Posted on Apr 6, 2005

Schenectady Mayor Brian U. Stratton announced the renaming of a Huron Street block as “Roger Hull Place,” and presented the outgoing, 15-year Union College president with an official Schenectady city street sign bearing his name. The street name change will be made official later this month in legislation expected to be adopted by the Schenectady City Council.

Mayor Stratton and City Council President Mark Blanchfield jointly made the presentation to President Roger Hull as part of the Downtown Schenectady Improvement District's (DSIC) annual Block Party held at the Stockade Inn.

“For his vision, leadership and all he has done to forge a more productive and lasting connection between Union College and City of Schenectady, I am proud to put forward this official request to rename this segment of Huron Street in honor of President Roger Hull,” Stratton said.

City Council President Mark Blanchfield said:  “It is only fitting that we name this street for the man who is responsible for the renaissance of the College Park neighborhood. Roger Hull Place will be a gateway between a reclaimed industrial site – now an academic, residential and business park-like setting — and Union's main campus.”

Stratton said renaming the city block for Hull carries both symbolic and material significance. The block, which connects Seward Place with Park Place, is an integral component of the college's estimated $30 million overall investment made in the neighborhood since 1998. The street also serves as the central walkway for students, staff and faculty between the main campus and the College Park Hall complex.

In 1998, Hull launched the Union-Schenectady Initiative (USI), a streetscape and housing project that reclaimed Seward Place on the college's west side. In addition to acquiring and renovating houses and establishing a community center, the college offered the opportunity for families purchasing homes in the neighborhood to receive free Union tuition for their children.

In 2003, Hull led Union's purchase of the former Ramada Inn and adjacent properties along Huron Street and Park Place for conversion into a student dormitory, a business conference center and athletic field complex.  The project included environmental clean up of contaminated industrial properties formerly used by the American Locomotive Company.

“Roger Hull Place will not only remind us of the significant investment made by Union College to stabilize and reclaim this Schenectady neighborhood, but it will serve as a lasting tribute to a man who truly reached across the traditional boundaries of city and college to form a lasting partnership with our community,” Stratton said.

In addition, Hull was a founding partner in the Schenectady 2000 initiative, which began a renaissance in the city and later spurred the creation of the Metroplex Development Authority. “For more than 200 years, Schenectady has been closely identified by – and has benefited from — the presence of Union College,” Stratton said. “We hope that this commitment will be continued by his successor.”

Posted on Apr 6, 2005

SCHENECTADY — Big House restaurant, the eatery and pub that eight years ago jump-started Albany's effort to bring nightlife to its downtown, is opening a new operation on Schenectady's State Street that will feature rooftop and sidewalk dining.

Big House owner Stephen J. Waite said he hopes to begin construction in June and in October open a 25,000-square-foot restaurant at 411 State St., the one-time home of a Family Dollar Store.

He said he expects to open a multifloor restaurant in the building that will be similar in layout to the original Big House on Albany's Sheridan Avenue.

“It did start a renaissance in that area, and hopefully we'll be able to do the same thing in Schenectady,” Waite said Tuesday.

Established in 1996, the Big House was one of the first restaurants that opened as part of Albany's effort to convert North Pearl Street into an entertainment district.

Schenectady officials hope Big House will have the same impact on that city's downtown, and they are willing to pay for it.

The Metroplex Development Authority, funded with $6 million in annual sales-tax revenue, is giving the Big House a $950,000 no-interest loan and a $250,000 facade grant for the $3 million project.

Metroplex paid local businessmen Dan Ertel and James Commarto $300,000 for 411 State St. and will sell the building for the same amount to the Big House.

Metroplex officials also announced they are buying four State Street buildings between Jay and Clinton streets from Commarto for a total of $800,000. The authority plans to draw new businesses to those buildings, though Metroplex board Chairman Ray Gillen said he expects some of the businesses that currently occupy the buildings to stay.

Waite said he expects to offer outdoor dining both on the sidewalk and first floor of the four-story Schenectady restaurant. He also has plans for further dining space on the roof. Company officials expect to employee 50 full- and part-time employees.

“It's a Capital Region brand,” Stratton said, noting that the restaurant is well-known around the region.

The Big House is the latest business to relocate to downtown Schenectady after receiving financial assistance from Metroplex. The recruitment effort is part of Metroplex's plans to build an entertainment district downtown tied to the $22.4 million expansion of Proctor's Theatre, a project that will allow the nation's biggest touring shows to play at the venerable playhouse.

Angelo Mazzone, a powerhouse restaurateur who owns the Glen Sanders Mansion, the soon-to-open Angelo's Prime 677 Steak House, and a catering empire, plans to build a $2.3 million upscale restaurant, wine bar and coffee shop in four buildings at 414-416, 420, 422 and 426 State St.

The Mallozzi family, which owns Mallozzi's Restaurant and Villa Italia Bakery in Rotterdam, is planning a $2 million renovation of a nearby Broadway building that will become a new bakery and pastry shop.

William Schwarz, director of communications and public affairs of Union College, said student surveys conducted by Metroplex revealed a demand for a downtown restaurant and tavern. Some of the students suggested an establishment like the Big House.

“They mentioned it by name,” Schwarz said.

The Big House opened a restaurant on Wolf Road in Colonie several years ago, but the business closed in 2003. The building was initially closed for renovations, but another restaurant soon moved in.

Metroplex's Gillen said he is confident the Schenectady restaurant will succeed.

“They have a 10-year record of success in downtown Albany,” Gillen said. “They drew large numbers to their Albany establishment.”

Posted on Apr 6, 2005

The Tallis Scholars will be playing a memorial concert in honor of Jack Sheehan as part of the Union College Concert Series on Sunday, April 10 at 7 p.m. in Union College's Memorial Chapel.

John “Jack” Sheehan was an admirer and supporter of the Union College Concert Series, who died just over a year ago. To honor his memory, Friends of Jack are sponsoring the renowned Tallis Scholars in their capital district debut appearance. 

Tallis Scholars program will include Mass, 'Malheur me bat' by Josquin des Prez, and other 16th century music by Gombert, Byrd, Compere, deMonte and Lassus.

The Tallis Scholars are a distinguished group of ten singers from Britain, women and men, directed by Peter Phillips.  They have been strong proponents of Renaissance sacred music for the past 30 years.

Tickets are $25 for the general public and $10 for students; at the door one hour before the performance or available at the College Facilities Building, call 388-6098. For further information, call 372-3651 or visit the Union College website at www.union.edu.

Posted on Apr 5, 2005

On the softball diamond, junior outfielder Julie Gawronski (Dunkirk, NY/Dunkirk) was named the Liberty League Performer of the Week for April 4, while her teammate, junior Jackie Coffey (Boston, MA/Boston Latin) received the league's Co-Pitcher of the Week.

            The women's lacrosse team also received a pair of awards. Kathy Dolezal (Clearwater, PA/Williston Northampton) is the Liberty League Offensive Performer of the Week, and Erin Lawson (Flourtown, PA/Springside) received the Rookie of the Week award.

Julie Gawronski helped lead Union (11-3)  to back-to-back sweeps at New Paltz and at Mt. St. Mary. All she did was hit .692 for the week (nine for 13). Gawronski was 2 for 4 with two RBIs in a 6-1 win at New Paltz in the first contest. She had seven hits in eight trips to the plate in the doubleheader at Mt. St. Mary, and also had four RBIs in the first game. On the season, Gawronski is hitting at a team-high .500 clip with 22 hits in 44 at bats. She also leads the team with 16 RBIs and two homers, and has a slugging percentage that would make Major Leaguers proud, an incredible .795 mark.

            “Julie is one of the best hitters to play in Division III,” commented Union softball coach Peter Brown. “She is also a great base runner and a terrific outfielder.”

Jackie Coffey continues her monumental roll for the Dutchwomen with her second straight Liberty League weekly award. This week she shares the honor with the University of Rochester's Jen Moshier. Coffey pitched her second no-hitter of the season, and had two solid performances. In a 2-0 win at New Paltz, she pitched a six-inning no-hitter, allowing one walk while striking out three. In a 1-0 triumph at Mt. St. Mary the next day, Coffey gave up just two hits in seven innings and walked one with four K's. On the week, the junior was 2-0 with a perfect 0.00 ERA, allowing a total of two hits, two walks and striking out seven in 13 innings of work. A microscope might come in handy to find her ERA for the season (1.01), as she has allowed just five runners to cross home plate in 44 2/3 innings this spring. Union is 11-3 entering a Tuesday twinbill at Russell Sage.

            “Jackie is throwing as well as anyone we have ever had here,” said Brown. “She is very consistent every outing.”

The women's lacrosse team faced a tough schedule last week with Liberty League games at St. Lawrence and Clarkson, but came away with a pair of impressive road victories to even the overall slate to 3-3 and improve to 2-1 in the Liberty League. Kathy Dolezal was all over the net in three games on the week, including the home opener on March 29 against Middlebury. The senior had a goal and five shots against the defending NCAA Division III champions. In the 16-11 win at St. Lawrence Friday, Dolezal scored seven times, and you might say that she was fairly accurate with her shots. All 12 of her shots were on net, and she also found the time to scoop up three ground balls. Saturday, she put six shots on and two hit twine in an 18-4 league win at Clarkson. Dolezal has 42 points and 15 goals and an 86% shooting percentage.

            “This past weekend Kathy was able to regain her confidence as an offensive threat,” stated Union women's lacrosse coach Lacey French. “She was able to put away a few goals early in the St. Lawrence game, keeping us in it. With Kathy stepping up, the rest of the team fell into place as well.”

Another budding freshman, from Flourtown, Pennsylvania, is Erin Lawson. The newcomer at attack took this week's rookie honor while performing like a steady and experienced veteran. Lawson combined for nine points including eight goals in the two road wins. She had 11 shots on goal for a .786 percentage and had four grounders while causing two turnovers. She scored five goals in the win at St. Lawrence and added three tallies in the victory at Clarkson. Lawson has 14 goals and 23 points, which stand third on the team in both categories, and has converted on 83% of her shots. The Dutchwomen have league home dates Friday (vs. Rochester) and Saturday (vs. William Smith).

            “Erin Lawson is an exceptional freshman with great stick skills. At St. Lawrence, she was able to capitalize when she had opportunities,” said French. “She makes great decisions as a freshman, when she should take the ball to net and when she should pull the ball out to settle the offense. It is great to have a first year player who is not afraid to take chances.”

            In other Union sports action this week, the men's tennis team is home for a pair of matches against Skidmore Wednesday and Hartwick Thursday, both at 4 p.m. The Dutchmen are 2-1 entering the week. Crew opens the home season Saturday against Hamilton at 12 p.m. Men's lacrosse is at Skidmore Saturday while baseball is at Oneonta Wednesday and Brandeis Thursday before hosting New Paltz for a twinbill on Sunday at 12 p.m. Men's and women's track and field will open the spring season at the Williams Invitational on Saturday.

Posted on Apr 5, 2005

'Monk cam' to show live construction of 'Sand Mandala of Wisdom' in Nott Memorial

Twelve Tibetan monks from the Gaden Jangtse Monastery in India will be visiting Union College from April 11-15 for a series of events, including a meditation lesson, multi-tonal chanting concert, a philosophical debate, and the four-day construction of a colorful “Sand Mandala of Wisdom” in the Nott Memorial.

This is the monks' second visit to Union. A group of seven was here in October 2001. The monks are again visiting several colleges in the U.S. and Canada from their home monastery in Mundgod, South India, in order to share the rich heritage and sacred arts of Tibet.

The monks will work on the mandala Tuesday-Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The construction of the colorful and intricate mandala will be broadcast live via the College's website at http://www.union.edu/monkcam/.

A video installation, Nanomandala will also be on exhibit through April 24 on the first floor in the Nott Memorial, in conjunction with the visit .

Nanomandala was created by UCLA artist Victoria Vesna and UCLA nanotechnologist James Gimzewski, based on a mandala created by monks from the Gaden Lhopa Khangtsen monastery in India.  The artists note that the purposeful arrangement of individual atoms bears some resemblance to the methods monks use to laboriously create sand images — particle by particle. 

Other events during the monks' visit, all free and open to the public, will include:

• Meditation lesson — Monday, April 11, 7 p.m., Ozone House;


• Tibetan Multi-Tonal Chanting Concert – Tuesday, April 12, 7 p.m., Old Chapel;


• Tibetan Philosophical Debate – Wednesday, April 13, 5 p.m., Humanities 117;


• Talk by a Tibetan doctor – Wednesday, April 13, 7 p.m., Green House;


• Reception at Blue House – Thursday, April 14, 4:30 p.m.;


• Talk on Political Oppression in Tibet – Thursday, April 14, 7 p.m., Reamer College Center auditorium; and


• Concluding ceremony with lama dances, multi-tonal chanting and monks in animal and Dakini costumes – Friday, April 15, 4 p.m., Nott Memorial.

The monks will dismantle the mandala during the closing ceremony then travel to the Mohawk River at Union's boathouse pier to release the sand into the river. Buses will be available for those who would like to accompany the monks to the river for the conclusion of the dismantling ceremony.

The monks, along with a translator, will also visit various classes at Union. Several groups of elementary and middle school students will come to campus to watch the monks build the sand mandala, including students from the Kenney Center, Girls Inc., a Brownie troop, and Capital District schools.

The original Gaden Jangtse Monastery was established in 1409, and at one point was India's second largest monastery with 7,000 monks. Little of the original monastery remains after the 1959 Communist invasion of Tibet. The monastery was re-established in South India, and now serves about 3,000 monks.

The monks' visit to Union is funded through a Freeman Foundation grant of the East Asian Studies Department.