David Jadin has been at Union for about three-and-a-half years and finds that he “grows more connected to this community every single day.” The director of major gifts in the Office of College Relations, he loves traveling around the country meeting alumni and donors to enhance Union for the entire campus community. He feels fortunate to get to know many graduates and friends of the College who want to help ensure it is thriving.
“Their passion and willingness to support our students will never cease to amaze me,” he said.
David Jadin with wife, Kristen, and their kids, Callie (5) and Dominic (3).
In his spare time, Jadin is working on a Ph.D. in higher education leadership, with a dissertation focused on philanthropy and strategic leadership for sustainability at small liberal arts colleges. When he’s not working on his dissertation or at Union, he spends as much time as possible with his family. Jadin lives in Niskayuna with his wife, Kristen, and their two kids, Callie (5) and Dominic (3).
He and his family love being in the pool or at the beach, riding bikes, hiking, golfing and having pizza on Friday nights. Having grown up in Minnesota, Jadin is accustomed to the cold and is very thankful that his kids love skating, hockey, sledding and snowball fights.
Jadin also enjoys traveling. A trip to Austria and Germany was one of his favorites. He spent several days in Vienna, Innsbruck, and capped the trip off with New Year’s Eve in Munich.
“A separate and incredibly memorable travel experience (that may have been ill-advised) came after my study abroad in college, when my best friend and I stayed with a complete stranger for two nights in Venice,” he said. “We hadn’t booked accommodations and the hostel our host, Uncle George, ran was completely booked. It turned out that it was an incredible decision as he made us cappuccino in the morning, told us about the best spots off the beaten path, and waited for us at the bus stop to be sure we were safe after a long day of sightseeing!”
FIRST APP YOU LOOK AT IN THE MORNING:
Spotify. I almost always start the day with a workout, and loud music or a good podcast helps kickstart my body.
WHAT ARE YOU READING?
Most of my reading is academic research or news about higher ed at the moment, but the book I finished most recently was "The Happiest Man on Earth" by Eddie Jaku. The book recounts his experience surviving the Holocaust and the way he lived his life to 101 years of age.
WHAT ARE YOU WATCHING?
Always Green Bay Packers football, whatever my kids are watching (I love “Bluey!”), and my wife and I have been working on “The Diplomat,” though the third season has not held our attention the way the first two did.
BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU RECEIVED:
I can’t recall the exact situation or possession I was upset about, but when I was young, I recall my dad telling me, “Don’t worry, it’s just a thing.” What he meant was, material possessions are not a big deal, and I shouldn’t get so worked up about them. I was able to give him that same wisdom a few weeks ago we he was very upset about a massive dent in his car after an accident. I reminded him that he was okay and so was my mom and the car would be fine.
ONE SKILL YOU WISH YOU HAD:
I wish I could play an instrument. Specifically, piano or guitar. People who can play an instrument always seem to be a touch more interesting.
THREE DINNER PARTY GUESTS (living or deceased):
The real answer is my wife and two kids, but I have that dinner party most nights. So, I will say Jimmy Buffett, Herb Brooks and Albert Einstein. I truly cannot imagine what they would talk about, but it would be interesting to witness.
LITTLE KNOWN FACT ABOUT YOU:
I am in the top .03% of Jimmy Buffett listeners on Spotify. Thanks, Spotify Wrapped.
FAVORITE UNION MEMORY/EXPERIENCE:
The first time I brought my family to campus during Homecoming weekend in the fall of 2022. Part of the reason I wanted to work at Union was for exactly that type of experience for my family, and seeing how welcoming the community was confirmed all my hopes.
ONE THING YOU CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT:
My wife.
WHICH LIVING PERSON DO YOU MOST ADMIRE?
My parents. They are best friends, always together, and have sacrificed for me and my sister in ways I didn’t understand until I had kids of my own.