The Alpha of New York Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa at Union, established in 1817, has admitted 30 new members.
Five members of the Class of 2008 were elected this year: Kaitlin Canty, Dionna Kasper, Michelle Elyse Koo, Ali Qureshi and Jacquelyn Raftery.
Inductees from the Class of 2007 include Kelly Bayne, Alessandro Carini, Carolyn Castagna, Jessica DiMarco, Risa Dubow, Colin Foard, Sean Geary, Michael Grady, Kathryn Grant, Brian Gulack, Leigh Ann Holterman, Robert Larimore, Carli McNeill, Cara Murphy, Alexandra Paul, Brianne Phillips, Lindsay Quereau, Gnana Simon, Nathaniel Standish, Jessica Steger, Kaitlyn Tagarelli, Kelly Testa, Albert Vanderlaan, Jonathan Young and Christopher Zona.
The group joins Craig Ferguson ’07 and Julia Mathew ’07, who were elected last year.
Union’s Ethics Bowl Team recently won an exhibition match at Williams College, debating two cases involving the relationship between religion and public policy.
The first case asked whether exceptions to the brain-death criteria used by most hospitals and states should be permitted on the basis of religious beliefs, while the second questioned the appropriateness of the National Park Service’s Grand Canyon gift shop to sell a creationist account of the formation of the Canyon in the science section of the bookstore.
“These were complex and controversial cases, and our team did a great job articulating and defending interesting and nuanced positions on these issues,” said team advisor Michael Mathias, noting that all three judges (Williams’ philosophy chair, a bioethicist and a geneticist) voted in Union’s favor.
Team members include Will Fitzsimons ’08, Meagan Keenan ’09, Samantha Miller ’07, Nordo Nissi ’07 and Heidy Sanchez ’07. The team extends special thanks to Professors George Shaw (Geology), Linda Patrik (Philosophy) and Robert Baker (Ethics) for discussing the cases with them.
This term’s LGBT Ally training is set for Tuesday, April 24, 5-6:30 p.m. in Reamer 205. If you are interested in attending, e-mail Sarah Boone (boones@union.edu) or Kerrie Wolf (wolfk@union.edu) by Friday. The training is open to faculty, administrators and staff. The Ally program helps provide safe spaces for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. Visit http://www.union.edu/lgbtallies to learn more.
Peter Ross Bedford, associate professor of Religious Studies and History at Australia’s Edith Cowan University, has been named Union’s first John and Jane Wold Professor of Religious Studies. He will direct an interdisciplinary program in Religious Studies, teaching a variety of courses.
"Peter Bedford is broadly educated and understands well the study of religion in a liberal arts context," said President Stephen C. Ainlay. "His ability to teach about religions of the world and his commitment to interdisciplinarity will undoubtedly serve Union well. I am also extraordinarily grateful to the Wold family for its continued generosity to Union."
Union has had a minor in religious studies for 15 years, and Bedford’s hiring is a key step toward eventually elevating the program to a major to enable students to understand and appreciate religious diversity in the modern world. Bedford will officially join Union Sept. 1.
A search committee chaired by Mathematics Professor Julius B. Barbanel selected Bedford from among 115 applicants.
Bedford’s appointment "marks a very important step in the development of our Religious Studies program," said Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty Therese McCarty. "He is a world-class scholar, an experienced administrator and a dedicated teacher."
Bedford, 49, received his B.A. from the University of Sydney and his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Chicago’s Department of Near East Languages and Civilizations.
"The academic study of religion finds a natural home at Union," he said. "It is integral to the liberal arts curriculum since religion is pervasive in human societies, currently and historically."
The new faculty position is made possible by John Wold ’38, a geologist and former U.S. congressman from Casper, Wyo., and his wife, Jane, who pledged $20 million to Union in 2002.
Taylor 2, one of the country’s leading modern dance troupes, will offer a lecture-demonstration Tuesday, April 24, 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the Arts Building Dance Studio.
“We are welcoming all dance lovers,” says Dance Program Director Miryam Moutillet. “This is a fabulous opportunity to see one of the most exciting dance companies in the world.”
Acclaimed by critics and audiences alike, Taylor 2 was created in 1993 to bring noted choreographer Paul Taylor’s works to small venues throughout the world for teaching, performance and community outreach programs. The troupe is also an important training ground for the senior company.
One of the foremost American choreographers of the 20th century, Taylor referred to the 1954 origins of his Paul Taylor Dance Company for the structure of his junior company: six professional dancers with a particular gift for his style, which embodies athleticism, humor and a range of emotions.
Born in 1930, Taylor performed in the companies of such dance luminaries as Merce Cunningham, Martha Graham and George Balanchine before founding his own company. Dancers who emerged from his company include Twyla Tharp, Laura Dean, Dan Wagoner, Christopher Gillis and Senta Driver.
The Taylor troupe comes to campus during what has been designated National Dance Week.
