Posted on Jun 10, 2008

For three women with Union ties, the future is Fulbright.

Michelle E. Koo '08 earned a Fulbright teaching assistantship in Madrid, where she will assist in a secondary school classroom and build a model U.N. project. Victoria Leonard '07 was awarded a Fullbright teaching assistantship at a secondary school near Paris. Lauren Youngman '08 earned English teaching assistantship in France that is sponsored by the French government and administered by the Fulbright Program.

"The increasing number of Union students winning these awards shows that institutions like the Fulbright Program and foreign governments recognize the quality of a Union education," said Maggie Tongue, director of postgraduate fellowships. "When they recruit our students, they get young adults with a solid education as well as a global perspective."

The Fulbright teaching assistantship program administers 38 Fulbright grants in Spain, five Fulbright grants in France and 50 assistantship grants given by the French Ministry of Education. The Fulbright Program is run by the U.S. Department of State and was established in 1946 with help from U.S. Sen. J. William Fulbright. In 2007, the program gave roughly 6,000 grants totaling $262 million.

Koo, a Psychology major and salutatorian for the Class of 2008, will from September through June work 20 hours a week at a school in Madrid. Koo also plans to seek out community service projects during her free time.

After returning from Spain, Koo will become an elementary school teacher for a Northern California chapter of Teach for America, which sends recent graduates to teach in low-income school districts for up to two years.

"I have found that volunteering is the most fulfilling way I can spend my time and I want to expose my students to the positive aspects of volunteering and instill in them the importance of giving back and helping others," Koo said. 

Bound for France

Youngman, who completed a term abroad in Ireland and Union term in Washington, D.C., will spend six months as a teaching assistant at a secondary school academy in Leon, France. Youngman, a History major with minors in Political Science and French, is hoping to seek a career in international relations.

Leonard, who earned a master's degree in education from Union Graduate College this year, will work at a secondary school in Sartrouville, near Paris. In addition to the assistantship, Leonard plans to start a ballroom dance club for French students.

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Posted on Jun 10, 2008

John W. Dower, a leading expert in relations between Japan and the United States, received an honorary doctorate of humane letters at Commencement.

Dower, a professor of Japanese History at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is author of  Embracing Defeat: Japan in the Wake of World War II (1999), which won numerous honors, including the Pulitzer Prize in Letters for General Nonfiction and the National Book Award in Nonfiction. The book covers the American occupation of Japan from 1945 to 1952 and was called “a dazzling political and social history” by Publisher’s Weekly.

Other works by Dower include War Without Mercy: Race and Power in the Pacific War (1986) and Empire and Aftermath: Yoshida Shigeru and the Japanese (1979), which became a bestseller in its Japanese translation.

“I have used John Dower’s work, particularly War Without Mercy, in several of my classes and it never fails to generate enthusiastic discussion,” said Joyce Madancy, associate professor of history at Union, who nominated Dower for the honor. “His ideas are provocative and sophisticated, challenging students to recognize the role that racism played in escalating the brutality on both sides of the Pacific during World War II, and yet, Dower’s writing is so engaging that students always comment on how much they enjoy his work.”

Madancy introduced Dower for the presentation of the honorary degree.

In a 1999 interview with PBS, Dower said of Embracing Defeat: “Usually we historians deal with the policy makers and the elites. I was trying to capture the voices of ordinary men, ordinary women, returned soldiers, even children.”

Dower earned a degree in American Studies from Amherst College in 1959 and a doctorate in Far Eastern languages from Harvard University in 1972. He was this year on leave from his professorship at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Prior to joining M.I.T. in 1991, Dower taught at the University of Wisconsin and the University of California – San Diego.

Beyond his teaching and historical writing, Dower has focused on the visual arts. He has written a book about Japanese design, photography and painting and was executive producer of the 1986 documentary film, Hellfire – A Journey from Hiroshima.  

Brown University President Ruth J. Simmons, a prominent national leader in higher education and the first African-American president of an Ivy League institution, also received an honorary doctorate of humane letters degree Sunday. Simmons delivered the main address to about 500 graduates.

Simmons is noted for her commitment to diversity and engineering, two key initiatives that are also integral to the Union campus. 

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Posted on Jun 10, 2008

Sally Van Schaick receives her degree from Union College in 1958. She was the first woman to complete undergraduate studies at the college.

Sally Van Schaick wasn’t trying to break new ground. She just wanted to get her degree, and Union College was right next door.

Fifty years ago this month, Van Schaick, a Long Island native who has lived in Schenectady since the end of World War II, completed her undergraduate education at Union College, becoming the first woman in the history of the school to receive a four-year degree.

"I was a bit sneaky," said Van Schaick, who took a semester’s worth of courses over a year and a half at Union to earn her English degree, something she began pursuing in 1939 at Duke University in North Carolina and then in 1941 at Stetson University in Florida. "I started taking some night courses, and I don’t think they were paying that much attention to me."

Few options

Back in 1958, women living in the Capital Region didn’t have that many options for their college education, and Van Schaick, who had five children at home, wasn’t about to head off to Saratoga Springs to go to Skidmore or all the way over to Troy and Russell Sage, two women-only schools at that time. From her home on Glenwood Boulevard, Union was within walking distance.

"The biggest virtue Union had was that it was a short distance from my house," said Van Schaick, a retired schoolteacher in the city school district and a former Democratic candidate for the state Assembly. "I could go to class and then get back home to take care of the kids."

Union had allowed Florence Fogler Buckland to earn a graduate degree in electrical engineering way back in 1925, but little advancement in the way of women’s studies was made after that until Van Schaick came along. But while Union allowed her to take some evening courses, classes during daylight hours were out of the question.

 

"Women were not supposed to be on campus during the day," said Van Schaick, who will be honored by Union College today as part of its ReUnion Weekend. "I did see a few other women during the evening division, but they were mostly grad students."

Staff breakthrough

Union’s all-male student body seemed to dictate an all-male faculty, and that included librarians up until 1952, when Ruth Anne Evans became the first women on staff, eventually becoming the first full female professor in 1973. Three years earlier, in the fall of 1970, Union began allowing its first undergraduate class of women on campus. Among the 425 students in that class of 1974, 126 were women.

Talk of changing to a co-ed campus began in 1967, and the following year, 10 years after Van Schaick earned her degree, the faculty voted in favor of the idea. Union was right on the heels of schools such as Colgate and Wesleyan that had made similar changes, and places like Bowdoin, Williams and Amherst would soon follow suit.

Van Schaick’s achievement wasn’t just big news on campus and in Schenectady.

"I felt like I was getting my 15 minutes of fame," said Van Schaick, remembering the graduation ceremonies that year. "It was acknowledged by the college, but not really overblown. It was outside the college that it became pretty big news. The press from all over the country was interested in the story."

Not everyone thought it was such a great occurrence.

"I can remember when I was student-teaching at Linton and one of the history teachers there was grumbling about the story," said Van Schaick. "He had no idea I was the one."

The honor of becoming the first female undergraduate at Union College earned Van Schaick status as a Schenectady Patroon, an award she received again last year, this time along with her husband, for their contributions to the city.

The Van Schaicks have worked on the board and as volunteers at the Schenectady County Historical Society, were integral in the formation of Friends for Educational Television — the forerunner of public television station WMHT — and also helped organize the MVP Health Plan.— so I started one myself," she said. "I also did the historical society newsletter for quite a while. I always thought that kind of work was fun."

Van Schaick, who moved to Stratford Road in the GE Realty Plot with her husband in 1976, came into the world as Sally Brown in 1922. Her parents weren’t college graduates, but they did believe in getting involved in the community.

"We kind of nibbled a bit at going to college and didn’t take it too seriously," she said. "Nobody had a degree, but I did come from a politically oriented family. My father used to tell us that democracy works best if everybody gets involved."

In 1942, while attending classes at Stetson, Sally Brown met John Van Schaick and six weeks later, before he headed off to the Pacific to help the U.S. cause during World War II, they were married.

"My mother was quite distressed because her protected daughter had been swept up and taken away," remembered Van Schaick. "I only had one semester left. I figured I could always make it up later on. Well, it took me 18 years before I got back to it."

Along with teaching, both Van Schaicks had earlier worked in the newspaper business in Florida. Getting the story right was always an interest of Sally’s.

"When I was 10, I felt my family needed a newsletter

In 1990, Van Schaick won the Democratic nod for state Assembly and gave current minority leader James Tedisco a real run for his money.

"She gave Jimmy a real battle and came within five points of beating him," said John Van Schaick. "But I don’t think she liked the experience that much. She kept on writing in her diary, ‘never run for office again.’ She had to remind herself."

"It really took away from your family," said Sally Van Schaick, who had six children. "It left you no time for them, and that’s what I really didn’t like about it."

Still involved

These days, the Van Schaicks are still involved with the Schenectady County Historical Society, but much of their time is taken up with their nine grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. And as fractured as her college experience was, Van Schaick wouldn’t change a thing.

"I enjoyed college very much, and I think it’s great that people go back when they’re in their 30s," she said. "I got a lot out of it, as opposed to younger people who just went to school because they thought they were supposed to. I can remember when John came home from GE with a raise and asked me if I wanted more insurance or if I want to go back to school. Well, ‘for heaven’s sake’ I remember thinking, ‘I only need another semester.’ It was a great idea."

 

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Posted on Jun 9, 2008

Shortly after Commencement, eight graduates will head off to Cambodia, Southern Uganda and other foreign destinations where, for the next 11 months, they will get a first-hand look at the human side of poverty. The eight comprise the College’s first Minerva Fellows, a scholarship program designed to instill in new graduates an entrepreneurial approach to social problems and a lasting commitment to the poor.

The selected students come from Union’s seven Minerva Houses which serve students’ social and academic interests. All students, faculty and staff are assigned to a Minerva.

The Minerva Fellows will team up with a social organization and report to their assigned country in July. They return to Union next May, where they will live on campus for a month. During that time, they will participate in an ongoing course on social entrepreneurship, recount their experiences for other students and give presentations at Minerva Houses and classes.

The goal is to make the Minerva Fellows an integral part of the Union experience.

"We have incredibly talented students ready to assist extremely worthwhile organizations,” said Tom McEvoy, Associate Dean of Students and Director of Minerva Programs. He recently joined President Stephen C. Ainlay, Frank Messa, chair of the Board of Trustees and others at a sendoff for the students at the Lake George home of Michael ’59 and Jo-Ann Rapaport, major supporters of the program.

“Not only will they be helping others, they themselves will be transformed in the process. The thought of them returning to Union to share their experiences makes this a very special program.”

The eight seniors and where they are headed:

Rebecca Broadwin and Stephen Po-Chedley

Organization: Engeye

Location: Southern Uganda

Mission: To improve living conditions and reduce unnecessary suffering in rural Africa through education and compassionate health care. Implicit to every project is the understanding that it will ultimately be sustainable with little or no outside assistance, and that it will be accomplished free of the imposition of any foreign social, political or spiritual values.

Jonathan Hill and Robert Flick

Organization: The Global Child

Location: Phenom Phan, Cambodia

Mission: The Global Child is a non-profit, non-political, non-partisan organization founded to build and operate specialty schools and safe houses for gifted street children in developing, war-torn countries around the world. At The Global Child Schools, selected children – hungry for education, food, health care and a wholesome future – are nurtured and empowered to adopt a proactive humanitarian role within their communities.

Alex Butts and Emily Laing

Organization: Welfare Society for Destitute Children

Location: Mumbai, India   

Mission: Home to a number of underprivileged children, the society has children who are orphans, living with family on the street, runaways, children of sex workers, children who are affected by HIV/AIDS. In the school and orphanage, the society has a responsibility to rehabilitate these children and take them off the streets by providing shelter, food, primary education and by introducing awareness programs in the community to help make the children self-dependent.

 

David Shulman

Organization: Partners in Health

Location: Southern Malawi       

Mission: To provide medical care, access to clean water, education, nutrition and shelter.

Lara Levine

Organization: Journey Hope South Africa          

     Location: Capetown, South Africa

     Mission: HIV/AIDS and education.

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Posted on Jun 5, 2008

 

Student research garners national awards

Two mechanical engineering students recently won national awards aimed at supporting innovative work by budding scientists.

Andrew Krauss ’08, who proposed a project that draws on his lifelong passion for making boats go fast, was among 50 college seniors who was awarded a prestigious Watson Fellowship in mid-March. Later that month, Michael S. Bono Jr. ’09, who worked with a team to investigate ways to use ultra-light materials as insulators, catalysts and sensors, became one of 321 students to win a Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship.

“Andy and Michael have fully taken advantage of the contemporary liberal arts education that is uniquely Union. Their accomplishments are a testament to their passion for knowledge and to the strength of the Union College educational experience that emphasizes innovation, leadership and interdisciplinary studies,” said Ronald B. Bucinell, chair of the Mechanical Engineering Department and the Thomas J. Watson Sr. & Emma Watson Day Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering.

Since 2003, three Union students have won Watson Fellowships. In this year’s selection process, Robbie Flick ’08 and Andy Laccetti ’08 were among five alternates for a fellowship. And Bono’s selection as a Goldwater Scholarship winner brings to seven the number of Union students to be so honored since 2002.

Outrigger canoe research

Krauss, of Boston, will travel to Tonga, the Cook Islands and the French Polynesia to research the development of outrigger canoes and paddles. A double major in philosophy and mechanical engineering, Krauss learned to kayak as a child and became a member of the crew team at Union.

Krauss observed that most sports have benefitted from advances in technology. Drag-reducing “fastsuits” have made swimmers faster. Advanced alloys have improved performance of golf clubs. And carbon fiber has made crew shells faster.

Then there’s the outrigger. While on a Union term in Fiji, Krauss learned that despite vast technological improvements in modern sports, this ancient one had been untouched by rigorous scientific investigation.

“Outrigger canoeing has many of the features that I love about crew—the timing, rhythm, endurance and determination—but with a totally new aspect of an open ocean, in which courses are harder to maintain and you can ride swells as easily as be flipped by them,” he wrote in his fellowship proposal.

Krauss, who rowed during a junior-year internship in Japan, says he began to crystallize his idea for a Watson while working on boats with Pacific Fibreglass as part of the entrepreneurship component of a Union anthropology term in Fiji. The experience allowed him to “get my hands dirty and see what goes into these boats.”

The Thomas J. Watson Fellowship Program offers a one-year grant to graduating college seniors “of unusual promise” to study independently outside the United States. The stipend for individual award winners is $25,000.

“The awards are long-term investments in people, not research,” said Rosemary Macedo, executive director of the Watson Fellowship Program. “We look for people likely to lead or innovate in the future and give them extraordinary independence in pursuing their interests. They must have passion, creativity and a feasible plan.”

Exploring different fields

Bono, of Clifton Park, N.Y., is a Union Scholar, visual arts minor and member of the College’s Aerogel Research Team. The team is an interdisciplinary group of chemists and mechanical engineers that investigates uses of ultralight materials.

He plans to pursue a doctoral degree in mechanical engineering and to conduct research in advanced materials, nanotechnology, alternative energy and sustainability.

“I’ve always enjoyed learning about science and creating art,” Bono said. “These may seem different, but both are fundamentally about creating something. I’ve always admired people like DaVinci and Franklin, who pursued science, art and politics. When you explore between different fields, that’s when interesting things happen.”

The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation covers the cost of tuition, fees, books, and room and board up to $7,500 per year. The scholarship, named for the man who served for 30 years in the U.S. Senate, was established in 1986 to cultivate a source of highly qualified scientists, engineers and mathematicians by awarding scholarships to college students who intend to pursue careers in those fields.

 

 

 

Mellon Foundation supports Union faculty

Union College has been awarded a five-year $800,000 grant by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation of New York City to support four faculty “bridge” appointments in anthropology, English and philosophy.

The grant will allow the College to hire new tenure-track faculty members before individuals who have made key contributions to these departments retire. The overlap of incoming and retiring faculty will permit new faculty to benefit from the experience of senior faculty.

“These hires will allow us to strengthen our academic course offerings in these disciplines as well as in interdisciplinary programs, a key part of our vision for the future of the College,” said Therese McCarty, vice president for Academic Affairs and dean of the Faculty.

The grant will help support the appointment of a new chair of the Philosophy Department. The current chair, Raymond F. Martin, the Dwayne W. Crichton Professor of Philosophy, who is credited with revitalizing the department in the last five years, is retiring.

The Mellon grant also will allow Union to develop new field research study abroad programs on the model of those developed in anthropology by George and Sharon Gmelch, two professors who were instrumental in creating and leading Union programs in Tasmania and Barbados. External reviewers have called these programs, along with Professor Karen Brison’s program in Fiji, “remarkable” because they combine home stays with original field research with Union professors.

In the English Department, new faculty members hired with the Mellon funding will support film studies and Irish studies.

 

Tyson leads campus diversity

Gretchel Hathaway Tyson, who has served in a number of key roles since joining Union in 1998, was in February promoted to senior director for Campus Diversity and Affirmative Action.

“I look forward to working with Dr. Tyson to strengthen the Union community,” said President Stephen C. Ainlay. “She will work with me to develop a range of programs that will cultivate an appreciation of the richness of a diverse campus and confront hatred in any form.”

Tyson, who holds a doctoral degree from University of Pittsburgh, will represent the College in regional and national meetings related to diversity, identifying and importing the most effective programs to Union.

“She will continue to act as director of Affirmative Action and assist and advise me on all matters related to the recruitment and success of a diverse workforce and student body,” Ainlay said.

In addition, Tyson will lead a search for a director of Multicultural Affairs, a new position at the College. 

 

Huckabee sticks around for students

Former Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee entertained a crowd of more than 900 people at Memorial Chapel in early April and stayed long after his speech to meet students.

Huckabee spoke for nearly an hour, touching on his childhood, the social issues facing America and his failed bid to win the GOP presidential nomination. He also addressed the possibility of being named Sen. John McCain’s running mate in the fall election.

After his speech, titled “The Pursuit of the Presidency and the Perfectly Insane American Process,” Huckabee stayed for another hour, fielding questions from the audience and greeting dozens of well-wishers who crowded around him at the foot of the stage.

Before his talk, Huckabee joined President Stephen C. Ainlay and his wife, Judith, several students and faculty for dinner at the President’s House. The former Arkansas governor also met with a dozen members of the media in Old Chapel.

Huckabee’s appearance was sponsored by the Speakers Forum.

 

College wins science research award

Union is among 14 colleges and universities that in February were awarded a grant from the Merck Institute for Science Education and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

The award provides up to $60,000, paid over three years, to support research stipends for undergraduate students and programs that encourage research collaborations between biology and chemistry departments.

“The most exciting advances in science are occurring at the intersection of traditional disciplines spawning new fields of study,” said Joanne Kehlbeck, assistant professor of chemistry. “This award will promote increased collaboration in the areas of chemical ecology, environmental science, enzymatic physiology and chemical biology, in addition to the more traditional cross-disciplinary projects in biochemistry.”

The science grant program is a competitive program that provides up to 15 awards annually. The program is open to institutions in the United States and Puerto Rico that offer an American Chemical Society-approved program in chemistry and confer 10 or fewer graduate degrees annually in biology and chemistry combined.

Established in 1993, Merck Institute for Science Education works to build capacity in the biomedical sciences through partnerships with education institutions. The American Association for the Advancement of Science, founded in 1848, is the world’s largest general scientific society and publisher of the journal, Science.

 

Alumnus to lead Admissions

Matthew J. Malatesta ’91 will in July become vice president for Admissions, Financial Aid and Enrollment at Union College.

Malatesta, who grew up in Pittsfield, Mass., was appointed in early March after a national candidate search that began shortly after Dan Lundquist stepped down last June. Malatesta earned a bachelor’s degree in managerial economics from Union and has been at Hamilton College in Clinton, N.Y. for eight years, including the last three as director of the Office of Financial Aid. At Hamilton, he also served as associate dean of the Office of Admissions and director of Admissions Information Systems.

“We are excited to have Matt rejoin the Union family,” said President Stephen C. Ainlay. “Matt comes with a great deal of experience in the field of admissions and financial aid, and we look forward to his leadership in his new role.”

Malatesta has a master’s degree in teaching from Union Graduate College. Before joining Hamilton, he held positions at Holy Ghost Preparatory School in Bensalem, Pa. and Darrow School in New Lebanon, N.Y.

Malatesta’s ties to Union extend to his wife, Mary Agnes, also a member of the Class of 1991, and his brother, Paul, a member of Union’s Class of 1987. Malatesta, 39, and his wife have two children, Allison, 5, and Daniel, 3.

“Maggie and I are tremendously excited to return to Union and the Capital Region,” Malatesta said. “I am honored to be a member of the team representing such a fine college to prospective students and their parents. My Union education was a transformative experience for me, so I consider it a blessing to help others learn about the tremendous opportunities that Union offers.”

Ann Fleming Brown has been interim vice president since June. During the winter and spring, the department selected 565 students for the Class of 2012 from a record 5,263 applicants.

“Ann has done a remarkable job in this role and we are all indebted to her,” Ainlay said. “Similarly, we should all recognize the exceptional work of Admissions and Financial Aid during this period of transition. We are all the beneficiaries of what they have accomplished.”

 

Athletics awards

As another banner season for student-athletes came to an end, the Athletic Department presented awards for achievement in the playing arena, in the classroom and in the community. Below is a partial list of winners.

The Robert M. Ridings Memorial Award was presented to Caitlin Cuozzo, of the soccer and lacrosse teams, and to Keri Messa, of the lacrosse team. The award honors a senior female athlete for attitude, ability, participation and achievement in intercollegiate sports. The team started 8-0 and was 12-2 entering the league tournament.

The William M. Jaffe ’26 Athletic Award was given to Stanley Pietrak, of the soccer team and the indoor and outdoor track and field teams. The award honors an outstanding senior male athlete who shows high character and motivation.

The ECAC Medal of Merit featured a tie between Rachel Ormsby and Michelle Rogers shared the award. The medal is presented to the junior female athlete who has combined excellence in the fields of competition and achievement.

The William A. Pike ’60 Award was presented to swimming and diving star Kevin Kewin. The award honors a junior male athlete for attitude, ability, participation and achievement.

The Athletics Appreciation Award was given to Bill Scanlon. Scanlon is the winningest basketball coach in Union history and administrator who is retiring in the fall after 38 years at Union.

Other awards included: Female Sophomore Athletic Prize to Allison Cuozzo, of soccer, indoor track and Rachel Ormsby ’09 lacrosse; Male Sophomore Athletic Prize to Mike Schreiber, of ice hockey; Terry Lynch-Jackie Havercamp Cuttita Memorial Award to Caitlin Charette ’11, of lacrosse; Freshman Athletic Prize to Adam Presizniuk, of ice hockey; Award for Academic Excellence to Andrew Krauss ’08, of men’s crew and track and field; Award for Community Service and Community Outreach to Bridget Duff y ’08, of soccer and track and field. Senior Scholar Athlete of the Year to Cassandra Denefrio, of crew; Junior Scholar Athlete to Matt Cook, of ice hockey.

 

Students help file tax returns

The students in Mary O’Keeffe’s economics course on income tax policy and practice wrapped up six weeks of learning and service in March and hit a milestone in a growing College program that continues to reap dividends for all involved.

Eight seniors spent their evenings helping local families and senior citizens file tax returns free of charge through the state’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistant Program. Since its launch in 2005, the program at Union has secured an estimated $1.4 million in cumulative tax refunds for local residents.

“This year’s students are a great group. They’re building on the tremendous work and goodwill built up by three previous years’ teams,” said O’Keeffe, who teaches the course that includes running the tax assistance site at the Kenney Community Center.

“This is much more than a class. It’s a way of giving back to the Schenectady community,” said student Ashley Braniecki ’08. “Because the majority of our clients have very low incomes, they are eligible for an array of credits, and their tax refunds are usually very large. Most clients are very surprised and full of gratitude.”

All students passed the intermediate level IRS Basic Certification Exam before the tax assistance program opened at the end of January. Last winter, the students e-filed 180 tax returns, securing roughly $500,000 in federal and state refunds for their clients.

 

A fitting gift for the Union community

David J. Breazzano ’78, co-founder and principal of an investment management firm, has given an additional $2 million to his alma mater, College officials announced in mid-March.

The gift, which follows his 2007 contribution of the same amount, was used to support recent renovations to the fitness center. In honor of the unrestricted gift, the College will rename the facility in historic Alumni Gymnasium the Breazzano Fitness Center. The center was officially dedicated May 30 as part of ReUnion weekend.

When renovations were completed in March 2006, the 12,000-square-foot fitness center tripled the size of the former facility. It now features an upper level—site of the former basketball court— with more than 40 pieces of cardio equipment (treadmills, elliptical trainers, bikes and steppers) and 20 stations of modular weight training equipment.

The lower level includes dumbbells, rack and platform stations, and plate-loaded and utility stations. It also has a dance and aerobics room, offices for athletics staff and upgraded locker rooms. Both levels are equipped with custom audio and video systems with plasma televisions.

“Dave’s generosity has allowed us to provide the entire campus community with a state-of-the-art fitness center,” said Athletics Director Jim McLaughlin. “We are extremely grateful for his loyal support of this initiative.”

Breazzano grew up in Edinburg, N.Y. and earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Union. He was president and treasurer of Phi Sigma Kappa and also involved in intramural sports, radio station WRUC and the Interfraternity Council.

In 1996, Breazzano and two partners founded DDJ Capital Management, which specializes in high-yield and distressed oriented hedge funds and private partnerships. The Waltham, Mass. firm manages more than $3 billion on behalf of 80 institutional clients.

Breazzano has three sons, including Jeremy, a 2007 graduate of Union, and Matthew, a member of Union’s Class of 2011. He described his 30th ReUnion as a “significant milestone” and said he was looking forward to the dedication of the fitness center.

“I am very impressed with the renovations,” Breazzano said. “This is something of which the Union community can be very proud. I am hopeful the fitness center will contribute to good exercise habits on the part of our campus community.”

Last year, Orange House was renamed Breazzano House in honor of another $2 million gift. Breazzano, a member of the College’s Board of Trustees, also has helped support presidential scholarships and the expansion of Schaffer Library.

“Our students, faculty, staff and trustees share a deep sense of gratitude to Dave and his family for their extraordinary generosity through the years,” said President Stephen C. Ainlay. “Their gifts have provided the College with the resources it needs to enrich the academic and physical well-being of all those who are part of our campus community.”

 

Student work exhibited at inaugural photography show

Nearly a third of the 100 images selected for a college photography show in nearby Troy, N.Y. belonged to Union students, and four of those won top prizes.

Tobias Leeger ’09, Steven Leung ‘10, Lauren Muske ’10 and Cam Berjoan ’10 won Juror Cash Awards in the first College Student Photographer Exhibition and competition hosted by The Photo Center in Troy. Their work included portraits of German citizens, garage doors in Schenectady, studies of a phone book and shrubbery in a snow-covered garden.

The awards were presented Feb. 29 at The Photo Center’s opening reception. With help from Martin Benjamin, professor of visual arts, 29 Union students had a total of 35 photographs accepted to the juried exhibit. The 100 images on display were selected from a total of 225 entries, with 78 students from eight colleges participating.

Leeger’s photo “Portrait of a Stranger, Miltenberg, Germany, 2007” is reprinted here. Leeger is an economics major and exchange student from Germany with an interest in photography. He took the portrait in the Bavarian city just before Christmas.

“Miltenberg is my hometown and I have always been fascinated by the amazing characters you see when walking downtown,” Leeger said

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