Posted on Sep 9, 2008

The boxes are unpacked. Family members have left. Books have been bought and classes have begun.

Two days after members of the Class of 2012 moved into their dorm rooms, President Stephen C. Ainlay officially welcomed students, faculty and staff to campus during Union’s Opening Convocation Monday, the start of the College’s 214th year.

In his address in Memorial Chapel, he touched on some of the College’s recent accomplishments and also urged the campus community “to continue to imagine, continue to reach, continue to pursue the things that will make Union a stronger institution.”

With 581 students, the Class of 2012 is one of the largest in recent years, said Matthew Malatesta, vice president for Admissions, Financial Aid and Enrollment. 

“Our incoming students should be proud of their accomplishments, gaining admittance to Union during our most competitive admissions year in 20 years,” he said.         

During Saturday’s orientation for first-years, Malatesta offered some advice to the new students, courtesy of his two children, ages 6 and 4: “Be nice, tell the truth, try your best, be safe and have fun.”

Ainlay, who was welcoming families in front of West College Saturday, later told students assembled in Memorial Chapel that they should enjoy the opportunity to “bask in the life of the mind” over the next four years and to enjoy the friendships and relationships that are certain to endure, a treasured part of a Union education.  

Union received a record 5,271 applications last year. The Class of 2012 includes 289 women and 292 men, and 23 international students from 12 countries, from Bulgaria to Swaziland.

Two students, Noch Srey Chin of Cambodia and Yiran Zhang of China, already were availing themselves of Union’s hospitality the first week by attending a first-year luncheon in Beuth House. The Minervas are sponsoring regular free lunches to help the new students get to know each other and faculty and staff better.

Posted on Sep 8, 2008

President Stephen C. Ainlay welcomed students, faculty, staff and parents to campus during Union's opening convocation on Monday.

In his address in Memorial Chapel to celebrate the College’s 214^th year, Ainlay touched on some of Union’s recent accomplishments, and reminded the campus community of the work that lies ahead.

“We all must continue to imagine, continue to reach, continue to pursue the things that will make Union a stronger institution and ensure that it takes a leadership role in areas that we believe make us who and what we are,” Ainlay said.

“We have the opportunity, just as much as our predecessors, to craft a remarkable environment in which all our members thrive, to truly make a difference in the lives of the students who come here to work, live and study, and to become a beacon for those seeking an education well-honed to the needs and demands of the 21^st century.”

The convocation opened with welcoming remarks from Frank L. Messa ’73, chair of the Board of Trustees; Prof. Linda N. Stanhope, chair of the Faculty Executive Committee; and Jillian P. Bannister ’09, president of the Student Forum.

Therese A. McCarty, the Stephen J. and Diane K. Ciesinski Dean of the Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs, announced the Stillman Prize for Excellence in Teaching, which was awarded to Harold Fried. Fried, the David L. '39 and Beverly B. Yunich Professor of Business Ethics, has been a member of the faculty since 1983. He is on sabbatical and will receive his award  at a faculty dinner in June.

The prize was created by David I. Stillman ’72, Abbott Stillman ’69 and Allan Stillman in honor of Abraham Stillman, father and grandfather. It is presented annually to a faculty member to encourage outstanding teaching.

McCarty also recognized the 689 students who made the Dean’s List last year. Their names are on a plaque that will be displayed in Reamer Campus Center.

Monday’s ceremony also featured the debut of The Eliphalets, an a capella ensemble featuring Bonnie Campbell ’11, Alex Handin ’10, Shabana Hoosein ’11, Kara McCabe ’09, Patrick O’Hern ’11, Ashley Polihronakis ’11, Kevin Stefani ’10 and Gregory Wyman ’11. The group is named for Elphalet Nott, Union’s president from 1804 to 1866.

Following the convocation, a reception was held in Hale House and Old Chapel.

Posted on Sep 4, 2008

The Commentary section of the Sept. 5 issue of The Chronicle of Higher Education features remarks by Union President Stephen C. Ainlay and other prominent leaders on the importance of integrating engineering into the liberal arts curriculum.

President Ainlay's comments kicked off a national symposium hosted by Union in May, "Engineering and Liberal Education.”

In 1845, Union became the first liberal arts college to offer engineering. The symposium explored different models for integrating engineering, technology and the traditional liberal arts.

Among the participants were Princeton, Dartmouth, Swarthmore, Lafayette, Smith, Trinity, Villanova, U.S. Military Academy, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Sweet Briar College, Tufts, University of Vermont, University of Georgia and Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

To read the article in The Chronicle of Higher Education, click here (registration may be required).

Posted on Sep 4, 2008

This weekend Union College welcomes the Class of 2012, one of the largest in recent years.

The 581 members of the class move into their residence halls Saturday, Sept. 6, beginning at 9 .a.m. Orientation activities include everything from tours of the Minerva Houses and downtown Schenectady to talks by noted political blogger Joshua Micah Marshall and a popular national alcohol awareness speaker.

The students in the Class of 2012 were chosen from a record 5,271 applications. Average SAT scores rose to 1900 (out of 2400), up 20 points from the previous year. The middle 50 pecent of enrolled students is 1170-1340 (out of 1600).

“We are excited to have this impressive group of students join the Union community,” said Matthew Malatesta, vice president for Admissions, Financial Aid and Enrollment. “Our incoming students should be proud of their accomplishments, gaining admittance to Union during our most competitive admissions year in 20 years.”

Union’s newest students will receive an official welcome from President Stephen C. Ainlay and other College leaders at 3 p.m. in Memorial Chapel.

At 3:45, p.m., the students will say goodbye to their families before heading off to their group orientation activities. At 6:30 p.m., students will walk over to the President’s House, where they will sing the College’s alma mater, Ode to Old Union, for Ainlay and his wife, Judith. And at 9:30 p.m., speaker Mike Green will lead a discussion, “The Four Stages of Drinking,” an interactive event designed to make students think about the role alcohol plays in their lives. Green has addressed legions of students at more than 1,000 campuses nationwide to promote responsible college living.

Marshall, the founder of Talking Points Memo, will speak at 7 pm. Sunday at the Nott Memorial. He is the only Internet journalist to win the prestigious Polk award for Legal Journalism. His visit ties in with the incoming class’s assigned readings of books by the presidential candidates, John McCain and Barack Obama. Prof. Suzie Benack, who organized the reading program, reports that Marshall was the top choice of political science students surveyed. The event is open to the Union community.

Orientation activities continue on Monday, with a full slate of programs. Opening convocation, in which the Union community celebrates the official opening of the academic year, is set for 4:30 p.m. at Memorial Chapel.

The academic procession begins at 4:15 p.m., and a reception will be held in Hale House and Old Chapel at 5:30 p.m.

Residence halls open for returning students Sunday.  

Fall term classes for all students begin Tuesday, Sept. 9.

Posted on Sep 4, 2008

Last weekend, Union officially welcomed the Class of 2012, one of the largest in recent years. The 581 members of the class, who moved into their residence halls Saturday, enjoyed a packed orientation schedule that included everything from tours of the Minerva Houses and downtown Schenectady to a talk by noted political blogger Joshua Micah Marshall.

“We are excited to have this impressive group of students join the Union community,” said Matthew Malatesta, vice president for Admissions, Financial Aid and Enrollment. “Our incoming students should be proud of their accomplishments, gaining admittance to Union during our most competitive admissions year in 20 years.”

The students in the Class of 2012, chosen from a record 5,271 applications last year, received an official welcome from President Stephen C. Ainlay and other College leaders in Memorial Chapel Saturday afternoon. Later that day, they joined together for a Union tradition, singing the College’s alma mater, “Ode to Old Union,” at the President’s House.

In the evening, popular national alcohol awareness speaker Mike Green addressed “The Four Stages of Drinking,” an interactive program designed to make students think about the role alcohol plays in their lives. Green, a recovering alcoholic, has addressed legions of young people at more than 1,000 campuses nationwide to promote responsible college living.

Marshall, the founder of Talking Points Memo and the sole Internet journalist to win the prestigious Polk award for legal journalism, spoke Sunday at the Nott Memorial. His visit tied in with the incoming class’s assigned readings of books by the presidential candidates, John McCain and Barack Obama.