The Union College community mourns the loss of longtime College friend, trustee and benefactor Morton “Mike” Yulman '36, who died Aug. 28, at the age of 91.
“We will greatly miss Mike's close involvement with the College, but we move forward as a much better place as a result of the love, loyalty and support he provided,” said James Underwood, interim president. “Mike made a tremendous difference for Union College.”
Yulman and his wife, Helen, were the force behind the Morton H. and Helen Yulman Theater, dedicated as part of the College's Bicentennial celebration in 1995 as the first facility at the College to be used solely for theater and performing arts. The building has hosted hundreds of performances, rehearsals and classes over the past decade.
The retired president and chairman of Sealy Mattress Company, Yulman earned his bachelor's degree in chemistry from Union. He served many years as a trustee and trustee emeritus. He received the Alumni Council's Gold Medal for distinguished service in 1980 and one of the College's highest honors, the Founders Medal, in 1988. In addition, he served on a number of national and local boards, was a charter member of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center and sponsored the “I Have a Dream” college scholarship program in his native Albany.