Union in the Media

By: Maura Driscoll '15

MaryKate Farber ’15 is the Kenney Community Center’s Volunteer of the Week.

A resident of the Wells House community service theme house, Farber dedicates much of her time to sponsoring various charity events each week with her house, as well as volunteering elsewhere.

As a first-year student, Farber participated in the community service pre-orientation and returned to it this year as a student leader.

Farber is also the president of U-ReBloom, a club that gathers flowers used at a variety of campus events and delivers them to local nursing homes, senior residences and other facilities. “I love going because you are able to see how having visitors really brightens the days of the residents,” she said.

Farber is a History and Art History double major from Oneonta, N.Y.

Edward Summers - Huff Post College

Edward Summers, the president's chief of staff, recently penned an op-ed for Huff Post College, calling for strict gun control laws.

To read the piece, click here.

Kristen Domonell - University Business

The Peter Irving Wold Center is featured in University Business magazine in an article about creating learning spaces that foster innovative thinking and collaboration.

By: Maura Driscoll '15

The Philosophy Department kicks off its speaker series this term on Thursday, Jan. 24 with Owen Flanagan, the James B. Duke Professor of Neurobiology at Duke University. He will discuss “The Meaning of Life in a Material World.”

The event will take place in Everest Lounge, Hale House, at 4:30 p.m.

Other dates and speakers in the series (same time and place, unless otherwise noted) are:

• Thursday, Feb. 7: George Sher of Rice University, “Wrongdoing and Relationships: The Problem of the Stranger”
• Thursday Feb. 21: Elisabeth Camp of University of Pennsylvania, “Why Metaphors Make Good Insults”
• Thursday March 7: Stephen Leighton of Queens University, “Aristotle on Fear and Tragedy”

In addition, the department will sponsor lunch talks, philosophical cafes, puzzle contests and a team to compete in the Ethics Bowl. Questions? Contact Chairman Leo Zaibert at zaibertl@union.edu.

Karen Bjornland - Daily Gazette

“Flashpoints,” a critically acclaimed portfolio of photographs by international photojournalist Gilles Peress, is on view in “Art or Evidence: The Power of Photojournalism,” at the Mandeville Gallery in the Nott Memorial. The exhibit opened Jan. 3 and runs through March 10.

To read a review in The Daily Gazette, click here.

By: Maura Driscoll '15

The Kenney Community Center’s Volunteer of the Week is Professor Mary O’Keeffe.

A public policy economist who teaches the College’s service-learning class, Eco 391: Income Tax Policy and Practice, as well as supervises the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, O’Keeffe has overseen IRS-certified student volunteers in preparing and filing free tax returns for low-income working families, senior citizens and disabled individuals in Schenectady.

O’Keeffe also contributes to the Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) on campus and is the founding director of the Albany Area Math Circle, an effort that grew from her volunteer work in local public schools. She is co-organizer of the Math Prize for Girls at MIT, where she works with hundreds of enthusiastic young women in mathematics.

In May, O’Keeffe received the Kenney Center’s award for Outstanding Volunteer Service to Union College and the Schenectady Community. “We admire Mary O’Keeffe so much for the incredible dedication and desire to help the community in so many ways,” said Janet Sweeney, Kenney Center assistant director.

On Feb. 6, O'Keeffe will be hosting a luncheon talk at Messa House about her community math outreach work, focusing on the mathematical leadership and community collaborative opportunities that her math circle initiatives provide to young women. It is also the keynote talk for President Ainlay's annual Commission on the Status of Women meeting. For those interested, RSVPs can be sent to Professor Sheri Lullo at lullos@union.edu.

Scott Waldman - Times Union

Christopher Chabris, associate professor of psychology, got to spin his science recently on the stage of “Ingenious Nature,” a theatrical mixtape that recently completed its run at the SoHo Playhouse.

To read more in the Times Union, click here.

Chad Orzel, associate professor and chair of the Physics and Astronomy Department, published an invited review article in the Comments on Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics series in the journal Physica Scripta. "Searching for New Physics Through Atomic, Molecular and Optical Precision Measurements," describes a number of experiments that are searching for physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics.

Richard Wilk, professor of mechanical engineering, has been appointed chair of the Schenectady County Environmental Advisory Council. SCEAC advises the county legislature and provides a liaison between the community and county government on issues related to environmental quality and natural resources.

Jordan Hastings ’13 participated in a post-graduation alumni panel at his alma mater, Cambridge Central School in Cambridge, N.Y. Hastings spoke about the freedom of college and how students should create a working structure for staying organized to be successful after high school.

Chief Information Officer Ellen Borkowski has been appointed chair of the 2013 EDUCAUSE Professional Development Committee. EDUCAUSE is a nonprofit that works to advance higher education through information technology.

The Artists in Music Awards have nominated Jermaine Wells’s band, Ill Funk Ensemble, for Best R&B/Soul Artist. AIM’s mission is to entertain, recognize and represent some of the finest emerging music artists from around the world. The award ceremony will take place on Feb. 7 in Hollywood, and people can vote for the group by clicking here. Wells is the media coordinator for academic and special events.

Carin Perilloux, visiting assistant professor of psychology, led a discussion on “Sexual Misperception: She’s Just Not That Into You,” at Binghamton University. The talk focused on her research on the conflict of the sexes and physical attractiveness.

Christopher Chabris, associate professor of psychology, co-authored an article in the Wall Street Journal. Chabris, along with his research partner Daniel Simons of the University of Illinois, discussed popular neuromyths, including how humans use only 10 percent of their brains. Click here to see an additional story about Chabris on stage with rapper and playwright Baba Brinkman in New York City's SoHo Playhouse.

John Garver, professor of geology, was awarded a $26,666 grant from the Keck Geology Consortium to support his research project with a colleague from Carleton College. The grant continues to fund a multi-year project focused on understanding the tectonic evolution of the Chugach-Prince William terrane in south central Alaska. Also, Garver was recently featured in a Times Union story regarding Mohawk River flooding. As part of the state’s Mohawk River committee, he reviewed the federal government’s plan to mitigate flooding along eight river dams along a 40-mile stretch of the Erie Canal.

Research by Cay Anderson-Hanley, associate professor of psychology, was featured in The Scientist magazine. In pilot studies, she found that patients with autism spectrum disorders performed better on cognitive tests and showed less disruptive behavior after playing exercise games like "Dance, Dance Revolution."

By: Maura Driscoll '15

Aude Bechu ’16 is the Kenney Community Center’s Volunteer of the Week.

Bechu participated in the community service pre-orientation program, where she volunteered locally. She also volunteered at John Calvin Toll Day of Service, and is a member of the Environmental Club, Equestrian Club and the Multifaith Forum.

During winter break, Bechu worked at Pegasus, a therapeutic horseback riding center in her town. “The little things, like talking to a child on the horse and helping them steer, helped a kid achieve more independence and confidence,” she said.

Bechu is also the Kenney Center’s most dedicated member of the Homework Help after school program, where she assists local children with their work and plays games with them.

“We really appreciate Aude’s dedication to the program and that she came every week,” said Janet Sweeney, program director.

Originally from North Salem, N.Y., Bechu is a chemistry major.

Kelly de la Rocha - Daily Gazette

In 2010, Union installed three 1.2 kilowatt wind turbines near the soccer fields adjacent to College Park Hall. In addition to providing energy savings, the turbines are also used as a teaching tool.

To read how in a recent story in the Daily Gazette, click here.

To read a release on when the turbines were installed, click here.