all Union in the Media Archive

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Scott Greenberger to give Founders Day keynote address at Union College

Journalist Scott Greenberger, author of “The Unexpected President: The Life and Times of Chester A. Arthur,” was the keynote speaker at Founders Day. The event commemorates the 223rd anniversary of the College’s charter, the first granted to a college by the Board of Regents of the State of New York.

Greenberger was a guest on WAMC, Northeast Public Radio's The Roundtable.

Northeast Public Radio is a member of National Public Radio serving parts of seven northeastern states. These include New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, New Jersey, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania.

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Union College's new president is first African-American to lead the college

David R. Harris, Ph.D., a sociologist with a distinguished record as an innovative teacher, scholar and administrator, has been named the 19th president of Union College. His term begins July 1, 2018.

A number of local and regional outlets covered the announcement, including the Times Union, Daily Gazette and WAMC.

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Washington Snipped Here? College Says It Found Prez's Hair

An ongoing inventory of archival collections at Schaffer Library has uncovered a historic find: a rare lock of hair belonging to George Washington hidden inside a long-forgotten book.

“This is a very significant treasure,” said India Spartz, head of Special Collections and Archives. “It’s a tremendous testament to history and our connection to some of the most important historical figures.”

The discovery has been reported in hundreds of media outlets, including the New York Times, Washington Post, Fox News, CNN, USA Today, NBC News and NPR.

Mary Esch of the Associated Press visited campus to report on the discovery. Her story appeared in hundreds of outlets across the world, including U.S. News and World Report.

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Why Union College graduate Chester A. Arthur is an underrated leader

Journalist Scott Greenberger, author of “The Unexpected President: The Life and Times of Chester A. Arthur,” will deliver the keynote address at Founders Day Thursday, Feb. 22, at 1 p.m. in Memorial Chapel.

The event commemorates the 223rd anniversary of the College’s charter.

The country's 21st president, Arthur was a member of the Class of 1848.

In advance of the event, the Daily Gazette took a look at Arthur's presidency.

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Finding a Lock of George Washington’s Hair, and a Link to American History

An ongoing inventory of archival collections at Schaffer Library has uncovered a historic find: a rare lock of hair belonging to George Washington hidden inside a long-forgotten book.

“This is a very significant treasure,” said India Spartz, head of Special Collections and Archives. “It’s a tremendous testament to history and our connection to some of the most important historical figures.”

The discovery has been reported in hundreds of media outlets, including the New York Times, Washington Post, Fox News, CNN, USA Today, NBC News and NPR.

The New York Times ran a story on its front page.

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A college says it found an old clump of George Washington’s hair. Hooray!

An ongoing inventory of archival collections at Schaffer Library has uncovered a historic find: a rare lock of hair belonging to George Washington hidden inside a long-forgotten book.

“This is a very significant treasure,” said India Spartz, head of Special Collections and Archives. “It’s a tremendous testament to history and our connection to some of the most important historical figures.”

The discovery has been reported in hundreds of media outlets, including the Washington Post, New York Times, Fox News, CNN, USA Today, NBC News and NPR.

Publication Date

Lock of Washington's hair discovered at Union College

An ongoing inventory of archival collections at Schaffer Library has uncovered a historic find: a rare lock of hair belonging to George Washington hidden inside a long-forgotten book.

“This is a very significant treasure,” said India Spartz, head of Special Collections and Archives. “It’s a tremendous testament to history and our connection to some of the most important historical figures.”

The discovery has been reported in hundreds of media outlets, including the New York Times, Washington Post, Fox News, CNN, USA Today, NBC News and NPR.

The Times Union in Albany, N.Y. was the first to report the discovery.

Publication Date

Union College hosts fundraiser for student who died from epilepsy complications

Union’s chapter of Alpha Phi Omega (APO) hosted a fundraiser in honor of Alexander Askenazy ’20 Sunday, Feb. 11, at Messa Rink.

The 19-year-old passed away in his residence hall last October from an existing medical condition.

“Skate for Alex” included skating and trivia.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy (CURE).

A number of media outlets covered the event:

  • WTEN (ABC affiliate)
  • WNYT (NBC affiliate)
  • Spectrum News
Publication Date

Friends honor Union student who died from epilepsy

Union’s chapter of Alpha Phi Omega (APO) hosted a fundraiser in honor of Alexander Askenazy ’20. The 19-year-old passed away in his residence hall last October from an existing medical condition.

“Skate for Alex” included skating and trivia.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy (CURE).

The Daily Gazette previewed the event.

Publication Date

Union hosts joint physics meeting

Union hosted the fall joint meeting of New York State Section of American Physical Society and Astronomical Society of New York.

More than 242 participants attended the meeting, 119 of those being graduate and undergraduate students.

The theme of our meeting was Gravitational Waves. Jennifer Fredricks, Dean of Academic Departments and Programs, gave opening remarks and officially opened the meeting. The event included over a dozen talks and 55 student poster presentations.

Rainer Weiss, the 2017 Nobel Prize winner in Physics and professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, delivered a keynote speech on “The Remarkable Gamble the National Science Foundation took with LIGO.”

Union College has a long-standing history in supporting ASNY and NYSSAPS. Faculty have played crucial roles in establishing or maintaining them. A. G. Davis Philip, former visiting research professor at the College, was a founder of ASNY and served as secretary and treasurer for more than 30 years. Rebecca Koopman ’89, chair of the Physics and Astronomy Department, has served as secretary for ASNY over the last 16 years. Samuel Amanuel, associate professor of physics and astronomy, has served on NYSSAPS’ executive committee since 2015.

The Department of Physics and Astronomy would like to acknowledge financial support from Dean of Academic Departments and Programs and Dean of Faculty; also, non-financial support from Society of Physics students, Chemistry, Biology, ITS, College Relations, Athletics, Facilities and Dining Services.