Posted on Jan 13, 2011

The Chronicle has long been a staple of Union communications. Beginning in 1967 as a monthly four- to six-page newsprint tabloid for faculty, staff and alumni, this campus newsletter has taken many shapes and forms.

In 1974, with the advent of an expanded alumni magazine, the Chronicle became a news vehicle specifically for Union faculty, staff, administrators and faculty emeriti. The current online version dates to the 1995-96 academic year.

In keeping up with the times, the Chronicle is once more undergoing change. Soon, it will be an e-mail newsletter you’ll be able to read in your in-box. Simply sign-up here: http://bit.ly/iaK5Tm

“The Chronicle’s transition to a subscription format represents an effort to allow our community to decide what materials they wish to receive,” said Jill Hungsberg, senior director of Communications and Marketing. “Like any on-demand service today, this will give readers control of their subscription.”

Web Communications Director Ken George noted that in the new format, Chronicle readers will be able to forward it to others. They can also choose to receive it as a text message or on their mobile devices, and it will be easier to Tweet or post on Facebook.

The Chronicle will continue to bring you the latest news about faculty, staff and student accomplishments as well as College initiatives, special events and other key campus information every week during fall, winter and spring terms. Faculty and staff are encouraged to submit announcements of their professional activities, including publications, grants, awards and conferences. 

The Chronicle format change will take place in the next few weeks. Stay tuned.

Posted on Jan 13, 2011

Counseling Center Director Marcus Hotaling was recently featured in "Room for Debate," in which The New York Times invites knowledgeable outside contributors to discuss news events and other timely issues.

Hotaling, the mental health chair of the American College Health Association, discussed how to deal with mental disorders on campus in the wake of the shootings in Tuscon, Ariz. Hotaling joined Union in fall 2007.

To read his piece, click here.

Posted on Jan 13, 2011

Union’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, which helps local families prepare their tax returns free of charge, was recently honored at a ceremony in Albany.

CA$H, a coalition of organizations led by United Way of the Greater Capital Region, presented its Volunteer Service Award, known as the “Wally Award, ” to Mary O’Keeffe, who teaches economics at Union and oversees the VITA program. The award is named in memory of Wallace G. Donnelly, a tireless volunteer in the region who died in December 2009.

In the past six years, Union students have helped secure millions in state and federal refunds for hundreds of low-income working families and senior citizens. Union’s site at the Kenney Community Center partners with the IRS, Schenectady County Department of Social Services, United Way of the Greater Capital Region and the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.

The program was launched by Therese McCarty, the Stephen J. and Diane K. Ciesinski Dean of the Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Students in O’Keeffe’s service-learning class, “Income Tax Policy and Practice,” volunteer four nights a week for six weeks during prime tax season. They must complete IRS training and pass a certification exam before working with taxpayers. Students also help train volunteers at other sites in the city.

“The coalition truly appreciates the involvement in the training and providing of VITA tax prep services at Union College,” said Richard Zazycki, chair of the executive committee of CA$H (Creating Assets, Savings and Hope).

Last year, 16 students helped a record 200 families by volunteering more than 600 hours. Angela Tatem, director of the Kenney Community Center and her staff also participate.

This year, volunteers will be available Monday to Thursday from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Kenney Center from Jan. 20 to March 3. To schedule an appointment, call (518) 388-6652.

“It’s a great honor for our VITA program to be recognized,” said O’Keeffe. “Many of our alumni say that VITA is what they remember most about their college education.”

Posted on Jan 12, 2011

Check out the central campus calendar at calendar.union.edu to learn about events and activities, and submit event requests to the Calendar if you want publicity. 

Posted on Jan 12, 2011

A new exhibit in the Mandeville Gallery, “Of Weeds and Wildness: Nature in Black & White,” opening today, Jan. 13, features 17 contemporary artists working in black and white to explore the natural world.

Their art encompasses a range of styles, approaches and mediums, including photographs, prints, drawings and digital works.

“The show reveals the richly expressive qualities of black and white and the unlimited power of this limited palette to evoke and express complex and multi-layered ideas about the human relationship with nature,” said Mandeville Gallery Director Rachel Seligman, who curated the show with Sally Apfelbaum, a photographer and educator from Bennington, Vt.

“Through their work, these artists have approached the natural world in nuanced, intriguing and sometimes disquieting ways.”

Among the artists is Desirée Alvarez, whose installation piece evoking a “nomadic” landscape explores the human relationship to the disappearing wilderness.

Harold Edgerton is a major figure in the development and application of stop motion photography. He spent time as an electrical engineer at General Electric in Schenectady before moving to Cambridge, Mass., to attend MIT, where he later taught and conducted research.

Hedya Klein’s quirky etchings and digital animation of biomorphic, organic forms are filled with exuberant energy and playfulness.

And Union’s own Charles Steckler, professor of theater, is a consummate draftsman whose extraordinary “doodles” evoke biological micro-landscapes.

Other featured artists include: Robert Adams, the late Union artist-in-residence Arnold Bittleman, Lee Bontecou, Louise Bourgeois, Robert Gober, William Kentridge, Danny Lyon, Abelardo Morell, Margaret Moulton, Michelle Segre, James Siena, Kiki Smith and Kate Temple.

Seligman and Apfelbaum will host an informal lunchtime curators’ tour at the Nott on Tuesday, Jan. 18. Visitors can drop by any time between noon and 2 p.m.

In addition, Alvarez, Klein, Steckler and Temple will take part in an exhibition reception and gallery talk on Thursday, Feb. 10, 5-7 p.m.

The show runs through March 13.