“How to Teach Physics to Your Dog," a new book by Chad Orzel, associate professor of physics, was recently reviewed by the Associated Press. The review appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle, Boston Globe and other media outlets.
To read the review in the San Francisco Chronicle, click here.
To read an earlier story about Orzel's book, click here.
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Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert defended his record as leader Thursday night and said he remains hopeful that peace will come to the Middle East.
As prime minister, Olmert, 64, came under fire for his handling of the 2006 war against Lebanon’s Shiite Hezbollah militia and the three-week war launched in 2008 to remove the Palestinian Hamas group from the Gaza Strip after its violent takeover of the coastal territory occupied by Jewish settlers and soldiers. The assault drew condemnation from around the world because of the high number of civilians killed.
"Israel was being attacked on a weekly basis from Lebanon," Olmert told an audience of more than 900 who filled Memorial Chapel. "The question I ask people who would criticize is this: What would you be inclined to do if it had been your country under attack?"
As for the massive assault against the Islamic group Hamas, in which more than 1,300 Palestinians were killed, many of them civilians, Olmert said he had an obligation to defend Israel from "brutal terrorists." He also apologized for the civilian casualties, saying "we wish it never happened."
Olmert spoke for more than an hour in a speech that featured tough words about his two-state plan for peace and the nuclear threat posed by Iran. He also sprinkled his comments with a touch of humor, including his appearance at Union.
"I never knew you existed until I was invited," he told the crowd at the start of his talk. "As I was coming up from New York, I wondered, where am I going, what am I going to see tonight?"
The lecture by Olmert sparked passionate debate on campus, with some faculty and students opposed to the former leader's visit. Several dozen protesters picketed outside the chapel; inside, three people were removed after repeatedly heckling him. Extra security was on hand.
Will Friedman ’10, president of the Speakers Forum, sponsor of the talk, acknowledged the controversy, but told the audience it was important to bring speakers like Olmert to campus because of Union's history as a "promoter of free speech.
"We are excited to have a former head of state come here," he said.
In introducing Olmert, Stephen Berk, the Henry and Sally Schaffer Professor of Holocaust and Jewish Studies, recounted some of the criticisms leveled against Olmert.
"History will judge Mr. Olmert," Berk said. "But before historians write books, we at Union have an opportunity to hear Mr. Olmert in his own voice."
Before the lecture, Olmert met with the media in Old Chapel. He also dined with a group of students in Everest Lounge.
Olmert served as prime minister from 2006 until early 2009, when he resigned after being indicted on corruption charges dating to when he was Jerusalem mayor and Cabinet minister. He pleaded not guilty last month to charges of illegally accepting funds from an American supporter and double-billing Jewish groups for trips abroad.
Due to limited seating, the lecture was open only to the campus community. Those with a Union ID card were permitted to bring one guest.
Read MoreThe College’s chapter of the Society of Physics Students (SPS) has been selected as an outstanding chapter for 2009.
Fifty-four of the society’s more than 700 chapters on campuses across the country received the designation from the national organization, based in College Park, Md.
Selection criteria include chapter involvement in local and national meetings, outreach efforts to grades K-12 and the general public, community service participation, contributions to student recruitment and retention, and interaction with the department's alumni.
Union SPS members regularly take part in programs in the community, including an annual visit to the Schenectady’s Katharine Burr Blodgett Elementary School, part of a program with Union’s Kenney Community Center. In the fall, for instance, Hillary Bauer ’11 and Peter Bonventre ’11 showed the elementary school students how liquid nitrogen is used to rapidly freeze liquids.
SPS officers for 2009 were Alex Handin ’10 and Shivani Pathak ’10, co-presidents; Bauer, vice president; Katelyn O’Brien ’11, secretary; and Ana Mikler ’12, treasurer. Peter Bonventre’11 served as Web Master. The junior representative was Michael Varughese ’11 and the sophomore representative, Robert Moore ’12.
Ben Miles ‘10 and Brandon Bartell ’10 have been active in outreach and SPS events.
“Our Union chapter has been actively participating in departmental and college outreach programs and has been instrumental in boosting membership,” said Samuel Amanuel, the chapter’s faculty advisor. “ We are thrilled that the national organization has recognized our efforts.”
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In response to the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti this week, students are organizing a fundraising campaign beginning tomorrow in Reamer Campus Center.
“The poorest country in our hemisphere experienced an earthquake of 7 degrees on the Richter scale. It destroyed the Parliament, Presidential House, hospitals and schools, killing about 100,000 people and leaving Haiti’s already vulnerable infrastructure completely ruined,” noted Darcia Datshkovsky ’10.
Union community members will be able to donate to the American Red Cross’s international relief efforts.
“Also, you can text ‘HAITI’ to 90999 to donate $10 to American Red Cross relief for Haiti, or donate $5 by texting YELE to 501501, Wyclef Jean's nonprofit, yele.org,” Datshkovsky noted. The charge will appear on the next month's mobile phone bill.
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Community Hospice of Schenectady is offering a free, abbreviated 14-hour training session that will occur on two consecutive Saturdays in January, one in Schenectady (1411 Union St.) and one in Albany (445 New Karner Road). Call the Hospice office (377-8846) with questions. Carol Weisse, professor of psychology and director of the Health Professions Program, is a Hospice volunteer who is available to speak about her experiences. Contact her at weissec@union.edu or ext. 6300. Union has had a successful partnership with Community Hospice for many years. The training sessions will be held Saturday, Jan. 23 and Saturday, Jan. 30, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. both days. The deadline to apply is Thursday, Jan. 21.
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