Posted on Feb 24, 2009

In early February The Union Fund office hosted two events that encouraged participation from local alumni to reach out to their classmates.

The "Calling All Alumni" event held in Hale House, hosted over thirty alumni and several students on two different nights. The success of both events can only be attributed to the hard work and extra effort from all the volunteers who attended.

Over the course of two evenings the volunteers secured over $10,500 in gifts and pledges, with a majority of the gifts designated to the Union Fund! In addition to the money raised, there were over 40 unspecified pledges and numerous alumni were contacted from a range of class years.

The Union Fund Staff would like to Thank all those who participated and helped make a difference as we work to achieve our goals.

Posted on Feb 23, 2009

The Times Union recently featured Jared Gourrier '10 and his research into the life of Moses Viney, a runaway slave from Maryland who escaped to Schenectady on the Underground Railroad.

Viney was a coachman, messenger and constant companion of Eliphalet Nott, the longtime president of Union who eventually secured Viney’s freedom. Viney will be honored on Founders Day.

To read the story, click here (registration may be required).

Posted on Feb 23, 2009

By contributing to The Union Fund today, you can increase the impact of your gift. Union Fund contributions received in March will help the College earn a special $300,000 gift from the Board of Trustees.

Like many institutions, the College is now facing significant economic hurdles. That means your gift today is a critical part of maintaining the Union experience – from the talented professors and mentors WHO GUIDED YOU to the beauty of our historic campus.

Posted on Feb 23, 2009

1. Increase your gift to the Annual Fund. 

2. Review Union's campaign initiatives and consider supporting your favorite one.

3. Charitable Gift Annuity – Make a gift and secure a fixed income for your lifetime. It's a gift that gives back!

4. Sign over that old life insurance policy that is no longer needed.

5. Include Union College in your estate plans and tell us about it.

For more information on any or all of these options, please call Jackie Cavalier or Laurey Goldberg of the Gift Planning Office at 888-843-4365, ext. 6156 or 518-388-6156 or email us at giftplanning@union.edu.

Posted on Feb 18, 2009

President Stephen C. Ainlay and Union vice presidents will host two panel discussions and Q&A sessions in the Reamer Campus Center Auditorium Tuesday, Feb. 24, from 12:40 to 1:55 p.m. and 3 to 4 p.m. for all Union faculty and staff to provide further details on the economic challenges facing the College.

“We continue to engage in forward-looking planning, especially for the years beyond 2009-10 when current economic conditions will have the greatest impact on our operating budget,” Ainlay said in a campus e-mail. “I invite all Union faculty and staff to become active participants in this planning process.”

The meeting follows up on a series of communications from Ainlay about the economic downturn and the College’s plans to address it. 

The president will moderate the panel discussion, which will update employees about Union’s endowment, fundraising efforts and admissions progress. Following the session, all faculty and staff will be given an additional opportunity to share their suggestions for improving efficiencies and reducing the cost of operations via an online survey. 

“Our strength as an institution has always stemmed from our strength as a community,” noted Ainlay.  “I am confident that our community will weather this economic challenge with the same spirit of innovation and collaboration that has prevailed throughout Union’s history.”