September 10, 2010: Volume 78, Number 1

216th Convocation marks new year for campus community

 

President Stephen C. Ainlay welcomed students, faculty and staff to the 2010-11 academic year during Union’s opening convocation in Memorial Chapel Tuesday.

Painting a portrait of a campus filled with the key ingredients for success – including outstanding people, programs and physical spaces, Ainlay said, “Let us all make the most of the remarkable community, the remarkable environment, the remarkable opportunities that we have.”

With this fall ushering in the 40^th anniversary of co-education at Union, he praised the men and women who make Union special.

“We live and work in a campus environment consistently judged as one of the best,” he observed. “We have a breadth of study envied by many… (and) we operate in an environment to which most institutions of higher learning can only dream and aspire.” 

Noting that Union’s Capital Campaign recently surpassed $200 million, he said, “The success of the campaign and the generosity of our supporters have allowed Union to move ahead when others have had to pause.”

To read the text of President Ainlay’s speech, click here.

The convocation to celebrate the College’s 216th year opened with remarks from William A. Finlay, College marshal and professor of Theater and Dance; Mark Walsh ’76, vice chairman of the Board of Trustees; Mark Walker, the John Bigelow Professor of History and chair of the Faculty Executive Committee; and Andrew Churchill ’11, Student Forum president.

Therese A. McCarty, the Stephen J. and Diane K. Ciesinski Dean of Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs, announced the Stillman Prize for Excellence in Teaching. This year’s recipient was Laurie Tyler, associate professor of chemistry. The prize was created by David I. Stillman ’72, Abbott Stillman ’69 and Allan Stillman in honor of Abraham Stillman, father and grandfather. It is given annually to a faculty member to encourage outstanding teaching.

McCarty also recognized the 676 students who made Dean’s List last year. Their names are on a plaque that will be displayed in Reamer Campus Center.

Sonika Raj ’13 gave a vocal performance of "Amor, preparami" from Il Pompeo by Alessandro Scarlatti. She received the Hollander Prize in Music, established by Lawrence J. Hollander, dean of engineering emeritus.

Accompanied on organ by Professor of Music Dianne McMullen, the Class of 2014 led Ode to Ole Union.

 

 

 

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