September 13, 1996: Volume 38, Number 1

Stand For Something, President Urges

On a day that seemed to feature the word quot;transformation," President Roger Hull on Sunday called on students to undertake some "personal transformation" by working to make a difference in the community.

"I personally believe that we must all take stands and that we must all stand for something," he said. "Stand for children, stand for the homeless, stand for the poor, stand for the environment, stand for education, stand for the disabled -- but stand."

Hull urged the students to register and vote -- and to do so in Schenectady, where "you will spend the lion's share of your time during the next four years."

The president acknowledged the members of the Class of 2000, who already had made a contribution to the city and Schenectady 2000 by planting shrubs and trees, painting bridges, and cleaning parks and streets. Hull added that he hoped the experience would encourage future involvement by Union students.

He also introduced a number of initiatives already under way: Big Brothers and Big Sisters, tutoring, rebuilding homes on Hamilton Hill, mentoring programs and Youth Olympics.

"No one can be said to be liberally educated unless he or she recognizes that there is an obligation to contribute something back to the society in which one lives," Hull said. "Since you now live here, I hope that you will vote and volunteer here and that you will make this community a better one -- for you and for all those who live in it."

John I. Garver, assistant professor of geology, was awarded the Stillman prize for excellence in teaching.

The award was created by Abbott L. Stillman '69, member of the College's Board of Trustees, David Stillman '72, and Allan Stillman in honor of Abraham Stillman, father and grandfather. Faculty members are nominated by students for the award, which is given to encourage outstanding teaching.

Garver, who graduated with a bachelor's degree in geology with honors from Middlebury College, earned his Ph.D. from the University of Washington at Seattle. Before coming to Union, he worked for the British Columbia Department of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources.

Garver has been the president of the New York Geological Association, has edited a guidebook of field trips for the association, and has presented at several professional conferences. Garver is also the author of many published works and has received several research grants during his more than six years at Union.

Robert S. Sharlet, professor of political science, was named the Chauncey H. Winters Professor of Political Science.

The professorship is supported by a bequest from Chauncey H. Winters, Class of 1912, who was president of the Bank of Richmondville (N.Y.). Mr. Winters graduated at the age of 19 as class valedictorian and a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He joined the bank of Richmondville in 1914 as a teller and over the years gave the village gifts valued at more than $700,000, including fire equipment and a municipal building. He left his estate to Union College and 10 Bank of Richmondville employees.

Sharlet received his bachelor's degree from Brandeis University and earned a Ph.D. from Indiana University. A specialist in Russian and post-Soviet law and politics, he recently served as coordinator for institution building in the Washington office of the Rule of Law program, assisting former Soviet republics. He is the author of six books and more than 100 chapters, essays, and journal articles, he has testified before Congress and been a frequent source to the national and international press. He has been a member of the Union faculty since 1967.

Shayna C. Roberts '99 received the Phi Beta Kappa prize for outstanding achievement in General Education. Roberts, a resident of Nassau, the Bahamas, is a 1995 graduate of Saint Augustine's School.

The convocation also honored more than 500 dean's list students whose names have been affixed to a plaque in the Reamer Campus Center.

<< Previous Story F.W. Olin Foundation Awards...

Next Story >> A Vision Of Becoming Better: