Posted on Jan 8, 2009

Ethics bowl  

Lativa Holder and Meagan Keenan, Ethics Bowl 2008

At the end of last term, the Union College Ethics Bowl Team – a group with intellectual curiosity and fortitude to spare – was preparing to compete at the Northeast Regional Ethics Bowl Tournament at Villanova University.

Veterans Meagan Keenan ’09 and Ian Clemente ’10 and newcomers Lativa Holder ’10, Bui Duy Thanh Mai ’11 and David Leavitt ’12 advanced to the quarterfinal round, where they were narrowly defeated by a strong Dartmouth team in a split decision.

Advisor Mark Wunderlich praised the team members for their insights, hard work and perseverance under pressure. One veteran member was unable to compete at the last minute, and Holder jumped in and took on a full load of cases. “Each of our novices did a fantastic job, and Meagan deserves special recognition for leading the team since the beginning of fall term.”

 

Santos Avila at Habitat dedication, December 2008

Habitat for Humanity

During fall term, 34 Union volunteers spent 148 hours working at two Habitat for Humanity houses at 39 and 41 Verona St. The houses were dedicated Dec. 7.

The efforts were coordinated by Kenney Community Outreach Specialist and AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer Santos Avila ’08. Working closely with Jeff Clark, director of Habitat for Humanity of Schenectady County, Avila recruited volunteers from Green House, Sorum House, Student Affairs and the Dutch Pipers.

“We want to keep students, faculty, administrators and staff active in building a better community right here in Schenectady,” Avila said.

 

Of holiday cheer and angels  

College employees participated in two programs that are an annual holiday tradition of campus kindness and giving. They brought in toys and clothing for about 100 children in the Salvation Army Angle Tree program. “Union always comes through,” said Kim Puerto, administrative assistant in the Dean of Students Office. Campus angels have been giving for about 15 years.

Adopt a family 2008 – holiday giving program with Schenectady social Services

And as part of an adopt-a-family program with Schenectady Department of Social Services, 76 participants gave gifts, food and household supplies to 68 parents and children in 18 families. Coordinator Kathy McCann, director of College Relations Data Systems, said, “I was particularly touched by the number of people who were giving back to the organization that assisted their own family in the past. I’m grateful we were able to demonstrate that Union College is fully invested in being a good neighbor.” The College has been involved for about a dozen years.

 

Early decision

Despite an unsettled economy, applications for early decision to the Class of 2013 ran ahead of last year’s pace. Students applying for early decision by the Nov. 15 deadline rose 7 percent this year, said Matthew Malatesta, vice president for Admissions, Financial Aid and Enrollment.

Malatesta attributed this increase, in part, to the growing reputation of the College and the value of a Union education. A recent survey placed the College among the top schools in the country where graduates have the most earning potential.