The College opened its 213th year with a convocation Tuesday afternoon that was all about momentum and the “miles to go before we sleep.” President Stephen C. Ainlay reflected on some of Union’s accomplishments during his inaugural year, and urged the campus community to take on the challenges and opportunities ahead.
“I believe we are building institutional momentum,” Ainlay said. “But a claim of momentum is not a claim that we’ve arrived. We have ‘promises to keep,’ as Robert Frost wrote, and ‘miles to go before we sleep.’”
The convocation opened with welcoming remarks from Frank L. Messa ’73, chairman of the Board of Trustees; Prof. Linda N. Stanhope, chair of the Faculty Executive Committee; and Jessica L. Rudin ’08, president of the Student Forum. Therese A. McCarty, dean of faculty and vice president for Academic Affairs, presented the Stillman Prize for Excellence in Teaching to Rebecca A. Surman, associate professor of Physics and Astronomy. Other finalists for the award were Robert Lauzon, Biology; Lori Jo Marso, Political Science and Women’s and Gender Studies; and Eshragh Motahar, Economics.
McCarty also recognized the 636 students who made the Dean’s List last year. Their names are on a plaque that will be displayed in Reamer Campus Center.
Heidi Ching ’10 received the Hollander Musician Prize and gave a mesmerizing performance of Chromatic Fantasy in D Minor by J.S. Bach.
“I am pleased to say that we strengthened our institutional position during the 2006-2007 academic year and we have the opportunity to advance Union even more in the academic year that lies ahead,” Ainlay said in his address.
He welcomed new faculty, staff and administrators, noting that “our success in attracting these individuals indicates that Union is doing well.” And he thanked those who contributed to the development of the Strategic Plan last year: “You’ve given us a critical tool that will allow us to attend to our deficiencies, focus our energies, and hone our educational mission.” He also urged participation in the ongoing meetings to discuss implementation.
Ainlay cited success in a number of areas, including alumni participation, annual giving and the College’s endowment. Admissions received a record number of applications; and two new facilities, the Taylor Music Center and the Center for Bioengineering and Computational Biology, “symbolize the seriousness of our academic mission as well as the distinctive range of studies that are possible at Union College.”
Ainlay also noted positive changes to the College’s environmental commitments, including a new “Eco House” at the Corner of Seward and Roger Hull Place with rooftop solar panels, water- and electricity-saving devices and “green” furniture; opportunities for further integrating liberal arts and engineering; and progress in making Union more diverse and inclusive. He reported that 17 percent of the incoming class are students of color, that the College welcomes its second group of Posse students with the Class of 2011, and that more than 30 students come from countries around the globe. “We must do everything we can to ensure that these students experience Union College as their College,” he said.