Posted on Jun 1, 2009

The Sunday Gazette recently sat down with Chris Duncan, professor of visual arts, to discuss his work.

To read the story, click here (registration may be required).

Posted on Jun 1, 2009

The Times Union visited campus for ReUnion 2009 and sat in on a talk by Chris Sheridan ’89, a writer and character voice for “Family Guy.”

To read the article and view other pictures from ReUnion published by the Times Union, click here (registration may be required).

Posted on Jun 1, 2009

What does it mean to be liberally educated in the 21st century?

Colleges and universities are asking that question as they are being urged by technology executives, researchers and business leaders to better prepare all undergraduates to understand and solve technical problems.

As a pioneer in the field, Union will lead a national conversation June 5 and 6 when leaders from nearly two dozen top schools will share different models for integrating engineering, technology and the traditional liberal arts. Among the participants: Princeton, Dartmouth, Harvard, Smith, Lafayette and the U.S. Military Academy.

The theme of this year’s conference is “Educating the Stewards of a Sustainable Future.”

Speakers include Lewis M. Duncan, president of Rollins College; Diane P. Michelfelder, professor of philosophy at Macalester College and president for the Society for Philosophy and Technology; and Braden R. Allenby, professor of civil and environmental engineering and of law at Arizona State University, and president of the International Society for Industrial Ecology.

Most of the sessions will be held in the Nott Memorial and the F.W. Olin Center.

This marks the second conference on engineering and the liberal arts hosted by the College. Last year’s symposium attracted national attention, including a feature in the Chronicle of Higher Education.

In 1845, Union became the first liberal arts college to offer engineering in response to the needs of a nation characterized by rapid industrial and urban growth. The need for integrating the two disciplines is just as vital today.

“We have to develop the competencies in our students that are needed by the leadership teams of the future,” said Cherrice A. Traver, dean of engineering at Union. “The complex challenges facing humanity and the earth demand that the concept of a liberal education include familiarity with technology as well as the more traditional ‘liberal arts’ fields.”

Chung Joon-yang, CEO of POSCO, one of the world’s largest steelmakers, recently told graduate students in Seoul that to become a global firm in its truest meaning, his company must seek employees with an engineer’s precision and a liberal arts student’s imagination.

“I was too poor to read extensively while in school,” he said. “While working after graduation, I regretted my narrow scope of vision and shallow pool of experience.”

The symposium is funded in part by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation of New York City and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

For more information, including a schedule of events, click here.

Posted on May 29, 2009

The Times Union interviewed Alan Horn '64, the president and chief operating officer of Warner Bros., in advance of his return to campus for ReUnion 2009.

Horn will give a talk, "Perspectives on the movie business," in Taylor Music Center as part of ReUnion activities.

To read the article, click here (registration may be required).  

Posted on May 27, 2009

More than 1,000 visitors are expected on campus for the annual celebration of Union’s graduates this weekend. The Saturday series of speakers begins at 1 p.m. and will feature Chris Sheridan ’89, a writer and character voice for "Family Guy"; Scott Siegler ’69, the creative executive behind shows like "Growing Pains" and "Night Court," who has branched into other media; and Alan Horn ’64, the president and chief operating officer of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which last year released the latest "Batman" movie installment, "The Dark Knight."

To read a complete schedule, click here.

Posted on May 27, 2009

A groundbreaking ceremony for Lippman Hall and a talk by the president and chief operating officer of Warner Bros. were among the highlights surrounding ReUnion 2009 Saturday, May 30.

More than 1,500 visitors came to campus for the annual celebration of Union’s graduates, held Thursday through Sunday.

A substantial gift from Jim Lippman ’79 and his wife, Linda, will support a major renovation of the Social Sciences building. The building will be renamed Lippman Hall in honor of Jim Lippman’s father, Robert G. Lippman ’50. Members of the Lippman family joined College officials, including President Stephen C. Ainlay, Stephen Dare, vice president for College Relations and Frank Messa, chairman of the board of trustees, at a noontime ceremony on the south side of Library Plaza.

The renovations include “smart classrooms” that employ state-of-the-art technology and will support the work of faculty and students both within and across departments. Opened in 1967, the Social Sciences building houses classrooms and faculty offices for the departments of Anthropology, Economics, Sociology, Political Science and History.

Renovations are expected to begin in January 2011 and be completed before the end of the year.

"Your generosity in making this renovation possible is absolutely imperative to the future of Union College," Ainlay said. "We are going to have a first-rate facility that will be a magnet for future generations of students who want to come here. It's going to be a remarkable cornerstone to a remarkable campus."

Jim Lippman reflected on the integral role the College has played in the family's life and how fitting it was to be able to dedicate a building on campus in his father's honor.

"My dad is my idol, my mentor and the man who more than any other has shaped me, and is responsible for the success I've been so fortunate to attain,"  said Lippman, chairman and CEO of JRK Property Holdings, a Los Angeles-based commercial real estate firm he founded in 1992

Robert Lippman retired as director of marketing for Campus Sportswear. Robert pioneered the use of sports licensing as a major marketing tool. At one point, Robert managed licenses for the NFL, NBA, MLB, USTA, NHL, National Hot Rod Association and Harlem Globe Trotters. He also developed marketing programs for several major college teams, many of which are still in effect today. He also worked with Cove Point Realty in Oyster Bay, N.Y., which was founded by his wife, Barbara.

He recalled how the Lippman family's long association with Union got started when his mother, who grew up in Schenectady, called the College "the greatest school in the entire world." Other Lippmans who are members of the Union family are Jim’s brother, Donald ’82, and niece, Meredith ’09. Jim's son, Matthew, will become the newest member of the Union family this fall when he joins the Class of 2013.

"I love this place," said Robert as he reflected on his life as a student. "I can't tell you what makes Union so special. But as you get older, and you move away from being an active student, the memories come back even stronger and Union becomes even more important."

At Taylor Music Center, Alan Horn ’64 offered his perspectives on the movie business. As president and COO of Warner Bros., Horn leads Hollywood’s most successful movie studio of 2008. The studio is responsible for blockbusters such as “The Dark Knight,” and the Harry Potter franchise.

During an engaging chat moderated by Doug Klein, dean of interdisciplinary studies and special programs, Horn shared stories about some of Hollywood's biggest stars, such as Clint Eastwood. He also addressed some of the challenges facing the industry, including piracy and soaring cost of making a movie.

Horn, who grew up in Long Island, described his time at Union as "great for me," and a place where he met many friends and professors. He also touched on his brief musical career at the College.

"I was in a band called the Golden Berries," Horn laughed. "We didn't put out too many albums, though."

The Saturday series of speakers also included Chris Sheridan ’89, a writer and character voice for “Family Guy”; and Scott Siegler ’69, the creative executive behind shows like “Growing Pains and Night Court.”

At Alumni Convocation on Saturday at Memorial Chapel, the College hosted a ceremony to present Alumni Gold Medals, the Faculty Meritorious Award, parade trophies and class gifts. The ceremony closed with the traditional Senior Handshake between the Class of 2009 and the 50th ReUnion Class, welcoming the senior class into the Alumni body.

The College also honored outstanding engineering alumni at the Engineering Awards Reception.

To read more about the award winners click here.

To find out about ReUnion 2010, click here.