In Kate's sophomore year, however, we got involved. We took on the roles of co-chairs of the Parents Association, little knowing we would stay on for three years.
We have been privileged to be involved in many things both on and off campus:
• Leading Parents Association meetings on Homecoming and Family Weekend and Spring Family Weekend;
• Starting the Parents Association newsletter;
• Hosting two very rewarding Westchester, N.Y., freshman sendoffs;
• Serving as liaisons for parents;
• Soliciting and sharing responses to the annual parent's questionnaire;
• Encouraging parent participation in the Parents Fund; and
• Writing this column.
For the most part, this has been a communications role.
We have shared information about happenings on campus and many parents have shared their thoughts with us about those same happenings. And, through the process, we have discovered that Union not only has an amazingly talented student body, but a support group of families who care deeply about the campus and appreciate all that the College has to offer. No matter what the “hot” issue of the day-tuition hikes, trimester vs. semester, housing, etc.-the message was always clear: Parents are passionate about Union.
As for Kate, she has gone from, “Mom and Dad, what should I do about this?” to “Mom and Dad, here's what I'm thinking about doing-what do you think?” to “Mom and Dad, here's what I did.” Kate and Union have been partners in this growth and we are proud and privileged to have been included in the process.
Wishing continued success
to the Union community of students, families, faculty and administrators.
Warm Regards,
Lori and Peter Nicholson
Co-chairs,
Parents Association
Farewell to the man in the black hat
His journalistic career spanned seven decades as editor,publisher, and columnist for the Chatham Courier. He joined the family-owned newspaper in 1946 after returning from World War II as a decorated war hero.
He became an award-winning writer through his weekly column, “The Man in the Black Hat,” covering nostalgia, gossip, historical glimpses, and tidbits of everyday life in a country community. According to classmate Larry Schwartz, Callan was in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest-living columnist.
At Union, where he was an athlete and scholar, he learned French and German, putting both to use in the U.S. Army, in which he enlisted just before the attack on Pearl Harbor.
He served with the Third Army, commanded by General George S. Patton. He landed at Normandy during the D-Day, and commanded a counterintelligence team to track down enemy spies in French villages. On his staff was Corporal Henry Kissinger, who ran the office.
Promoted to major, Callan came home with 16 military awards including the Bronze Star, six battle stars, and the French Croix de Guerre, the French government's highest military honor for a non-citizen. LaCroix-sur-Meuse, the town he helped liberate, recently named a street after him.
Callan stayed closely connected to Union, and was chair of this year's 65th ReUnion committee. At earlier ReUnions, he won the cup for best ReUnion theme, having hired a group of antique cars, to which he compared his classmates. At another ReUnion, he rounded up a wagon with a team of Clydesdales and barrels, to liken his classmates to vintage wine. This year's theme is PhE of '41, representing a Doctorate in Experience and Excellence. Callan supported Union sports, having presented a shell to the college's crew team. “His always felt his shell won their races for them,” says Schwartz.
His classmates are remembering him by installing a den in Sorum House to honor the Class of '41; the den will house his photo as well as a copy of his book, The Man in the Black Hat: Collected Columns from the Chatham Courier, and some of the amusing costumes he created.
Long-time friend Larry Gelbart, creator of the M*A*S*H television series, wrote in a tribute, “With his small-town big-heartedness, Albert was 10 parts Jimmy Stewart's George Bailey, with nary a trace of Lionel Barrymore's Mr. Potter” and “I can think of no other American who so embodied the best values of the country which he took such pride in serving.”
‘You are Union’ campaign hits $106 million
U are halfway there.
More than halfway, actually. The College recently passed the midpoint of “You Are Union,” the $200 million fundraising campaign, well ahead of schedule.
The effort has raised $106 million for use in student scholarships, endowed faculty chairs, building and other projects that will boost Union's excellence in this new century.
With plenty to feel good about, the Office of College Relations is hosting a number of campaign celebrations, attracting alumni from classes dating as far back as the 1930s.
Festivities have been held in the Capital Region, Washington, D.C., and New York City, with Boston set for May 10 and more events scheduled around the country.
“Our regional celebrations have been extremely well attended, drawing more than 210 people in New York City alone,” says Tom Gutenberger, vice president for College Relations.
“You are Union” kicked off on Oct. 1, 2004 and runs through June 30, 2009.
Highlights include major gifts by Jim Taylor '66 and John Taylor '74, funding renovation of North Colonnade into a first-class music building; Frank Messa '73, funding Messa Rink; David Viniar '76, the Viniar Athletic Center; and David Henle '75, the Henle Merit Scholarships. Five endowed faculty chairs have been created.
Minerva Houses were funded by John Wold '38 and Jane Wold, Neil and Jane Golub, the family of Christie Sorum and members of the Board of Trustees and Phil Beuth '54. An anonymous donor provided funding for a Minerva as well as creation of the fitness center.
For the complete set of campaign priorities, go to http://www.union.edu/youareunion/endowments/index.php.
Memorial for Kevin Lamon ’06
Lamon, a biology major from Laguna Beach, Calif., died Nov. 24.
Most of the 20-minute remembrance was taken up with a slide show of dozens
of photos of Kevin with his friends at parties, on road trips and simply relaxing in his dorm. In nearly every shot, he wore his trademark mischievous grin, often clowning for the camera.
The slideshow, produced by Meyer and friends, featured a soundtrack of some
of Kevin's favorite music including John Lennon's “Imagine” and Green Day's “Time of Your Life.”
Students milled about at the end of the service, sharing hugs and stories about Lamon. Many recalled meeting him in their first days at Union and becoming fast friends.
Adam Sultaire '06 recalled how the “wise guy” would summon dorm mates to his room with cries of help. His “emergency,” they would discover, was that he had dropped the TV remote.
Brian Selchick '06 remembered Lamon as a great listener who helped him through the loss of the relative. “He was instrumental in keeping me around,” he said. “He was a really good ear.”
Diana Koch '06 also described Kevin's willingness to talk others through their problems. “Sometimes we would stay up all night talking,” she said.
Lamon was an occasional lunch partner of Tom McEvoy, dean of residential and campus life. “Kevin and I would get together every once in a while for lunch and share stories about our families, friends and how things were going at Union,” McEvoy said. “He had lots of good friends who, from what I gather, saw him lighting up a room. I know they miss him and so do I.”
Kathleen LoGiudice, assistant professor of biology, said she and the students in her ecology class got to know Kevin well during field trips to conduct wildlife diversity surveys. “He loved the outdoors, and he reveled in ecological questions,” LoGiudice said. “He was always a very positive influence in class, really attentive, and he contributed in a cheerful way.”
Prof. Harlow receives Founders Medal
One of Union's highest honors, the medal recognizes distiguished service to the College. The event was followed by a luncheon with members of the Alumni Council.
“H. Gilbert Harlow was a Renaissance man long before the term was coined. His diverse interests and wonderful teaching ability helped define what a liberal arts or engineering education should be and how the two could best be integrated,” said Thomas K. Jewell, the Carl B. Jansen Professor of Engineering, who presented the medal.
Harlow, 91, arrived at Union in 1940 and taught until 1993, well after his “retirement” in 1984. He spent 29 years as chair of civil engineering, making him what is believed to be the longest-serving department chair. In five decades, he missed only five days of classes.
Harlow was lauded by many for his dedication to the College, his department and his students. As one colleague reported, “Gil was always one of Union’s pillars …a committed teacher and a fair, honorable colleague, always prepared to examine a proposal on its merits instead of on its political benefits. He was one of those who made the place a community.”
Harlow was a nationally known horticulturalist, the unofficial movie photographer for the football team and the person largely responsible for the initiative to replant the campus after Dutch Elm disease took its toll in the 1950s.
He was the first recipient of the Alumni Council Faculty Meritorious Service Award in 1958.