The landmark 125-year-old College building that houses the offices of the president and other college administrators is to be dedicated in honor of Armand V. and Donald S. Feigenbaum, principals of General Systems Co., in a ceremony today, Oct. 25, at 4:30 p.m. All members of the campus community are invited.
The Feigenbaum brothers, of Pittsfield, Mass., both received undergraduate degrees at Union, Donald in 1946 (celebrating his 50th ReUnion this year), and Armand in 1942. Armand
Feigenbaum was worldwide manager of manufacturing operations and quality control for General Electric, and Donald Feigenbaum was a top manager in GE's jet engine business when
they founded General Systems Co. thirty years ago. The Pittsfield-based international
engineering firm designs and implements integrated management systems for major
corporations throughout the world; in a recent article, Business Week said of the
Feigenbaums, “Management isn't an art to them; it's a science.”
Union President Roger H. Hull said, “We are pleased to place the Feigenbaum name
on this building to recognize not only their outstanding professional achievements but
also their support and generosity of Union.”
A major gift from the Feigenbaums has been used to update heating, ventilation and air
conditioning in the building, as well as to create a maintenance endowment. The building
— to be named Armand V. and Donald S. Feigenbaum Hall — houses the president's office,
finance office, dean of faculty's office and office of vice president for public affairs.
The building was built in 1871 as a residence for Union President Eliphalet Nott Potter.
When Potter left the college in 1884, the building became a home for two faculty
families. After a fire, the structure was remodeled in 1919 to become the College's
administrative building; up to that time, administrative offices had been scattered across
campus.