James Underwood, a longtime professor of political science at Union College, will take the helm as interim president after President Roger Hull steps down June 30.
Underwood's appointment was announced Saturday by Steve Ciesinski, chairman of the college board of trustees.
“He was the obvious first choice from a strong pool of candidates,” Ciesinski said. “He is a respected leader who has taught generations of Union students how to lead.”
A graduate of Pennsylvania's Franklin and Marshall College, he holds a doctorate from Syracuse University. Underwood, 67, began his career at Union College in 1963 and has taught courses on policy making, civil rights and political leadership. From 1978-84, he served as chair of the political science department and from 1988-94 he was dean of faculty. When he retired from teaching full-time two years ago, Underwood had been the longest-serving faculty member.
He said he is looking forward to the presidency. Underwood expects to serve about a year while a search committee looks for a permanent replacement. He is still in talks with administrators about his salary.
“I'm eager to do it,” he said. “But I also know that being president of a college is a very hard job, and it won't always be fun. But a lot of the time it will be fun, and sometimes it'll be exhilarating.”
In addition to his work on campus, Underwood worked as a consultant to the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Executive Reorganization and is co-author of a book on Gov. Nelson A. Rockefeller.
Interim President James Underwood Click here for high resolution photos
James Underwood, a popular professor and former dean with more than 40 years of service to Union College, has been named the College's interim president, it was announced today by Steve Ciesinski '70, chairman of the board of trustees.
Underwood, the Chauncey H. Winters Research Professor of Political Science, will serve while a presidential search committee chaired by Trustee Frank Messa '73 continues their work. President Roger Hull is stepping down June 30 after 15 years.
Underwood, 67, has been a member of the College's faculty since 1963, serving in a number of capacities including dean of faculty from 1988 to 1994, chair of the political science department from 1978 to 1984, chair of the social sciences division, and director of the General Education program.
“Jim's vast experience as faculty member and dean of faculty will serve him well in leading Union,” said Ciesinski. “He was the obvious first choice from a strong pool of candidates on campus. He is a respected scholar who has taught generations of Union students how to lead. I am delighted that he has agreed to guide the College through this transition and to continue the momentum. I look forward to working with him on the College's priorities.”
“Jim and I have been friends for 14 years when he was dean and then returned to the faculty,” said Dan Lundquist, vice president for admissions. “He knows Union and is known by the entire Union family. As great as our brand-new class is, they will have to hustle to keep up with Jim.”
“Jim Underwood is a man of great integrity and high standards,” said Clifford Brown, a colleague of Underwood's in the political science department and chair of the Faculty Executive Committee, the faculty governing body. “I have no doubt whatsoever that he will continue to advance this College just as he has done throughout his distinguished career.”
“Who better than Jim to support the You Are Union campaign as we roll it out across the country?” asked Mark Walsh '76, trustee and co-chair, with Messa, of the $200 million campaign. “I respect Jim Underwood enormously. The College is lucky to have him ready to step in and step up, and I can't wait to join him on the road as we meet alumni around the U.S. and the world to tell the story of Union's campaign and our shared aspirations.”
“Jim is a great friend — of the College and me,” said Hull, who worked closely with Underwood while he was dean of faculty. “He knows every tree, every planting, every nook and cranny on this campus. I can think of no one better to fill this important role, and I applaud the board's decision to name him interim president.”
“Union is a warm and spirited place with a magnificent campus, dedicated and committed people, and students distinguished by their energy and their eagerness to learn,” said Underwood. “I consider myself blessed to have been a part of this place, and I look forward to contributing in any way that I can.”
Underwood, the longest-serving current faculty member when he retired from full-time teaching in 2003, has remained active on campus. He keeps an office in the College's Emeritus Center, attends many College events, and continues to teach and advise students. This term he is teaching a class on Eliphalet Nott, Union's president from 1804 to 1866, with former student Jeremy Dibbell '04.
He has taught a range of courses including Contemporary American Politics; Political Leadership; Policy-Making and American Society; the Environment, Energy and American Politics; Civil Rights and Civil Liberties; and Seminar in American Politics.
He has been an advisor to many students in the College's internship programs in Washington and Albany. He has long-standing friendships with a number of alumni who have gone on to distinguished careers in law, politics and diplomacy. In recent years, he has taught a number of children of former students including one whose parents were both students.
His areas of professional interest include political leadership, administrative systems, environmental and energy policy, and New York State politics. He has been a consultant to the Subcommittee on Executive Reorganization in the United States Senate, and to the New York State Education Department. He also has served on Congressional staffs as a recipient of an American Political Science Association Congressional Fellowship.
He is the co-author Governor Rockefeller in New York: The Apex of Pragmatic Liberalism in the United States, and has published articles in Policy and Congress and the Presidency. In 1971, he co-authored Science/Technology — Related Activities in the Government of the State of New York, a study funded by the state Office of Science and Technology. He has written and lectured extensively on former New York Governor Mario Cuomo. He recently wrote an article, “Lincoln: A Weberian Politician Meets the Constitution,” in the June 2004 issue of Presidential Studies Quarterly. His entry on William H. Seward, Union Class of 1820 and Lincoln's secretary of state, was published in the Encyclopedia of the American Presidency.
A popular speaker at alumni events, Underwood spoke last fall to the Washington D.C. Alumni Association on the presidency of Chester Arthur, Union Class of 1848. He received the Faculty Meritorious Service Award from the College's Alumni Council in 2002.
A graduate of Franklin and Marshall, he received his M.P.A. and Ph.D. from Syracuse University. He is a member of the American Political Science Association and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
A native of Irwin, Penn., he and his wife, Jean, live in Niskayuna.
The Union College softball team had a super season, with a school-record 30 victories and a third straight NCAA playoff appearance. Two Dutchwomen were honored for their performances in 2005, as they were named to the Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division III All-American teams on March 19 in Raleigh, North Carolina. Junior outfielder Julie Gawronski (Dunkirk, NY/Dunkirk) and junior pitcher Abby Arceneaux (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville). Gawronski was named as one of the three outfielders on the first team, while Arceneaux received third team recognition.
Gawronski and Arceneaux are the first two Union softball all-americans during Head Coach Peter Brown's eight-year coaching tenure.
The Liberty League Player of the Year, Gawronski ranked among the NCAA Division III national leaders in three categories: RBIs (13th), batting (26th), and runs (27th). She led Union in a variety of categories, with her .448 average, 38 runs, 52 hits, 13 doubles, three triples, 42 RBIs and .664 slugging mark. She hit safely in 29 of 36 games, and had an 11 game hitting streak during the season. Gawronski also was second on the team with 11 stolen bases and was a two-time Liberty League Performer of the Week. In addition, Gawronski was named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District First Team, and will now be considered for national Academic All-America honors. Gawronski's 52 base hits tied the school's single season base hit record, and were the most since 1995 when Stacey Anderson set the mark with 52 hits.
Arceneaux finished the season with a 14-3 record and 0.87 ERA, and struck out 141 batters in 113 innings. She was named to the Liberty League First Team, and received two Liberty League Pitcher of the Week awards and a league Performer of the Week honor. Arceneaux is the program's all-time leader in career victories with 40 and career strikeouts with 340.
For student organizers Trevor Simon and Richard Uluski, the third annual Relay for Life cancer charity event this weekend is more than walking around the Nott Memorial all night to raise funds. It's a way to pay tribute to relatives and friends lost to cancer and celebrate the lives of cancer survivors.
“This event is very meaningful to me, having lost people I loved to cancer” said Uluski.
Simon too has had cancer strike his family. One member, his grandmother, spoke at last year's Relay for Life at Union. “Our families are so proud of us, and we are proud to be organizing this event,” Simon said.
Both men, who are juniors, have been participating in the event since it began in 2003.
From 7 p.m. Friday May 20 until 7 a.m. Saturday, May 21 participants will run or walk the perimeter sidewalks around the Nott Memorial. Along with the walk, there will be food, performances (including an open mic session) and a luminary ceremony where cancer survivors and those who have lost loved ones to cancer can speak. Uluski called this “the most moving part of the night.”
The luminary ceremony will be Friday at 10 p.m. Performances will include Union's Garnet Mistrels and Dance Team. Fun events such as water balloon and pie eating contests are also planned to help keep everyone going through the night.
Thus far, more than 300 people have signed up to participate with many more expected to join in that night. Organizers hope to see 500 or more people stopping by to participate, including alumni and friends who are on campus for ReUnion. For $5, people may purchase luminaries, which will circle the Nott to honor or memorialize loved ones.
The Capital Region chapter of the American Cancer Society reports that Union's is one of the largest Relays in the area. Registration is continuous and even last minute “walk-ins” can sign up at the event. For more information on the Relay For Life, visit www.cancer.org.
Union has begun its search for a Head Women's Lacrosse Coach. The Union College Women's Lacrosse program is rich in history and competitiveness. The Dutchwomen have been invited to post-season play seven times in the last eight years; including three NCAA bids. This past season, Union clinched the Liberty League regular season title, won the Liberty League Championships, and competed in the NCAA regional tournament, losing to eventual NCAA Regional Champion Colorado College.
