President Stephen C. Ainlay welcomed students, faculty, staff and parents to campus during Union’s opening convocation in Memorial Chapel Tuesday.
Underscoring Union’s “impressive legacy of educational innovations,” Ainlay spoke of the College as an academic village dedicated to “igniting an intellectual flame that lasts a lifetime.” He called this lifelong love of learning “perhaps the most enduring and prized quality of those who are liberally educated.”
To read the text of President Ainlay’s speech, click here.
The convocation to celebrate the College’s 215th year opened with welcoming remarks from William A. Finlay, College marshal and professor of Theater and Dance; Frank L. Messa ’73, chairman of the Board of Trustees; Mark Walker, John Bigelow Professor of History and chair of the Faculty Executive Committee; and Peter Haviland-Eduah ’10, Student Forum president.
Therese A. McCarty, the Stephen J. and Diane K. Ciesinski Dean of Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs, announced the Stillman Prize for Excellence in Teaching. This year’s recipient was William S. Zwicker, the William D. Williams Professor of Mathematics. He has been with Union since 1975.
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 given annually to a faculty member to encourage outstanding teaching.
McCarty also recognized the 655 students who made Dean’s List last year. Their names are on a plaque that will be displayed in Reamer Campus Center.
President Ainlay also presented the UNITAS Community-Building Award for demonstration of outstanding leadership in organizing activities such as community service, fundraising or celebration of College history. Landscape Specialist Constance Schmitz won the honor for her role in Octopus’s Garden.
“One of our virtues as a small liberal arts college is that we are a community and, like all communities, we are made stronger by the contributions of our members,” Ainlay said.
Following a piano performance by Heidi Ching ’10, Dean of Engineering Emeritus Lawrence J. Hollander presented Ching with the final award – the Hollander Prize in Music. It is given annually to a musician or ensemble.
The Ode to Ole Union was led by the Class of 2013, with piano accompaniment by Professor of Music Dianne McMullen.