Robert Fleischer,
research professor of geology, is the author of an article on etching of recoil
tracks in solids in the December 2003 issue of Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta,
the journal of the Geochemical Society. Fleischer writes that isolated places
of atomic disorder in minerals, called recoil tracks (caused by radioactive decay
of uranium and thorium) are important to a variety of fields, including
radiation damage, disposal of nuclear waste, radiometric dating of minerals,
ion implantation, isotopic irregularities in nature, disordering of minerals on
planetary surfaces, and radon release from the earth.
Prof. Gmelch writes on advantages of taped comments
George Gmelch,
professor of anthropology, wrote an article for a recent issue of Anthropology News (May 2003) about the
advantage of tape recording a professor's comments on student research papers
and field notes. Among the advantages of taped comments, one student said,
“Listening to you mull over a point allows me to see how I can better make the
argument.”
College cited for promoting wind power
The College was recognized for its use and support of wind power at an
award ceremony and press event Feb. 4 in Albany hosted by two environmental groups, an
energy developer and a state energy agency. Last fall, Union joined four other colleges as well as 10
municipalities and six commercial businesses in New York State to convert a portion of their energy
purchases to power derived from windmills.
Although wind power costs slightly more than traditional sources (about
two cents more per kilowatt hour), there is no pollution produced and no fuel
needed in its production. Union is
purchasing 5% of its energy from wind at an additional cost of approximately
$17,000 in its annual electric bills. The wind power, which is part of the
state's energy grid, is produced at the Fenner Wind Project in Madison County,
New York's largest wind farm.
President Roger Hull called the purchase “just another example of Union's commitment to improving the environment.”
He added, “It is part of our obligation as an institution of higher education
to be ahead of the curve and to help set a community standard. As an
emissions-free, natural energy source, wind power clearly must be considered by
all energy consumers.”
Other colleges in the state who purchase wind power are Hobart &
William Smith, Pace University, Bank Street College, and the State University at Buffalo.
The event was hosted by Community Energy Inc., the New York State Energy
Research and Development Authority, Environmental Advocates of New York, and
New York Public Interest Research Group. The recognition plaque, inscribed with
windmills, is hanging in Grant Hall.
Convergence of liberal arts, technology key to positioning College: Ritterbush
Venture capitalist Stephen Ritterbush '68 challenged the College to develop programs that “play to our heritage to develop entrepreneurs.”
Speaking on Thursday afternoon, Feb. 5, to an audience of faculty, students, staff and community residents, Ritterbush said the College is well positioned to use its unique convergence of liberal arts and engineering to play an important role in the developing Tech Valley initiative.
His talk was titled “The Future of Technology in the Tech Valley: Where Will Union College Wind Up?”
Ritterbush, who last year was named to the College's Board of Trustees, opened his talk by tracing the career of Robert Noyce, the founder of Intel and Fairchild Semiconductor whose interest in the nascent field of integrated circuits took root under the tutelage of his Grinnell College professors. Grinnell, which early on invested in Noyce's enterprises, grew its endowment from $30 million in 1972 to $1.3 billion today, due in large part to the dominance of Noyce's companies, Ritterbush said.
“What cutting edge disciplines can we get into that will turn out graduates like Robert Noyce?” he asked.
Ritterbush also related his experience in studying the success of Silicon Valley and Route 128 in Boston, both of which drew heavily on the deep base of engineering and managerial talent from nearby colleges and universities. Those institutions, in turn, rose on the success of their regions, he said.
Ritterbush is managing partner of
Fairfax Partners in Vienna, Va.,
a private equity investment firm that has founded more than 25 companies
including ISR Solutions, the world's largest privately held security systems
integration company; and AppNet Systems Inc., which provided a variety of
web-based services, and was sold to an internet service provider.
He earned his bachelor's degrees
from Union in civil engineering and political science.
While at Union he studied at the University of
Stockholm, Sweden, in 1968.
Besides his Union degrees, Ritterbush
earned a master's of science degree in oceanography from the University
of Hawaii; and a master's degree in
law and diplomacy and a Ph.D. in international economics from the Fletcher
School of Law and Diplomacy of Tufts University. Ritterbush was also a
Rockefeller Foundation fellow at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard
University.
He serves on the Dean's Council at
Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, and is a director of the Chemical and
Biological Arms Control Institute.
Read MoreScinto, Baker leave a basketball legacy
by Kimberlie A. Cuttita, sports information features writer
When Taryn Scinto first walked onto campus in September of 2000, she really did not know what to expect academically, socially or athletically. One of head basketball coach Mary Ellen Burt's top recruits, it was hoped that Scinto would eventually take over as the Dutchwomen's starting point guard. Now, almost four seasons later, Scinto can look back at her stellar career and realize that she has been one of the major building blocks for a program that is on the brink of joining the elite among the nation's best in Division III women's basketball.
While Scinto did not start in her very first game, a 57-32 win over Smith College, she has been in the starting lineup just about every game since and played in all 98 games of her outstanding career. She enters the final weeks of her college basketball life among the program's all-time leaders in assists (234) and is the team's all-time leader in steals with 198. Scinto owns the Dutchwomen's single-season standards in both categories with 89 assists (2001-02) and 76 steals (2002-03).
“I really didn't know what to expect when I first came to Union,” explained Scinto, a graduate of Immaculate Heart Academy in Washington Township, N.J. Once she got here, though, she formed a solid positive impression of the seniors she found herself with on the basketball court.
“That group of seniors made my transition from high school so easy,” she said about Erin McNamara, Kathleen Furlong, Sara D'Arcangelo and Beth Perry. “I became a part of their team and a part of their group on my very first day.”
More importantly, the Class of 2001 taught her what it was like to be a Dutchwoman.
“I learned from them what it took to be a student-athlete here at Union. I think it's important to recognize that they [the Class of 2001] are the ones that established the foundation for the success we are enjoying today; the success that we have enjoyed over the last four years.”
Now a senior herself, Scinto has made quite an impression of her own on the younger members of the squad, sharing with them what has been an amazing journey for the Union program over the last four years.
Scinto's freshman season of 2000-01 produced what was then the finest season in the program's 26-year history. Not only did the Dutchwomen establish a new standard for wins in a season with their record of 18-9 (shattering the previous record of 13), the Garnet was invited to its first-ever post-season tournament when the ECAC extended Union an invitation to the Upstate New York Championship.
Among all the successes of her freshman season, the one event that stands out in Scinto's mind is the Dutchwomen's 74-58 win over Williams in Memorial Field House. The Dutchwomen's victory over the Ephs was just the fourth in the series and broke an 11-game losing streak at the hands of Williams.
“That win was very special to our seniors,” remembered Scinto. Those teammates, whom I admired and respected so much, had absorbed some pretty devastating losses to Williams, including a 40-point loss the previous year. Helping them beat Williams for the first time in their careers, seeing how happy they were and how much it meant to them is something I don't think I will ever forget.”
Scinto's sophomore season of 2001-02 saw Union finish with a 15-11 record. As was the case the previous season, the Dutchwomen qualified for the Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association's post-season championship tournament. It marked the first time in the Dutchwomen's 27-year history that the team had put together back-to-back winning seasons.
The 2002-03 campaign saw Scinto and her teammates set a program record by opening the season with a 15-game winning streak. Sparked by that incredible start, the Dutchwomen once again rewrote the history books by finishing with an overall record of 22-5, which surpassed the men's team mark of 21. The Garnet finished a team-best second in both the UCAA regular season and post-season tournament and the Dutchwomen were invited to their second ECAC Upstate New York postseason tournament in three years.
All the success the Dutchwomen have enjoyed during Scinto's first three years in a Garnet uniform have set the stage for the tremendous season the Dutchwomen are currently enjoying. Ranked fourth in the New York State Region as of the February 3 NCAA poll, Union leads the UCAA record with an 8-0 record. The Dutchwomen won 11 in a row and take a 16-2 overall record into their regular-season home finale against Hamilton on Saturday, February 7.
“Taryn has a very good grasp of our system after being such an integral part of the team throughout her career,” said Burt. “Her leadership skills are extremely important at the point guard position. Taryn is a very stabilizing player. She doesn't have many turnovers and makes good decisions with the basketball.”
In addition to her involvement with four of the most outstanding seasons the Dutchwomen have seen in their history, Scinto will graduate in the spring with a major in psychology and minor in sociology. Scinto credits basketball for her success in the classroom.
“Studies have shown that athletes do better academically while 'in-season',” she said. “The demands of a sport teach us to plan and organize our work and time so that everything gets done and nothing is compromised.”
In addition to her academic success, Scinto credits basketball with personal success as well: “I attribute much of my personal growth, maturity and self-esteem to playing basketball. To be successful, it demands that you believe in your teammates and in yourself.”
As the close of her undergraduate years approaches, Scinto is looking to obtain a master's degree in special education or to intern as a Child Life Specialist. Besides that, her goal is to stay with the game of basketball.
“I know that I want to stay involved with basketball as a coach because the sport has been such a big part of my life” she explained.
Whatever route she takes, Scinto will look back on her experiences at Union College with fond memories.
“There is no doubt in my mind that I made the right choice four years ago,” she says. “The ride hasn't always been smooth, but it's always been a great ride. I will always remember these days and these friends and teammates and what we have accomplished together. It's a good feeling to know that when the time comes for me to leave, the future will be even brighter for the Union women's basketball team.”
Kelly Baker
When the women's basketball team takes the court at 2 p.m. Saturday against Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association rival Hamilton, forward Kelly Baker will be one of two Dutchwomen seniors who will be honored in pre-game ceremonies. It is no coincidence that the Dutchwomen's success over the last four years has come since Baker first suited up in a Garnet uniform. Since coming to campus in September of 2000, the Cutchogue, N.Y.-native has helped lead the Dutchwomen to an overall record of 71-27 (a winning percentage of .724).
Union's ascent from the basement to the penthouse of the basketball NCAA Division III community has been a steady, year-by-year process during which ninth-year head coach Mary Ellen Burt has nurtured and groomed her players. She has balanced a family-like atmosphere with a great deal of patience to create a solid foundation and a bright future for this competitive program.
Of all the women on the current 14-player roster, Baker is the one who epitomizes the growth of the Dutchwomen. A back-up who averaged less than six minutes a game during her first two seasons, Baker has been tri-captain the last two years and has provided the young squad with a “lead by example” quality that has the Dutchwomen forging the way in the UCAA.
“Kelly really blossomed during her junior year,” said Burt, who recruited Baker out of Mattituck-Cutchogue High School. “Her first two years were tough because she was playing behind Beth Perry and Heather Bennett [both of whom finished their careers on the Dutchwomen's all-time rebounding list]. Kelly also had a long and serious bout of mononucleosis that really limited her practice abilities and set her back several months.”
But true to her style, Baker didn't let her illness stop her progress. She used the time on the sideline to learn about footwork and post moves and watched, listened and improved her basketball I.Q. When she was healthy enough to return to physical activities, Baker committed herself to a vigorous weight-training program.
Statistically, Baker would be easy to overlook. Her 2.9 averages in scoring and rebounding probably don't get much attention from opposing coaches who are scouting the Dutchwomen. But look at the Dutchwomen on tape, and No. 22 certainly stands out.
“We don't look to Kelly to provide us with big numbers in any one or two areas,” explained Burt. “We depend on her to give us solid all-around defensive play, to come up with some key rebounds, to move the ball, take charge, and get in our opponents' faces. We depend on Kelly to provide the energy and determination that will force each one of her teammates and coaches to reach a little deeper and give more to the effort when we feel like there is no more to give.”
“Once again this year, Kelly is seen as a leader both on and off the court,” Burt continued. “The freshmen see how hard she works and they follow right along. Just as importantly as what she does on the court, Kelly has done a great job as a captain the last two seasons. Her intensity level is always high, and if Kelly is going to do something, she is going to do it well.”
Baker's intensity carries over to other aspects of her life. Besides basketball, she is involved as a Junior Achievement Volunteer Teacher, where she works with local first graders. She is a member of Union's Economics Club, serves on the Student Athletic Advisory Committee, is an outfielder for the defending champion co-ed intramural softball team, participates in various financial internships in order to gain experience in the financial field, and is the financial advisor for the basketball team. Kelly is a Northeast Foster Care Volunteer who goes to the foster care center and does various activities such as sports, arts and crafts, and most importantly, talking with the children. She is also among those involved in the organizational stages of starting an Entrepreneurship Club at Union.
On top of all that, Kelly plays the harmonica, piano, and trombone. The managerial economics major, who was one of Union's student-athletes on this winter's UCAA All-Academic Team (players must have a 3.2 cumulative grade- point average to qualify), spent last fall a term-abroad in Germany.
“The number of activities that Kelly is involved with on campus are quite impressive,” understates Burt. “She has a very good handle on time management, and that is also a great lesson she is passing on to the underclassmen. They see Kelly involved with so many things, working hard everyday, and that makes it hard for anyone else to slack off.”
It is a small wonder that Baker is one of the very few basketball players who has never been on a losing team at Union.
As she enters the final leg of her college basketball career, Baker is still in the process of making memories. Even so, the memories and the friendships that she's created over the last four seasons are, as she put it, “innumerable!”
“The basketball team is my family away from home,” she said. “Right now I have 13 sisters at school with me, not to mention those girls that have graduated within the past three years that I will always be in contact with, probably for the rest of my life. Previous captains, Meredith Chace and Beth Perry, are people I looked up to, and I hope I have been the kind of example to some of our younger players that Meredith and Beth were to me.”
While the recent success has certainly been fun for Baker, the biggest life lesson came during her freshman year, the season when illness caused her to miss 14 games.
“My first year at Union, the year I was sick with mono, was the first time in my life that I was not able to do physical activities,” Baker explained. “That made me realize how much people take their health for granted. From that point on I promised myself not to take my health for granted. As a result I've developed a keen work ethic, I am always striving to reach my potential, and not one day passes in which I am not grateful for being a part of this team.”
Looking back at her four seasons in garnet, Baker knows she made the right choice in selecting Union.
“Not one day has passed in which I regretted coming to Union,” she said emphatically. “I have met so many remarkable people. The academic opportunities are great, the housing opportunities are excellent, and there is always something to do on campus. I could talk for hours on end about how much I love Union and how choosing this college is one of the best decisions I have ever made.”
The Dutchwomen play their final four regular-season games on the road. Following this weekend's UCAA battles with William Smith and Hamilton, they will travel to St. Lawrence and Clarkson before finishing up at Vassar and Rensselaer. Should they win the regular-season title, the Dutchwomen will host the UCAA's championship tournament the weekend of February 27 and 28. The winner of that event earns the right to represent the conference in the NCAA playoffs.
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