From the gleaming red 1939 Alvis in which President Stephen Ainlay and his wife, Judith, arrived, to tables filled with sumptuous delicacies to the dazzling fireworks, Saturday's Inaugural Gala was a night to remember.
“The Gala was by far the most impressive event I've attended at Union,” said Ross Marvin '07, who joined the festivities with seven of his friends. “It reminded me of a different era.”
“It was spectacular,” agreed Ross Wheeler '08, who happily donned his tux for the occasion. “Very posh, with great music, especially Sinatra.”
“Wonderful,” came the praise from Michael D'Amario '80, who attended with his wife, Valerie, director of UCALL. “The food was phenomenal, and it was great to see the student entertainers, the period costumes and the fireworks behind the Nott Memorial.”
D'Amario, a labor union executive in Latham, N.Y., also enjoyed reminiscing with former professors and meeting President Ainlay, whom he found “easy to talk to and down-to-earth.”
After the last strains of music and sparkle of fireworks faded, what remained for this enthusiastic alum, however, were impressions of Saturday morning's official installation of Ainlay as Union's 18th president.
“I love Union, and I had such a great campus experience, but I never appreciated the history of the college when I was a student,” D'Amario said. “I was fascinated to hear President Ainlay talk about Secretary of State Seward and the other great Union alumni.
“I'm really awed by the College's history.”
For more on the Inauguration, visit http://www.union.edu/inauguration/