February 2018 News Archive

Pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard performs on Sunday, March 4 at 3 p.m. in Memorial Chapel.

Bradley Hays, associate professor of political science, was a recent guest on "Congressional Corner" on WAMC, Northeast Public Radio. He discussed the pledge by Gov. Cuomo to oust New York Republicans from Congress.

An article co-authored by Michael Hagerman, professor of chemistry, and Rebecca Cortez, associate professor of mechanical engineering, was published in Material Letters. “Improving Conductivity in Carbon Nanotube Percolating Networks Through Inclusion of Laponite Nanoparticles” is also co-authored by Lukas Valdman, a Czech exchange student, and Don Dobbs, retired research assistant.

I am pleased to add my welcome to this 223rd anniversary of the charter bestowed on Union College by the New York Board of Regents in 1795. I want to give a special welcome to the members of our Board of Trustees who join us today: Chair of the Board, John Kelly, former Board Chair and Trustee Frank Messa, Trustee Bill Perlstein, Student Trustees Michael Lippman and Sarah Taha, and Faculty Trustees Megan Ferry and Scott Kirkton.

Thank you Chairman Kelly, President Ainlay, trustees, faculty, staff and students. It’s an honor to be here to help mark Founders Day.

I’ll start by setting a scene.

In the United States, amazing new technologies are creating vast fortunes—but only for a select few. Many other Americans are stuck in poverty, and the gap between rich and poor has grown to an unprecedented level.

In poll after poll of rankings of U.S. presidents, Union’s own Chester A. Arthur is typically near the bottom. Few Americans are familiar with his story, and he appears destined to be known more for his prominent mutton-chop sideburns than his political acumen.

But there may be a shift in Arthur’s standing as one of history’s most obscure presidents.

This year’s ADAY4U was another one-day fundraiser for the record books.

The goal was to reach 1,795 donors in a single day, which would unlock an additional $200 per gift from the Union trustees. While numbers continue to be finalized, 2,414 donors gave $365,683. Including the trustee match $482,800, donors gave a total of $848,483 to the College's Annual Fund Wednesday. 

The Kim-Watkins-Chien Piano Trio performs on Sunday, Feb. 25 at 3 p.m. in Memorial Chapel.

Violinist Soovin Kim, cellist Paul Watkins (Emerson Quartet), and pianist Gloria Chien join together for a special program of piano trios spanning three centuries. The afternoon features Beethoven’s E-flat major Trio, Op. 70, No. 2, Vermont composer Pierre Jalbert’s Trio No. 2, and Brahms’s classic C-major Trio, Op. 87.

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.