A premier music building, state-of-the-art fitness center and residencies by prominent religious studies scholars are on tap for Union College, thanks to major gifts by alumni.
“With these latest acts of generosity, we are able to fulfill our strategic campaign goals in several key areas, invest and re-invest in Union's core strengths and innovative initiatives, and add enrichment opportunities for our students and faculty,” said Frank L. Messa of Saratoga Springs, a 1973 alumnus who is co-chairing the “You are Union” capital campaign with Mark L. Walsh of Chevy Chase, Md., of the class of 1976.
To date, the $200 million “You are Union” campaign, launched in October 2004, has received gifts and pledges of more than $90 million. The newest gifts will support initiatives to expand the arts, energize athletics, reinvigorate residential life and strengthen faculty.
“Alumni and friends of Union continue to show tremendous support and dedication so the College can keep its momentum as a leader in the 21st century,” said Walsh.
The biggest new outpouring of support for the capital campaign goes toward the music facility, with more than $4 million raised to renovate North Colonnade and equip it with everything from a music technology studio to electronic classrooms.
Of that, $1.5 million comes from Gloversville, N.Y., businessmen James (Jim) W. Taylor of the class of 1966 and his brother, John Taylor, class of 1974.
Jim Taylor is chairman and CEO, and John Taylor, vice president of administration and manufacturing, of the Taylor Made Group, one of the world's largest manufacturers and suppliers of boating products. The two are sons of the late Willard H. Taylor, who graduated from Union in 1942 and is a College benefactor.
Construction will begin this fall on the facility, located in the campus' historic Ramée section. In addition to the technology studio and classrooms, it will house a music library, lecture/rehearsal/recital hall, electronic piano room advanced music students' work station, practice rooms, faculty offices and instrument storage lockers.
Funds also have been raised for an endowment to maintain and operate the music facility, which is slated for completion by next summer.
An anonymous benefactor is changing the face of one of Union's most-used buildings, Alumni Gym, a part of which will be converted into a state-of-the-art fitness center. The $2 million project will be ready for faculty, students and staff by January.
Dating to 1909, Alumni Gym was often the site of large, formal dances, as seen in the movie, “The Way We Were.” The gym has undergone several major renovations over the years, most notably in 1947 and again in 1985, when a new pool was added.
The family and friends of the College's late dean of faculty and vice president of academic affairs, Christina E. Sorum, have made a commitment to name a Minerva House (the existing Yellow House) in her memory.
Sorum, nationally recognized as a strong champion of liberal arts education, died suddenly in May.
One of the College's most innovative new initiatives in years, Union's Minerva House System features seven hubs designed to provide new avenues for leadership, community building and self-governance and to integrate living and learning activities. Each Minerva has about 300 members, including students, faculty and staff, and hosts a range of social, intellectual and academic activities.
In support of Union faculty, two major benefactors of the College, John S. Wold of the class of 1938 and his wife, Schenectady native Jane (Pearson) Wold, have created two chairs in religion –a permanent chair and a rotating chair in religion and conflict.
The rotating chair will bring to Union nationally recognized scholars for one- to two-month residencies.
Wold, a geologist and Union Trustee who is honorary chair of the “You are Union” campaign, is president of Wold Trona Company Inc., Gastech Inc. and various family mineral organizations in Wyoming. In 2002, the Wolds made a $20 million commitment to the College, the largest gift in Union history, to support a variety of programs, from scholarships to scientific and technical equipment.
“This is a pivotal time in Union College history, and we are delighted to be a part of it,” said Wold, whose endowment commitment also included the newly named Wold House, a centerpiece of the Minerva system. Wold grew up in the former faculty house; his father Peter I. Wold, chaired Union's renowned physics department from 1919 to 1945.
Roger H. Hull, who made the gifts announcement before stepping down as president last month, said, “Union is stronger now than it has ever been, and these latest gifts strengthen that position. In every regard, Union is poised to move to the next level of excellence.”