The College will pay tribute to the victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, and celebrate the spirit of the Union community in a ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 11, at 7:30 p.m. in Library Plaza, the green east of the Nott Memorial.
All members, friends and family of the Union College community are invited.
President Roger Hull will offer brief remarks followed by a candlelight reflection – in which participants will encircle the Nott Memorial – and the playing of “Taps,” the bugle call composed by Daniel Butterfield, Class of 1849, who rose to the rank of major general in the Union Army.
Losses to the Union family from the attacks included: Thomas Duffy '71; Andrew Fredericks '83; Peter Freund '77; Donald Kauth '74; Alexander Steinman '91; Christopher Quackenbush, husband of Traci S. Quackenbush '80; Timothy Haviland, brother of David Haviland '83; Arlene Fried, mother of Allison Fried '02; and James Patrick, brother of Kevin Patrick, former assistant hockey coach.
President Roger Hull on Tuesday urged students to “think
about the broader community” and get involved with community or national
service.
“I believe that you and others across the land would welcome
the idea of giving something back to the communities or country of which you are
a part,” he said during his address at the College's convocation. “Not
only is service right because it will help this country in war and peace, but
it is right because it will help participants develop a sense of worth and
provide a measure of satisfaction and happiness.”
Also at the convocation in observance of the College's 209th
year, David P. Cervone, associate professor of mathematics, received the
Stillman Prize for Excellence in Teaching. The prize was created by David I.
Stillman '72, Abbott Stillman '69 and Alan Stillman in honor of Abraham
Stillman, father and grandfather, and is awarded annually to a faculty member
to encourage outstanding teaching.
Dean of Faculty Christina Sorum recognized Dean's List
students, whose name appear on a plaque that was unveiled Tuesday in Reamer
Campus Center.
Professor Byron Nichols presented the Phi Beta Kappa Prize
to Mark W. Weston '06. The prize honors a first-year student for excellence in
General Education.
Lawrence J. Hollander, dean of engineering emeritus,
presented the Hollander Convocation Musician Prize to Christopher A. Neal '05,
who performed a musical interlude on piano, “Bryllupsdag Pa
Troldhaugen” by Edvard Grieg.
The Office of Communications
is launching a new weekly digest of Union news and events, New @ U.
New @ U will be printed on a distinctive turquoise sheet and distributed
to the Union community Thursdays during academic terms.
It will contain summaries of stories
that appear in the Chronicle, the weekly
on-line news publication, the College magazine, press releases and campus announcements.
Readers of New @ U will get a
synopsis of that week's news and events, as well as URLs to complete on-line
stories.
Architect's rendering of renovated 450 Nott St., the former Ramada Inn
Union College has purchased the
Ramada Inn at 450 Nott Street to be renovated for student housing and has
purchase contracts for two adjoining parcels on which it plans to construct
soccer fields for college and community use, it was announced today by Union
College President Roger H. Hull. The College will spend $15 million on the
project, bringing Union's total investment in the
neighborhood west of campus to $26 million.
“The acquisition of the
Ramada Inn and the adjoining land is a key element in our commitment to our
students and our continued support and investment in Schenectady,”
said Hull. “It addresses the
needs of the college and at the same time contributes to the revitalization of Schenectady.
Just as I believe we all, as individuals, have an obligation to contribute to
the community of which we are a part, I also feel strongly that institutions,
whether for-profit or not-for-profit like Union, have an obligation to play a
role in the revitalization of this city. The future of Schenectady
and Union College
are inextricably linked, and I feel this project enhances both the city and the
College.”
Another housing option for
students
This project comes at a key time,
as the College embarks on major changes in its social and residential
system for students. A new House System, designed to better integrate social,
residential and intellectual life on campus, is well underway. In fact, the
first building, a renovated South College
dorm, opened this week. The addition of this building will further expand the
variety of residential life experiences Union offers its
students at a time when more students want to live in college-owned housing.
Students will be able to choose from several housing options, including
traditional residence halls, theme houses and fraternities and sororities.
The Union-Schenectady Initiative
(USI), a broad-based plan to revitalize and stimulate home ownership in the College
Park neighborhood, also created new residential
opportunities for students. The USI was introduced in 1998, and to date, the
college has invested about $11 million in that project.
“The Union-Schenectady
Initiative was a major first step,” Hull
said. “It has contributed significantly to the transformation of the College
Park neighborhood – and added an exciting new
dimension to student and residential life. The investment in the Ramada
property and the adjoining land continues that important effort, and we look
forward to creating an even better campus and a strengthened community.”
Bonds to be sold through City
IDA
The College plans to sell $15
million in bonds through the Schenectady Industrial Development Authority for
the new project. Among the renovations will be replacement and reconstruction
of the roof, repairing and repainting the building's exterior, installation of
new and updated heat and air conditioning systems, increased fire protection,
construction of a new entryway, creation of study areas and meeting rooms,
creation of a fitness center by filling in the swimming pool, and general
interior renovations such as painting, new carpeting and new window treatments.
The College has invited five firms
to submit designs and budgets for the project, with a completion date for the
renovation of fall 2004. Plans call for the creation of 110 single rooms and
60 doubles to house 230 students. The construction of a lighted and
security-patrolled walkway from Huron Street,
adjacent to the main campus, to the new residence hall is also planned.
The athletic field complex will
bring the college and community together on what used to be vacant industrial
land. Plans call for the construction of artificial turf soccer fields for use
by college teams. When college is not in session, the fields will be available
for community use. A $450,000 federal appropriation from Senators Charles
Schumer and Hillary Clinton and Congressman Michael McNulty will help fund part
of the playing fields project.
Remediation will return land to
safe use
The property, once the site of the
American Locomotive Company, will require environmental remediation. The parcel
contains some residual levels of aged petroleum products that were used in the
manufacturing of locomotives, tanks and other vehicles. The college has been
working with state officials to ensure that the property is properly remediated and safe for future use. Staff from the Oil
Spill Fund, which is managed by the State Comptroller and oversees the State's
oil spill program, negotiated protections for both Union
College and the environment.
“The college has worked
closely with the Department of Environmental Conservation and the state
Comptroller's Office to ensure that all procedures for remediation have been
followed,” Hull said. “We
hope
this
project is a model for the effective use of brownfields
and that it will be replicated elsewhere in this city and state.”
State Comptroller Alan G. Hevesi, whose participation has been essential to the
College's plan for the Ramada Inn property, said, “Brownfields
redevelopment is a critical component for revitalizing communities and creating
jobs and economic development throughout New York
State. We are pleased to have
facilitated this important effort by Union in Schenectady,
and I want to commend President Hull for his vision and dedication.”
DEC Commissioner Erin M. Crotty said, “Governor Pataki is committed to the
revitalization of urban centers across New York State, and by participating in
the State's cleanup programs, communities can enjoy remarkable environmental
and economic benefits. This cleanup agreement is an important initiative for Union
College and the City of Schenectady
and illustrates the value of partnerships in reaping rewards for our
environment and our communities.”
Under a clear windless sky, the College flag lay motionless at half staff as the sun fell behind the hills west of campus. A crowd of several hundred gathered around the Nott Memorial to await the start of a ceremony to remember the day two years ago when the world, too, stood still.
“We all remember where we were,” President Roger Hull told a group at the Wednesday night candle vigil. “We remember the support we received from each other, from our community, this community.”
David Stone '06 played “Amazing Grace” on the College chimes from atop Memorial Chapel as the group circled the Nott and stood with arms locked and candles burning. Steve Weisse, husband of Prof. Carol Weisse, played “Taps,” the bugle call composed by Daniel Butterfield, Class of 1849, who rose to the rank of major general in the Union Army. Stone chimed out “America the Beautiful” as the participants filed away.
Losses to the Union family from the attacks included: Thomas Duffy '71; Andrew Fredericks '83; Peter Freund '77;
Donald Kauth '74; Alexander Steinman '91; Christopher Quackenbush, husband of
Traci S. Quackenbush '80; Timothy Haviland, brother of
David Haviland '83; Arlene Fried, mother of Allison Fried '02;
and James Patrick, brother of Kevin Patrick, former
assistant hockey coach.
