Posted on Nov 8, 2006

Joseph Finkelstein '47, emeritus professor of History, Economics and Management who served the College for more than 50 years, died on Monday. Burial was to be Wednesday in Boston, and a campus memorial service is planned for winter term.

The Troy, N.Y., native majored in social studies at Union, graduating a year after he had begun teaching history classes at the College.

He then went on to earn a master's and Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1952. He did postdoctorate research under a Fulbright Fellowship at the London School of Economics and returned to Union in 1953, becoming a full professor 10 years later.

He retired in 1996, predicting in his usual dry way, “I'm going to do exactly the same things I've been doing – except I won't be teaching classes or going to meetings.”

Indeed, in retirement Finkelstein remained a fixture on campus.

He was a frequent contributor at faculty meetings, where colleagues reveled in his institutional knowledge and his eagerness to engage college officials in debate, his voice rising in pitch as the discussion became more intense.

At one meeting, when President Roger Hull tried to conclude an exchange by saying, “Joe, we'll have to agree to disagree,” Finkelstein shot back: “I'd never agree to that!”

“Joe will be remembered by his colleagues and students for his good humor, his high standards, his deep commitment to the College and his spirited, collegial discussion of issues large and small,” said Therese McCarty, interim dean of faculty, in an email to campus.

Survivors include Finkelstein's wife, Nadia Ehrlich; three children, Sharon Finkelstein of Schenectady; Jonathan Finkelstein of Lexington, Mass; and Neal Finkelstein of Oakland, Calif.; five grandchildren; and his brother, Morris Finkelstein of Albany.

Posted on Nov 8, 2006

Ring out the fall term with two sure-to-be-superb concerts: pianist Pei-Yao Wang, scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 19 at 3 p.m., and the Boston Camerata, on Sunday, Dec. 3 at 3 p.m. Both are part of Union's acclaimed Concert Series at Memorial Chapel.

Wang began playing the piano at five and became the youngest student at the prestigious Curtis Institute. She has performed at top venues in the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia.

In her fourth appearance at Union, she will be joined by Soovim Kim and Jessica Lee on violin, Brian Chen on viola and Sophie Shao on cello in a program of Mozart's Piano Quartet in g, K. 478; Shostakovich's Piano Quintet, Op. 57; and Schumann's Piano Quintet in E flat, Op. 44.

The Boston Camerata and Joel Cohen, director, will perform “A Mediterranean Christmas,” a retelling of the Christmas story through songs, chants and instrumental pieces from Southern Europe. They will include elements from a recent “contigas” tour celebrating the multi-ethnic culture of medieval Spain.

One of the most well-known American early music ensembles, the Camerata was founded in 1954. Cohen has directed the ensemble's teaching, research, recording and concert activities since 1968. In recent seasons, the Camerata has played throughout Europe as well as in Singapore, Israel, Mexico and Japan.

Tickets for both concerts are free to the Union community, $20 for the general public and $10 for area students.

For more information, call 388-6080 or 372-3651, or visit http://www.union.edu/concertseries.

Posted on Nov 8, 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” on Monday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. at the Nott Memorial.

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

Dees' non-profit group specializes in lawsuits involving civil rights violations, domestic terrorism and racially-motivated crimes. He and his associates have dismantled a number of hate groups, including the Aryan Nation and Ku Klux Klan. They also have secured criminal, civil and financial judgments against them.

Posted on Nov 8, 2006

The deadline for Open Enrollment, the opportunity to fine-tune your benefit selections, is Friday, Dec. 8, 2006.

Questions? This year's Benefits Fair, Thursday, Nov. 16, 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in College Park Hall, features representatives from CDPHP, MVP, Delta Dental, EyeMed, Merriam Insurance, Liberty Mutual, TIAA-CREF, Fidelity and other service providers. Human Resources staff will be on hand to answer questions and help with the 2007 Flex Benefit enrollment.

There will be many giveaways, and compliments of the Wellness Program, flu shots will be available (call ext. 6108 for an appointment). Trolley service to and from College Park Hall includes hourly trips from Reamer Campus Center, beginning at 8:30 a.m. and returning to campus on the hour (9 a.m., 10 a.m., etc.)

In 2007-08, there will be several changes in medical and prescription drug plans and the Flex Dollar Rebate Program; expanded access to participating dentists in the Dental Plan; and the addition of domestic partner eligibility.

There will be no changes to various life insurance offerings, contributions to the employee retirement plan or the Tuition Remission and Scholarship Program.

Says HR Director Eric Noll: “Of course, if you are unable to make it to the fair, Human Resources is always available to help.” 

Posted on Nov 7, 2006

The Union campus, a backdrop in 1973's classic, “The Way We Were,” shares top billing in a new video that debuted this week in Boston.

“Welcome Back to Union College” stars President Stephen C. Ainlay and features countless shots of the majestic campus, with members of the College community in supporting roles.

The 24-minute film is helping introduce the new president to alumni throughout the country and to showcase new programs, buildings and other changes on campus.

A film crew from Double Jay Creative spent 10 days in September shooting more than 40 hours of footage, beginning with first-year students'orientation and wrapping up with the three-day weekend of events to mark Ainlay's inauguration as the College's 18^th president.

The Knoxville, Tenn.-based film company has its own Garnet tie to Union: Adrian MacLean Jay '98 owns the company, along with her husband, Larsen Jay. Adrian is the daughter of Mary Ann MacLean, a member of the College's Board of Trustees.

Julie Solomon from the College Relations department oversaw the project, which involved months of pre-production planning and cooperation from the entire campus community.

“It's been well-received so far,” said Solomon of early versions screened by some Trustees and President Ainlay and his wife, Judith. “The footage is all shot in HD (high definition). There are some amazing shots of campus, and in particular, the Nott. It just takes your breath away.”

The Union College Club of Boston gave the video two thumbs up when it premiered at a reception Wednesday. It was shown at recent alumni gatherings in New York and Philadelphia.

Early next year, the film will be presented at other alumni gatherings in places like Florida and Texas, and Solomon said plans call for a screening on campus sometime soon. 

Solomon's already in award speech mode. Besides the film crew and Ainlay, she gives special thanks to the entire campus community, especially the faculty and folks from Campus Safety and Facilities, for allowing cameras to capture all that is Union. She also gives props to Lis Bischoff-Ormsbee, director of the Parents Program at Union, who provided the film's voiceover.

“It truly was a team effort,” Solomon said.

Pass the popcorn.