Posted on Nov 16, 2006

Richard E. Roberts '50, a dedicated alumnus and former trustee who called his education at Union “the most important event of my life,” died at his Schenectady home on Thursday, Nov. 16.

“Union has lost one of its most loyal alumni,” said President Stephen C. Ainlay. “I have lost a dear friend. Dick was among the first to reach out to me when my appointment was announced. He taught me so much about what Union, at its very best, means.”

“Dick Roberts was a dedicated trustee who loved Union with all his heart,” said Stephen J. Ciesinski '70, chairman of the Board of Trustees. “That love showed in everything he did for the College – his devoted service to our mission, his generous support of our programs, and his tireless cheerleading for our student-athletes.”

Roberts served as a member of the College's Board of Trustees from 1978 through 1993. He also served as president of the Alumni Council, class agent, a leader of the College's Annual Business Campaign, and a member of a presidential search committee.

A former basketball and lacrosse player at Union, he was an avid fan who cheered his alma mater at many games and was a strong supporter of Friends of Union Athletics. He was inducted this fall in the College's Athletic Hall of Fame.

“Dick was our most ardent supporter and loyal fan,” said James McLaughlin, director of athletics. “His passion for Union was beyond compare and the College is in a better place as a result of his tireless efforts. His presence will be sorely missed.”

In 1964, he received the Alumni Gold Medal for service to the College.

He had a distinguished career as an attorney, serving as senior partner and chairman of his Schenectady law firm, Higgins, Roberts, Beyerl & Coan. He was a longtime legal advisor to the College.

He earned a bachelor's degree in history from Union, and a law degree from Albany Law School. He served in the U.S. Air Force.

As a student at Union, he was a co-captain of the basketball team, a member of Psi Upsilon fraternity, a sports writer for Concordiensis, class officer, president of the Block U Society, a member of the Delphic Society, and president of the Pre-Law Club.

Roberts gave greetings on behalf of the alumni at the inauguration in September of President Ainlay, in which he said, “Union alumni are so proud of this College and their fellow alumni for they have helped this wonderful country of ours to become what it is today.”

In a ReUnion questionnaire from 1959, he wrote, “My education at Union has, without a doubt, been the most important event of my life; and my association with Union after graduation has been a most satisfying experience.”

Survivors include his wife, Barbara; three children, Allison J. Roberts (and husband, John Fagen), Bradley A. Roberts '82 (and wife, Tracey), and Christopher T. Roberts '85 (and wife, Karen); and three grandchildren. He was predeceased by a son, Jeffrey R. Roberts.

Services will be Monday, Nov. 20, at 1 p.m. at Union College's Memorial Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to Friends of Union Athletics in care of College Relations, 807 Union St., Union College, Schenectady, NY 12308.

Posted on Nov 14, 2006

The Dean of Students Office and the local Salvation Army are teaming up for the 13^th holiday season to bring gifts and happiness to needy youngsters through the “Angel Tree Program.”

The program allows families to individually select unwrapped toys for their children from the shelves at the Salvation Army in Schenectady. Families are chosen based on the ages and number of their children and income eligibility. This year's sign-up days are November 28 and 29 at the Army's building at 222 Lafayette Street.

“Many children wouldn't receive a toy at all if it weren't for this program,” said Marjorie Wheeler, administrative assistant for the Schenectady Salvation Army. “The parents are thrilled and really excited to be able to choose gifts that they think their children will like.”

Unwrapped gifts for boys and girls age birth to 11 years are still needed. New toys and gifts should fall within the $8-10 price range and be dropped off at the Dean of Students Office in the Reamer Campus Center, Room 306, by Dec. 11.

In past years, the campus community has supported the program with more than 100 games, dolls, trucks, stuffed animals and toys being donated. With the participation of other organizations in the community, the Salvation Army typically prepares 600 food baskets and helps 400 families provide gifts for their children on Christmas morning.

“Our office organizes this program,” said Trish Vanderhoof, program specialist in the Dean of Students Office, “but there is no one person that makes this happen.  It is the generosity of many throughout the campus and community that ensures so many children have a special holiday season.”

Angel tags identifying the gender and age-appropriateness of the toy can be picked up in the Dean of Students office and should be taped to the unwrapped toys. For additional information, or to have a tag sent to you, contact Kim Puorto at 388-6061 or purotok@union.edu.

Posted on Nov 13, 2006

Union College welcomed Morris Dees, co-founder and chief trial counselor of Southern Poverty Law Center, to the Nott Memorial Monday as the inaugural event in the Presidential Forum on Diversity.

Dees, who has made a career of combating hate groups and taking on heated, controversial issues presented his talk “Voice of Hope and Tolerance” to several hundred members of the campus and community.

In a soft-spoken southern drawl, Dees said he found his calling at a young age when a school teacher voiced the words: “One nation…with liberty, and justice for all.”

He spoke for nearly an hour, then answered questions from the audience.

Southern Poverty Law Center is a non-profit group specializing in lawsuits involving civil rights violations, domestic terrorism and racially-motivated crimes. Dees and his associates have successfully battled and dismantled a series of hate groups including the Aryan Nation and Ku Klux Klan and have secured huge criminal, civil and financial judgments against them.

Dees, a staunch supporter of education about civil rights and the civil rights movement, was instrumental in the creation of the Civil Rights Memorial in Mobile, Ala. He has been named the Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Trial Lawyers for Public Justice for his efforts as an attorney and activist, and has received the National Education Association's Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Award.

Last month, College President Stephen C. Ainlay announced the creation of the Presidential Forum on Diversity where issues of campus culture are brought into the open. Monday's event was sponsored by the Speakers Forum, the President's Office and the Dean of Students Office.

Posted on Nov 13, 2006

The Presidential Forum on Diversity will present Morris Dees, co-founder of the Southern Poverty Law Center, speaking on “Voice of Hope and Tolerance”  tonight at 7 p.m. in the Nott Memorial.

Dees' appearance is co-sponsored by Speakers Forum, the Dean of Students Office and the President's Office.