all Union in the Media Archive

In their controversial 2014 book, “The Triple Package: How Three Unlikely Traits Explain the Rise and Fall of Cultural Groups in America,” legal scholars Amy Chua and her husband, Jed Rubenfeld, attempted to explain why some groups “do strikingly better than others in terms of wealth, position and other conventional measures of success.”

The theory received widespread attention, in part because Chua had touched off an intense debate earlier with her bestseller, “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother.”

But a recent study by two Union College psychology professors finds there is little evidence to support the idea of the so-called triple package.

Instead, Joshua Hart and Christopher Chabris counter that intelligence, conscientiousness and economic advantage are the most likely elements of success, regardless of ethnicity.

The study, published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences, received widespread media attention when released in the spring.

Scientific American is the latest to weigh in.

To read the clip, click here.

For decades, some believe the ghost of Alice Van der Veer reappears in Jackson's Garden on the first full moon of summer.

WAMC's Listen With The Lights On is a podcast dive into the strange, mysterious and occult.

The latest episode examines the possibility of a ghost haunting Jackson's Garden.

WAMC, 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.

Sydney Paluch '17 and David Olio '17 are the latest recipients of a summer research fellowship program offered through the Kelly Adirondack Center.

To read about their projects in the Sunday Gazette, click here.

To read a story on Union's news site, click here.

Students participating in Union’s annual EDGE camp helped adapt some toys for kids with special needs at the Langan School in Albany.

To watch a news clip on WTEN-10, the local ABC affiliate, click here.

Since 2002, the College has hosted a two-week summer program, “Educating Girls for Engineering.” With a dearth of women enrolled in undergraduate engineering programs, the camp encourages high school juniors and seniors from across the country to consider careers in engineering.

This summer, the College is restoring a monument dedicated in honor of John Howard Payne, who attended Union between 1806 and 1808. Payne is the author of the popular ballard, "Home, Sweet Home."

Built in 1911 and dedicated at the College’s 115th commencement, the 67-ton monument is the centerpiece of Payne Gate, a 90-foot-wide gateway that replaced the Blue Gate as Union’s main entrance. It was designed by George B. Post & Sons, the architect of Alumni Gymnasium.

To read a story in the Times Union, click here.

To read about the project on the College's news site, click here.

Union alumni Rich and Mary Templeton (both from the Class of 1980) were the commencement speakers at Southern Methodist University.

Rich is the CEO of Texas Instruments, and Mary is a financial analyst and computer scientist. The couple, who are dedicated philanthropists and civic leaders, shared their inspiring story. Mary was paralyzed two years ago in a swimming accident.

Chad Orzel, associate professor of physics, appeared on the popular NPR program, "Here and Now," to talk about Americans’ basic science understanding, and how much it matters.

A live production from NPR and WBUR Boston, in collaboration with public radio stations across the country, "Here and Now" reflects the "fluid world of news as it’s happening, with timely, smart and in-depth news and conversation."

The interview was part of the program's weeklong series on the state of science in America.

To listen, click here.

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker was the featured speaker at Union’s 222nd Commencement on Hull Plaza Sunday. It was one of Union’s largest graduating classes, with 550 members of the Class of 2016.

More than a two dozen media outlets mentioned the ceremony, including the Associated Press and the Boston Globe.

View a photo gallery in the Times Union

Jennifer Hutchins '90 was recently featured in the Portland Press Herald. The story focused on her new job as executive director of the Maine Association of Nonprofits.

At Union, Jennifer was involved in Gamma Phi Beta and Mountebanks, and a spent a term abroad in France. Read the story here.

Dr. Patrick O’Connor '78, a professor of medicine at Yale School of Medicine and a past president of the American Board of Addiction Medicine, was recently quoted in The New York Times. The story focused on the death of Prince and the pop star’s struggle with pain and reliance on opioids – something that resonates with thousands of patients who have endured similar battles to manage pain.

During his time at Union, O'Connor was involved with student government.

Read the story here.