Posted on May 8, 2009

Rose Foley ’09 might be the Outstanding Greek Woman of the Year, but that’s not why she couldn’t stop smiling Thursday afternoon in Memorial Chapel. She was overflowing with excitement during the second annual Greek Awards ceremony because she was so proud of everyone else.

“This event is special to me,” said Foley, a Gamma Phi Beta sister who received her award for exemplary contributions to the College’s sorority system. “It’s our only opportunity of the year to fully embrace, recognize and celebrate the many successes and positive contributions of Union’s Greek community.”

This year, the awards committee received more than 45 applications for the 15 honors, some of which are given to more than one student or chapter.

Recipients this year include: 

• Sigma Phi :Fraternity of the Year award for notable strength and a high level of accomplishment in many areas
• Gamma Phi Beta: Sorority of the Year award for notable strength and a high level of accomplishment in many areas
• Michael Topka ’09, Phi Delta Theta: Frederick B. Hawley Jr. Memorial award for commendable scholastic and student activities contributions
• Kevin McKenzie ’09, Sigma Phi: President’s Recognition Cup for chapter president who has fully upheld Greek ideals and honor
• Katie Loeb ’09, Sigma Delta Tau: President’s Recognition Cup for chapter president who has fully upheld Greek ideals and honor
• Alpha Epsilon Pi: Philanthropy/Community Service award for model efforts to support charitable causes or service to the local community 

College President Stephen Ainlay recognized the Greeks for their dedication to Union and the surrounding community.

“I really think you all are remarkable, thank you for the things you’ve done to strengthen Union,” he said. “Greek organizations are one of the most important pieces of our volunteerism efforts, and I know well that this service commitment doesn’t come without you sincerely wanting to make a difference.”

Greeks have been making a difference at Union and in Schenectady since 1825, when several national chapters were founded here. Today, the College’s five sororities and 12 fraternities continue to be an integral part of campus life and outreach.

The awards ceremony was part of Greek Week, which kicked off Saturday and concludes today.

Posted on May 7, 2009

Dylan Ratigan '94, has joined MSNBC as the anchor of his own weekday show beginning June 29.

To read the press release, click here.

Posted on May 7, 2009

Jennifer Lawless '97, a Brown University professor, is leaving to become director of the Women & Politics Institute at American University in Washington, D.C.

Edward Fitzpatrick of  the Providence Journal, wrote about Lawless and her new gig, and her battle to unseat a popular incumbent in the Democratic primary for Rhode Island's 2nd Congressional district seat in 2006.

One of her senior policy advisers for the campaign was Richard Fox, a former political science professor at Union. The two co-authored a book, "It Takes a Candidate: Why Women Don't Run for Office."

Lawless was a political science major at Union and salutatorian of her class.

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

Posted on May 6, 2009

Thursday, May 7 and Friday, May 8, 12:45-1:50 p.m. / Phi Beta Kappa Room, Shaffer Library / Ethics Across the Curriculum presents Bernard Gert, the Stone Professor of Intellectual and Moral Philosophy at Dartmouth College and author of “Common Morality”; luncheon workshop

Thursday, May 7, 6-8 p.m. / Golub House / Dinner for Bernie Gert, the Stone Professor of Intellectual and Moral Philosophy at Dartmouth College and author of “Common Morality”

Friday, May 8 – Monday, May 11, 8 and 10 p.m. / Reamer Campus Center Auditorium / Film: “The International”

Saturday, May 9, 10 a.m. / Alexander Field / Softball vs. RPI or Elmira, ECAC Tournament Game 1; 2 p.m.,  ECAC Tournament Game 3 (if Union loses Game 1); 4 p.m., ECAC Tournament Game 4 (if Union wins Game 1)

Saturday, May 9, 6 p.m. / Old Chapel / FaceAIDS presents returning Minerva Fellow David Shulman ’08 and keynote speaker Gregg Cassin, a national HIV/AIDS awareness activist from San Francisco. They will address issues surrounding HIV/AIDS in the United States and Africa; barbecue and music by local bands to follow. 

Sunday, May 10, noon / Alexander Field / Softball, ECAC Tournament Championship Game

Tuesday, May 12, 7 p.m. / Reamer Auditorium / Becker Career Center sponsors Dress for Success Fashion Show featuring Macy’s consultant discussing attire do’s and don’ts for interview and business casual settings

Thursday, May 14, 7:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. / Reamer Campus Center Auditorium / EAP workshop on stress reduction; one-hour session examines causes of stress and the physical damage that stress inflicts on the body, with suggestions for dealing with stress in healthy, productive ways; sponsored by Human Resources

Thursday, May 14, 12:50-1:40 p.m. / Sorum House Seminar Room / President’s Commission on the Status of Women luncheon talk on “Orpheus Echoing: Transformations of the Myth for Modern Times” by Erika Nelson, assistant professor of German studies; pizza and beverages served. RSVP to Laura Loth (lothl@union.edu) by noon, Tuesday, May 11.
 

Thursday, May 14, 4:30 p.m. / Schaffer Library, Phi Beta Kappa Room / Philosophy Speaker Series presents Rachel Cohon of the University at Albany on “Hume’s Indirect Passions and the Motives of Virtuous Actions”

Friday, May 15 – Monday, May 18, 8 and 10 p.m. / Reamer Campus Center Auditorium / Film: “He’s Just Not That into You”

Friday, May 15-16, 7 p.m.-7 a.m. / Relay for Life

Saturday, May 16, 10 a.m. / Octopus’s Garden (between Wells and McKean houses) / Garden planting: set plants in soil, install watering system, and add signage and stakes; food to be donated to Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York and used at campus eateries, including Ozone Café and 0³Marketplace. Contact: Connie Schmitz at octopusgarden@union.edu

Posted on May 6, 2009