Moving ahead with a new campaign road map
The Strategic Plan for Union, adopted in 2007, is a blueprint for achieving the College’s educational mission. Implementing the plan requires the intellectual, physical and financial commitment of the entire Union community. The You are Union campaign provides the foundation for this collective effort.
In May 2008, the Board of Trustees approved an expansion of the campaign, setting a goal of $250 million and extending the campaign timeline to 2012.
This is a defining opportunity for the alumni and friends of Union College. We have a chance to shape the future of this historic institution and to ensure a continued tradition of excellence.
Today, we stand ready to usher in a new era, defined in the Strategic Plan, and led by the generosity and dedication of our alumni and friends.
“Our success hinges on the resources that we, the Union community, commit to the You Are Union You are Unioncampaign, which I see as the cornerstone of our support for the College,” said Frank L. Messa ’73, chairman of the Board of Trustees. “When I walk across campus, I am struck not only by its beauty but by the tangible impact of our efforts. Each of us has benefited from our unique Union experiences, and each of us can play a role in giving students the best possible education and in boosting the College’s profile among peer institutions.”
Your involvement and philanthropic support will make a critical difference for all those who pass through the campus gates.
Five key Strategic Plan objectives guiding the You are Union campaign:
• Enhance Union’s academic excellence and ability to attract the best and brightest students
• Develop an integrated approach to science, engineering, and the liberal arts
• Preserve and revitalize our beautiful campus
• Increase students’ abilities to contribute to
a diverse and globally interconnected world
• Cultivate students’ gifts, passions, and spirit of innovation
To meet these objectives, the campaign focuses on three priority areas:
• Campus revitalization
• Curriculum enhancement
• Faculty and student support
For more: Debra Geer, Campaign Manager, at 518-388-6749 or via e-mail at youareunion@union.edu
Building our Third Century
Scholarships:
Dr. Jay N. Cohn ’52 and Grayce Cohn Cohen established the Morris Mandel Cohn ’21 Endowed Scholarship in memory of their father. This financial-need scholarship will be awarded to Union students from New York’s Capital Region with an interest in studying environmental science.
The James W. Haviland ’32 trust established The Haviland Family Scholarship Fund.
Robert J. Henkel ’76 established the Robert and Roseanne Henkel Endowed Scholarship.
The Vernon D. and Florence E. Roosa Family Foundation established the Peter V. Roosa ’74 Memorial Scholarship. This financial-need scholarship will be awarded to Union students majoring in environmental science and/or biology.
Maureen Demar Hall established the Bernard H. Salad ’37 and Geraldine Demar-Salad Endowed Scholarship in memory of her mother. This financial-need scholarship will be awarded to Union students from Schenectady County.
Estelle Cooke-Sampson ’74 contributed to the Ebony Union Scholarship, a financial-need award for Union students of color.
The Schenectady Foundation established The Richard E. Roberts ’50, Esq. and Dr. John S. Morris Schenectady Foundation Scholarship Fund. This scholarship will support Union students who are Schenectady County residents and active in Schenectady community volunteer activities.
Student Programs:
Walter A. Spencer ’72 established the Walter A. Spencer, Jr., Class of 1972 Fund for Posse. The goal of this fund is to provide operating expenses for the Union College Posse Scholars program, which provides merit-based scholarships to an ethnically diverse group of Boston-area students. The fund will support faculty mentor training and support Posse events on campus.
Buildings and Grounds:
Union parent Penny Cohn made a contribution through the Kenneth W. Cohn Memorial Fund to the Travis J. Clark ’00 Varsity Strength Training Facility. This facility will provide a superior strength training site on campus for Union athletes. The dedication of this facility will occur later this year.
Geraldine Golub ’82 made a contribution through the United Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York to the Taylor Music Center.
The James W. Haviland ’32 Trust made a contribution to the Memorial Chapel Endow- ment. This fund ensures the chapel has funding for maintenance and upkeep.
Planned Gifts:
Unrestricted bequests were received from following members of the Union community: Martha Girling, Gerald E. O’Loughlin, Jr. ’52 and Othniel Pendleton ’33.
A bequest was received from the estate of Dr. Frederick S. Frank ’57. The funds are designated for Schaffer Library.
A bequest from the estate of Aaron Thal ’43 was received. The funds are designated for The Aaron Thal Endowed Scholarship. This financial-need scholarship will be awarded to Union students hailing from the state of Ohio.
A bequest from the estate of Alice M. Coggins was received. The funds are designated for the George F. Coggins ’31 Endowed Fund for Physics in memory of her father. This fund will be used to further research in the area of physics.
A pooled life income fund distribution was received from the estate of Steven Griffiths ’49.
Ronald Q. Jennett ’52 established a charitable gift annuity to benefit the Ronald Quentin Jennett ’52 and Margaret Anne Jennett Endowed Scholarship.
Paul E. Kummer ’43 established a charitable gift annuity where funds accumulated will benefit a scholarship fund.
Grant Support:
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation granted $800,000 to support several faculty positions.
New York State Council on the Arts granted $7,900 to support the Chamber Music Concert Series.
Davis United World College Peace Project gave $10,000 to support student projects. Specifically, this grant supported a project by Kara Lightman ’09 in Cambodia. (See story in the Across Campus section.)
The Hearst Foundation gave $100,000 to support scholarship endowment