The You Are Union Campaign has already received gifts and pledges of more than $80 million. Here are some of the many ways those gifts are helping the College:
Creating Unique Opportunities in Converging Technologies
Thanks to a recent gift from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the College will change the way biology students learn and introduce students from other disciplines to biological problems. Main components of the grant include the creation of a center for bioengineering and computational biology, expanded opportunities for summer interdisciplinary research, new laboratory modules based on application of engineering and/or computing to solving biological problems, and a new course in bioinformatics.
Two years ago, three senior vice presidents of IBM-all alumni-came to campus to talk technology. The three-John E. Kelly III '76, Steven A. Mills '73, and Robert W. Moffat, Jr. '78-were kept busy with events ranging from a panel discussion to individual meetings with faculty members. At the end of the day, they announced that IBM would give Union $1 million in technical support aimed at helping undergraduate students gain access to leading-edge technology. The gift included both software and hardware, such as an atomic force microscope for a nanotechnology materials lab.
Fostering a Commitment to Community
On Aug. 8, 1993, Mohammad Omar, a mechanical engineering major, drowned in a canoeing accident while doing summer research. He was a member of the Pi Pi chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, the first inter- collegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African-American students. To remember Mohammad's commitment to community service, the fraternity established a community service internship that awards $2,500 annually to outstanding undergraduates who volunteer for nonprofit community organizations.
Energizing Athletics
Two alumni who graduated within three years of each other have changed the face of Union's intercollegiate athletic program.
Frank Messa '73 and his wife, Colleen, made possible the renovation of Messa Rink at Achilles Center. The rink, now with the capability for year-round ice, is the home of the men's and women's varsity hockey teams as well as intramurals and a number of community hockey and figure skating programs.
David Viniar '76 and the Viniar Family Foundation made possible the construction of the Viniar Sports Center, a multi-use facility that will be the new home of the men's and women's basketball teams. The building has seating for 1,000 and relieves the congestion in adjacent Memorial Field House.
Supporting and Strengthening FACULTY
Widely known for his expertise on the Holocaust, Russia, and the Middle East, Professor Stephen Berk has long been one of the College's most popular lecturers. Now, thanks to a gift from the H. Schaffer Foundation, he is the Henry and Sally Schaffer Professor of Holocaust and Jewish Studies. Accepting the honor, he said, “The chair will help subsequent generations of Union students become cognizant of the Holo- caust and the role played by Jews and Judaism in world history.”
Nathan and Romana Obenzinger, parents of Mark M. Obenzinger '65 and the late Ronald M. Obenzinger '61, established a charitable lead trust that makes yearly gifts to provide awards to premedical students (Ronald died shortly after entering the Albert Einstein College of Medicine; the award is the Ronald M. Obenzinger Memorial Premedical Scholarship). Before they passed away, the Obenzingers also created a ten-year charitable remainder trust that eventually will establish the Ronald M. Obenzinger Professorship in the health sciences.
Reinvigorating RESIDENTIAL LIFE
One of the most significant initiatives at the College in years is the new Minerva House system, an innovative approach to social, residential, and intellectual life that already is attracting attention from other colleges. A gift from Phil Beuth '54 made possible the renovation of the former Psi Upsilon fraternity (his fraternity), and Beuth House opened this fall as one of seven new centers for student social and academic activity.
Attracting EXCEPTIONAL STUDENTS
The $20 million commitment from Jane and John Wold '38 -the largest gift in the College's history-will provide endowment support for a number of programs, including the Minerva Houses (Wold House is named in memory of his parents). Also benefiting from the Wolds' gift is the College's extensive scholarship program. More than sixty percent of Union students receive financial aid, and the average financial aid package is more than $20,000. Each year hundreds of scholarship recipients and donors get together at the College's annual scholarship luncheon.
Expanding INTERNATIONAL STUDY
The College offered its first courses about China and Japan more than twenty-five years ago, began terms abroad in the two countries in the 1980s, and now, thanks to a gift from the late Robert '37 and Margaret Everest, will significantly expand its presence in Asia. The Everest Far East Study program will provide fellowships for undergraduate study in Japan, Malaysia, and the Philippines and scholarships for students whose homes are in those countries. Mr. Everest held a number of executive management positions for Esso in Malaysia, Singapore, and Bangkok.
Expanding the ARTS
Historically, the Performing and Visual Arts Departments have been small, given the significance of their role in developing liberally-educated individuals. To support the renovation and expansion of the arts facilities, the Fred L. Emerson Foundation, Inc., has awarded a $500,000 grant to the College. The grant includes a challenge-the College must raise an additional $2.5 million by December 2009.
Expanding UNDERGRADUATE ADVISING
A highlight of ReUnion 2002 was the dedication of the Stanley R. Becker '40 Career Center. Originally known as Old Gym Hall, the modern career center provides students with access to career advisors, individual counseling, written and electronic career resources, and technology to assist them and alumni in career planning. In addition, for more than twenty years Mr. Becker has provided scholarship support to five students per year who are majoring in political science.