Union College Alumni

Alumni Council of Union College

Meeting Minutes
April 6, 2003

President Danziger’89 welcomed Council members. He informed members today’s attendance for the meeting was one of the best. He thanked everyone for coming.

There was a moment of silence for John Burns’34

The minutes for the October 12, 2002 meeting stand approved as written.

President Roger Hull Welcome Address

President Hull updated the Council on College news since October 12, 2002 meeting. He was excited to highlight the $20 million commitment to the College made by Jane and John Wold’38. The gift will provide financial support for a variety of programs, including the annual fund, scholarships, a professorship in religious studies, and one of the houses being created in our new House system will be named “Wold House” in memory of John’s parents. Other areas highlighted were fundraising, admissions, athletics, residential life and Converging Technologies. Questions from Council members centered on the Graduate College of Union University, academic calendar, scholarships, advising and alumni involvement.

Admissions

Nick Famulare’92, Director of Alumni Relations, filled in for Dan Lundquist, Vice President of Admissions and Financial Aid, who had to cancel at the last minute. Famulare highlighted a record number of applications, which were up 8%, selectively increased from 45% to 43%, a record number of application from students of color, and a number of legacy applicants.

Annual Fund

John Moses '53, National Chairperson of the Annual Fund, thanked everyone who had already contributed to the 90th Annual Fund. Moses highlighted three areas: alumni participation, volunteers and outreach. Despite a drop of 13% of alumni giving nationwide – Union’s alumni participation is up. The Annual fund has added over 100 new volunteers. These volunteers are doing a terrific job calling classmates and encouraging their participation. Also mentioned, Alumni Council participation reached 82% for the 2002 Annual Fund – an increase of 4%.

College Relations

Tom Gutenberger, Vice President for College Relations, opened his remarks by thanking everyone for their support to Union. He announced, in an effort to improve relations with Greek affiliated alumni, an Alumni Greek Advisory Board will be formed. The board will help strengthen and mentor the Greek organizations and have the opportunity to be a positive force in the continuation of the Greek system. Gutenberger highlighted that Union now has 17 alumni clubs nationally and over 60 events have been held.

Ad Hoc Committee Update

1st Vice president and Chair of the Ad Hoc committee reported to the Council that recommendations of by-law changes will be submitted to the Executive Committee. The Alumni Relations office will be updating the Council membership and will provide an accurate list of membership to the Executive Committee by the end of July.

Standing Committee Reports
Treasurer’s Report

Treasurer of the Council, Mike Newell '74, presented the Income and Balance Sheet financial statement for the 2002-2003 budgets. Newell pointed out the investment in alumni club and young alumni development.

Board of Trustees Report

Senior Alumni Trustee, Karen Huggins’77, conducted a power point presentation. The presentation covered the function of the Board of Trustees, meetings and reports.

Alumni Trustee Nominating Committee

Chair Jason Oshins’87 thanked his committee members for their involvement and recommended that Valerie Hoffman’75 serve a second term. There were no petition candidates. President Danzinger’89 announced that in accordance with by-laws, “if one candidate only shall have been nominated to fill a vacancy, no ballots shall be distributed to those eligible to vote and the secretary of the Alumni Council is authorized to cast one (1) ballot for that candidate who shall there upon be declared elected. Secretary of the Alumni Council, Nick Famulare’92, submitted one (1) ballot for Valerie Hoffman’75 to serve as an Alumni Trustee for a second four-year term, expiring in June 2007.

Medals and Awards Nominating Committee

Chair Pat Seftel’80, thanked her committee for their work. Seftel reported the nominations for Alumni Gold Medals – Seymour Gluck’49, Elwyn Harp’53, and Frank Messa’73. The nomination for the Faculty Meritorious Service Award was Vice President of Admissions and Financial Aid, Dan Lindquist. There was a motion to accept the nominations. The motion was seconded and approved.

Officers and Members at Large Nominating Committee

Chair John Vero’97 thanked his committee members for their involvement. The committee presented the following slate to the Alumni Council for approval:

Members at Large:
Kenneth Evans’94 (1st term)
Jack Hotchkiss’48
Jessica Sanderson’98
Michael Rapaport’59
Robin Romer’92 (1st term)
Kelly Schrade’99 (1st term)
Scott Steele’95

There was a motion to accept the nominations. The motion was seconded and approved.

Officers:
President: Jason Oshins’87
1st Vice President: Pat Seftel’80
2nd Vice President: Charles Roden’60
Secretary: Catherine Hedgeman’96
Treasurer: Mike Newell’74
Sr. Alumni Trustee: Karen Huggins’77
Immediate Past Pres.: Robert Danzinger’89

There was a motion to accept the nominations. The motion was seconded and approved.

New Business

New President Jason Oshins’87 addressed the Council. He expressed his gratitude for their support and looks forward to continuing the work of former President Louise Dunn’76 and Rob Danzinger’89. Oshins gave an overview of his goals as President. Oshins introduced Paul Maturazzo, Director of Capital Projects and Tom McEvoy, Dean of Residential and Campus Life. Both will lead Council members on a tour of the new South College.

Philip Ziffer’47 announced that over ReUnion Weekend there will be a dedication of Civil War memorial. Members of the Union College World War II U.S. Navy V-12/V-5 Unit will present to the College a plaque honoring those alumni who lost their lives during the Civil War. The V-12/V-5 Unit extended a thank you to Kathy Quinn of College Relations for all her time and effort in putting the dedication together.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:30. The Alma Mater was sung.

Respectfully submitted,
Nick Famulare '92,
Secretary