Posted on Jun 14, 1998

Schenectady, N.Y. (June 14, 1998) – U.S. Congressman Victor H. Fazio told the Union College graduates today that “the true measure of a person, and of a nation, is found in something more profound than economic well-being.”

A steady rain fell throughout much of the ceremony, which was held outdoors in the College's Library Plaza.

Fazio, a 1965 graduate of Union College, delivered the address and received an honorary doctor of laws degree at the College's commencement today.

Citing from a 1968 campaign speech by Bobby Kennedy, Fazio said that Gross National Product does not measure the health and joy of our children, the intelligence of our public debate, the integrity of our public officials or our devotion to country. “It can tell us everything about America except why we are proud to be Americans,” he said, quoting Kennedy.

“The final exams you took will not test you as much as some of the challenges you will face in your life,” Fazio said. “Most of those challenges, as Bobby Kennedy pointed out, have little to do with your economic well-being.”

Another medal for Nikki Stone

Olympic gold medalist Nikki Stone had two medals hanging around her neck at Union's commencement on Sunday when the 1997 Union graduate collected the Eliphalet Nott Medal, named for Union's fourth president, who just happened to be the freestyle aerial skier's great-great-great-great grandfather.

Stone, who earned a Union degree in psychology, won her gold medal in the Olympics last winter in Nagano, Japan. She said her training in psychology has been vital in preparing mentally for her spectacular aerial twists and turns.

Besides her family connection to Union's most illustrious president (her mother's maiden name was Nott), Stone said she was drawn to Union partly because the trimester schedule allowed her to take winter terms off to compete in the World Cup circuit.

“It took me seven years to graduate from Union College,” she said. “Someone asked me if it was worth it. “Last year I earned my degree magna cum laude. This year, I won a gold medal.”

Other degrees awarded

Also receiving honorary degrees were 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.

Posted on Jun 5, 1998

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.

Posted on Jun 5, 1998

David Grzybowski, director of campus operations, has been
recertified as a facility manager by the International Facility Management Association.
The certification requires a combination of practical experience and passing an exam.

Paul Mantica, director of campus safety, has been named a housing
officer for the Schenectady Municipal Housing Authority, a volunteer position which
reviews tenant regulations and housing codes.

Maribeth Krupczak, collection development librarian, was one of
three panelists who took part in a discussion titled “Electronic Media: Collection
Development” on the impact electronic media will have on library collection policies
sponsored by the Academic and Special Libraries Section.

David A. Cotter, assistant professor of sociology, has been
awarded a two-year grant from the National Science Foundation to extend ongoing
collaborative research into the micro- and macro-level determinants of gender inequality
across labor markets. He published a paper from this project titled “The Demand for
Female Labor” this month in the American Journal of Sociology. It examines the
macro-level effects of the demand for female labor on five dimensions of gender
inequality: labor market outcomes, education, family structure, political officeholding
and gender role attitudes. While strong effects of demand for female labor were found on
gender inequalities in labor market outcomes and education, only mixed effects were shown
on family status, and the demand for female labor had little or no impact on officeholding
and aggregate gender role attitudes. The NSF research focuses on gendered outcomes in the
labor market and education.

Jean Sheviak, associate professor, Schaffer Library, is a member
of the New York State Electronic Doorway Library Action Committee, which has drafted a
plan to move toward the goal of enabling all libraries to have electronic access to its
own and other resources. Sheviak also was recently elected president of the board of
trustees of the Capital District Library Council, and to a three-year term on the SCCC
Library Resources Committee.

Mary Cahill, reference librarian and head of interlibrary loan
and document delivery, and Cheryl LaGuardia of Harvard University have received the first
Janice Graham Newkirk Research Award of the Eastern New York Chapter of the Association of
College and Research Libraries in support of their research paper titled “From Buns
to Bytes: How Technology is Changing Librarians' Image” to be presented at a
joint meeting of the American Culture Association and the Popular Culture Association.

Donna Burton, government documents and reference librarian, has
had reviews published in recent issues of the Journal of Government Information.
She reviewed “Current Issues Source File,” a CD-ROM software product from
Congressional Information Service that provides indexing and access to the full text of
hard-to-find publications; and “Statistics on Crime and Punishment,” based on
government-collected statistics.

Posted on Jun 5, 1998

The senior class gift – a costume of a “Dutchperson” with
a sweater emblazoned with the number “98” – made its debut during ReUnion Weekend.

Plans are to introduce the mascot to the College community before
Commencement, says Ruthie Strosberg '98, senior gift chair. There is to be a contest
to name the mascot, known for now as “Dutch.”

The mascot has an oversized head and garnet clothing. It is “sort
of androgynous,” Strosberg admits. “The gender is in the eye of the
beholder.”

“We hope this becomes a tradition,” she said. “This could
be the (senior) gift that is really special.”

Posted on Jun 5, 1998

May 20, 1998

1. The minutes of May 13, 1998 were approved

2. Dean Lewis reported on the GenEd Board's response to the
Science/Technology and Society courses proposed by the Committee on Liberal Arts &
Technology. The GenEd Board was not comfortable with the idea of the courses counting as
either science or civilization courses. The Board unanimously rejected this proposal but
would like to find ways to implement the courses, perhaps in a minor. In response to the
proposal, the Freshmen Preceptors are involved in creating two packets with science
readings (one on Death & Dying and one including the Darwin Wallace papers).

3. The procedure for continuing work on the calendar proposal was
discussed. A memo to inform the faculty was revised and approved. Additional appointees
will be discussed for the subcommittee during the next meeting.