Posted on Nov 2, 2000

When Union joined the ECAC Division I men's ice hockey league 10 years ago, the Skating Dutchmen's fans brought a “tradition” into the league. In the game played against Capital District rival, and travel partner, Rensselaer, Union's fans would throw oranges at the Engineers' player after a Dutchmen goal was scored. This “tradition” began in the Division III days and actually began at Hamilton College, whose fans would pelt the Dutchmen, and most any other team, when the first Continental goal was scored.

For years the Union coaching staff, players and administration tried, in vain, to get the Dutchmen's fans not to throw oranges. Ads were placed in Concordiensis, flyers were placed in campus mailboxes, campus security was increased at the gates, and offenders were brought before the Dean of Students. Nothing worked.

This year head Coach Kevin Sneddon decided to stop fighting the trend, but in a positive way. After several phone calls to the ECAC, the NCAA and conversations with Rensselaer officials (including Engineers head coach Dan Fridgen, whose first full-time head coaching position was as an assistant for the Skating Dutchmen), it was decided to try and establish a new tradition. Sneddon, his players and the athletic administration asked Union's followers to throw stuffed animals instead of oranges. Every stuffed animal would be donated to a children's charity.

“I actually got the idea from the NHL,” said Sneddon, who has his Dutchmen off to a 3-1start after beating the Engineeres, 4-2. “The league was having trouble with people throwing things like dead fish, chickens and other things on the ice and asked the fans in each city to consider throwing something that could be donated for charity during the Holiday Season. I thought it was a great opportunity for our fans to continue their tradition against our big rivals and at the same time do something worthwhile.

“The NCAA, the ECAC and the people at Rensselaer were very receptive to the idea,” Sneddon continued. “Our fans, and I'm sure some RPI's fans, threw over 300 stuffed animals on the ice after our first goal. Right now we are researching a variety of children's charities in which to donate the toys, but our players will be making sure that we find a home for every single stuffed animal that found its way to the ice.”

Sneddon went on to say that the ECAC liked the idea, and the result of the idea, so much that the league is considering promoting the “toss” during the Holiday Season throughout the circuit next season.

Posted on Nov 1, 2000

An expanded Alumni Relations staff will be visiting cities throughout the United States this year to meet with alumni who are interested in getting involved.

“But don't wait for us to knock on your door,” Says Nich Famulare '92, director of alumni relations. “If you're interested in helping us get a club going in your area, contact us today. The alumni club program is a wonderful way for members of the Union family to build closer ties to the Collge.”

Regional clubs provide opportunities for alumni to continue their connection to Union through activities such as Freshman Sendoffs, young alumni events, community service projects, educational presentations, and culture, athletic, and social events.

Interested? Please e-mail us or contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 1-888-THE-IDOL or alumni@union.edu.

• Nick Famulare '92, director of alumni relations,
  famularn@union.edu

• Alison Brust, assistant director,
  brusta@union.edu

• John Carbone '99, assistant director,
  carbonej@union.edu

• Carol Cichy, alumni relations assistant,
  cichyc@union.edu

• Kirstin O'Rielly, assistant director,
  oriellyk@union.edu

• Barbara Tricozzi, secretary to the director,
  tricozzb@union.edu

Posted on Nov 1, 2000

The following officers were elected by their classes during ReUnion Weekend:

1935

President, William Waldron; Vice President, John Argersinger; Alumni Council Representatives, Kenneth N. Mathes and C. Malcolm Rhoades; ReUnion 2005 Chair, Rhoades

1945

President, Edward J. Craig; Vice President, William Hamilton; Alumni Council Representatives, Edward Dahlstedt and Malcolm D. Horton; ReUnion 2005 Chair, Craig

1950

President, George E. Martin; Vice President, Samuel Stein; Treasurer, Armand Busino; Alumni Council Representative, Charles E. Snow; ReUnion 2005 Chair, Mitchell Rabbino

1955

President, Dominick Carbone; Vice President, William Rudolph; Secretary/Treasurer, Gustave Umbsen; Alumni Council Representatives, Saul A. Babbin and Walter Stark; ReUnion 2005 Chair, Carbone

1960

President, Charles E. Roden; Vice President, Robert Mielke; Secretary, David R. Meager; Treasurer, Lewis T. Buckman; Alumni Council Representatives, Buckman, Mielke, Roden, and Paul Wintrich; ReUnion 2005 Chair, Roden

1965

President, Gary A. Morris; Vice President, Gary G. Brown; Secretary, Jon Lechevet; Alumni Council Representatives, Elwin W. Hannock and Richard Crookes; ReUnion 2005 Chair, John W. Waterbury

1970

President, M. William Munno; Vice President, John Hammerstrom; Secretary, David Gray; ReUnion 2005 Chairs, Hammerstrom and Munno

1980

President, Peter Conway; Vice President, Andrew Wisoff; Secretary, Richard Eisen; Alumni Council Representative, John Corey; ReUnion 2005 Chairs, Eisen and Michael Pianin

1985

President, Joseph Picano; Vice President, Scott Bloom; Secretary, Susan Monac; Alumni Council Representatives, Ellen Kraft Rigrodsky and Emily Haft Bloom; ReUnion 2005 Chair, Haft Bloom

1995

President, Stuart Sherman; Vice President, Michelle Spaziani; Secretary, Caroline Paine; Alumni Council Representatives, Hallie Chase, Rachel Goldfine Sifri, and David Levine; ReUnion 2005 Chair, Nicole LaTour

Posted on Nov 1, 2000

Recent donations and planned gifts to the College include:

• A bequest from the estate of Frederick C. Fox, Jr. '26 that was added to the College's unrestricted endowment.
• Hyman V. Kaplan '28 made an additional gift to the Hyman V. and Dorothy G. Kaplan Endowed Scholarship.
• D. Vincent Cerrito '32 made an addition to a pooled life income fund.
• The College received the proceeds from a trust established by the late Dwane W. Crichton '33 and a partial distribution from a trust established by his late wife, Mary Elizabeth Crichton. Both gifts were unrestricted. Mr. Crichton received a degree in English, spent three years as an Army corporal during World War II, and retired in 1970 from the American Can Co., where he was an industrial relations manager.
• Robert C. '36 and Dorothy North established the Robert C. North and Dorothy North Endowed Scholarship Fund.
• A bequest from the estate of Donald C. Hawkes, Jr.'37 was added to the Hawkes Family Scholarship Fund.
• Marvin Katz '37 made a gift that was added to the Jewish Chaplaincy Endowment.
• The Robert P. Ericson '41 Scholarship was established from the proceeds of a pooled life income fund that was distributed upon the death of Mr. Ericson.
• An anonymous donor from the Class of 1942 established a charitable remainder unitrust.
• Vincent C. DeBaun '47 and his wife, Hillary, have established an endowed fund to support Schaffer Library in developing its theater arts collection.
• The College received a recent distribution from the estate of David J. Gimber, Jr. '47.
• Leonard C. Humphrey '49 has made an addition to a pooled life income fund.
• A distribution from a pooled life income fund established by the late Eugene P. Vehslage '49 was received to benefit the Electrical Engineering Department.
• J. William Greve '51 established the J. William Greve '51 Endowed Scholarship.
• Joseph K. Handler '52 established a charitable gift annuity, with the gift to be matched by the General Electric Co.
• Robert P. O'Hara '79G established the G. Stuart O'Hara Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund to benefit students in the Graduate Management Institute.
• An unrestricted bequest was received from the estate of Julie Aussicker, the widow of Charles W. Aussicker '31.
• Dr. Daniel Berkenblit has made a generous gift to the Union College Concert Series.
• An unrestricted bequest from the estate of Ella F. Smith, the wife of the late Raymond G. Smith '30, was received.
• A gift in memory of Robert H. Wiese '44, M.D., was received from Joyce M. Wiese. Part of this gift was added to the Robert H. Wiese '44, M.D., scholarship, and the remainder was used to benefit the Annual Fund.

Posted on Nov 1, 2000

The Alumni Council continues to be an active part of the College on behalf of all alumni. Please feel free to contact any council officer listed here:

Louise Dunn '76, president

36 Brendan Court, Clifton Park, N.Y. 12065

Robert Danziger '89, first vice president

Apartment 1603, 309 West 57 St., New York, N.Y. 10019-3135

Jason Oshins '87, second vice president

18 Downing Place, Livingston, N.J. 07039

Dominick Famulare '92, secretary

1341 Regent St., Niskayuna, N.Y. 12309

Michael Newell '74, treasurer

1226 Sacandaga Rd., West Charlton, N.Y. 12010

Karen Huggins '77, senior alumni trustee

11 Carrie Court, Niskayuna, N.Y. 12309

Taryn Howard '79, immediate past president

3421 Charley Lane, Roswell, Ga., 30075