Schenectady, N.Y. (June 5, 1998) – Congressman Victor H. Fazio is to be honorary chancellor and deliver the main address at the Union College commencement on Sunday, June 14, at 10 a.m. in Library Plaza.
Fazio, a 1965 graduate of Union College, is to receive an honorary doctor of laws degree.
Also to receive honorary degrees are Allen L. Sessoms, Union Class of 1968, president of Queens College; and Diane Ravitch, a senior fellow in governmental studies at the Brookings Institution.
Fazio is serving his 10th term in the third congressional district of northern California. Elected by his colleagues as chairman of the Democratic Caucus, the third ranking Democratic leadership position, he also serves as ranking Democrat on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development. He also has served on the Military Construction Subcommittee.
Anguel Zapryanov, a native of Bulgaria, is valedictorian. Laurie Kirschner of Suffern, N.Y., is salutatorian. Naomi Harel of West Hartford, Conn., is to deliver the student address.
Nikki Stone, of Union's Class of 1997, is to receive the Nott Medal in recognition of her gold medal win in the women's aerial freestyle skiing at the Olympic Games in Nagano, Japan. Named for Eliphalet Nott, who served as Union's president from 1804 to 1866, the award recognizes alumni who through perseverance have attained great distinction. Stone is a descendant of Nott.
Four alumni whose study at Union was cut short are to receive bachelor's degrees. This year, they are Raymond DeMatteo '41, a Schenectady attorney and former city councilman; Howard Beardmore '48, a periodontist in Coral Gables, Fla.; Howard Seld '35, a retired attorney in Lake Worth, Fla.; and Dr. George Clark '42, a physician in Chazy, N.Y. The College each year awards degrees to alumni who have completed at least three years of study at Union, did not receive a bachelor's from another institution, have received an advanced degree and have attained distinction in their field.
The Baccalaureate Commemoration is Saturday, June 13, at 5 p.m. in Memorial Chapel. The program is to include a keynote speech by Prof. Charles Steckler, and a collage of thanksgiving from Jennifer Angerosa '98, Francesco Barbarino '98, Leah Karp '98, James DiStefano '98, Julianna Spallholz '98 and Shana Meyer '98.