Posted on Apr 13, 2010

The arts are not only alive but they’re thriving at Union, as seen in a new video now highlighted on the College’s home page.

Members of the Office of Communications worked with professional video partners Creative Advantage of Schenectady over several months to highlight the array of strong arts programs at Union, including theater, dance, music and the visuals arts.

Students and faculty are shown in classrooms; studios and galleries; performing at the Nott Memorial, Yulman Theater, Memorial Chapel and Taylor Music Center; and speaking in various campus buildings and hot spots.

Students include Jonathan Campbell ’12, Stefanie Charles ’12, Heidi Ching ’10, Alexis Deeb ’12, Alex Handin ’10, Jared Gourrier ’10 and Kira Moldow ’10. Two young alumni also speak of their arts experience at Union: arts major Peter MacDonald ’09 and Claire Hendry Foster ’08, who majored in biology and classics and is now a sculptor working in steel, stone and wood.

Faculty and staff members featured are Chris Duncan (sculpture), William Finlay (theater), Walter Hatke (painting), Tim Olsen (music), Fernando Orellana (digital arts), Miryam Moutillet (dance), Rachel Seligman (Mandeville Gallery), Hilary Tann (music) and Sandy Wimer (printmaking).

The project was organized by Charlie Casey, senior editor of News and Publications, with assistance from Tina Lincer, associate director of Communications. They scouted locations, coordinated with faculty and students, shadowed the video team through many days and several rehearsals and performances, and organized and edited content.

In addition to the Union Web site, the video is featured on Union’s YouTube channel.

Click here to view.

Posted on Apr 13, 2010

What movies do Union faculty and staff prefer to watch? Find out at a new program hosted by Breazzano House.

The Criterion Collection: A Film and Food Series, organized by Ian Clemente ’10, invites the Union community for an evening that’s both cinematic and gastronomic – a winning combination – Wednesday evenings through the end of May.

“Each week, our host will select a film they believe you need to see, and Breazzano House will provide food to match the theme. After the film, there will be a discussion led by the host,” said Clemente. Specific times will be determined weekly, he noted.  

The series kicked off this week with the documentary, “Religulous,” the pick of Professor of English Peter Heinegg. Coming up: Films chosen by Stephen Berk, the Henry and Sally Schaffer Professor of Holocaust and Jewish Studies (April 21); Professor of Theater and Senior Artist-in-Residence Patricia Culbert (April 28); Dean of Students Stephen Leavitt (May 5); Director of Greek Affairs Timothy Dunn (May 12); and Director of Student Activities Matt Milless (May 19). For exact times, e-mail Clemente at clementi@union.edu.  

Posted on Apr 13, 2010

What movies do Union faculty and staff prefer to watch? Find out at a new program hosted by Breazzano House.

The Criterion Collection: A Film and Food Series, organized by Ian Clemente ’10, invites the Union community for an evening that’s both cinematic and gastronomic – a winning combination – Wednesday evenings through the end of May.

“Each week, our host will select a film they believe you need to see, and Breazzano House will provide food to match the theme. After the film, there will be a discussion led by the host,” said Clemente. Specific times will be determined weekly, he noted.  

The series kicks off Wednesday at 7 p.m. with “Religulous,” the pick of professor of English Peter Heinegg. The 2008 documentary by director Larry Charles examines and satirizes organized religion and religious belief. It stars political comedian Bill Maher.

Coming up: Films chosen by Stephen Berk, the Henry and Sally Schaffer Professor of Holocaust & Jewish Studies (April 21); Professor of Theater and Senior Artist-in-Residence Patricia Culbert (April 28); Dean of Students Stephen Leavitt (May 5); Director of Greek Affairs Timothy Dunn (May 12); and Director of Student Activities Matt Milless (May 19).

Posted on Apr 13, 2010

Union’s newly established Habitat for Humanity chapter has already gone global.

Five Union students, working with Habitat for Humanity Montreal and Habitat members from McGill University, recently spent their spring break in the Quebec capital working on an apartment duplex for two families.

It was the first alternative spring break organized by Habitat for Humanity at Union, and “it was such an awesome success and incredible experience, it won’t be our last,” said Sarah Gagnon ’12.

“Amazing,” agreed Stefanie Charles ’12. “For most, it was our first time building a framework for doors and walls, but as the week progressed, we became more knowledgeable and worked on our own in groups.”

Gagnon, Charles and the other Union volunteers – Jim Walker ’10, Neeraj Mangla ’10 and Zoralys Molina ’13 – learned basic carpentry skills, including how to align a wall, set up scaffolding, saw wood, and frame doorways, walls and closets.  

Working seven-hour days, the Union and McGill volunteers helped build a bathroom, laundry room and four closets on the duplex’s top floor.

"The staff on site helped us use the power tools but also taught us why certain things had to be done precisely, such as calculating the size of the wood pieces,” Charles noted. “It was a real accomplishment to see the room come to life as the frames were completed.”

Union Habitat Chapter President Cybil Tribie ’11 organized the trip. Working with former Kenney Community Center Program Specialist Santos Avila ’08, she did everything from write contracts and budget proposals to book the hostel where the group stayed. Avila accompanied the group and also pitched in on building projects.

Posted on Apr 13, 2010

Thursday, April 15, 4:30 p.m. / Schaffer Library, Phi Beta Kappa Room / Philosophy Speaker Series presents: Michael Bishop of Florida State University on “The Nature of Well Being”

Friday, April 16 – Monday April 19, 8 and 10 p.m. / Reamer Campus Center Auditorium / Film: “Nine”

Saturday, April 17, 1 p.m. / Central Park / Baseball vs. RPI (DH)

Saturday, April 17, 5 p.m. / Memorial Chapel and Golub House / Union's chapter of FaceAIDS features inspirational speaker Gregg Cassin, a gay father living with the HIV virus, and his teenager daughter, Breauna. Reception at 7 p.m. at Golub

Saturday, April 17, 7 p.m. / Frank Bailey Field / Men’s lacrosse vs. Williams College

Sunday, April 18, noon / Alexander Field / Softball vs. University of Rochester (DH)

Monday, April 19 / All campus / Office of Admissions hosts Accepted Student Days

Monday, April 19, 12:50 p.m. / Humanities 115 / The Asian Studies Program presents Bennington College Professor Mansour Farhang on “The Sino-Iranian Relations”

Monday, April 19, 3:05-4:45 p.m. / Social Sciences Room 016 / Pizza & Politics presents "Local Newspapers in a Changing Media Environment," with Pulitzer Prize-winning editor Mark Mahoney, editorial page editor of The Post Star (Glens Falls, N.Y.) Given the special time for this event, snacks will be served instead of pizza.

Tuesday, April 20, 4 p.m. / Frank Bailey Field / Women’s lacrosse vs. SUNY Cortland

Tuesday, April 20, 4 p.m. / Central Park / Baseball vs. Williams College

Wednesday, April 21, 7:30 p.m. / Viniar Athletic Center / Hoops for Help to Chile and Haiti fundraiser; basketball game pitting students against staff; doors open at 7 p.m.. Tickets available at Reamer Campus Center next week or at the door.

Thursday, April 22, 3:30 p.m. / Alexander Field / Softball vs. SUNY New Paltz (DH)

Friday, April 23, 4 p.m. / Frank Bailey Field / Women’s lacrosse vs. Clarkson

Friday, April 23 – Monday April 26, 8 and 10 p.m. / Reamer Campus Center Auditorium / Film: “Lovely Bones”

Saturday, April 24, noon / Frank Bailey Field / Men’s Lacrosse vs. Clarkson

Saturday, April 24, 1 p.m. / Central Park / Baseball vs. Clarkson (DH)

Saturday, April 24, 3 p.m. / Frank Bailey Field / Women’s lacrosse vs. St. Lawrence

Saturday, April 24, 8 p.m. / Memorial Chapel / Chamber Concert Series presents American pianist Jeremy Denk

Sunday, April 25, noon / Central Park / Baseball vs. Williams College