Posted on Feb 13, 2006

The Rev. Peter J. Gomes, an American Baptist minister and distinguished faculty member at Harvard University, is the featured guest at the College's Founder's Day celebration.

Gomes will speak Thursday, Feb. 23, at 11:45 a.m. in Memorial Chapel as part of the College's activities to mark the founding of the school's charter in 1795. The first Founder's Day observance was held in 1896. The event is free and open to the public.

Gomes, 64, is the Plummer Professor of Christian Morals and Pusey Minister in the Memorial Church at Harvard. He is the first African-American in that position. He holds degrees from Bates College and from Harvard Divinity School and has been awarded 30 honorary degrees.

Last year, Gomes gave a series of sermons in St. Edmundsbury Cathedral, England, attended by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall. He also participated in the presidential inaugurations of Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush.

Gomes has written a number of  best sellers, including “The Good Book: Reading the Bible with Mind and Heart,'' and “Sermons: Biblical Wisdom for Daily Living.” He has been profiled in the New Yorker and interviewed on 60 Minutes.

The College will grant Gomes an honorary degree.

As part of the Founder's Day program, the College also will present the Gideon Hawley Teacher Recognition award, named for the 1809 Union graduate who was a pioneer in education and teacher development as well as New York's first superintendent of public education. The award is presented annually to a high school teacher who most influenced a current Union College freshman or sophomore.

This year's honoree is Heidi Ledet, for her work at Spackenkill High School in Poughkeepsie. Ledet was nominated by Rebecca Marrone '08 and now teaches at Pace High School in New York City.

Posted on Feb 13, 2006

It's small and inconspicuous, but the three-story house at 856 Nott Street is a major milestone on campus, especially for folks who get fired up about things like Skutt kilns, throwing wheels and other tools of the ceramicist's trade.

The one-time frat house and daycare center was renovated last fall to become the new home of the College's ceramics studio. For those who remember ceramics' humble – and supremely dusty – beginnings at Union, it's a much-appreciated haven.

“Facilities did an amazing job on the renovations,” says instructor Nancy Niefield, a well-known local potter. “Everything is up to code, well-cared for, clean and neat.”

Niefield proudly ticks off the studio's assets. In addition to having her own office, she's thrilled about the spacious throwing room with eight electric potter's wheels, one for every student, and the hand building room. The new equipment includes a kick wheel, slab roller, extruder spread and two Skutt kilns, including a new computerized kiln.

Weather permitting, students also can use the outdoor, propane-fired Raku kiln to produce the delicate patterns and shining glazes developed by Japanese potters.

The owner of Two Spruce Pottery on Jay Street, Niefield has been teaching ceramics at Union since classes were held in a two-car garage behind the Arts Building.

That was actually Union's second ceramics studio. The first came by way of Jeremy Goverman '96, a biology major who knew his way around clay.

Goverman secured a grant to set up a studio in a campus greenhouse behind North College, and when that space was razed to make way for the Yulman Theater, ceramics moved to the garage. Now a doctor in Boston, Goverman also formed Union's Ceramics Club and gave pottery lessons.  

“Jeremy had me come and do workshops,” said Niefield. “Beginning in fall 1999, I taught class for three terms in the garage. The Art Department and Christine Sorum and a number of others decided to make it a practicum, which I've been teaching since fall 2001. Christie believed in the arts tremendously. She would be proud to see this new facility that allows so much hands-on experience for students.”

Niefield currently holds classes for faculty, staff and students on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

“The facility is beautiful,” said Christine Angley, a second-term potter and administrative assistant at the Graduate College of Union University School of Education, while working in the studio recently. “The best part is the 24-hour access. Students can come in here at any hour to work, even on weekends.”

Aaren Hatalsky '99, who lives in nearby West Glenville, agrees. “It's a beautiful, well-lit work space. There aren't leaves blowing in under a crack in the door,” said Hatalsky, who headed the Ceramics Club for three years. Since graduating, she's turned to the organic farming business, but Hatalsky remains in contact with Niefield.

“I'm incredibly proud of Nancy. She's done a wonderful job with the program. Ceramics at Union attracts someone who's interested in art and enriching their education, knowing they may not even get a full credit for their work. They're responsible and creative, doing it of their own volition. They end up with a great sense of clay.”

Posted on Feb 10, 2006

Brian Selchick, a Menands native and Union College senior who formed his own company while in college, is among the “40 Under Forty” announced by The Business Review Friday.

Joining Selchick on the list is Chris Brantigan, 28, a 1998 graduate of Union College. Brantigan is operations and sales manager for Nationwide Equities Corp., an Albany-based mortgage firm.

Selchick, 21, is a U.S. history major at Union. He graduated from Albany Academy. In 2004, he created eWired Auctions, LLC, which specializes in eBay fundraising for charities.

“I'm honored to be selected by The Business Review,'' Selchick said. “My company is doing well, but to be singled out as one of the region's up and coming business leaders is awesome.''

Selchick is co-president of the Union's Entrepreneurship Club and a member of Sigma Phi fraternity. He will join the other winners at a luncheon at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Albany May 4.

The business journal each year identifies 40 of the region's most promising young members of the business community. They were chosen by a panel of business leaders from among nearly 200 nominees.

Posted on Feb 9, 2006

Howard Sheffer, professor emeritus of chemistry, died on Wednesday, Feb. 8. He was 87.

Sheffer joined the College in 1945. After he retired in 1983, he continued to teach classes, conduct research and advise students. He had a close association with Schenectady International, and he was instrumental in introducing a number of students to chemistry careers there and elsewhere.

He remained active with the College, and he often visited his colleagues and attended events. He attended the College holiday party in December with his wife, Marjorie.

“Those of us who knew Prof. Sheffer will remember him as an example to all,” said Jim Underwood, interim president, in an email to the Union College community. “His enthusiasm for teaching, his mentorship to younger faculty and his dedication to his students made him a truly valued member of our community.”

Survivors include his wife, six children, 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

There will be a memorial service on Saturday, Feb. 11, at 1 p.m. at Faith United Methodist Church, 811 N. Brandywine Ave. Memorial contributions may be made to the church. Arrangements are with Townley and Wheeler Funeral Home, Ballston Lake.

Posted on Feb 9, 2006

Definitely save the date for this one.

There'll be two opportunities to see Union's Winter Dance Concert: Friday, March 3, and Saturday, March 4, at the Yulman Theatre. 

The ambitious program features eight dance pieces and encompasses everything from ballet and modern to tap and jazz. 

The centerpiece is an original creation by Charles Batson, associate professor of French, and Miryam Moutillet, director of the dance program. Their collaboration is called “Jean Cocteau: Le Prince Frivole.”

Stay tuned for more details.