Posted on Oct 20, 2008

A leaf pile, specially arranged for Homecoming and Family Weekend

The College welcomed a record crowd in excess of 2,500 for a Homecoming Weekend that featured spectacular fall weather, recognition of distinguished alumni and volunteers and a 35-14 football win over St. Lawrence.

The College honored six alumni through the UNITAS Alumni Diversity and Service Awards. Recipients were Emma Ester Bendaña ’04, a surgical resident at the University of Rochester Medical Center; Joan Gould ’76, a community activist and volunteer; Robert Holland Jr. ’62, a management executive and general partner with Williams Capital Partners; Bac X Nguyen ’94, a family physician and community volunteer; Roberto Rodriguez ’98, a college access counselor for at-risk youth in Brooklyn; and Estelle Cooke-Sampson ’74, chief physician in radiology at St. Mary’s Hospital in Maryland.

Recipients of the 2008 UNITAS Alumni and Diversity Awards, from left, Bac Nguyen '94, Joan Gould '76, Estelle Cooke Sampson '74, Robert Holland '62, Emma Bendana '04, and Roberto Rodriguez '98.

At the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, Richard “Ted” Vinick ’43 received the Special Appreciation Award for service and loyalty to the College and Alumni Council. Cooke-Sampson received the Distinguished Service Award for a lifetime of commitment and contributions to the College.

Enjoying the football game at Homecoming and Family Weekend 2008

The weekend also included the UNITAS Alumni Career Panel; a reception for the 125th anniversary of Phi Delta Theta; a lecture by Dr. Barry DiBernardo ’80, a leading practitioner of laser and light based techniques in cosmetic surgery; and a walking tour of Greek life with Timothy Dunn, director of Fraternity and Sorority Life.

 “When we finished our Sunday activities, the positive feedback was overflowing,” said Nick Famulare, director of Alumni Relations.