In October, Union's Annual Business Campaign (ABC) got off to a successful and enthusiastic start with a business-at-breakfast event. Held in Hale House, the well-attended breakfast session featured remarks by President Roger Hull, and included the introductions of Erik Larsen, new director of the Becker Career Center, and Janet Mattis, long-time Career Center senior staffer who will lead the College's student internship efforts.
Bill Schwarz, director of corporate and government relations (former director of media/government relations at the College) welcomed the crowd of area business leaders
by outlining campaign objectives and discussing why corporate support is a vital part of the College's comprehensive scholarship effort. Last year corporate funds raised through ABC provided scholarship support to nine of the Capital District's best and brightest students,
a number the campaign committee is dedicated to see increase in the 2002-03 effort.
“Union has a proud history of innovation, and we continue to find new and effective
ways to meet the challenges and maximize opportunities as we look ahead,” Schwarz said. “We are excited to move forward to strengthen our ties with the corporate community through internships, recruiting, and by sharing our wealth of intellectual capital with businesses here and across the country.”
President Hull went on to describe the many ways in which Union is now a major player in the region's economic and revitalization efforts. From the Union-Schenectady Initiative and U-Start, the College's high-tech business incubator, to hosting the area's first-ever Internship Fair and highly successful Upstate Partners Conference, President Hull impressed the group as he detailed Union's leadership role in these important initiatives.
In addition to his campaign efforts, Schwarz says he looks forward to meeting with a
wide range of alumni in the corporate and government sectors to discuss ways to forge effective partnerships with the College.
“Union is engaged in a host of initiatives that are in-line with the goals of many businesses and government entities,” he said. “The key is establishing a dialogue and creating plans that are productive for everyone involved.”
If you are interested in discussing ways to get involved with Union's corporate and government relations effort, contact Bill at
schwarzw@union.edu.