September 10, 1999: Volume 47, Number 1

College Opens Year With Profiles in Courage

President Roger Hull invited Union's newest students to join in the College's tradition of "following the courage of their convictions" during his address at the opening convocation on Tuesday.

"Members of the class have a wide range of interests, and if they are anything like the students already here, they will add lively and new perspectives in many, many ways," the president said.

Hull began with examples of courage from Union's early history – the founding of the College by frontier settlers; Eliphalet Nott's 62-year presidency and his introduction of modern languages, sciences and a planned campus; the purchase of Alaska through William Seward, Class of 1828; and U.S. President Chester Arthur's (Class of 1848) dismantling of the patronage system.

Citing more recent alumni, he spoke of Gordon Gould '41 and his long battle against large corporations to secure his claim as an inventor of the laser; Norton Reamer '58, who turned his tiny investment office into United Asset Management with portfolios of more than $200 billion; and Andrea Barrett '74, who left biology to write, earning the National Book Award for Ship Fever in 1996.

He also cited Frank Federici '98, who spoke out against hazing, and earned the Bailey Cup for his contributions for reforming the Greek system; Mikhail Iossel, writer in residence, who supported himself as an engineer and night watchman before emigrating from his native Russia; and Prof. Steven Sargent, who left a career in engineering to teach history.

The College has followed the courage of its conviction as well, Hull said, sending the largest contingent of students to the National Conference on Undergraduate Research, volunteering with the local organizations like Big Brothers-Big Sisters, and investing in the College Park neighborhood.

Bonney MacDonald, associate professor of English, received the Stillman Prize for Excellence in Teaching.

Of MacDonald, one student wrote in her nomination, "I hated Emerson when I had to read him in high school, but I truly enjoyed him in (Prof. MacDonald's) class." Another wrote, "Her enthusiasm kept me awake at 8:40 classes in winter term."

MacDonald thanked her students and colleagues, saying, "When intellectual vigor and true dialogue take place in the classroom, there's nothing like it."

Julia Naftulin '02 received the Phi Beta Kappa Prize for outstanding achievement in General Education. Maureen Farrell '02 received honorable mention.

In a reception prior to the convocation, the College recognized 629 students who last year made the dean's list. Their names appear on a plaque in the Reamer Campus Center.

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