At Homecoming recognition of DiSorbo, Hitchcock and Ente
Philip G. DiSorbo ’71 received the Eliphalet Nott Medal, presented to distinguished alumni who have achieved success in their professional lives. DiSorbo (profiled in the Summer 2005 issue of this magazine) found his calling for a career in compassion shortly after leaving Union, when he joined Schenectady Hospice and soon expanded it to become a national model to empower families dealing with death. He recently took on a new role as executive director of the Foundation for Hospices in Sub-Saharan Africa. With his wife, Cynthia, a nurse and hospice caseworker, he is bringing the hospice movement to a part of the world where AIDS claims up to 7,000 lives each day. Throughout his career, he has maintained close ties with Union, calling on faculty, staff and students as hospice volunteers.
The Alumni Council recognized Tom Hitchcock ’66 with the Distinguished Service Award for a career of service to the College in roles that have included trustee, alumni trustee, board member and chair of Union Graduate College, class president and head agent, and chair of the Annual Fund.
The Alumni Council also presented Steve Ente ’75 with a Special Appreciation Award. Ente has long donated fireworks displays for ReUnion, Homecoming and special events including the recent inauguration of President Stephen C. Ainlay.
Andrea Barrett ’74, winner of the National Book Award, gave two presentations, a well-attended Friday night public lecture, and the next morning, an informal conversation with students and faculty at Wold House. Her appearance was organized by the English department as the inaugural event in their Alumni Writers Series.
The weekend also featured a poster session by summer research students organized by Professor Mary Carroll ’86, director of undergraduate research. More than 100 students from 18 departments did research last summer on campus.
Homecoming 2005 cited by CASE
The College won a prestigious Silver Award from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) for its 2005 Homecoming and Family Weekend Program.
“This accolade is a great achievement for all of us in College Relations and at Union College,” said Director of Alumni Relations Dominick Famulare ’92. “We were selected over many other great institutions.”
CASE District II was to honor Union’s achievement at its annual conference in New York City on Feb. 12, when the Awards Gala celebrates the district’s “best of the best.”
Assistant Director Tammy Messercola coordinated the CASE entry. The leading professional association for educational advancement professionals, CASE is dedicated to enhancing the effectiveness of those who work in alumni relations, communications, marketing, fundraising and related areas.