at a semiconductor company where she’d worked for 11 years, Soller took a severance package to investigate new opportunities.

She began developing medical devices at companies and the University of Massachusetts Medical School, where she ran a

research lab for 18 years.

A professor emeritus of anesthesiology, she found a way to make a difference.

With funding from the U.S. Army and NASA, Soller invented a device that uses near-infrared spectroscopy to read the blood chemistry of trauma patients for signs they might be going into shock, a potentially life-threatening condition. The device, CareGuide, requires minimal medical training to operate and can be used by first responders, battlefield medics, even astronauts.

Soller and her late husband, Holy Cross Professor Emeritus Randy Ross, felt strongly that their college educations laid the foundation for their success. She has shown her gratitude through Annual Fund gifts and an estate gift that will support scholarships, research opportunities and internships for future female scientists at Union.

“As a woman scientist, it’s important for me to ensure that other women interested in the science and engineering fields can receive the same kind of training and research opportunities I did.”

BABS SOLLER ’75

TO LEARN MORE, PLEASE CONTACT:

Steven Jo, Director, Gift Planning (518) 388-6156 (direct) | jos@union.edu | www.union.giftplans.org FALL 2019 | UNION COLLEGE

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

Please recycle

This aerial photo from late summer shows progress on the Integrated Science and Engineering Complex, which is slated for completion in 2020.

(Photo by Gary Gold)