Posted on Oct 1, 1999

Schenectady, N.Y. (Oct. 1, 1999) – Robert D. Richardson Jr., author of acclaimed books on Emerson and Thoreau and on American literature and myth, will speak on “Sinking Ships, Erupting Volcanos, and the Writing of Literary Biography” on Wednesday, Oct. 20, at 7:30 p.m. in Everest Lounge (near Old Chapel) at Union College.

The talk is free and open to the public.

Richardson is the author, most recently, of Henry Thoreau: A Life of the Mind (1986) and Emerson: The Mind on Fire (1995), for which he won the Bancroft Award in History.

His work is widely acclaimed. The Thoreau book is called “definite, outstanding, fundamental, superb;” his biography of Emerson has been praised as “graceful, humorous, acute and essential.”

He has taught at Harvard University, University of Colorado and Wesleyan University.

He is the editor, with Allen Mandelbaum, of the recently published Three Centuries of American Poetry (Doubleday).

Of Emerson: the Mind on Fire, Bryce Christensen of Booklist wrote, “Richardson shows how Emerson's volcanic genius ignited flames of kindred enthusiasm in Thoreau, Whitman, Fuller, and other gifted Americans. Careful analysis of his vast reading reveals how Emerson drew inspiration from the world's classic literature yet maintained a fierce self-reliance that still defines one of the primary themes of our national culture. As in his biography of Thoreau, Richardson focuses principally on his subject's inner life, the life of his mind and spirit. But in this subtle portrayal of Emerson the thinker, the reader also sees the clearly lined portrait of Emerson the social activist, outraged by slavery and by oppressive Indian policies … by referring to many previously unavailable private letters and manuscripts, Richardson sheds light on both Emerson's emotions and his intellect. A masterful work, this biography will attract the attention of scholars and serious general readers for decades.”

Richardson's talk is sponsored by the English department at Union College.

For more information, call 388-6231.

Posted on Oct 1, 1999

Vic Fazio '65, former Congressman from California,

will speak on “Rekindling Faith in Public Service in the Quest for

the Common Welfare in the Next Millennium” on Thursday, Oct. 7, at

7:30 p.m. in the Nott Memorial.

He was elected to Congress in 1978, and re-elected to 10

terms before announcing nearly two years ago that he would not seek

reelection.

Fazio delivered the Commencement Address in 1998, and

received an honorary degree.

Posted on Oct 1, 1999

September 20, 1999

1. The minutes of Sept. 13, meeting were approved.

2. Therese McCarty, Chair of the Faculty, talked to the

AAC about the representation of an alumnus on the Calendar subcommittee.

The AAC passed the following resolution: “The AAC Subcouncil on the

Calendar offers to meet periodically with the Alumni Council to keep them

up to date and allow them an opportunity to have an input.”

3. The AAC began a discussion of the Sociology

Department External Review report.

Posted on Oct 1, 1999

The Edison Employee Assistance Program offers free,

confidential counseling for Union employees and family members. Call

1-800-EAP-9411.

Posted on Oct 1, 1999

Tom Werner, former member and chair of the National

Conference on Undergraduate Research Board of Governors, has been named

director of the NCUR/Lancy initiative, which provides grants up to $50,000

per NCUR institution for support of faculty-mentored summer research.

The initiative is supported by a three-year grant of

$825,000 from the Alice and Leslie E. Lancy Foundation to promote research

in all disciplines.

The NCUR board plans to award four to six grants each

year.

The first round awardees were announced last spring;

second round awards will be announced later this fall. A third round is

planned for next year with a proposal deadline of mid-August.

The program is administered by NCUR through the Home

Base here at Union.

More information on the NCUR/Lancy initiative is

available on the Web at www.union.edu/NCUR.