Kate White ’72 is editor-in-chief of “Cosmopolitan” magazine. The Hearst executive is also the author of the national best-selling career how-to, “Why Good Girls Don’t Get Ahead But Gutsy Girls Do,” and of five popular mystery books.
Kate White ’72 is editor-in-chief of “Cosmopolitan” magazine. The Hearst executive is also the author of the national best-selling career how-to, “Why Good Girls Don’t Get Ahead But Gutsy Girls Do,” and of five popular mystery books.
www.union.edu/Alumni
Council President Jason Oshins ’87 called the meeting to order at approximately 9:10 a.m. and he welcomed everyone to the meeting.
The Council observed a moment of silence for Albert S. Callan ’41, Dr. Samuel Portnoy ’42, William Sharkey ’43, and William Vivian ’43.
The Alumni Council membership now stands at 162 (down from a high of over 300). Eighty percent of the members donate (up from 67%). There are twenty-two alumni clubs (up from three clubs as of several years ago). Last year, Council members donated $225,000. However, we need to create more ownership through having more active Council members. Our members need to donate, as well as participate in alumni activities.
The minutes of the October 2005 Council meeting were approved for filing as written.
Frank Messa ’73 is co-chair of the campaign along with Mark Walsh ’76. John Wold ’36 is honorary chair. Frank stated that two of the most important initiatives this year at Union have been the hiring of the new Union College President and the approval of the Capital Campaign. The Campaign has many initiatives. The goal is $200 million. During the two years of the silent phase of the campaign, we topped our goal and raised $70 million in the period. We have now passed the $110 million mark. We have endowed five Minerva houses, endowed several terms abroad, built the Viniar Pavilion, and significantly enhanced Achilles Rink. Over 10,000 people have contributed to the campaign thus far. We have achieved an Annual Fund participation rate of over 40%; we should be at 50% as many top schools are. Frank thanked Interim Union College President James Underwood for his work this year in that role.
Interim President Underwood introduced incoming President Stephen C. Ainlay. He said that Ainlay will improve Union’s academic reputation because he is highly recognized for his own scholarship. He has leadership skills, and he also relates well to students, faculty, alumni, and parents.
Ainlay said that he immediately felt at home at Union College. He is struck by the Board of Trustees’ love of the college, as well as the beauty and history of Union. He cited Kathryn Quinn, assistant to the President, for all of her work. He thanked all the Union Vice Presidents for their leadership, and thanked Interim President Underwood for all he did for Union this year. He said that Union has a remarkable faculty, as well as dedicated alumni. Union has an extraordinary history and he mentioned several prominent Union College graduates who he has studied over the last months. He looks forward to working with everyone to make Union as great a leader in the landscape of American education as it always has been.
This year we had an all-time high number of applications, mirroring the national trends. We were able to increase selectivity, admitting just over 40% of the applicants. We had a record number of high-quality early decision candidates of great quality. We need to be competitive, but we don’t want to attract applicants only to reject them later. Lundquist thanked all alumni for representing Union. Secondary school educators surveyed said that Union is becoming more desirable; most importantly, 79% said that Union is attractive to better students. Andy Wisoff ’80 asked about the decrease in aid applications admitted; Lundquist said that for financial reasons we need to hold this number down and are able to hold the number at desired levels because of the increase in quantity and quality of applications. Whit Merrill ’94 asked about admissions statistics for students of color; Lundquist said that we had a record high percentage of the admit pool who were also students of color and that we are hosting admissions programs for students of color on and off campus. He described the admissions process as one where at least two people read every applicant’s papers; in selection committee mode Union tends to admit the student who doesn’t need aid (if all other qualities are equal). He also believes that slightly less needy students are applying (they may be scared by the price).
Patrick DiCerbo '88, National Chair - The Union Fund, presented a report with Director of Annual Giving Gail Dexter. We need to encourage more young alumni events in order to increase participation in the annual fund. Visibility has increased participation and dollars over a comparable period last year. Paul Wintrich ’60 asked if we have a study of giving trends from the time that Union went coed, but Gail Dexter said we focus on the last ten years of graduates in our studies. Bob Michaelson ’72 asked about donation patterns among female alums; Gail Dexter said that they give in equal percentages, but at lower dollar levels. Union is emphasizing the Women Connect program to encourage graduates to be in contact with current students. Union continually works to get more volunteers. Frank Taormina ’50 said we should look at indebtedness levels among recent graduates; high levels of debt will affect contributions. Tom Cummings ’81 (a CE major) said he is donating $100 as a sign of faith in the incoming president.
Cal Welch ‘62, Alumni Council Treasurer, presented the Treasurer’s report.
CD’s have staggered maturity dates. As they mature, the replacement CD’s will have higher interest rates. An error by MBNA had caused the MBNA income to be lower this year; MBNA is correcting that problem. Paul Wintrich ’60 asked if we can develop additional income from the MBNA arrangement; Welch said that there are two mailings targeting younger alums, but Nick Famulare ’92 stated that MBNA will not visit a small college to solicit additional business. Stu Cohen ’61 prepared the Council tax return and the audit.
Mark Webster ’88 presented his Senior Alumni Trustee report. The February meeting included the dedication of Sorum House as one of the Minerva Houses. The new Digital Arts Lab was dedicated and named for John Kelly III ’76, a member of the Board of Trustees. This Lab contains some of IBM’s most sophisticated computing equipment. Examples of the technology can be seen at http://cs.union.edu/digitalarts/. Webster went on to highlight the reports of each of the Trustee Committees, including Academic Affairs, Admissions and Student Affairs, Investments, Facilities and Environment, and Administration and Finance. The college is paying special attention to mentoring women in science and engineering. Chemistry Professor Mary Carroll ’86 has been named as Director of Undergraduate Research. The college is focusing on even further reducing vandalism incidents and related expenses.
Richard Killeen ’51, chair of the nominating committee presented the report. Members of the Committee included Sonia Pearson ’75, Louise Dunn ’76, Paul Rieschick ’74, and Michele DeSimone-Shellard ’83. The slate of nominees for Alumni Council officers, members-at-large, Alumni Gold Medal Recipient, Faculty Meritorious Service Award, and for the office of Alumni Trustee is one of the strongest and most outstanding slates in many years.
Officers:
Secretary – Karen Huggins ‘77
Treasurer – Calvin Welch ‘62
Current Members-At-Large Nominations:
Second Term:
Robin Chudy ‘92
Kelly Powers ‘99
Extended Term:
Jacob Hotchkiss ‘48
Michael Rapaport ‘59
Jessica Sanderson ‘98
New Members-At-Large Nominations:
Eric Sanderson ‘98
Robert Sussman ‘67
Alumni Gold Medal and Faculty Meritorious Service Awards:
Sigmund Giambruno ’51
Albert Nahmias ’66
Trustee Mark Walsh ’76
Head Football Coach John Audino will receive the Faculty Meritorious Service
Award.
Alumni Trustee
Robert Danziger ’79
There was a motion to accept the committee report. It was seconded and the Council voted to approve the report.
Our scholarship holder this year is Sandra Vega ’06. She is receiving approximately $17,000 in scholarship from us. The market value of the scholarship is $214,000, whereas the book value is $66,000.
The Council heard a wonderful presentation from several students who had gone to New Orleans as a group (organized by the students with the help of Campus Protestant Minister Viki Brooks-McDonald and Director of Residential Life Todd Clark). The group went over Winter Break to help victims of Hurricane Katrina. They raised money for their trip and worked on rehabilitation of house, schools, and churches.
(A) The Executive Committee had recommended a motion to make Charles Roden ’60 a Veteran member of the council. This was approved without discussion.
(B) The following motion was approved, as well.
''ALL ALUMNI COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE REQUIRED TO CONTRIBUTE FINANCIALLY TO THE COLLEGE
EACH YEAR. FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION WILL BE ONE OF THE DETERMINATIVE FACTORS TO
MEMBERSHIP IN THE COUNCIL."
There was discussion on this motion.
Paul Wintrich ’60 asked if we call or write non-donors; in fact, we do
that and some do donate. Jason Oshins noted that there is an expectation that
Council members are ambassadors of the college and that they will donate. Union
College ranks 56th in Alumni participation in the US News and World Report rankings,
whereas we rank 27th in academic reputation in that same compilation. Everyone
agreed that presentation of this requirement needs to be done graciously to
the members and to the non-donors.
The next meeting is October 14th (in conjunction with Homecoming).
The Council adjourned at approximately 12:10 p.m., pending the singing of the Alma Mater.
Respectfully submitted,
Karen Huggins ‘77 – Secretary