The Times Union featured a piece on the Mandeville Gallery’s newest exhibit, “Dynamic Equilibrium,” which explores the intersection of art and science. It seeks to stimulate interdisciplinary dialogue by presenting contemporary artists who explore science and contemporary scientists who explore art.
Two Union scientists are among those whose work is featured in the exhibit. Electrical Engineering Professor Palma Catravas and Associate Professor of Biology Kathleen LoGiudice have teamed up to supply the show with captivating images from the College’s scanning electron microscope (SEM).
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When Stephen Schneider ‘09 and Greg Fullenkamp ’09 arrived in Kennesaw, Ga. earlier this month, they’d never flown the airplane they were entering in the Society of Automotive Engineers Aero Design competition. They’d watched their 15-pound creation taxi along the Union track, but that was it.
Stephen Scheinder '09 and Greg Fullenkamp '09 use the College track to test the airplane they entered in the SAE Aero Design Competition.
Nevertheless, the mechanical engineering students, coached by Ashok Ramasubramanian, held their own in the three-day event, which drew contenders from schools in Canada, Poland, Mexico, Venezuela, Germany, Brazil and India.
“Not having tested the plane before competition, it was satisfying to see it take its first flight,” Fullenkamp said. “We didn’t win, but we were able to stand up to the competition – at least most of it.”
It’s been nearly a decade since Union last participated in the contest, according to Ramasubramanian, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering. Unfortunately, the College’s radio-controlled plane didn’t get off the ground that year.
Schneider and Fullenkamp faced their own technical hurdle when their engine failed to start. With some diagnostic help from another team, the duo’s aircraft ultimately performed well in flight trials.
“We finished 21st out of 44 teams,” said Ramasubramanian. “If we were scored just on flight performance, we would have finished higher.”
The Union plane, which has a wing-span of about six feet, carried a payload of 13.2 pounds during flight trials. The overall winning team, from Brazil, carried 28 pounds and excelled in the competition’s second crucial challenge.
During the oral presentation portion, each team tried to convince a mock government customer to buy its plane.
Stephen Schneider '09 and Greg Fullenkamp '09 stand beside the plane they designed and built for the SAE Aero Design Competition. The contest was held in Georgia ealier this month.
“We didn’t do that well in the oral competition,” Ramasubramanian said. “We didn’t know what to expect and we didn’t get to see the other teams present.”
“We made lots of rookie mistakes that cost us points,” he added. “We’ll have to figure that presentation out.”
Despite their setbacks, Schneider, Fullenkamp and Ramasubramanian consider their performance a great success. It was also a valuable learning experience.
“This was real-life, real-time engineering,” Ramasubramanian said. “Planes that landed usually sustained some damage, so the students would run off to the tent and furiously patch and glue to repair them.”
Schneider and Fullenkamp, who were also coached by Mechanical Engineering Associate Professor Frank Wicks, plan to give an advice-filled presentation to juniors interested in competing next year.
“We’ll tell them to start preparing way early,” Schneider said. “At the competition, before anyone had even flown, people were already asking the organizers when the rules for the 2010 contest might be published.”
Anthony Rapp, star of the acclaimed musical, “Rent,” and an advocate for AIDS, LGBT and poverty issues, will speak Monday, April 20, at 7 p.m. in the Nott Memorial.
Anthony Rapp, star of “Rent”
Rapp will speak on “Diversity and Being True to Yourself.” The talk, part of the Presidential Forum on Diversity series, is free and open to the public.
Rapp is best known for originating the role of Mark Cohen in the Tony Award-winning rock opera “Rent,” which tells the story of struggling young artists and musicians in New York City during the early days of the AIDS crisis. The play was inspired by Puccini’s opera, “La Bohème.”
He is also the author of the 2006 bestseller, “Without You: a Memoir of Love, Loss, and the Musical 'Rent.'" The novel details Rapp’s experiences during "Rent’s" original run and his personal struggle with losing his mother to cancer.
At Union, Rapp will explore the role that the 12-year Broadway hit has played in bringing LGBT, AIDS and poverty issues into the national spotlight. He also will describe the loss of his friend and “Rent” playwright, Jonathan Larson, and his mother’s struggles.
Rapp’s other credits include numerous Broadway, shows, major motion pictures and television series. He serves on the board of the non-profit organization “Friends In Deed,” which provides emotional support for anyone dealing with a diagnosis of AIDS, cancer or other life-threatening physical illnesses.
A reception and book signing will follow Rapp’s talk.
After his appearance at Union, Rapp is scheduled to return to Schenectady later this summer during “Rent’s” run at Proctors Theatre July 28 to Aug. 2. Tickets for those shows go on sale Friday, May 1.
Alan Lightman, the best-selling author and noted scientist, will speak on “The Novelist as Physicist” on Tuesday, April 21 at 7 p.m. in the Nott Memorial.
Lightman’s work bridges the gap between art and science. He is a theoretical physicist who speaks elegantly about the creative and scientific processes. The author of the award-winning book "Einstein’s Dream, The Diagnosis" and nearly 20 other books, his most recent novel, "Ghost," looks at a controversial, topical issue: the divide between science and religion. He taught at Harvard, and was one of the first faculty to hold posts in science and the humanities at MIT.
The College dedicated its new baseball field in Schenectady’s Central Park last week during a ceremony between games of a doubleheader against Skidmore College.
The ceremony featured President Stephen C. Ainlay and Schenectady Mayor Brian U. Stratton.
In a partnership between the College and the city, Union donated $162,000 to renovate “Diamond C,” one of three baseball fields in Central Park. The upgrades include a new infield featuring Kentucky bluegrass sod, new bases and a sprinkler system. Improvements were also made to the dugouts, outfield, bullpen areas and fencing surrounding the field.
baseball field diamond c new field central park 2009
The city’s youth leagues will begin using the new field when the College season ends in early May.
“This is a wonderful day for our baseball team, the College and the local community,” Ainlay said. “These renovations reinforce our long-standing commitment to being a good neighbor. We’re grateful the city has been willing to share their fields with us, and we’re excited to be able to help give them a first-class complex.”
The city plans to make some improvements to the “Diamond A and B” fields. Stratton said the city will market all three of its fields to tournament organizers, bringing top-quality amateur baseball to Schenectady.
“Schenectady is grateful for Union College's continued partnership and its financial support of these substantial improvements to our baseball complex," Stratton said. “We look forward to the exciting action of Union College baseball in Central Park.”
The first game on the new field was held March 31, against William Paterson University. “We’re excited to be able to play on a field worthy of collegiate-level competition,” said Athletic Director Jim McLaughlin. “Our students, along with countless members of the Schenectady community, will benefit from this renovation for years to come.”
