1976 graduate was Union basketball student-athlete
Schenectady, N.Y. (July 1, 2003) – The Viniar Family Foundation has made a grant of $2 million to build a multi-use sports facility that will become home to Union College's men's and women's basketball teams. The Foundation grant follows a personal gift of $1.2 million made earlier by David Viniar, which will also be used for this purpose.
“Through the generosity of David Viniar and his family, Union College will have a facility, long overdue, that will be commensurate with the level of our men's and women's basketball programs,” said Roger Hull, President of Union College. “We are grateful that David chose to honor his own experiences as an exceptional student-athlete this way.”
Mr. Viniar graduated summa cum laude from Union College in 1976 and earned a Bachelor's degree in Economics. He was a member of Union's winning varsity basketball team, which in 1974-75 compiled a 20-4 record and an ECAC Upstate New York title. He serves today as a member of the Board of Trustees of the College.
After Union, Mr. Viniar went on to graduate school at Harvard University, where he received his Master's in Business Administration in 1980. Upon graduation, David joined the investment banking firm of Goldman Sachs & Co., where he became a partner in 1992 and Chief Financial Officer in 1999.
An active alumnus, he has volunteered with the Career Development Center, served as an admissions representative, and participated as a member of Friends of Union Athletics. In 1997, he established the Leo and Evelyn Viniar Scholarship at Union in honor of his parents.
“David Viniar understands the importance of athletics in a young person's education,” said Bob Montana, coach of men's basketball. “He is one of the finest examples of a student-athlete.”
Mary Ellen Burt, head coach of women's basketball said, “Through the Viniar family's support, we will have a facility that will raise the visibility of women's basketball at Union and provide an important tool in our efforts to recruit new talent.”
The multi-use building will include two basketball practice courts and one performance court with spectator seating for 1,000. It will be located southeast of Memorial Field House, with connections to the field house's locker rooms and equipment facilities. The new facility will be used for practices, games, and intramurals. It will relieve congestion in Memorial Field House, the practice site for a number of winter and spring teams.
Construction of the facility should begin this fall, with completion by the fall of 2004.
The College's Alumni Council honored three alumni with the Alumni
Gold Medal at the College's ReUnion recently.
They were Seymour Gluck '49 of Niskayuna, N.Y.; Elwyn Harp '53 of West Hartford, Conn.; and Frank Messa '73 of Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
The award, presented at the Alumni Convocation by Alumni
Council President Jason Oshins and Union President
Roger Hull, cited the trio for their support and leadership as alumni.
Also at ReUnion, Dan
Lundquist, vice president for admissions, financial aid and
communications received the Alumni Council's Meritorious Service Award. To read
more, visit: http://www.union.edu/N/DS/s.php?s=3845
The citations for each read as follows:
Sy Gluck '49, left, accepts Alumni Gold Medal from Jason Oshins '87, president of Alumni Council
Sy Gluck '49
Sy, the
Army's loss was Union's
gain when you arrived on campus in 1946. You were an active leader in a number
of organizations. You also were a member of Kappa Nu fraternity, Block U
Society and a letter-winner on the tennis team.
Thanks to
lots of hard work and some credit from the Army Specialized Training Program,
you earned a bachelor's degree in economics in only three years, in 1949.
You went on
to a distinguished career as a financial planner, spanning some 32 years with
Metropolitan Life. During that time, you received the designation of Chartered
Life Underwriter, the highest designation in your field. You went on to serve
10 more years with Massachusetts Mutual in order to provide clients with
investment products and casualty insurance.
You also
served to advance your field as president of the Schenectady Life Underwriters
Association and president of the Northeast Chapter of the Metropolitan Veterans
Association.
Through the
years since graduation, you have been a model of alumni support and class
leadership. You have been head class agent for nearly every year since you
graduated. You have held every class office. You have been ReUnion chair for every major class ReUnion, perhaps most notably at your recent
50th, when your class swept the awards. You have also been a
steadfast volunteer during Phonathons, and a very active member of the Alumni
Council and the Schenectady Alumni Club.
You also
were a dedicated supporter for the new football stands and press box that we
see at Frank Bailey Field today.
Sy, in
appreciation for all you've done and continue to do to honor Union College, the Alumni Council is proud to
confer this Alumni Gold Medal, citation, and certificate.
Elwin Harp '53, center, with President Roger Hull, left, and Nick Famulare '92, director of alumni relations
Elwyn Harp '53
El, you
came to Union in 1949 and earned a bachelor's
degree in economics in 1953. During your four years at Union, you served as President of your
fraternity, Phi Delta Theta, and of your Freshman class.
You also
won two letters playing varsity football and served your country in the Naval
Reserve.
Among your
honors, you were a member of the Delphic Society, Hale Club, and Block U
Society.
After
graduation, you had a 30-year career with IBM in marketing then “retired” to
establish your own business, El Mar Inc.
Through the
years, you have continued to serve your alma mater. You've been an associate
agent for the Annual Fund; a member of the Terrace Council, Ramée Circle, and
Alumni Council; a Phonathon volunteer; Class vice president; ReUnion chairman;
a Class correspondent; and an Admissions volunteer.
Furthermore,
your family is well-represented among Union alumni — your daughter, Susan
Santamauro '75; and brothers Robert '51, Darrell '56, and Wendell '63.
For your
years of dedicated service to Union College, the Alumni Council is honored to
present you with the Alumni Gold Medal, citation, and certificate.
Frank Messa '73, right, with President Roger Hull
Frank L. Messa '73
Frank, your
impressive record as a professional and volunteer, should come as no surprise
to those who knew you at Union.
You
graduated magna cum laude with a
bachelor's degree in political science that included the scholarly distinctions
of Phi Beta Kappa membership and Departmental Honors. You also were a finalist
for the Albert Ingham Prize. Subsequently you earned a J.D. from Albany Law School.
After law
school, you joined Ayco, rising to your current position as CEO of one of the nation's
premiere financial counseling firms.
As a
dedicated alumnus, you've served on the Terrace Council; national chair of the
Annual Fund; volunteer for the Phonathon; Term Trustee; member of the Ramée
Circle and the Alumni Circle, where you also were a class Representative and
member-at-large; Class President and Alumni Council representative since 1993;
ReUnion Chair; and a member of the Local Alumni Club. You've also created the
Frank Messa '73 Endowed Scholarship that will make a Union College education possible for worthy
students.
Your energy
and vision is not limited to your alma mater. You've also been a community
activist serving as a board member of the United Way of Northeastern New York; a member of the Parents' Committee
of the Hotchkiss School; a trustee for the Albany Academy for Girls; chairman of the Capital
Campaign's steering committee; and as a trustee for St. Gregory's School for
Boys.
Frank, for
these many gifts of your time and resources, the Alumni Council is honored to
present you with this Alumni Gold Medal, citation, and certificate.
Schenectady, N.Y. (June 27, 2003) Frank Messa, a 1973 graduate of Union College and Senior Vice President of Ayco Co., and his wife, Colleen, have donated $1.5 million for the renovation of the Achilles Center at Union College.
The project will include the replacement of the ice refrigeration system, expansion of the ice surface, enhanced seating, new boards and glass, and renovations to the lobby and locker rooms. The renovated rink will provide a year-round ice surface.
The rink is the home of Union's two ice hockey programs – the men's team, which plays in the ECAC Div. I league; and the women's team, which this year moves to ECAC Div. I. The rink is also used by the College's intramural programs and by a number of hockey and figure skating programs from the local community.
“Frank Messa's support of Union College runs long and deep,” said President Roger Hull. “In every way Frank has been available when Union has called. His recent gift makes possible a significant enhancement for both our student-athletes and the many members of the local community who support them. The rink enhancements also make possible the year-round development of athletes from both the College and community.”
“We are deeply grateful to Frank Messa for his generous gift,” said Val Belmonte, director of athletics. “The entire Athletic Department is extremely excited to have significant enhancements made to the rink, which will be a source of pride for the entire campus. The renovations will create one of the finest venues in the ECAC, and enhance our ability to compete and recruit. Additionally, these improvements will expand our program offerings to the campus and local community.”
“Union College has been an important part of my life since I first came to the campus,” said Messa. “I am proud to be able to contribute to this project which not only benefits the College but the community.”
Messa, of Saratoga Springs, earned a bachelor's degree magna cum laude in political science from Union in 1973, and a J.D. degree from Albany Law School in 1976. He was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He joined Ayco, the largest fee-based financial counseling firm in the nation, in 1976. He was named Senior Vice President in 1996.
Among his many community service activities, he has been a member of the Board of Directors for United Way of Northeastern New York, a trustee of the Albany Academy for Girls, and a trustee of St. Gregory's School for Boys. He has served on the Parents Committee of the Hotchkiss School and Duke University.
As a Union alumnus, he is a former member of the Trustee Board of Advisors, class president, Alumni Council representative and national chairman of the Annual Fund. He created the Frank Messa '73 Endowed Scholarship. He recently received the Alumni Gold Medal from the College's Alumni Council.
The Messas reside in Saratoga Springs with their three children.
Frank Messa, a 1973
graduate of Union College and Senior Vice President of Ayco
Co., and his wife, Colleen, have donated $1.5 million for the renovation of the
Achilles Center at Union College.
The project will
include the replacement of the ice refrigeration system, expansion of the ice
surface, enhanced seating, new boards and glass, and renovations to the lobby
and locker rooms. The renovated rink will provide a year-round ice surface.
The rink is the home of Union's two ice hockey programs – the
men's team, which plays in the ECAC Div. I league; and the women's team, which
this year moves to ECAC Div. I. The rink is also used by the College's
intramural programs and by a number of hockey and figure skating programs from
the local community.
“Frank Messa's support of Union College runs long and deep,” said President
Roger Hull. “In every way Frank has been available when Union has called. His recent gift makes
possible a significant enhancement for both our student-athletes and the many
members of the local community who support them. The rink enhancements also
make possible the year-round development of athletes from both the College and
community.”
“We are deeply grateful to Frank Messa for his generous gift,” said Val
Belmonte, director of athletics. “The entire Athletic Department is extremely
excited to have significant enhancements made to the rink, which will be a
source of pride for the entire campus. The renovations
will create one of the finest venues in the ECAC, and enhance our ability to
compete and recruit. Additionally, these improvements will expand our program
offerings to the campus and local community.”
“Union College has been an important part of my
life since I first came to the campus,” said Messa. “I am proud to be able to
contribute to this project which not only benefits the College but the
community.”
Messa, of Saratoga Springs, earned a bachelor's degree magna cum laude in political science
from Union in 1973, and a J.D. degree from Albany Law School in 1976. He was elected to Phi Beta
Kappa. He joined Ayco, the largest fee-based financial counseling firm in the
nation, in 1976. He was named Senior Vice President in 1996.
Among his many community
service activities, he has been a member of the Board of Directors for United Way of Northeastern New York, a trustee of the Albany Academy for Girls, and a trustee of St.
Gregory's School for Boys. He has served on the Parents Committee of the Hotchkiss School and Duke University.
As a Union alumnus,
he is a former member of the Trustee Board of Advisors, class president, Alumni
Council representative and national chairman of the Annual Fund. He created the
Frank Messa '73 Endowed Scholarship. He recently received the Alumni Gold Medal
from the College's Alumni Council.
The Messas reside in Saratoga Springs with their three children.
Daniel M. Lundquist, vice president for admissions, financial aid and communications
Daniel M. Lundquist, vice president for admissions, financial aid and
communications at Union College, recently received the meritorious service award from the Alumni
Council at Union College.
The award was presented at the recent ReUnion.
Lundquist, of Niskayuna, joined the College in 1991. Since then the College has set records in
applications and selectivity.
“Dan, it certainly is no coincidence that since your arrival
at Union in 1991, the College has become a
“hot school” with prospective students and their families.
“Under your leadership, the College has set (and re-set)
records in queries, applications, selectivity, yield and diversity.
“But you are always quick to point out that those are simply
markers. The real success of the admissions program is measured by the bright,
energetic and involved students who engage themselves in a classroom debate,
volunteer with a local organization, play on a team or travel the world.
“The College's growing reputation and visibility is due to an
ethic that you have instilled in your staff, what you call “high-touch and high-tech.”
Through a strong combination of cutting-edge technology and personalized
contact, the Union message effectively reaches thousands of people here on
campus and around the globe.
“If we needed a symbol of the success of your programs, we
need look no further than the elegant Grant Hall, whose renovation you
championed as a new home for admissions. Thousands of families have been
welcomed to campus in this lovely building. And more recently, the
award-winning admissions viewbook and web site have created a stir among the
college-bound and admissions professionals alike.
“Dan, besides effectively conveying the College's unique
strengths to thousands of young people, you have become a recognized national
advocate for restoring to the admissions process honesty, authenticity … even
fun. With your gift for turning a clever phrase, it's no surprise that you are
a frequent source for national media on topics such as early decision, college
rankings and the affordability of education. You have done much to demystify
the process of competitive admissions, and many of the beneficiaries of your
counsel are enrolled at Union today.
“The most satisfying validation of your work must come from
the many letters like this one from a young woman who will become a Union
student this fall: 'I am extremely excited about my acceptance to Union College,' she wrote. 'When I realized I had
gotten in, I actually jumped up and down and cried.'”
Schenectady, N.Y. (June 25, 2003) – Union College Director of Athletics Val Belmonte
announced on Wednesday the departure of Kevin Sneddon as head hockey coach at Union College.
Sneddon, who has been on the coaching staff at Union for the past 10 years, serving the
last five as the team's head coach, will be introduced as the new head hockey
coach at the University of Vermont during a press conference in Burlington on Wednesday afternoon.
“This is a wonderful
and challenging career move for Kevin,” said Belmonte, “an opportunity that he
has earned and worked hard to obtain.”
Reflecting on Kevin's
career at Union Belmonte commented, “Kevin's successes at Union should be measured not only by his
team's improvement on the ice, but also by their outstanding achievements in
the classroom and in the community. A
wonderful representative of the College throughout his career, Kevin has been a
revered and respected member of Union Athletics and he will be greatly missed.”
“Kevin leaves with
the best wishes of all of us in the Union College community. We will continue to follow the progress of
his bright and promising career, and all of us look forward to November 15 of
this season when Kevin will return to Achilles Rink as the head coach of the
Catamounts.”
In Sneddon's tenure
as the head coach at Union, the Dutchmen posted an overall record of 50-99-18. The Dutchmen qualified for ECAC post-season
play three times under Sneddon and earned home ice in 2002-03 playoffs for the
first time in school history. Last
season the Dutchmen finished in sixth place in the ECAC standings, their
highest finish since 1996-97, and the highest under Sneddon's leadership. Sneddon
has coached two ECAC All-Rookie team members and 14 of his players have earned
ECAC All-Academic Team honors, eight earning the honor multiple times. With his
team participating in several community service projects, Sneddon's Dutchmen
have raised thousands of dollars for various local charities, and Jeff Wilson, Union's captain in 2001-02, was the
national runner-up for the Hockey Humanitarian Award.
“Kevin's move to UVM
speaks well of the state of our program at Union College,” said Belmonte. “We have established a solid foundation of
success and we are ready to take the program to the next level of competitive
excellence.”
“With the ongoing
renovations at Achilles Rink, a strong recruiting class and an opportunity to
bring in a high-level coach, we are extremely excited by the future of men's
ice hockey at Union College.”
Belmonte confirmed
that a national search to replace Sneddon will begin immediately.
