Posted on Aug 8, 2007

KITTERY, Maine — A group of college students will roll into town next week after covering more than 2,000 miles across 14 states — on Rollerblades — in an effort to raise money for autism research.

The trip started as an idea among a small group of college students from Union College in New York and quickly grew to include more than 50 people from all over the Northeast.

Union College senior Dan Tatar, whose brother, Ben, has autism, spearheaded the trip that started in June.

The crew started training in April and has been traveling about 40 miles a day on inline skates. It's made stops in Savannah and Charleston, S.C.; Washington, D.C.; New York; and Boston.

And as the skaters cross the finish line at the Kittery Trading Post on Sunday, Aug. 19, they kick off a daylong event celebrating their trip.

"I'm always impressed to see young people giving so generously of their time and energy to help others," said Kevin Adams, president and chief executive officer of Kittery Trading Post. "Kittery Trading Post is pleased to provide a finish line for Rolling for Autism's 2,000-mile effort."

Tatar and the rest of the Rolling for Autism crew set a goal of raising $500,000 to benefit individuals affected by autism and to increase autism awareness among young adults across the country.

Sunday's event celebrating the trip's completion kicks off at 9 a.m. with activities for kids and guest speeches from local autism experts, including representatives from The Birchtree Center of Portsmouth.

Autism is the third most common developmental disorder in the United States, and by the next decade, it could affect 4 million Americans, according to a Rolling for Autism press release.

ON THE NET

For details on Rolling For Autism, e-mail team@rollingforautism.com or visit www.rollingforautism.com.

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Posted on Aug 7, 2007

Jackson's Garden is the oldest cultivated garden on an American college campus.

It is named for Isaac Wilbur Jackson (1804-77), Class of 1826, an 1824 graduate of The Albany Academy who entered Union as a junior and graduated in two years with first honors in mathematics and chemistry.

A professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy from 1831 until his death, "Captain Jack" also taught optics, mechanics, electricity and magnetism, acoustics and astronomy.

Students spoke of him as "most beloved," "too kindly" and possessing "the vigor of mind and cleanness of expression that had made him a splendid teacher."

Jackson took up gardening after President Eliphalet Nott suggested it as therapy for his anxiety and depression.

Jackson's customary gardener's outfit was a swallow-tailed blue coat and white trousers.

Early visitors to Jackson's Garden included famed naturalist and painter John James Audubon, who described it as "superb" in 1844.

After Jackson died, his daughter, Julia Benedict, maintained the garden for 48 years. During two of those years, 1879 and 1890, she owned a peacock that purportedly disturbed students by screaming all night.

Jackson's Garden is rumored to be haunted by the ghost of a young woman who was murdered by a mob in 1672 after her father killed her suitor.

Peacocks and ghosts notwithstanding, today the garden is Union's top guest attraction.

Source: Encyclopedia of Union College, compiled and edited by Wayne Somers

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Posted on Aug 6, 2007

Members of the Honorary Inaugural Committee gathered to welcome President Stephen C. Ainlay and his wife, Judith Gardner Ainlay, at a private reception in Abbe Hall last fall. The College acknowledges with gratitude the support of the Honorary Inaugural Committee.

Robert '49 and Virginia Abbe

Gerald '54 and Bernadette Barandes

David '78 and Roxanne Breazzano

Stephen '70 and Diane Ciesinski

Lee L. Davenport '37

Patrick '88 and Jennifer '91 Pacchiana DiCerbo

André '65 and Molly Donikian

Nancy Eppler-Wolff '75 and

John Wolff

Armand V. Feigenbaum '42

Donald S. Feigenbaum '46

David '75 and Joan Casale Henle

Joseph M. '47 and Barbara Hinchey

Lawrence J. Hollander

John '76 and Helen-Jo Kelly

Douglas '83 and Susan MacFaddin

Mary Ann and Barry MacLean

Frank '73 and Colleen Messa

Jason '87 and Alice Oshins

Lawrence Pedowitz '69 and Kathleen Pool-Pedowitz

Michael Rapaport '59 and

Jo-Ann Friedman

Norton '58 and Rita Reamer

Stephen '68 and Karen Ritterbush

Walter and Anne Robb

Richard '50 and Barbara Roberts

Martin '83 and Kim Sands

Albert H. Stevenson '36

David '76 and Susan Viniar

Mark Walsh '76 and Polly Vail

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Posted on Aug 6, 2007

Thomas Armstrong Professor of Economics (2006) – Suthathip Yaisawarng

Frank Bailey Professor of Classics (1945) – Mark S. Toher

Frank and Marie Louise Bailey Professor of Physics (1949) – Michael F. Vineyard

Marie Louise Bailey Professor of Mathematics (1952) – Alan D. Taylor

May I. Baker Professor of Visual Arts (1979) – Walter J. Hatke

John Bigelow Professor of History (1916) – Mark W. Walker

Dwane W. Crichton Professor of Philosophy (2006) – Raymond F. Martin

Horace E. Dodge III Professorship of Electrical and Computer Engineering (1997) – Michael Rudko

Joseph C. Driscoll Professor of Sociology and Marine Policy (2006) – Ilene M. Kaplan

R. Gordon Gould '41 Professorship in Physics (1995) – Jay E. Newman

Edward E. Hale, Jr. Professor of English (1980) – Harry P. Marten

Doris Zemurray Stone Professor in Modern Literary and Historical Studies (1976) – Brenda Wineapple

Carl B. Jansen Professor of Engineering (1992) – Thomas K. Jewell

Thomas B. Lamont Professor of Ancient and Modern Literature (1948) – Appointment pending

Gilbert R. Livingston Professor of Psychology (1970) – Seth N. Greenberg

Gilbert R. Livingston Professor of Behavioral Sciences (1994) – Kenneth G. DeBono

John D. MacArthur Assistant Professor (1982) – Tarik Wareh and Lisa A. Warenski

Agnes S. Macdonald Professor of Mechanical Engineering (2006) – Ann M. Anderson

Robert Porter Patterson Professor of Government (1956) – Clifford W. Brown Jr.

John Howard Payne Professor of Music (2006) – Hilary Tann

Henry and Sally Schaffer Professor of Holocaust and Jewish Studies (2003) – Stephen M. Berk

Florence B. Sherwood Professor of History and Culture (1993) – Teresa A. Meade

Florence B. Sherwood Professor of Life Sciences (1994) – Robert Olberg

Florence B. Sherwood Professor of Physical Sciences (1994) – Thomas C. Werner

Roger Thayer Stone Professor of Anthropology (1989) – George Gmelch

Thomas J. Watson, Sr., and Emma Watson Day Professor of Mechanical Engineering (1989) – Ronald B. Bucinell

William D. Williams Professor of Classics (2006) – Hans-Friedrich O. Mueller

William D. Williams Professor of Mathematics (2006) – William S. Zwicker

William D. Williams Professor of Philosophy (2006) – Robert B. Baker

Chauncey H. Winters Professor of History and Social Sciences (1993) – Robert V. Wells

Chauncey H. Winters Professor of Comparative Social Analysis (1996) – Terry S. Weiner

Chauncey H. Winters Research Professor of Political Science (1996) – Robert S. Sharlet

Chauncey H. Winters Research Professor of Political Science (1996) – James E. Underwood

John '38 and Jane Wold Professor of Geology (1988) – George H. Shaw

John '38 and Jane Wold Professorship in Religious Studies (2006) – Peter Ross Bedford

David L. and Beverly B. Yunich Professor of Business Ethics (2005) – Harold O. Fried

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Posted on Aug 2, 2007

The Times Union featured the College's EDGE camp in its Aug. 2, 2007, edition. Since 2002, Union has hosted a two-week residential summer camp, “Educating Girls for Engineering” (EDGE), as one way to inspire high school girls to consider careers in engineering.

This year's program wrapped up Friday, July 27.

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

 

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Posted on Jul 31, 2007

Six tired, sore but dedicated college students rolled across the finish line Sunday in Kittery, Maine, completing a remarkable 1,800-mile trip to raise money for autism.

"We’re still tallying the final contributions, but expect to top $120,000,” said Dan Tatar ’07 of Queensbury, N.Y., who created the "Rolling for Autism" campaign.

“The support has been amazing,” said Tatar, whose older brother Ben is autistic. “Dozens of Union College alumni came out to the events in New York City and Boston, and 15 or so skated nearly 100 miles with us."

The group is already looking ahead to next year, when they plan a couple of shorter trips; they have also been contacted by college students interested in a trip from Minnesota to Los Angeles.

Right now though, their focus is on finishing this year's mission.

“We’re planning to retain half the money raised within the organization to fund education and awareness programs,” Tatar explained. “We’ve targeted the other half to provide grants for children with autism to give kids life opportunities they wouldn’t normally be able to afford.”

Grants will be available for kids to participate in any autism-related activity or program including camps, schools or even therapeutic horseback riding. An application process should be available online in the coming weeks.

Joining Tatar on the trip, which began June 28 in Amelia Island, Fla., were fellow Class of 2007 members Kelly Lannan, Sean Streich, Jason Ortollano and Carson Strang, along with University of Vermont senior Amber Leenstra. The group in-line skated 40 miles a day, taking turns for half-hour stretches while the others followed in a car.

“This trip took on a life of its own with donations and support pouring in,” said Tatar, who majored in psychology. “We even received a donation from Belgium.”

Scheduled stops in major cities along the route featured cookouts and visits to local autism centers. The effort attracted widespread media attention, including an appearance on "Good Morning America."

“We were fortunate to have such an amazing network of support,” said Tatar. “Nate Leaman, Union College men’s hockey coach, trained us and hundreds of students and alumni have come out to support us. The College provided an amazing framework to network and make connections.”

Tatar chose Kittery, Maine as the finish line because of its proximity to Boston—where he starts his new job at Price Waterhouse Coopers Sept. 4.

Rolling for Autism has garnered support from the Autistic Society of America, American Special Hockey Association and other organizations. For more information, or to make a donation, visit http://www.rollingforautism.com/.

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