“One of the perks of being Chair of the Faculty Executive Committee is
greater opportunity to obsess over Union's current challenges,” said Tom
Werner in his remarks at last week's opening convocation.
So, Werner, a chemistry prof with an interest in College history, turned to
President Dixon Ryan Fox's “Union College: An Unfinished history” to
see how the College faced challenge in the past.
Fox described the College in 1900 as having financial problems because too
many students were behind in their bills. So, Treasurer Frank Bailey hired C.B.
Pond, a bill collector who Werner said “had the right stuff.”
Pond was “not burdened with civility or the need to abide by the
prevailing rules of decorum,” Werner said. He was known for verbal abuse
and for placing a gun on the table at registration.
“Pond soon had students paying the fees that they owed and, according to
Fox, some that they didn't,” Werner said.
“Tonight let's reflect on our considerable successes from the recent
past, secure in the knowledge that our batting average in dealing with challenge
is excellent and expecting that, if necessary, a 21st–century version of C. B.
Pond will emerge to do the heavy lifting. Let's hope, at the very least, that
this time we get one of those conservatives with a compassionate streak.”
Initial confusion
In introducing two new members of the admissions staff last week – Kelen
Barr '00 and Kristen Fischer – VP for Admissions Dan Lundquist told fellow
administrators of the growing confusion in Becker Hall caused by first initials,
particularly the letter “K.”
Staffers include Kelen (Barr), Kristen (Fischer), Kris (Gernert-Dott), Kelly
(Herrington), Kerry (Mendez) and Kristen (Morse).
And don't forget the letter “D,” as in Dan (Lundquist), Darryl (Tiggle)
and Dianne (Crozier).