Boston
Head of
the Charles Regatta
The
Alumni Relations Office hosted an informal gathering on the banks of the
Charles River on Sunday, Oct. 22. Approximately forty alumni, parents, and
friends visited the Union table near the Weeks Footbridge, which had
refreshments and snacks for the Union guests. And on Saturday, Oct. 21, the
Dutchwomen rowing team raced during the day and, during the evening, a group of
about thirty alumni gathered casually at Kitty O'Shea's near Fanueil Hall. A
special thanks to Evan Grace '91 for helping to organize this event!
Networking
and Social Reception
About
thirty people gathered for a networking and social gathering before the
Thanksgiving holiday. During the day on Nov. 16, a select group of current
seniors attended “The Boston Recruiting Day,” which consisted of a career fair,
as well as one-on-one interviews with Boston-based employers. After the day of
interviewing, the seniors joined the larger group of alumni and current
students who gathered to mingle and network. Susanna Ryan '99 and Kelly Schrade
'99, members of the Boston alumni club executive committee, were on hand to
share some of the plans for Boston-area alumni events for the upcoming year – and
draw the winner of the raffle prize. If you are interested in becoming involved
with the Boston alumni club, please contact the Alumni Relations Office at alumni@union.edu.
Dallas
Lee
Schepps '62 and his wife, Barbara Cottrell, hosted the “Union Today and Union
Tomorrow” presentation by President Roger Hull on Oct. 23. Alumni enjoyed
delicious Southwestern fare and an informative presentation highlighting the
Plan for Union. Thank you, Lee and Barbara, for your warm welcome.
New
London, Conn.
Union
vs. Coast Guard Football
Approximately
100 alumni, parents, and friends joined together before the Union vs. Coast
Guard football game in New London for a pre-game tailgate picnic. The
weather was perfect for a fall football game and picnic – sunny and warm! The
picnic was held on the Coast Guard Academy's campus with great views of the
Thames River. The Dutchmen beat the
Bears, 38-14.
New
York City
Holiday
Reception in New York City – Dec. 5
President
Roger H. Hull hosted a holiday reception and presentation at the University
Club in New York City in early December. President Hull spoke on the topic of “Union
Today and Union Tomorrow” to a group of more than 100 alumni, parents,
students, and friends. Guests also had a chance to mingle with classmates and
friends and watch the Union College admissions video. A good time was had by
all!
The
Alumni Relations Office is in the process of putting together the New York City
alumni club board. If you are interested in becoming involved with the board,
please contact the Alumni Relations Office at alumni@union.edu.
Penn
Yan, N.Y.
On Oct.
20, alumni and friends gathered at Fox Run Vineyard on the western shore of
Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes Region of New York. The group went on a guided
walking tour of the vineyard, learned about the harvesting of grapes and the
process of winemaking. Following the tour, the group tasted a delicious variety
of wines offered for sale at the winery.
San
Francisco
A group
of San Francisco-area alumni gathered at The Monkey Club on Oct. 2. The
highlight of the evening was the creation of the unofficial alumni drink of
Union College, the Nott Easy. Beth Lifson '95 (and bartender) led the “testing
team” in devising many versions, but the following
recipe is what won our hearts:
The
Nott Easy
Fill
glass with ice, then add one shot of
vodka (or bourbon, depending on geographical
inclination). Then pour 1/3
cranberry juice, 1/3 Coca Cola, and 1/3
grenadine. Top off with a cherry. Drink
and enjoy!
Schenectady
On Oct.
2, nearly forty alumni and friends attended a dinner at the Mohawk Golf Club in
Schenectady. Warren Mitofsky '56, a nationally-known expert on elections and
political polls, delivered a fascinating presentation on Election Night
projections. He spoke on events surrounding many national and state elections
and entertained many questions from the audience, all of whom were delighted to
have the opportunity to hear about Warren's experiences as a news coverage
authority.
Two
weeks later, on Oct. 16, the club again gathered at the Mohawk Golf Club, this
time for a wonderful luncheon and to hear Athletic Director Val Belmonte. It
was most timely to hear a discussion of the Union college athletic program,
given this year's success on the football field, men's and women's soccer, and
volleyball.
On Nov.
13, the club met for a delicious pre-Thanksgiving luncheon at the Mohawk Golf
Club. Sixty-two people heard Chauncey Winters Professor of History & Social
Sciences Robert Wells speak on American folk music. He provided a very special
treat for all attendees by singing and playing guitar accompaniment of about a
dozen well-known American folk songs.
The
club is pleased to report a membership of 236, as of November 2001.
South
Bend, Ind.
On Oct.
12, alumni and parents gathered to cheer on the Skating Dutchmen as they took
on the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. Garnet and white pompoms flew wildly as
our Dutchmen went on to win the game 7-4. Delighted alumni and parents mingled
with the hockey team at a post-game reception.
Tokyo
The
food was excellent – and the program and company even more so – at the second
annual Alumni Association Reception in Tokyo, Japan, as alumni from five
different decades joined parents and friends at the American Club. Winning the “distance and persistence” award
were Shinyu Kuniyoshi '55 and his wife, Kiyoko Kuniyoshi, who came all the way
from Okinawa! Others present included John Barber '69, Jim Mori '76, Ira
Stevens '87, Takashi Hirono '90, and Eli Benson '96. While their offspring were
busy preparing for exams, Mr. and Mrs. Hidemi Yasuda (parents of freshman Koji
Yasuda) and Mr. and Mrs. Taisaburo Yokota (parents of senior Shin-ichiro) joined
the festivities. Economics Professor Eshragh Motahar, who came with his wife,
Lana Cable, from the Osaka area, was the featured speaker. Quoth Prof. Motahar:
“The questions ranged anywhere from the proposed house system, to terms abroad,
to my assessment of the situation in Tajikistan and the rest of Central Asia.
The gathering went past 10 p.m., which presumably indicated people's interest
in the get-together!” Union owes a special thanks to Eli Benson and Jim Mori,
who organized the gathering.
Washington,
D.C.
On Oct.
6, the D.C. Alumni Club sponsored a tour of the Hillwood estate and gardens,
the former home of Marjorie Merriweather Post, heiress to the Post cereal
fortune. Set in twenty-five acres of lush gardens and woods, the forty-room
mansion contains a priceless collection of Russian art as well as French
furniture and fine Indian art.
Wilmington,
Del.
Henry
duPont IV '90 opened his home to alumni and parents for an elegant evening of
cocktails and conversation on Nov. 16. President Roger Hull discussed the
exciting new changes at Union with more than 60 alumni in attendance. A special
thank you to Henry for hosting this event.