President Ainlay and his work often make the campus news, as well as local, regional and national media. Following are some of the stories that have appeared in recent years:
- February 18, 2013: Union receives $95,000 from foundations to support Adirondack initiatives
- February 16, 2013: College dedicates Kelly Adirondack Center
- November 9, 2012: 10 Minutes with Stephen Ainlay (Albany Business Review)
- October 20, 2012: Union to build new wellness center
- October 19, 2012: Trustees create scholarship to honor the Ainlays
- October 15, 2012: Green grants fuel innovative campus projects
- August 17, 2012: Union's Adirondack Center kicks off inaugural lecture and concert series
- June 15, 2012: President Ainlay speaks at the Mighty Waters Conference, hosted by Congressman Paul Tonko at Union.
- April 5, 2012: The president weighs in on the hockey team's trip to the NCAA Frozen Four and its impact on Union.
- March 17, 2012: President and Mrs. Ainlay are recognized for their support of the men's hockey team's historic season.
- October 28, 2011: The Board of Trustees extends President Ainlay's contract another five years, citing the energy and momentum he has brought to the College.
- May 21, 2011: The College officially dedicates the new Peter Irving Wold Center during ReUnion weekend; President Ainlay gives remarks during the ceremony.
- April 25, 2011: Under President Ainlay's leadership, the College acquires the home of Adirondack conservationist Paul Schaefer, along with its Adirondack Research Library.
- January 28, 2011: President Ainlay is invited to attend President Obama's address at the General Electric plant in Schenectady.
- January 10, 2011: Sixteen new projects are selected for Presidential Green Grants.
- October 27, 2010: President Ainlay receives the President's Award from the regional Leadership Council for Inclusion in honor of his efforts to enhance diversity.
- March 8, 2010: Presidential playlist: Ainlay rules radio for one night. | Video.
- November 5, 2009: President Stephen C. Ainlay takes to the classroom to lecture on a topic that first drew him into the field of sociology.
- June 30, 2009: Union College joins five other upstate New York colleges to form a collaborative consortium known as the New York Six.
- May 16, 2009: President Ainlay wins the 2009 Sphinx Award from the brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha in honor of his efforts to foster a spirit of diversity and mutual respect on campus.
- April 11, 2009: The College's renovation of a baseball field in Schenectady's Central Park draws attention from local press, including a photo of President Ainlay and Schenectady Mayor Brian Stratton throwing ceremonial balls.
- April 1, 2009: Goshen College in Indiana announces that alumnus Stephen C. Ainlay will give the April 26th commencement address titled "A Pilgrim's Mind."
