Four of Union's anthropology faculty gave papers at the recent annual
meetings of the American Anthropological Association. Karen Brison's paper,
“Encoding Tradition in Discourse in a Fijian Funeral” was in a session called
“Meetings in Context: Metadiscourse, Genre, and Social Action.” George
Gmelch's paper “One Generation of Change in the Culture of Professional
Baseball,” was in a session on the culture of sport. Steve Leavitt's paper
“'We Are Not Straight:' Bumbita Arapesh Strategies for Self-Reflection in
the Face of Western Superiority” was in a session called “Humiliation and
Transformation: Emotion, Subjectivity, and Modernity in Melanesia.” Estellie
Smith, research professor, was the discussant in a session on changing patterns of
fieldwork.
Faculty Staff Works Listed
Ilene M. Kaplan, associate professor of sociology, has been appointed to a
Congressionally-mandated committee to investigate the social and economic impact of marine
regulations on lifestyles of fishermen. The Social Science Advisory Council consists of
experts in the field of marine studies who are qualified to assess the effectiveness of
federal policies designed to regulate the commercial fishing industry. She recently
completed a longitudinal study that examined issues of cooperative management and the
socio-economic trends in the New England conch fishery. Her research was supported by
grants from the Department of Marine Fisheries, Massachusetts and the Marine Policy Center
of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, where she has a visiting research
appointment. Two manuscripts on her work on co-management and the New England fishing
community appear in Marine Policy, the leading journal in the area of marine
studies. Kaplan has also participated in a hearing on fisheries management with Secretary
of Commerce William Daley. Her work has also been presented at the World Fish Congress in
Brisbane, Australia.
On This Holy Night, a choral work by Timothy Olsen, assistant professor
of music, received honorable mention in the annual Christmas Carol and Chanukah Song
Writing Competition sponsored by the Amadeus Choir of Toronto. The work received its
premiere in Toronto in December and has since been heard in Schenectady, Albany, and
Atlanta.
Web Has Classifieds
Have your kids outgrown their skates? Looking for an apartment?
The Union Web site can help.
The Web site now features a classifieds section in which users may post ads for homes
or apartments, merchandise, services, cars and computers.
Gift From Abbes to Fund Restoration
The College has received a gift from Robert T. and Virginia O. Abbe for
the restoration and renovation of the historic house at Lenox Road and Union Avenue known
as Parker Rice. In recognition of the generous gift, the house will be named Abbe Hall.
“We envision a gracious building for alumni and College personnel with the
comfortable decor of its time,” said Abbe, a 1949 graduate of the College and
resident of Kattskill Bay, on Lake George. “The house and grounds have great
potential and once the project is completed, they will be an asset to both Union and the
neighborhood.”
Work will begin this spring. It will house College Relations.
Active and experienced in historic preservation, the Abbes have requested that the
house be restored to, as near as possible, its original decor. Such elements as the
extensive natural woodwork, tapestry wallpaper, original lighting fixtures, and windows
will be restored and maintained to ensure the residence retains its historic character.
Mrs. Abbe, who has been a member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation for more
than 20 years, will play a role in the development of preliminary and final restoration
plans.
“With this generous gift, Bob and Ginny Abbe have served the interests of both
Union College and the City of Schenectady,” said President Roger H. Hull. “After
careful renovation, this grand house, which will be called Abbe Hall, will provide a
comfortable and beautiful work environment for College staff and a home base for returning
alumni. In addition, it will be a remarkable historic treasure for the community.”
After service in the U. S. Navy during World War II, Robert Abbe returned to Union and
earned a degree in economics. He spent his entire 34-year career at the General Electric
Company, rising to the position of a Manager of Corporate Purchasing in G.E.'s
corporate headquarters in Fairfield, Conn. He has been a member of the Board of Trustees,
the Trustee Board of Advisors, Alumni Council, regional chairman of the Terrace Council
Membership Committee, alumni representative on the Planning and Priorities Committee, and
treasurer of the Hudson-Champlain Alumni Club.
Calendar of Events
Friday, Feb. 12, through Monday, Feb. 15, 8 and 10 p.m.
Reamer Auditorium.
Film Committee presents The Waterboy.
Friday, Feb. 19, 8 p.m.
Memorial Chapel.
Chamber series presents Brentano and Borromeo String Quartets in a program of works by
Haydn, Thomas Adés and Mendelssohn.
Monday, Feb. 15, 7:30 p.m.
Nott Memorial.
“'The Blacks are Supreme?' African American Workers and Southern Visitors
in Antebellum Saratoga Springs,” a lecture by Jon Sterngass, Union professor of
history. An event in the College's dual exhibit on the American slave experience.
Thursday, Feb. 18, 5 p.m.
Olin 115.
Jason Curtis of the University of Florida speaks on “Records of Climatic Change from
Lakes in the Caribbean Region and Implications for Human Culture,” part of the
Environmental Studies series titled “Lakes and Environmental Change.”
Thursday, Feb. 18, 7:30 p.m.
Nott Memorial.
Poetry reading on American slave experience with Yusef Komunyakaa, Princeton University
professor and Pulitzer-winning poet. Part of the College's dual exhibit on the
American slave experience.
Through March 12.
Social Sciences Lounge.
Exhibit of color photography by James E. Schuck titled “Three Feet From the
Street.”
Through March 19.
Arts Atrium.
Photography exhibit “Looking at Youth” features works by Donna Fitzgerald and
Mark McCarty.