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Geoffrey Bowman
Associate Dean of Admissions
Regional Responsibilities: Boston private schools, Texas, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington State, Victoria, BC, Europe
Why I chose Union and/or why I choose to work at Union: I knew I wanted a small school with a strong history program. I also wanted to leave my hometown and experience school outside of Pennsylvania (though I still maintain great pride in the Keystone State!). When I visited Union's campus, it was a drab November day and the students had left for their winter break. However, I instantly fell in love with the campus and felt that it perfectly matched the type of campus setting that I had envisioned for myself. However, what really made Union stand out from all the other schools I looked at was the personal attention I received from Professor Steven Berk. I first read about him in the Fiske College Guidebook (1999 edition) and after the tour we decided to stop by his office and see if he wouldn't mind chatting with us about the History Department. He was in his office grading papers but immediately put his pen down and ushered us into the history lounge. There he proceeded to talk with us for over 30 minutes with no appointment or prior communication. He made my visit truly memorable and my experiences with all the professors in the history department and writing my undergraduate thesis on the Irish in the First World War were two of the many highlights of my four years at Union. I had an ideal four years of college and, when presented with the opportunity to join the admissions office, I jumped at the chance. I still joke that they are paying me to do something that I would gladly do for free!
College(s) attended: Union: The Oldest non-denominational college in the country
Major(s) in college: History (minor in French)
Favorite sports team: Boston Red Sox. I was at Fenway for Clay Bucholz's no hitter! Just an unbelievable experience.
Favorite Union sports team: All of them! But I watch or listen to every hockey game. Fight on Dutchmen!
Pets: None, I had bad allergies growing up!
Favorite vacation destination: Well, I would say Ireland specifically or really anywhere in Europe. I would find a museum, a World War One monument, and be extremely happy. Mostly, though, it is finding time to go back home to central PA and western NY and visit with my family.
Favorite movie: "All Quiet on the Western Front" (the black and white, best picture winner). It single-handedly sparked my now 13 year long obsession with WWI.
Favorite book: "The Greatest Game ever Played" by Mark Frost. It is an extremely engaging and fascinating piece on the Francis Ouimeet, Harry Vardon, and the birth of modern golf. It specifically focuses upon the 1913 US Open at Brookline Country Club. Frost does a wonderful job of making these individuals truly jump off the pages, and the real life story is almost too magical to believe.
Favorite musician/group: Well, I have three loves for music: Classic Rock, Jazz, and late 70's British Punk Rock (eclectic, I know). For classic rock it is the Who (I saw them in 2002) for jazz it is a tie with Charlie Parker and Gerry Mulligan/Chet Baker, and for punk rock, it would be the Stiff Little Fingers (Irish punk rock out of Belfast). I should also mention that I was in the a cappela group all four years at Union, so the Dutch Pipers will always be a favorite of mine.
Favorite food: Sushi or steak, depending on how I feel
Favorite Schenectady restaurant: Sitar. Dynamite Indian food located about a 15 minute drive from campus. The Chicken Tikka Masala the best I have ever had. Everyone that I take to there agrees that their use of spices beats every other Indian restaurant.
Thesis topic: Tin Helmets and Trenches: The Irish Soldiers' Experiences in the First World War and Affects of the Struggle for Home Rule and Irish Independence.