Posted on Apr 20, 2010

Melissa McDonald ’10, an interdepartmental anthropology and political science major, has been awarded a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship to Moldova.

Stephen Po-Chedley ’08 and Joseph Martel ’08 recently were awarded National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowships. In addition, honorable mentions went to Jeffery Dalton ’04, Michael Bono ’09, Kate Langwig ’08 and Allison Drake ’04. The program supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines who are pursuing research-based master's and doctoral degrees in the U.S. and abroad. 

Chad Orzel, associate professor of physics, was a recent guest on WAMC, Northeast Public Radio, speaking about his new book, “How to Teach Physics to Your Dog.” Northeast Public Radio is a member of National Public Radio, serving parts of New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, New Jersey, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania.

“Challenges in Managing Virtual Teams,” an article by Rudy Nydegger and his daughter, Liesl Nydegger, has been published in the Journal of Business and Economic Research. Nydegger is professor of psychology and of management and psychology at Union Graduate College, and his daughter is a doctoral student in the School of Community and Global Health at Claremont Graduate University. 

Christopher F. Chabris, an assistant professor of psychology, was featured twice recently in the Wall Street Journal. Chabris wrote an op-ed; to read, click here (registration may be required). He also reviewed the book, “The Art of Choosing,” by Sheena Iyengar, a professor at Columbia Business School. To read the review, click here.

Posted on Apr 20, 2010

The 2010 Steinmetz Student Visual Arts Exhibition is now open in the Burns Arts Atruim Gallery in the Visual Arts Building.

It features 75 works from all areas of the Visual Arts Department selected by faculty members over the course of the academic year. In all, the works of 45 students are included, from courses ranging from introductory through advanced levels.

Faculty curators include: Kevin Bubriski (photography), Chris Duncan (drawing, sculpture, 3D design), Chris Harvey (digital art, digital animation), Walter Hatke (drawing, painting) and Sandy Wimer (drawing, printmaking, design).  

“This exhibit features the best and most accomplished works from each of our visual arts disciplines,” says Frank Rapant, photo lab/gallery technician. 

The exhibit runs through May 9. Some highlights include Jiri Matousek's "Minute Day," in which the artist made a picture a minute for an entire day and has laid it out in filmstrip style, "Portrait of Kimmo Rosenthal" by Clarissa Amaral '11 and a series of untitled watercolors by Hilary Zelson '11.

Also on display in the building is work by the Bittleman Prize recipient, Bianca Germain ’10, in the second floor corridor gallery.  

Posted on Apr 20, 2010

Union is among the country’s most environmentally responsible colleges, according to The Princeton Review’s first “Guide to Green Colleges.”

The free guide, produced in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council, includes schools who have “demonstrated an above average commitment to sustainability in terms of campus infrastructure, activities and initiatives.”

Published in time for the 40th anniversary of Earth Day on Thursday, April 22, the guide is based on a survey of hundreds of colleges nationwide. Data examined include institutional commitment to LEED building certification, environmental literacy programs, formal sustainability committees, use of renewable energy resources, recycling and conservation programs, and more.

The 286 colleges were selected based on “green rating” scores they received in summer 2009 in The Princeton Review’s online profiles and annual guidebooks. Union received a rating of 85 (on a scale of 60-99) in The Princeton Review’s Best 371 Colleges. All of the campuses in the green guide were rated in the 80th percentile or higher.

Union was cited for the work of its U Sustain Committee, made up of about 70 environmentally and socially concerned students, faculty and staff who steward the College’s sustainability initiatives.

Among the highlights are the College’s Presidential Green Grants, aimed at supporting environmentally sustainable projects at Union; Octopus’s Garden, Union’s organic community garden; and the school’s commitment to wind power.

In 2007, President Stephen C. Ainlay was among the first to sign the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC), pledging to formally work on reducing, and eventually eliminating, campus global warming emissions.

“Students and their parents are becoming more and more interested in learning about and attending colleges and universities that practice, teach and support environmental responsibility,” said Robert Franek, senior vice president and publisher, The Princeton Review.

“According to our recent College Hope & Worries Survey, 64 percent of college applicants and their parents said having information about a school’s commitment to the environment would impact their decision to apply to or attend it. We created this guide to help them evaluate how institutions like Union focus on environmental responsibility so that they can make informed decisions as they move through the college assessment and application process.”

To download the free guide, including Union’s profile, click here.

To learn more about the College’s sustainability efforts, click here.

Posted on Apr 20, 2010

Pianist Jeremy Denk will close out the 38th Chamber Concert Series when he returns Saturday, April 24 at 8 p.m. for his second Memorial Chapel recital.

A versatile pianist whose repertoire ranges from the standard works of the 18th and 19th centuries to more modern 20th century pieces, Denk will present Goldberg Variations by J.S. Bach and Sonata No. 1 by Charles Ives.

Denk has appeared as a soloist with the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Houston Symphony and the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. He received the Avery Fisher Career Grant in 1998, a year after he made his first appearance at Alice Tully Hall as the winner of the Julliard Piano Debut Award.

An avid chamber musician, Denk has an extensive discography that includes the Tobias Picker Second Piano Concerto with the Moscow Philharmonic; works of Schubert, Bartok and Strauss with violinist Soovin Kim; and the Kirchner Duo with violinist Ida Levin.

Denk earned a double degree in chemistry and piano performance from Oberlin College and Conservatory, a master’s degree in music from Indiana University and a doctorate in piano performance from The Julliard School. He is a member of the faculty at the Bard College Conservatory of Music.

The concert is free to members of the Union community. General admission tickets are $20, and area students may attend for $8. For more information, call 388-6080.

Posted on Apr 19, 2010

Erin Delman, a sophomore who grew up in an environmentally conscious family in Los Angeles, has been named a 2010 Udall Scholar.

The prestigious national award recognizes student leadership in environmental, health care or tribal public policy issues. Each scholarship provides up to $5,000 for the scholar’s junior or senior year.

“We are coming to a point where it’s no longer a question of if we should be environmental but when,” said Delman, a geology and environmental science major.

In addition to her family, Delman was inspired by two educators at Palos Verdes Peninsula High, her rock-climbing teacher and an environmental science teacher. “They taught me to love the environment and respect nature,” she said.

Arriving in Schenectady, she quickly made her presence and passion for environmental issues felt throughout campus – as co-president of the Environmental Club, a member of U-Sustain and member of the Student Forum, where she serves on the sustainability committee.

She helped organize the College’s award-winning cardboard recycling program, and she is also active with Union’s chapter of Campus Kitchens, a nationwide program aimed at using leftover dining hall food to make nutritious meals for local residents.

“Union is a spectacular campus for change, and it has a great atmosphere to foster stewardship. I hope the College will continue its efforts to attract and produce students who will be able to change the world for the better.”

Off campus, Delman works at the non-profit Ecological Clearinghouse of Schenectady. She is interested in pursuing a joint Ph.D. and law degree in geology and environmental law and is considering a career in environmental policy, particularly involving water rights. This summer, she’ll work at the International Bird and Rescue Center in California.

“Union will undoubtedly provide the skills I need to make an impact on this planet,” Delman said.

Delman is among 80 students from 63 colleges and universities nationwide recognized by the Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental Policy Foundation, which honors the legacy of the late Congressman Udall, a key player in the Alaska Lands Act of 1980.

The newest scholars were selected from a record 537 candidates nominated by 256 schools. They will gather in Tucson, Ariz. in August to receive their awards and meet policymakers and community leaders. For a complete list winners, visit www.udall.gov.