Union College Magazine, Summer 2026

Alumni physicians describe a healthcare system stretched thin

SUMMER 2026

Volume 119 // Number 2

ON THE FRONT COVER

Dr. Jamie Flerlage ‘05, division chief for pediatric hematology/ oncology at the University of Rochester’s Golisano Children’s Hospital, with her 8-month-old patient, Joseph Siracuse, and his mother, Nicole Siracuse.

VICE PRESIDENT FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING

Mark Land

ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT FOR CONTENT STRATEGY

Christen Gowan

EDITOR

Erin DeMuth Judd demuthje@union.edu

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Phillip Wajda

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Paul Buckowski

Shawn LaChapelle

DESIGN

2k Design

PRINTING Lane Press

Union

is published twice a year by the Union College Office of Communications, Schenectady, N.Y. 12308. The telephone is (518) 388-6131. Non-profit flat rate postage is paid at Schenectady, N.Y., and an additional mailing office.

Postmaster: Send address changes to Office of Communications, Union College, Schenectady, N.Y. 12308-3169.

Alumni who want to inform the College about changes of address should contact the Alumni Office at (518) 388-6168 or via e-mail at alumni@union.edu. The same phone number and e-mail address should be used to correspond about ReUnion, Homecoming, alumni club events, and other activities.

Students take part in the residency of the Paperhand Puppet Project, out of North Carolina, at the Feigenbaum Center for Visual Arts, recently.

This scarcity affects us all: Alumni physicians discuss healthcare provider shortage

We’ve all experienced the days to months-long wait to see a doctor or receive care—either ourselves or through a loved one. Two alumni physicians discuss what’s behind this healthcare provider shortage, how we might address it and the struggle they and their patients face every day.

Union’s CARE program turns 10

As the Community Action, Research and Education Program turns 10—and celebrates a decade of serving hospice patients—alumni, faculty and students reflect on its impact.

The road to Steinmetz

Each May, hundreds of students showcase their creative and scholarly work during Steinmetz Symposium. But all the performances and talks presented that day take months to prepare. Here’s just a glimpse at some of the research, refining and rehearsing that goes into getting ready for the big day.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

A MOMENTOUS FIRST YEAR

It was a grand sendoff for the Class of 2026 at Union’s 232nd Commencement, with stirring speeches, eloquent blessings from Jewish and Muslim faith leaders, bagpipes and drums, the traditional recessional through the Nott’s west door, and the exuberant throwing of caps.

Our Commencement speaker, John Kelly ’76, reflected on his journey from Union graduation exactly 50 years ago to a career shaping the frontiers of technology, reminding graduates that, while they will also experience dramatic changes in the world, Union has prepared them to lead with wisdom, empathy, and courage. Student speaker, Miyah Falk ’26, noted how every generation sustains and reshapes the traditions that define Union, as she has done while following in the footsteps of her Union alumni parents. And in a splendid bit of serendipity, the day concluded on a full circle moment as Shayne Gostisbehere ‘15, a star of Union’s 2014 national championship hockey team, won the Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes and gave a lovely shout-out to the College.

For my husband Jeff and me, Commencement closed the arc of our first year at Union. And what a year it has been!

We were thrilled to experience the high quality of undergraduate research at Steinmetz Day, to applaud our musicians, dancers, and actors at stellar performances from Mozart to Bizet to “Pippin,” and to cheer on the Garnet Chargers who broke numerous program records, won two Liberty League championships, made multiple NCAA tournament appearances, and garnered two bronze medals—in the NCAA high jump and Olympics women’s ice hockey.

We celebrated student entrepreneurs at SparkLab, grabbed trash bags and tongs for a community cleanup on John Calvin Toll Day, and I even joined 240 students for The Dip, plunging into ice cold water in 29-degree weather to support a Colleges Against Cancer fundraiser.

Meetings with Union alumni spanning eight decades has been another highlight. From centenarians to GOLDs (Graduates of the Last Decade), our alumni impress with their drive, energy, and passion. From California to Florida, Texas to Boston, Washington to New York, I was inspired and heartened by my conversations with Union graduates. On four occasions—in Fort Lauderdale, Westchester County, and at Homecoming and ReUnion, I had the honor of introducing legendary professor Steve Berk for riveting lectures on history and current affairs to alumni.

Time and again, I have seen alumni step up to support Union, recruiting prospective students, hiring interns, and contributing to the Union Fund.

Next year will be an inflection point for us, as we receive and act on the results of our strategic positioning study. This study, which used simulated decision modeling with Union inquirers and admitted applicants, will provide a rigorous data-informed roadmap to drive enrollment growth. It will require everyone—faculty, staff, Trustees, and alumni—to work together. I am confident that we will rise to the occasion. As Miyah, our student speaker reminded us, every generation is called to sustain Union’s magic while reshaping it for a new era.

I look forward to the journey ahead!

ELIZABETH KISS, D. Phil .

Coming back together:

REUNION 2026

ReUnion 2026 was a special one for Bernard Carey ’76, not only because it was his 50th, but because his son, Bernard Carey II ’04, came back to campus with him. Together, they are Union’s first alumni of color legacy family.

Joined by other graduates and their families, the Careys enjoyed a weekend (May 15-17) that featured outstanding weather, all the perennial favorites—like the Alumni Parade and fireworks—and much more.

For more ReUnion highlights, visit union.edu/news or facebook.com/unioncollege.

A new look for Union’s magazine

DEAR ALUMNI:

Early in 2025, we asked ourselves: Are we giving you what you need—and want—in the Union College magazine?

The answer, based on last summer’s alumni survey, was encouraging—yes, but we can do better.

You told us you want more stories about alumni, about Union and about the impact and relevance of both in the world today. You want to know how your peers contribute to society. You want clearer insight into the College’s priorities and programs, and how it is navigating a changing higher education landscape.

This feedback from alumni—including members of the Board of Trustees, President’s Council and Alumni Council—guided a redesign of the magazine, which launches with this issue. We’re grateful for the candor and insight, particularly from Kate White ’72, who graciously shared her decades of experience. She spent 14 years as editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan and is a New York Times bestselling author. (See p. 29 for more on her most recent book.)

With this refreshed design, you’ll notice a stronger visual approach to features and more dynamic storytelling throughout, plus an expanded focus on the roles that alumni and Union play in matters across the globe. Our goal is to bring you stories that connect to real life, while keeping you informed about the College.

This refreshed design reflects Union’s continued growth, but also its beloved history and character.

We hope you enjoy what’s new, and we welcome your continued feedback as we move ahead.

Sincerely,

ERIN DEMUTH JUDD Editor

Celebrating Union’s founding

The featured speaker at Founders Day (Feb. 26) was Judith G. Dein ’76, a federal magistrate judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts who served as its chief magistrate judge from 2009-12. Dein reflected on the relevance of Union’s values since its founding to today’s world, where “truths which have been considered self-evident throughout my lifetime, ranging from the treatment of our fellow human beings to the foundation of our democracy being based on the existence of three co-equal branches of government, are constantly being challenged.”

To learn more about this celebration of the 231st anniversary of Union’s founding, visit union.edu/news

Language skills are life & career skills

”Studying Russian at Union shaped the trajectory of my life,” said Luke Wochensky ’02. “I use Russian almost daily in my legal practice, which allows me to work directly with colleagues and authorities in central Asia. Union gave me the confidence to pursue a career that is international.”

Wochensky lives in East Aurora, N.Y., but works abroad as a partner at Kinstellar, a leading law firm in central and eastern Europe, southeast Europe and central Asia. He speaks Russian and English with native fluency, and Slovak and French with intermediate fluency.

Michele Ricci Bell, associate professor of German and chair of the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures, wants all students to know the value of language skills like Wochensky’s.

“Language and interpersonal communication consistently remain top priorities employers seek,” she said. “Nine out of 10 employers rely on U.S.-based employees with

multilanguage and intercultural skills—32% depend highly on these employees.”

Which is why Bell and her colleagues, Megan Ferry, professor of Chinese, and Kristin Bidoshi, professor of Russian, have embarked on a new project—“Language in Present Tense: Modeling, Mentoring and Mapping Language Proficiency for Career Readiness.”

The project, funded by a competitive grant from the Modern Language Association, is a multi-pronged approach designed to promote awareness of the career-ready skills afforded by foreign language study— as well as the value of Union’s multilingual community. Get the details at union.edu/news.

The initiative also seeks to build a network between students and alumni who are using their language skills across fields and professions. Alumni interested in participating are welcome to contact Michele Ricci Bell at riccibem@union.edu.

Luke Wochensky ’02 speaks at Compliance Day in Prague. He lives in East Aurora, N.Y., but works abroad as a partner at Kinstellar, a leading law firm in central and eastern Europe, southeast Europe and central Asia.

Megan Ferry, professor of Chinese, teaches a class.

Congrats to the Class of 2026!

More than 500 members of the Class of 2026 graduated June 14 during Union’s 232nd Commencement. The students represented 30 states and the District of Columbia, and 20 countries.

John Kelly III ’76, a technology pioneer and one of the driving forces behind advanced computing and artificial intelligence research, delivered the keynote address. The student speaker was Miyah Falk ’26. A record nine students in the class earned the distinction of valedictorian: Mehir Badlani Cora Bessette, Karmen Gill, Ava Hubert, Vishaal Nayagam, Katherine Robinson, Allison Shelley, Mai Tran and Ha Truong. Sarah Zeidalkilani earned the distinction of salutatorian.

For more on Commencement, visit union.edu/news

Welcoming another grad to the Union (and Smith) family

ROGER SMITH ’94

Major: Economics

Favorite class:

Professor Stephen Berk’s Holocaust class

Favorite off-campus hangout: Geppettos and Brandywine Diner for late night gravy fries

My core Union memory is attending all of the 2014 NCAA hockey tournament games with my family and parents and seeing the team win the national championship.

Commencement is a singular experience for all Union families. And for those like the Smiths, it’s extra special.

“Jackson is the fourth generation in our family to attend Union,” said Piper Smith ’95 and Roger Smith ’94. “We feel very sentimental about our son’s graduation and the many traditions our family has built at Union, both together and individually!”

(Smith family alumni include Piper’s father, David Lawrence ’65; Roger’s stepfather, Charles Roden ’60; Piper’s grandfather, Joseph Lawrence ’39, and her sister, Amanda Lawrence Kurstin ’99.)

Here’s a fun look at some of the Smith family’s favorite Union things. Check out what’s the same and what’s different across two generations.

JACKSON SMITH ’26

Major: Economics & minor in environmental studies

Favorite class:

Professor Stephen Berk’s WWII history class

PIPER SMITH ’95

Major: Psychology

Favorite classes: Professor Stephen Berk’s Holocaust class and Professor Louisa Matthew’s art history classes

Favorite off-campus hangout: Brandywine Diner for gravy fries!

(It’s no longer there!)

My core Union memories are seeing the Indigo Girls in concert on campus, going to Union hockey games and taking a field trip to NYC art galleries with Professor Walter Hatke.

Favorite off-campus hangout: Centre Street Pub

My core Union memory is being part of Greek life and building such a close relationship with a great group of guys. Also, I worked for the hockey team throughout my senior year and was able to be part of the grand opening of the new arena down at the harbor.

Lighting up Emerson Auditorium

Michael DiPietro ’70 and his wife, Alice Fishman, recently made a generous gift that enabled the Department of Music to completely overhaul Emerson Auditorium’s lighting system.

“This investment in the Music Department is incredible for students because it’s so important that we stay up to date with current technology,” said Evan Schieren ’28, who is majoring in music and minoring in musical theater and vocal performance. “These lights give performers an introduction to lighting design and how it shapes performances.”

“One of the reasons I came to Union is because alumni stay connected to the school for years after graduation,” he added. “Their contributions are incredibly appreciated by all the students and faculty here.”

To learn more about the lighting system, and what inspired DiPietro and Fishman’s gift, scan this QR code.

Lisa DeMoranville Dufour ’19

“Organizing theme digital arts, economics & psychology ➡ Motion designer / art director! �� Look at us now! (Shoutout to Fernando Orellana)”

Scott Wykoff ’85

“History (or I should say WRUC!): Reporter, WBAL Radio, Baltimore & sports announcer, Naval Academy, Annapolis.”

Alex Finger ’93 “Biology major. Now an orthopedic surgeon.”

Stefan Bagnato ’00 “Geology. Geologist. ��”

Rachel Echeverz ’09

“Philosophy and Spanish! Somehow ended up in fashion �� client strategy at Chanel.”

We asked, you answered

We asked alumni a simple question on social media: What was your major and what do you do now?

Laura Adie ’05

Tim Nonna ’06

“Mechanical engineering. Was an engineer for 11 years, but am now a pilot.”

“Psychology and I now own a bridal boutique. Even though it’s not a traditional field, I use my degree every day!”

From expected paths to surprising pivots, alumni made one thing clear: a Union education opens doors in any direction you choose. Here’s a look at some of the responses. For more, scan the QR code below.

O’rya Hyde-Keller ’98

“English major and philosophy minor. After many career twists and turns, I am now the editor of the Harvard Law Bulletin.”

John Feliciano ’08

Classics and now I teach 5th grade English, math and science at La Paz Community School in Cabo Velas, Guanacaste (Costa Rica).”

Mikaela Meredith ’86

“Political science major with a minor in foreign languages (French and Russian). Served as a foreign service officer for USAID for 34 years in Congo, Yemen, Nigeria, Azerbaijan and Albania before retiring 3 years ago.”

Andrew Mallios ’98

“Classics major. International sales and trading for an investment bank.”

Jennifer Angerosa Hillegas ’98

Ana Paola Mikler ’12

“Physics and astronomy. Now I work as a data scientist/statistician to help preserve food waste in the supply chain.”

Roxanne J. Schneider Shapiro ’93

“Political science and now I am a rabbi.”

Darcy Datshkovsky Saenz ’10

“Economics and anthropology, now work as a water economist for the World Bank.”

“Biology major in college, before there was a pre-vet track. I’m a practicing small animal veterinarian.”

Evan Kirstel ’92

“Electrical engineering and now I am a TV show/ podcast/industry analyst.”

Andrew Collins ’91 “English. CEO of Flexjet.”

Deborah Mulford ’90

“Electrical engineering. Worked as an electrical design engineer for 5 years. Now an oncologist.”

Alexandra Heard ’09

“Sociology major! Currently a licensed clinical social worker (therapist).”

Victoria King Hudson ’01

“Political science major, former matrimonial attorney, now practicing as a parent defense attorney in family court.”

Zachary Sayah ’18

“Mechanical engineering ➡ 5 years as an application engineer

➡ Cornell MBA ➡ strategy consulting.”

Tim Carpenter ’98

“Philosophy and now a superintendent of parks and cemeteries.”

SCHENECTADY SCENE

A taste of the Mediterranean in Schenectady

Simone’s Kitchen on Jay Street in Schenectady is a local favorite—of campus and community members alike. Serving up Mediterranean bowls like “big chicken shawarma” and “lil harissa tofu,” you can also find falafels, goat cheese pie, matcha rose lattes, Turkish coffee, baklava and date brownies on Simone’s menu. Check out all the tasty options next time you’re in town or visit ordersimones.com. Simone’s Kitchen also has locations in Coxsackie and Guilderland.

If you order a chicken shawarma bowl, you’ll be treated to a meal that includes tomato salsa, kale tabbouleh, cabbage slaw, chicken and roasted lemon potatoes served over basmati rice and fresh greens with hummus and tahini dressing.

CHICKEN

Dr. Jamie Flerlage ‘05, division chief for pediatric hematology/ oncology at the University of Rochester’s Golisano Children’s Hospital, hugs her patient’s mother, Mercedes Marti.

By 2036, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) predicts the shortage will be between: 13,500 AND 86,000 for physicians 20,200 AND 40,400 for primary care physicians 10,100 AND 19,900 for surgical specialty physicians

This scarcity affects us all

Alumni doctors discuss the healthcare provider shortage

We’ve all experienced it—either ourselves or through a loved one.

The days-long wait for a bed in the hospital. The weeks-long wait to see a primary care doctor. The months-long wait for that specialist appointment.

It’s agonizing, but unsurprising, given the shortage of healthcare providers. Which will get worse.

Here, two respected alumni physicians discuss what’s behind this shortage, how we might address it and the struggle they and their patients face every day.

(Source: AAMC March 2024 report, “The Complexities of Physician Supply and Demand: Projections from 2021 to 2036”)

The impact: On providers & patients

“This shortage is very real, extraordinarily real,” said Dr. Gregg Meyer ’84, a primary care physician who is also a professor of medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. “I am part of a group of physicians who rotate practiceto-practice, depending on where the shortage is greatest. This wasn’t necessary 15 years ago. It’s essential now.”

This rotating role, he says, is illustrative of the problem.

“Many of our physicians are now retirement age and are serving an over-size number of patients who have aged with them,” said Meyer, who is also a professor of health policy and management at Harvard Chan School of Public Health, and senior clinical and strategic advisor at Albany Med Health System (N.Y.). “As a result, there is not a one-to-one replacement opportunity, and we are constantly facing a deficit in providers.”

“The sad truth is that I’ve seen a number of patients who have gone months without getting appropriate follow-up care because they didn’t have access to primary care due to breaks in service with their provider,” he continued. “This often leads to delays in care for significant conditions such as cancer and heart disease. In the end, this is an incredible price we’re all paying for the physician shortage.”

Dr. Jamie Flerlage ’05, division chief for pediatric hematology/oncology at the University of Rochester’s Golisano Children’s Hospital, knows exactly what he means. Her institution often relies on providers who come in to fill gaps.

“We have to use more traveling nurses than in the past. Travelers are amazing but are not a long-term solution. They leave after their assignment and must be retrained each time they come on board since no two jobs, workflows or even computer systems are the same,” she explained.

“Post-COVID, there remain many challenges in adequate staffing. Hiring at all levels is tougher than it used to be,” continued Flerlage, who is also assistant director for clinical research at Wilmot Cancer Institute and is a lymphoma researcher who treats young adults and children. “With a smaller pool of people applying, it is harder to find the right skill set for the open job.”

This staffing deficit can be harmful.

“On its softest side, this results in inconvenience and delays for patients. But, unfortunately, delays in care translate into worse outcomes and it’s not just the patient experience outcomes, it’s harder clinical outcomes,” Meyer said.

Flerlage agreed.

“Shortages will continue to lead to delays in care, longer wait times for testing and treatment and the closure of smaller, outlying centers that allow people to receive care closer to home,” she said. “But it is not just the availability of cuttingedge technology and novel drug therapies that save lives—you also need the incredible humans who carry out and deliver these.”

And those humans—those providers—are having a hard time, too.

“The other side of this is what I think is appropriately described as the moral injury of physicians,” Meyer said. “When there are barriers to delivering care—when I can’t get my patients seen by specialists as quickly as I want—that wears you down. I know I am capable of doing better, but context and the environment prevent it. Over time, this is a major contributor of burnout.”

Flerlage, whose office oversees 125 clinical cancer trials each year, echoed these sentiments.

“Delivering medical care to ill and dying humans is a challenging job. Each day you must put things happening in your own life into a box and care for others,” she said. “If you have to do more with less staff and you cannot find time to process the unimaginable things you see every day—and make space for yourself to refill your cup—then you burn out.”

HOW DID YOUR TIME AT UNION PREPARE YOU FOR A CAREER IN HEALTHCARE?

“My 8-year combined Leadership in Medicine Program provided me with endless opportunities to understand healthcare at large. I did my capstone project at the Center for Healthcare Improvement at PeaceHealth in Longview, Washington. This was formative to my understanding of how effective systems can enhance the quality of care and how to improve health outcomes across an entire system. I was also able to learn traditional Chinese medicine and alternative medicine practices to ensure my view of healthcare extends beyond Western models. This is a critical piece of learning as healthcare intersects heavily with culture. I went on a term abroad in Mexico as well, where I refined my Spanish skills. Speaking Spanish has opened many doors for me and allows me to connect deeper with my patients on a daily basis.”

— Dr. Jamie Flerlage ’05, division chief for pediatric hematology/oncology at the University of Rochester’s Golisano Children’s Hospital; assistant director for clinical research at Wilmot Cancer Institute

“Nurses and physicians are needed in both rural areas and large cities,” she continued. “To continue to provide exceptional care for every patient, we must realize that many of these patients are cared for by physicians from other countries. We This

Causes & solutions

The causes of the healthcare shortage are complex, but the Association of American Medical Colleges identified several in its March 2024 report, including:

A. From 2021 to 2036, the U.S. population aged 65+ is projected to grow 34.1%—a figure that heralds a high demand for physicians who care for older Americans.

B. Physicians 65 and older made up 17% of the workforce in 2021, while those 55 to 64 made up 25%. More than one third of practicing physicians will likely retire within the next 10 years.

Considering these and other factors, Flerlage and Meyer offered thoughts on how to navigate and address the shortage.

“In general, the field of medicine is struggling. It is not as lucrative as business opportunities, has a very long training and education track, and administration and insurance companies have made it more challenging to practice medicine,” Flerlage said. “That being said, our healthcare needs are growing with an aging population.”

must support people from other countries to remain in the U.S. to fill these critical roles.”

Flerlage also stressed the importance of partnerships across borders to strengthen healthcare, not just locally, but globally. She runs a large international consortium called Global NLPHL One Working Group (GLOW), which includes 26 countries. The multidisciplinary research group facilitates international collaboration to optimize the diagnosis, care and outcomes for (and with) patients diagnosed with Nodular Lymphocyte-Predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma worldwide.

“Eighty percent of cancer patients will be diagnosed in low-middle income countries with fewer resources and limited access to imaging and novel treatments,” she explained. “Thinking through how we can apply our new research findings to others in the world is critically important for us all.”

Meyer, who has vast administrative healthcare experience and oversaw six hospitals when he previously served as executive vice president for value-based care at Massachusetts General Hospital Brigham, agrees collaboration with multiple stakeholders is important.

Policymakers need to look at whether it makes sense to make medical education more affordable or expand loan forgiveness programs or expand the number of medical schools, he said. “They can also help us move into the 21st century. Barriers like state-based medical licensure, for example,

Dr. Jamie Flerlage ‘05 (center) works closely with two fellow alumni— University of Rochester Ph.D. student Sam Zhiming Jin ‘21 and Dr. Laura Calvi ‘90, co-leader of the Cancer Microenvironment Research Program at Wilmot Cancer Center.

really don’t make sense in this age of telemedicine.”

Payers and insurers can also do their part to alleviate the shortage.

“Some of the administrivia that payers require in order for care to be paid for puts up a barrier and basically limits the medical workforce in terms of who can be seen for what,” Meyer said. “More flexibility is needed, particularly when thinking about the role of paraprofessionals and teambased care.”

Paraprofessionals who work alongside physicians are integral to a team-based approach, in which healthcare providers from different areas (doctors, nurses, pharmacists, social workers and so on) work collaboratively. They share information and responsibilities and provide holistic care for patients.

“For physicians, it’s important to really get involved in training not just residents and interns but training other healthcare professionals. They can help reduce the burden of caring for patients— by sharing it—with a shift to a team-based model.”

Patients can also be part of these teams and get more involved in co-producing their own care. Utilizing patient portals to stay informed about test results and treatments, to schedule appointments or communicate with providers outside an office visit can help relieve pressure on healthcare systems, Meyer added.

Meyer and Flerlage also offered some other helpful tips for patients in the midst of this shortage.

“For physicians, it’s important to really get involved in training not just residents and interns but training other healthcare professionals. They can help reduce the burden of caring for patients—by sharing it—with a shift to a teambased model.” —Dr. Gregg Meyer ’84

This scarcity affects us all: Alumni doctors discuss healthcare shortage

Advice to patients

• Ask questions | “People should always ask questions so that they understand if there is another option for their care elsewhere if a delay is occurring or they do not feel comfortable with their care plan,” Flerlage said. “But my main advice, if you are dealing with cancer, is to ask if there is a clinical trial open.”

• Clinical trials | “Frontline or phase 3 clinical trials provide treatment based on at least 10 years of knowledge and scientific discovery, and a lot has happened in the last decade,” she continued.

“Patients are not here for trials; the trials are here for them. If there is an ongoing study, that means the trial administrators believe there is a higher cure rate or less toxic therapy than before. So, ask about a clinical trial!”

• Listen to your body | Meyer stressed the importance of listening to your own body.

“One thing I see as a primary care physician that people tolerate is unexplained weight loss,” he said. “This is a red flag that people too often ignore, but it means something is not right.”

• Empower yourself | Meyer also recommended that people empower and equip themselves with tools that can help them understand when an injury or illness is an emergency.

“Going to the ER or urgent care when you don’t need to, this puts stress on the system that it doesn’t need,” he explained. “Get a home blood pressure monitor. Get a pulse oximeter. If appropriate, wear a continuous glucose monitor and download and read that data. Being more active in your own care will give you reassurance and alleviate that need for an urgent visit.”

HOW DID YOUR TIME AT UNION PREPARE YOU FOR A CAREER IN HEALTHCARE?

“Union did three things for me. First, a broad liberal arts education is incredibly helpful for becoming a doctor. If you just went in and did straight science, I don’t think you would have the human qualities that make a great physician. Second, the small class sizes and intensity of the trimester system were great ways to learn a lot of science really quickly and build close relationships with professors. And third, I was part of the 6-year program with Albany Medical College. I had the privilege to take part in experiences—such as doing a term abroad studying socialized medicine—that clearly changed my life. They gave me exposure to healthcare broadly, rather than just focusing on an individual patient, and really looked at health systems and how they interact with communities and populations.”

— Dr. Gregg Meyer ’84, primary care physician and professor of medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School; professor of health policy and management at Harvard Chan School of Public Health; Rhodes Scholar; senior clinical and strategic advisor at Albany Med Health System (N.Y.)

IN SERVICE TO HOSPICE PATIENTS:

Union’s CARE program turns 10

Little in life is more powerful than death.

As the Community Action, Research and Education Program turns 10—and celebrates a decade of serving hospice patients—Dr. Shiraz Mumtaz ’17 can still recall how much being a CARE fellow changed him. How much it educated him and inspired him.

“Caring for patients who had diseases with no cure was a unique introduction to the medical field, but it fundamentally changed my way of thinking and imparted lessons I still carry today,” he said. “I learned how to be present and cherish life. There is power and beauty in being 100 percent present in the moment—it conveys respect, appreciation and understanding to another human being.”

“The CARE program also confirmed my path. I knew becoming a physician would allow me to have the greatest impact on an individual’s life,” continued Mumtaz, who studied neuroscience at Union and is now an orthopedic surgery resident at SUNY Upstate in Syracuse, N.Y. “It gave me an introduction into how to have difficult conversations with patients and families. There is a constant need for clear communication in an empathetic manner in medicine.”

The CARE program started in 2015 and runs for 8 weeks each summer. To date, 70 students from eight colleges (invited to participate by Union) have served in 12 different community-run, residential hospice homes in New York, Massachusetts, Tennessee and Texas. These schools include Colgate University, Connecticut College, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Siena College, Skidmore College, St. Lawrence University and Wells College.

“During the program, students serve as surrogate family members, providing all of the bedside care a family member might provide in their own home—assistance with feeding, dressing, bathing, toileting and managing patients’ symptoms using hospice-prescribed medications,” explained Carol Weisse, the Ronald M. Obenzinger Professor of Psychology and founder of the program.

These responsibilities help students, many of them interested in healthcare, learn how to manage a wide variety of symptoms, including psychological (anxiety, depression), physical (pain, difficulty breathing/swallowing), social (saying goodbye to friends/family) and spiritual (existential angst).

Union’s long history with hospice

Before hospice care was available in the U.S., Catherine Woodford, a British nurse, conducted a feasibility study through a “Women in Management” course she was taking at Union College. It ultimately laid the groundwork for the creation of Capital District Hospice, the region’s first hospice, in 1980. Phil DiSorbo ’71 was its first employee and executive director. The College’s leadership in this early hospice movement continued as Rudy Nydegger, professor of psychology, was elected president of the Board of Directors for Hospice of Schenectady, shortly before Capital District Hospice became the first Medicare-approved hospice in the nation in 1983.

Such skills are critically important to providing care for the entirety of a person’s life. And for everyone, that includes death.

“Dying is often a very isolating experience, in part because it’s happening in hospitals away from friends and family, but also because most people and—many healthcare providers—don’t know what to say or how to help someone who is dying,” said Weisse, who is also director of Health Professions.

“My hope is that the CARE program will cultivate compassionate caregivers so that the dying have the support of a community and can feel belonging and find meaning.”

For Elsa Dorrance ’26, becoming a CARE fellow definitely did this.

“It helped me come to terms with death— a constant and ongoing process in life,” said Dorrance, who majored in psychology and sociology, and served in the ABODE home in San Antonio, Texas. “It allowed me to reach outside myself and focus on others, as well as grapple with my own mortality.”

“My goal is to become a psychiatric social worker, and my passion is helping others emotionally and ensuring they have the best possible support,” she added. “The CARE program really helped me feel confident in this path.”

Dorrance is now attending the New York University Silver School of Social Work.

Dr. Shiraz Mumtaz ’17 is shown here with a resident of the Joan Nicole Prince Home (Scotia, N.Y.), where he served as a CARE fellow in 2015. He attended medical school at Drexel University College of Medicine and is now an orthopedic surgery resident at SUNY Upstate in Syracuse, N.Y.

A special thanks

Bill West ’75, a computer science major and retired IT executive who worked for GE and NBC, and Catherine Woodford have been instrumental in supporting the CARE program. If you’re interested in supporting student experiential learning experiences like this, contact David Jadin, director of major gifts, at (518) 388-6728 or jadind@union.edu.

An avid artist, Elsa Dorrance ’26 grew close to many of the hospice residents she cared for and would often create paintings for—or inspired by—them. “This painting with the willow tree was done for a resident who passed before I could complete it. He had late-stage Parkinson’s disease, so it was hard to communicate with him, but he had expressed that he loved nature. While he was dying a very sudden death, I described the scenery to him to try and provide some comfort and peace.”

ATHLETICS

A real game changer: New indoor turf facility opens

Students are loving Brooks Field, Union’s new indoor turf facility at Achilles-Messa Center.

“The turf allows us to have productive, full-speed practices no matter the weather and gave us the strongest start to a season I saw in my four years,” said Emmett Lyne

’26, a lacrosse midfielder who majored in economics and minored in history. “I was so lucky to be able to use Brooks Field in my last year at Union, and all future athletes here are blessed to have such an amazing opportunity. There is not much more a recruit could ask for!”

Brooks Field will be most heavily used by the softball, baseball and lacrosse teams. But it will also create an additional space for Union’s club sports and recreational offerings and foster deeper connections with the surrounding community. The renovations were made

To learn more, scan this QR code.

For more athletics news, including highlights from your favorite teams, tickets and schedules, visit unionathletics.com possible by a $1 million gift from Sana and Andy Brooks ’78, P’13. The demolition needed to convert Messa Rink into Brooks Field was made possible by Keller Construction, under the direction of President John Keller ’91. Both Brooks and Keller are former Union lacrosse players.

The road to Steinmetz

Each May, hundreds of students showcase their creative and scholarly work during Steinmetz Symposium. But all the performances and talks presented that day take months to prepare. Here’s just a glimpse at some of the research, refining and rehearsing that goes into getting ready for the big day.

For more photos of Steinmetz Symposium preparation— from students in the dance studio to students in the lab and library—scan here:

Professor of Classics Tommaso Gazzarri helps Armaan Uppal ’26 as he conducts research for his presentation, “Reconstructing the Lost Recipe of Greek Fire: Byzantine Warfare and Experimental Chemistry.” Uppal is a chemistry and classics interdepartmental major.

Eduardo Castro ’27, a mechanical engineering major, aligns the lenses of the laser in the wind tunnel lab. He’s conducting research for his presentation on “Effects of Heating on Turbulent Flow Behavior Over Rough Surfaces.”

Willow Melton ’28 (left) and Sedona Baird ’27, members of the band Faggle of Cunks, rehearse their song “Petricholeum,” which was performed during Steinmetz Symposium. Melton is majoring in anthropology and music while Baird is majoring in neuroscience and music.

Danielle Brown ’26, an Africana Studies and economics major, conducts research for her presentation, “Routes of Inequality: Highways Infrastructure in Conjunction with Black Activism on the Racial Wealth Gap in Chicago.”

The Union Fund

Thank U, Illuminators

Every successful campaign depends on alumni who step up to lead, inspire and connect.

Our 2025 Alumni Illuminator* of the Year, Kyrie York ‘03, together with fellow Illuminators Denise Webster ’01, Jason Cunningham ’02, Jillian Lubarsky ’05, Jaclyn Mandart ’12 and Peter Durkin ’16, demonstrated the powerful role graduates play in strengthening the College community. Through thoughtful outreach and shared garnet pride, they encouraged classmates to reconnect, participate and invest in opportunities that support today’s students.

Their leadership helped mobilize alumni spanning nine decades, from the Class of 1949 to 2025. With the added momentum of a $150,000 Breazzano Family match, more than 1,100 donors from 43 states contributed more than $550,000 to The Union Fund, directly supporting student experiences, academic programs and campus priorities.

These remarkable efforts, and the generosity of the broader Union community, were recognized during the fall 2025 President’s Reception in New York City, where alumni, families and campus leaders gathered to celebrate the campaign’s impact.

We’re looking for Illuminators

We’re gearing up to launch our 2026 Illuminator campaign—help us find our next Illuminator of the Year. Know an alum who inspires others and champions the College? Email theunionfund@union.edu to nominate them.

* The campaign took its name from the dome of the Nott Memorial, which boasts 709 illuminators—small, multicolored glass windows that appear like bright stars in a night sky.

To make a gift to The Union Fund: Visit union.edu/give Call the Office of Annual Giving at (518) 388-6175

Return the envelope enclosed in this magazine

Scan the QR code

MEDIA

BURK KETCHAM ’48

Trevor’s

Triumphs Green Hollow Press

Trevor’s Triumphs is the sequel to Trevor’s Travels. In this new story, Trevor Hadley writes another successful novel, Morrison, about a thriving businessman who is concerned about the impact of capitalism (as currently practiced) on humanity and the environment. Morrison uses his fortune to establish and endow an MBA program at a new graduate business school in Princeton, N.J. As the author-in-residence at a prep school in Cambridge, Mass., Trevor meets a billionaire trustee of the school and Princeton graduate, Michael Angelo. Michael learns about the Morrison story before Trevor finishes it and decides he wants to do what Morrison proposes in the story. This sets in motion the establishment of the Princeton Business School, the focus of which will be practicing capitalism in a societal context. Burk Ketcham ’48 died Dec. 22, 2025. He is remembered on p. 67.

MARK UNTERBERG ’66

Bigger Game

Spines

In Bigger Game, we witness the intersection of personal despair and geopolitical intrigue. Heather’s inner darkness mirrors a world on the brink, as the ‘Austin Project’ aims to craft peace through science. Sheriff Stewart seeks truth behind mysterious deaths in the San Juan Islands, where a Navy presence looms. Espionage and morality clash, entangling locals and agents in a high-stakes game. Here, the pursuit of peace and the sanctity of truth are weighed against a potentially bloodless solution to war.

MICHAEL “WES” LODER ’67

Can Skinwalkers Swim?

Headline Books

How far must a girl run to find out who she really is? The discovery of three bodies by the shore of Lake Mead triggers a murderous vendetta aimed at sixteen-year-old Darby Donati, the snarky, selfindulgent daughter of the owner of one of Las Vegas’ casinos. As the body count grows, Darby flees to Piñon, Arizona, in the middle of the Navajo Nation. There she discovers a different world from the glitz of the city, one filled with a deep sense of the land and a family willing to accept and share their lives with her. The friendship and care of her equally-threatened great-grandmother and aunt lead her to question not only her identity but her entire previous way of life. Shedding her past and accepting her real identity in turn leads Darby to commit acts of courage and to sacrifice her own safety to save others. Partly based on his own life experiences, Loder’s award-winning novel is both a coming-of-age story and a fast-moving thriller (wesloderwriter.cc).

DR. ANDREW S. LEVITAS ’68

Long Winding Road

Independently published

Media features new titles by or about alumni and other members of the Union community. To be included, send a copy of the work (book, DVD, CD) and synopsis to: Office of Communications Union College 807 Union Street Schenectady, N.Y. 12308 Or send synopsis and high-resolution image to: magazine@union.edu

In 1964, Barry Kaufman had a column in his Brooklyn high school newspaper and a complicated relationship with his editor, Michelle Ross. Now it is 1973, and Dr. Barry Kaufman is a medical intern at crumbling Morrisania Hospital in the South Bronx, and the young woman he is called to the ER to admit after an automobile accident is Michelle Ross. He must face his memories of his complicated friendship with her, a friendship that always hovered on the edge of becoming something else but ended in a sad and angry misunderstanding for which he feels responsible. A misunderstanding he fears may have led, ultimately, to the accident. Both will have to negotiate a doctorpatient relationship complicated by their pasts, by complications in her post-surgical care and by medical ethics. A relationship that still hovers on the edge of becoming something else…

MEDIA

RAYMOND ANGELO BELLIOTTI ’70

Individualism and Community: The Startling Roles of Authenticity and Honor in Living Meaningfully

Palgrave Macmillan

This book is a philosophical investigation of the concepts of honor and authenticity, informed by the paradoxes of the individualcommunity continuum. To achieve this difficult balancing act, the author refines our concepts of honor and authenticity. Raymond Angelo Belliotti begins by investigating honor as a moral and social framework, analyzing its historical significance, particularly within the Roman aristocracy, and its portrayal in “The Godfather.” He then turns to military honor codes, exploring their ethical implications and challenges. From there, the discussion transitions to existentialist notions of authenticity as articulated by Nietzsche, Kierkegaard, Heidegger, Sartre and Camus, assessing both their insights and limitations. Ultimately, the work argues for a revised understanding of authenticity. Marrying the notions of authenticity and honor, the reader is offered a path toward living a more meaningful and purposeful life.

JOHN DICOCCO ’70

FU, A Novel of Foxton University Vulpine Media

When a biology PhD student discovers the world's most powerful aphrodisiac, the business school dean, the Vatican, a multinational corporation, and the crazed dictator where the substance grows, all race to control and monetize it. The substance is can dei, both the religion and sacrament of the Bahn-Bahn tribe, deep in the Amazon.

AARON J. FEINGOLD ’72

Tales of a Cardiologist Bashevis Press

In the quiet hum of an exam room, where stethoscopes listen to more than heartbeats, Dr. Aaron Feingold has spent four decades bearing witness to life’s most raw, absurd and luminous moments. Beyond being a mere memoir of medicine, Tales of a Cardiologist is a symphony of humanity, played through the rhythm of 99 stories that pulse with humor, heartache and the quiet heroism of ordinary lives. Like Anton Chekhov meets Isaac Bashevis Singer meets Raymond

Carver, this book stitches together the sacred and the absurd, proving that the human heart is both a muscle and a mosaic. For anyone who’s ever laughed in a waiting room, wept at a diagnosis or wondered what secrets lie behind a doctor’s pen, this collection is a prescription for rediscovering what connects us all.

DAN VALENTI ’74

Stanley Kubrick’s Full Mental Straightjacket: The Siege of Gunnery Sgt. Hartman

Planet Media Books

In his new book, author Dan Valenti (B.A., English 1974) looks at legendary director Stanley Kubrick’s penultimate film on the Vietnam War. The book encompasses Valenti’s expert knowledge of Kubrick, plus the author’s exhaustive primary research into the production. The book takes the reader behind the scenes of what one critic called “the greatest war film of all time.” Valenti examines the methods and meticulousness that have elevated Kubrick to the pantheon of great movie directors. It is the first (and only) full-length book on the movie since cast member Matt Modine’s 2005 diary. Stanley Kubrick’s Full Mental Straightjacket is based on Valenti’s lengthy interviews with cast and crew. The narrative hook involves the problematic casting of the film’s starring role, Gunnery Sgt. Hartman, senior drill instructor who dominates the film. Valenti is considered one of the world’s experts on Kubrick. This is his 25th book.

CHUCK ROTHMAN ’74

The Cadaver Princess Amazing Stories Select

The Cadaver Princess is a historical fantasy novel set in 1831 London. A gang of grave robbers bring a corpse into an anatomist for dissection. She shocks everyone when she sits up on the slab and claims to be Princess Victoria, heir to the throne. Pablo Monsong, the anatomist’s assistant, is intrigued and tries to help the dead princess, attracting the attention of Mr. Hawthorn and Mrs. Lake, two wizards with their own agendas. Mr. Hawthorn is an ancient presence and with the help of a sentient and sarcastic bust of Homer, begins to investigate. Mrs. Lake is the Guardian, protector of Great Britain, and senses this walking cadaver may be the key to an attempt to ruin the empire. Then a mysterious presence, Mr. Grey, a master of rats, is accidentally unleashed and proceeds to wreak havoc with the city, with the goal of bringing down everything. Pablo, Mr. Hawthorn and Mrs. Lake must discover how to defeat Mr. Grey before he succeeds.

I

A mother begins to challenge everything she’s been told about her daughter’s murder in this twisty and compelling novel of suspense by a New York Times bestselling author and former Cosmopolitan editor-inchief. Ten years after her daughter, Melanie, was murdered, Bree Winter is finally moving on. Then a deathbed confession from the convicted killer throws Bree’s life into a tailspin all over again. He readily confesses to murdering four girls. But not Melanie. At first, Bree and her ex-husband don’t buy a word of it. Until inconsistencies about the crime emerge. So does the dreadful feeling that the monster who shattered Bree’s family isn’t lying. The only way she can get to the truth is to return to upstate New York, where Melanie’s life came to a brutal end. As Bree begins to dig through Melanie’s past, she makes shocking discoveries that call into question everything she has believed—about the crime and about Melanie herself.

FROM THE AUTHOR

I’ve got a little confession to make. When I gave the Commencement speech at Union back in 2022, which was a truly fantastic experience for me, I’d just started mentally plotting out my 19th suspense novel, I Came Back for You. I knew the book would be a twisty psychological thriller about a mother who begins to challenge everything she’d been told about her college-aged daughter’s murder eight years earlier and must then return to where the crime occurred in order to uncover the truth. But what I didn’t have yet was a setting.

Well, a funny thing happened to me on the way to the podium. After being back on the campus I so adored, I decided the story would unfold in a place partly based on Union—though in the book I call it Carter College and the town Cartersville.

In the end I took a few liberties with my description of the campus, such as adding a bit of ivy to the buildings (always a nice gothic touch), but for the chapter that takes place in the president’s house, I made the description as close to the real thing as possible (right down to the yellow-cushioned furniture and grandfather clock). I sometimes have to make settings up in my head, but it’s always best if I have something to work with. And my wonderful weekend at Union gave me plenty of inspiration. Of all my books, this is one of my very favorites.

— Kate White ’72, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of 19 novels of suspense

MEDIA

JEFFREY GERST ’80

Bioengineering Enlightenment:

The Revolutionary Science Behind Sustainable Psychedelic Medicine

eBook-Pro/Amazon

The psychedelic renaissance has gained momentum in recent years, given its demonstrated value in the treatment of major global mental health issues, like PTSD and depression, as well as its welldocumented use in the search for spiritual enlightenment. But the question of how psychedelics are sourced, i.e., where they come from, remains largely unknown to most users, both professional and recreational. Previous works have shown that, yes, psychedelic drugs can change our worldview. But can this unexplored avenue into human consciousness change not only our perception—but the actual world we live in?

Written for both the layman and the scientifically inclined, the book examines the historical context for the evolution and use of psychedelics, their means of sourcing, whether by chemical synthesis or natural extraction, and their often hidden ecological, environmental and ethical consequences.

LISA BERNARD ’83

Freshwater Literary Journal

Asnuntuck

This professional literary journal (May 2025) showcases poetry and prose by students and professional writers worldwide. Included is Lisa Bernard’s essay, “Andrea’s Coda,” which reveals the protagonist in her debut novel, Insignificant Others, at a turning point. She’s a childless widow in her early forties, weary from prolonged caregiving and bereft of both her adoptive parents. How will this prominent but vulnerable Fairfield County psychotherapist find kinship and intimacy in the brave new world of internet dating?

LISA BERNARD ’83

CT Literary Anthology

Woodhall Press

Award-winning, CT-based scribe Lisa Bernard has a stunning slice of memoir featured in this digest (November 2025) devoted to the Nutmeg State’s unique perspectives and experiences and the complexities of home and community life. Via “Early Mourning: Stage IV,” this four-time CT Press Club winner shares the anticipatory grief that accompanied her husband’s cancer diagnosis and its role in recasting hers as the family’s sole caregiver and parent to their young children.

LISA BERNARD ’83

Grief Like Yours

Carpe Vitam Press

This international collection (June 2025) of sacred stories exists because “to heal, we share.” Lisa Bernard’s signature style is found in both her reflective essays, “The Permanence of Ink Across Life and Death,” and “Remembering My Horse, Dolce.” This award-winning, encore-career writer of literary fiction and nonfiction often explores loss, reinvention and aging amid the ever-changing landscape of electronic communication.

ALISSA CALABRIA QUINN ’84

The Power of Impact Circles

Pique Publishing Inc.

An impact circle is an intentional gathering of like-minded individuals focused on a common mission of supporting each member’s needs with synergy and wisdom that comes from collaborative engagement. What if gathering with the right people could transform your life? Whether you’re pursuing education, navigating your career, running a business, raising a family, embracing a new chapter, or enjoying retirement, authentic connection, vulnerability and collective wisdom can spark personal growth and lasting change. This book holds the power to ignite a fire within you—inviting you to create your own circle and step boldly into your best life!

DR. ANDREW J. KIRSCH

’84

The Ultimate Bedwetting Survival Guide

Palmetto Publishing

The Ultimate Bedwetting Survival Guide is a practical, evidence-based resource for families navigating childhood bedwetting (nocturnal enuresis), a condition affecting millions of children worldwide yet often misunderstood and stigmatized. Written by two pediatric urologists with decades of combined clinical and research experience, the book translates complex medical science into clear, compassionate guidance for parents, caregivers and healthcare professionals. The guide addresses the biology of bladder control, common myths surrounding bedwetting and the emotional impact on children and families. It provides a structured, step-bystep overview of current management strategies, including behavioral approaches, alarm therapy, medications, and emerging neuromodulation technologies, while emphasizing reassurance, normal development, and mental well-being.

NORMAN BIRNBACH

’85

(CO-AUTHOR)

Why Should I Trust You?

Linden Tree Press

What if your enemy needs a friend?

Twelve-year-old Lark is new in town, stuck in a strange school where her mother is the new principal and everyone else seems out to get her—especially Jeff, the class bully. Worse, her dad is seriously sick, and her mom is too busy running the school to notice how lost Lark feels. The only person who seems to understand her is Mr. Timothy, the kindly janitor with a knowing smile and a secret or two of his own. But one strange afternoon changes everything. Lark and Jeff find themselves teaming up to solve a century-old crime, uncover hidden treasure and face off against a terrifying demon cockroach.

ADAM MANDEL ’94

Everything for a Reason

Independently published

This is a deeply personal story about events in people’s lives that always seem to happen for a reason. Life is not easy, and things don’t always happen as planned. This story recounts the Mandel family’s roller coaster difficulties of getting pregnant, a troubled pregnancy and having a premature baby. Their daughter, Hanna, was born early at 25 weeks (15 weeks early), weighing 1 pound and 13 ounces. She spent three months and a day in the NYU Hospital NICU. The book is based upon a family journal kept for the entire NICU stay. Their goal is to give others hope when they think there is none. Lots of things happen in life, and they’ve come to believe, “Everything for a Reason.”

PAULA ROBERTS

Sealed With a Kiss

Damianos Publishing

It started with the discovery of a trunk full of hundreds of letters in her parents’ upstate New York home after they died. It led Paula Roberts (of Needham, Mass.) down a deep path of discovery about their relationship and her father’s service as a combat infantry officer during WWII. Now Roberts has compiled and annotated a selection of the letters into a book, Sealed With a Kiss, named after the sentiment with which her father, Paul Roberts ’45, ended his letters. With the last members of the World War II generation rapidly disappearing forever, books like this become even more compelling commemorations of their lives and sacrifices. Paul Roberts, who left Union College in 1942 to enlist in the U.S. Army, was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 320th Rifle Infantry Regiment. He and his regiment fought their way through France, Belgium, Holland and Germany until he was seriously wounded in March of 1945.

Shape Union’s future with the Alumni Council

Union is a place that has, and continues to, shape each of us. Though we’ve graduated, we can still make a difference for those who follow in our footsteps.

The Alumni Council is the bridge between the College’s past and its future, and we’re looking for driven, passionate alumni to help strengthen it.

WHAT IS THE ALUMNI COUNCIL?

The council engages alumni in the life of the College, deepening their relationships with Union and with one another while supporting Union’s mission and vision.

In partnership with the Alumni and Parent Engagement Office, the council fosters lifelong learning and connections through a range of initiatives on and off campus. And longstanding traditions like ReUnion and Homecoming ensure that alumni remain informed, involved and connected after graduation.

Our work is real and meaningful and benefits the Union community. We oversee the Alumni Trustee election, give the Alumni Gold Medal and Rising Star awards, fund the Alumni Council Scholarship, bring notable graduates back to campus through the Alumni Speaker Series and much more.

WHO WE ARE

Our executive leadership team includes Tess (Skoller) Gould ’13, president and alumni trustee; Chester Karwatowski ’78, vice president; Ewo Harrell ’10, alumni trustee and vice president of communications; Andrew Liddle ’18, vice president of finance; Malcolm Sherrod ’17, vice president of nominations and membership; Peter Haviland-Eduah ’11, alumni trustee; and Peter Raymond ’80, alumni trustee.

BECOME A MEMBER

If you earned a degree from Union or attended as a full-time student, you’re eligible to join. Applicants are elected by the council at its annual spring meeting. Members serve a three-year term. The council meets three times each year, in person and virtually.

To learn more or to apply for membership, contact Molly Harbour, director of Alumni and Parent Engagement, at alumni@union.edu.

ALUMNI CLUBS

MOUNT VERNON, VA. |

JOIN US

The Office of Alumni and Parent Engagement offers great ways for alumni and their families to get together. If you have any suggestions for events in your area, contact us at alumni@union.edu or (518) 388-6168. A full listing of up-to-date events is available at ualumni.union.edu/events

Laura K. (Mueller)

Brewster ’17

VICE PRESIDENT at LEVEL 5 CAPITAL PARTNERS

BY EWO HARRELL ‘10, ALUMNI COUNCIL VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

After graduating with a degree in economics and minors in German and classics, Laura K. (Mueller) Brewster ’17 worked in New York in Morgan Stanley’s public finance department. There, she analyzed municipal bond portfolios and structured debt financings totaling over $10 billion for various states and municipal entities. After four years in public finance and time outside of New York, thanks to COVID, Brewster decided to make a career and lifestyle pivot. She moved to Atlanta in 2021, shifting from public debt to private equity. Today, Brewster is a vice president at Level 5 Capital Partners, a consumer private equity firm. She works with a range of portfolio companies in the health, wellness, home services and youth enrichment spaces.

How have you stayed involved with the Union community?

I have enjoyed giving back to Union by donating to specific programs and departments that are important to me; speaking to investment club and Garnet Society students; having one-on-one calls with students interested in finance; keeping in touch with professors; and participating in local Atlanta alumni events. I’ve also run for alumni trustee twice and despite losing both times, running was truly a great experience. I was able to connect and reconnect with so many alumni and learn why they love Union. Hearing how much alumni care about the College is powerful.

What’s your most formative Union experience?

Tutoring economics and serving as an affiliate caller for The Union Fund were my most formative experiences. As someone naturally more introverted, running study sessions and calling strangers to ask for donations helped me break out of my shell. I think these experiences helped me a lot regarding things like interviewing, presenting my thesis and even sorority rush.

Favorite Union memory:

It is extremely difficult to pinpoint a specific, favorite memory. That said, a lot of my favorite memories are from my senior year. The opportunity to live with all my best friends in one house was so special and so fun.

What is the best personal/professional advice you have ever received/given?

Don’t sell yourself short. To a certain extent, everyone is faking it until they make it early in their career, so don’t let the intimidation of something new hinder your growth.

Fun fact about yourself:

I have recently taken up film photography again, inspired by my dad (Union classics professor Hans-Friedrich Mueller), who was a wedding photographer. He actually met my mom at a wedding he was shooting. I’ve had a lot of fun getting back into the hobby and finding places in Atlanta to develop film.

CLASS NOTES

A Union gathering hosted by Sean and Megan Belair was held August 2, 2025. Attendees included: Sean Belair ’09 and Megan (Chiriani) Belair ’09 and their children Natalie (4) and Jack (1); Josh Gayer ’08; Brendan Lichtenthal ’12 and Valerie (Angell) Lichtenthal ’10 and their daughter Parker (3); David Ludwig ’09 and his son Theo (6); Greg McGrath ’08 and Gabrielle Ahl ’08 and their children Jackson (10) and Lincoln (6); Conor O’Reilly ’10 and Samantha (Zayas) O’Reilly ’10 and their children Emily (5) and James (3); John Russell ’11 and Katelyn Russell and their children Owen (5) and Madison (3); and Dave Swift ’08.

1955

Peter Noonan writes, “Donald V. Grosky, DDS, was interred recently at Saratoga National Cemetery. As a 25-year member of the Veterans Honor Guard, I was honored to conduct military honors for a fellow Sigma Chi and to also do a White Rose Ceremony for him.”

1956

After college, Al Barsamian pursued a law degree and began his career as a special investigator with law enforcement in the Albany area. He later opened his own private legal practice, specializing in collective bargaining, labor relations, litigation, administrative law, contracts and agreements,

mediation, criminal defense and criminal justice. In parallel with his legal work, he taught criminal science at a local community college, eventually becoming a teaching professor at both the community college and Russell Sage College. He went on to establish and chair the Criminal Science Department at Russell Sage, where he developed a specialized

curriculum focused on women in the field. Recognized as a criminal justice expert, Al served as a mediator, an attorney, and was appointed as a judge by the governor of New York. Al and his wife Alice have been married for 62 years; they have two daughters and two granddaughters. Al enjoys fine wine, gourmet cuisine, and literature. Al is currently working on writing a book.

Ted Reinhold’s career began in the aerospace sector, where he was a project engineer and worked on gyro motors for the first Polaris missiles. He then expanded his experience by joining a firm specializing in precision test instruments for the aerospace industry. When the aerospace field contracted, Ted redirected his focus toward emergency healthcare technology. He joined a forwardthinking medical device company and went on to invent a series of innovative, life-saving tools designed for emergency responders. Ted was appointed vice president and later concentrated his efforts on creating unique devices aimed at reducing prehospital deaths from heart attacks. Over the course of his career, Ted earned a number of domestic and international patents. Ted and his wife Carol raised four sons and enjoyed 67 years of marriage until her passing two years ago. He now is enjoying his growing family of nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Living on the Chesapeake Bay near Annapolis, Ted keeps an active lifestyle, whether he’s sailing local waters, embarking on educational travel adventures, or cruising the rivers of America. He also devotes time to creating and maintaining websites for local nonprofit organizations.

1957

Jim Frasso writes, “Just thought I would let my M.E. classmates, my Kappa Sigma Brothers and Union buddies know that Jim Frasso is alive and kicking. I have chronic lung cancer, which immunotherapy, Keytruda, is keeping in check. I have great memories of my college days and hope all the

best for you all. Thanks, Paul, for being our class representative. And to our president, keep Union the best of its class.”

Charles Enzer writes, “Laura and I have returned to our Motherland. We have moved to Jerusalem, where I spent my junior year at the Hebrew University. Our daughter and four grandchildren live a short walk away— and one great-grandchild. In the States, we have four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Last year, I taught a class at the School of Medicine of the Hebrew University, Jerusalem. Life is rich here. Shed 70 lbs since the photo. 5 days a week—and 6 days when we have Daylight Time—I swim 400 to 450 meters. I walk 6 days a week 2 – 4,000 steps. I miss only teaching and practicing medicine.”

1958

Dave Wainwright writes, “They are not all gone yet, but most have. As Bruce Martin wrote, ‘I’m still upright at 90.’ I am now living in an independent living facility here in Peoria, AZ, called Vista Winds. It’s a big adjustment coming from a nice home in Trilogy in Vistancia, but my back no longer allows me to engage in physical activity like golf. So here I am making new friends in a retirement facility. It’s not a bad lifestyle with a lot to do.”

1960

Paul Cohen writes, “I was privileged to speak at a Memorial Day celebration in Hooper (not pronounced who-per, but hupper), Nebraska (pop, 784), about 50 miles from my home in Omaha. Surrounded by farmland, this small town is inhabited by hard working people who help feed the rest of us everywhere. I was introduced to the audience with the usual background information that most never hear, but it did include my graduation from Union College in Schenectady, N.Y., not to be confused with a school with a similar name in Lincoln, Nebraska. During the social time following my talk, I was approached by a woman

Al Barsamian ’56 (left) and Ted Reinhold ’56 (right) were roommates in West College in their freshman year, and both joined Phi Delta Theta. Recently they had lunch together at Al and Alice’s house in Wilmington, Del.

who proudly announced that her father and uncle graduated from our Union! Van Wood was in the Class of 1955 and his brother Chauncey was in the Class of 1957. Her family was from Ohio before a series of moves had them settling in Nebraska. She told me a few stories about her father and uncle telling her about Union and the home of the American Locomotive Company and the General Electric Company. She recalled that all the stories focused on the exceptional experiences her dad and uncle had in

the city, and the beautiful campus at Union. It reminded me that you never know when you’ll encounter a member of the Union family or where that might be. I’m not sure if anyone else will care about this story, but I found it fascinating that this woman, in a small town in the eastern portion of Nebraska was so proud to have met someone from her father's alma mater.”

Friends and family are remembering Stewart A. Denenberg Ed.D., (B.S., mathematics), who passed away Friday, October 3, 2025, at home in Plattsburgh, N.Y. After graduation, he worked in government and private industry as a mathematician, programmer and technical writer. He married Claire Veilleux in 1962, and had 2 children, Karen Denenberg of Bennington, V.T., and Adam Denenberg of Albany, N.Y. Stu was in on the ground floor of computer science, working on the ILIAC IV project and eventually earning his Ed.D. in computer science education at UMass, Amherst. He began work as an assistant professor of computer science in 1977, and went on to earn tenure, establish a microcomputer lab, serve as department chair, serve as part-time director of academic computing, and work on a presidential committee to revamp the general education program. He retired after 30 years to enjoy gardening, biking, hiking and cross-country skiing in the Adirondacks and around Lake Champlain. He loved attending plays, operas and classical music performances as well as reading and writing a newspaper column titled Technology and Society. He encouraged his grandchildren and great-grandchildren to look at issues from a variety of perspectives and instilled in them a love of learning. His intellectual curiosity, love of nature and beauty, and sense of humor will be missed.”

Friends and family are remembering John B. Salzman, who died March 16, 2025. John had a great love for Union and always spoke of his time fondly, particularly his experiences with WRUC Radio, swimming and diving and Sigma Chi fraternity. During his

career, he worked for a number of companies, including Eastman Kodak, Canon, K&E, and Leasco. He designed and sold business equipment and records management systems (microfilm and optical scanning) to banks, brokers on Wall Street and government agencies.

1962

Bradley P. Sweeny and his wife, Cindy, in July 2025 hosted Robert O. Bullard Jr. ’65 and his wife, Andrea, at their summer home on Nantucket, Mass. They were fraternity brothers at Kappa Alpha and have remained in touch over the years. Bradley writes, “We reminisced about our former classmates & frat days while at Union!”

Bradley, a long-time NYC investment banker, was a partner at Bacon, Whipple & Co. and, most recently as a senior VP at Dominick & Dominick, in NYC. Robert, an attorney, was a partner at Ely, Bartlett, Brown & Proctor in Boston; later, he was a senior manager & dir. of tax for a CPA firm before moving on to private venture capital investing.

P.

summer home on Nantucket, Mass.

Family and friends are remembering Philip L. Taylor, of Lake Forest Park, WA, who died June 24, 2024, at the age of 89. He was a mechanical engineer and worked for the University of WA and U.S. government agencies,

designing and building equipment for natural sciences research. Concerned with the problem of rime-ice buildup on standard cup anemometers, which caused malfunctions, he designed an internally-heated rotor that remained ice-free, then went into business building them, and they are spinning merrily on icy mountaintops all over the globe. But he was always happiest flying the antique Travel Air biplane that he lovingly rebuilt.

1965

Celebrating the influential historian Martin Jay and his contribution to graduate education, a new award has been created that recognizes the best graduate student-authored article accepted for publication in the Journal of the History of Ideas each year. Visit jhiblog.org/2025/06/24/ to learn more.

1966

The family of Dr. Joel H. King regretfully sends news of his passing. Joel was a very proud Union alum. He was a biology major and member of the Phi Epsilon Pi fraternity. Joel was an accomplished psychiatrist practicing in New York. After graduating from Union, he attended Downstate Medical School. He completed his residency at The Massachusetts Mental Health Center, the main psychiatric teaching hospital for Harvard Medical School. He worked closely with the FDNY to provide care to those affected by the 9/11 terrorist attack. He was proud to have built a successful psychiatric practice with his daughter, Ashley (King) Curtis ’03. Joel was a lover of music, sports, travel, culture, cars and, most of all, family. Joel is survived by his wife, two daughters, and 4 grandsons. He was 80.

Friends and family are remembering Robert Verne Jackson, of North Syracuse, N.Y., who died Dec. 27, 2024. Bob devoted his 40-year engineering career with GE/Martin Mariette/ Lockheed Martin to designing the best computer chips he could for radar and sonar projects for all branches of the

military. His technical expertise was recognized with company awards. Active in his community, Bob also volunteered with North Area Meals on Wheels and with public service events like Mountain Goat Run, Halloween Pumpkin Patrol and the St. Patrick’s Day parade. An amateur ham radio operator who received the Ham of the Year award, Bob was also a 52-year member of the Pitcher Hill Community Church. He sang in the choir, served on the consistory and taught Sunday school. He is survived by his wife, Linda; sons Eric and David, and foster daughter, Lynn. He was 80.

1967

The Library of American Broadcasting Foundation recently recognized Dick Ferguson with a Giants of American Broadcasting & Electronic Arts Award. Dick is a highly respected broadcasting executive whose influence has had a lasting impact on the radio industry. Over the course of his distinguished 30-year career, he played a pivotal role in shaping the success of several leading media companies, including Cox Radio and NewCity Communications. Learn more at tvradiolibrary.org/new-page-3

David Singer writes, “I retired from my medical practice after 46 years in October of 2022. Being an ex-New Yorker, I currently reside in SURF-CITYUSA (i.e. Huntington Beach, California). Love the theater, especially musicals, going to Vegas (for shows, great restaurants, and especially POKER!). Recently saw the Eagles at the SPHERE—FANTASTIC! Have 4 great grandkids (also FANTASTIC!). Doing some traveling (saw Paul McCartney in Mexico City) and celebrated my 80th birthday in Feb 2026 with a family reunion in a seaside villa in Puerto Vallarta. I often think back about those wondrous days at Union especially the FOURMAN -ROOM at Phi-Ep with Bobby, Larry and Joel. We still stay in touch (also remember Bruce Millner sitting at the piano and playing ‘C’mon down to my boat baby!’—top sixties hit that he wrote! Those great memories and

so many others from that time will never fade. Hope all is well with everyone and keep in touch!”

Ron Gioncola writes, “My wife, Linda, and I are comfortably retired in Saratoga Springs. I’m in regular contact with Roy Jimenez, Lou Mulligan and Greg Olson. Sorry to have lost a dear friend in Bernie Mulligan a while back; he is sorely missed. I have become an avid golfer, and I sum up my golf game with two words, sublime and ridiculous! Our daughter, Elizabeth, is a health practitioner in Whitney, Texas, where she lives with her husband, Mat. Our son, Michael, is a therapist in San Diego, where he lives with his wife, Rocio. They have two daughters who are the light of our lives.When I’m in California, I enjoy playing golf at Balboa Park and Torrey Pines. We also occasionally pop in at the Del Mar Racetrack to teach our granddaughters about the laws of probability. If you get a chance, google Bart Giamatti’s Greenfields of the Mind. Particularly his problems as class secretary at Yale.”

Doug Horan writes, “Awards? Career Change? Promotions? No, none of that! But I just celebrated our 54th wedding anniversary. What to do? Hmmm, in and around beautiful Lexington, Va.? Linda and I picked out a nice 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzle to work on. Dinner? Maybe Ruby Tuesdays for their all-new lobster mac and cheese (I have a coupon for 2nd entree for $3). But not until I change blades on one of my 4 chainsaws and venture out onto our 60 acres to cut up some trees downed in the last storm. Hmmm, should I fire up the big tractor, or just use my Kubota 900RTV? Our farmer just took her 30 cows, calves and bull off the property for the winter.... don’t have to worry about them getting out and strolling down Borden Road, like happened years ago. I enjoy walking weekday mornings on the Washington and Lee campus after my morning coffee and scones at Sweet Treats Bakery. Hope all my classmates have such wild times as my wife and I.”

1968

Jay Cohen writes, “We sold our place in Florida after 10 years. Now NY State residents again after almost 50 years. Enjoying our home on Lake Champlain.”

Robert (Rob) Dickson writes, “I retired in 2019 after many decades in the automobile business and currently live in Clifton Park with my wife of 55 years, Karen. We have 2 sons, one is a New York State Trooper and the other is in financial services. We have 7 grandchildren. We were married in Memorial Chapel in 1970 by Reverend Professor Norman Johnson of Union’s Religion Department. Our reception was in Hale House. Karen and I attend many UCALL events, and I am a former presenter (October 2015). We also have been Union hockey season ticket holders for 37 years. This July, which will be my 81st, I will ride my bicycle (pedals only, not an eBike) from Staten Island to Niagara Falls in 7 days to support Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo. This year will be my 6th “Empire State Ride.” Should anyone wish to donate to Roswell Park Institute in my name feel free to visit https://give.roswellpark.org/site/TR/ SpecialEvents/General?pg=personal& px=1164901&fr_id=2130”

’73

Vicki Herzl Watkins

Gray Watkins ’76

A love of nature leads to creation of Schenectady preserve

The Schenectady County land that Vicki Herzl Watkins ’76 and Gray Watkins ’73 owned for decades has inspired much.

A deep love of and commitment to nature. The songs “Harvest Time” and “The World is a Song,” written and performed by Gray (graywatkins. bandcamp.com). And their decision, last spring, to donate all 54 acres to the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy (MHLC).

In July 2025, that acreage became the Alplaus Kill Preserve, named after the creek that forms its eastern border.

The decision to donate was an easy one for the couple.

“We moved to the hamlet of Alplaus after Union and enjoyed walking and exploring this property, which was right across the street from our first home (we now live across the creek from the preserve). When a neighbor offered it for sale in 1995, we purchased it,” said Vicki. “We acquired two adjacent parcels over the next 20 years until we had a 54-acre contiguous parcel.”

“We did briefly consider subdividing into a few large building lots after the initial purchase but soon decided against it as the land is too beautiful to develop,” added Gray, who studied English and graduated from Albany Law School. “We also considered other uses—a Christmas tree farm, blueberry farm, soccer/lacrosse fields. But we resolved that the deer, herons, foxes, coyotes, eagles, river otters,

racoons and others needed a home more than we or the community needed it for those other purposes.”

Of the 500 acres of MHLC-protected land in Schenectady County, this parcel is the first to be open to the public.

“Hyper-development places too great a strain on nature, and on our relation to and enjoyment of nature’s beauty and the lessons we can learn from it,” said Gray. “More strain on public utilities, increased traffic and more pavement does not serve the long-term wellbeing of the individual or the community.”

“There is an energy in the land that should be cherished, along with the life it sustains. Standing in our yard across the creek from the preserve, we’ve seen bald eagles winging along the water, heard a pack of coyotes yipping, watched a flock of thousands of migrating blackbirds, and seen many deer pausing for a drink at the creek,” added Vicki. “Why would we not try to keep that close to home and share it with the community?”

A love of nature helped bring them together when they met at Union during chemistry lab. (Gray had briefly considered becoming a veterinarian in his junior year, which is why the English major was in Vicki’s first-year chemistry class. While those plans didn’t last, the couples’ love for one another did. Gray and Vicki even spent a summer working for a traveling carnival after graduation.)

“I figured, if we made it through that—earning money for rent and law

school and trying to find ourselves in the process we could make it through anything,” said Gray. “It helped that we valued many of the same things, too. The outdoors has always been important to both of us, despite very different upbringings.”

Gray grew up hunting and fishing, exploring the woods, fields and streams as his family moved from Kentucky to Connecticut to Ohio and finally to New York for his father’s job with GE. He spent the later part of his adolescence in a neighborhood adjoining Alplaus and graduated from Niskayuna High School. Vicki is a first-generation American who grew up in downstate (New York) suburbia but spent many summers on a small dairy farm in Vermont, growing to appreciate the delicate balance between nature and development and expanding her love of the outdoors.

Nature has remained a vital part of the life that Gray and Vicki have built together. They still hike, bike, ski and paddle in the Adirondacks, and have had many adventures around the world. The couple, who have two children (Steve and Jenny), have travelled extensively, exploring and mountaineering. Gray has climbed the highest peaks, and many others, on five of the seven continents. In 2019, they summited Mr. Kilimanjaro together.

After practicing real estate law for 40 years (Gray) and earning 15 patents as a GE materials scientist during a 38-year career (Vicki), both are now retired.

HOW DID UNION INFORM YOUR CAREER PATHS?

“Hans Freund, Mike Shinagel, Ruth Stevenson, Charlie Steckler and others, were more than professors. They were mentors and friends who selflessly shared their life experiences and learning in a way that young minds, including my own, could both appreciate and emulate. Union College allowed me the freedom to explore various scholastic disciplines, with its unique combination of both liberal arts and science/engineering curricula, in a small, friendly and supportive campus. The opportunity to learn from students from more varied backgrounds and lifestyles was also an important part of my experience at Union.”

— Gray Watkins ’73, retired real estate attorney

“Bob Schaefer (chemistry), Stephen Berk (history) and Hans Freund (English) were my most influential teachers. Union was my first choice of schools because I looked for a small liberal arts college with strong sciences. I was interested in becoming a veterinarian and chose to major in chemistry instead of biology, the more traditional route to med/vet schools, due to an exciting introduction to chemistry in high school. I took as many classes outside of the sciences as I was able to and am forever grateful for that exposure. My biggest regret was that I didn’t take advantage of a term abroad during my years at Union.”

— Vicki Herzl Watkins ’76, retired GE Global Research materials scientist

How

well

do

you know U ?

Test your knowledge of Union history!

ACROSS:

3. First fraternity in the nation, born in Schenectady

5. Union weekend capped with fireworks and old stories

7. Union’s rallying cry

8. John Blair who first led Union (and taught most of the classes)

11. Campus landmark that’s well-rounded 12. Webster, West, Davidson, to name a few 13. Spring campus tradition that hits all the right notes

15. Sun-seeking students’ favorite patch of grass

16. Alum behind a famously chilly land deal

18. On the menu every spring, butter necessary

DOWN:

1. Color of Union pride

2. The brook that bounds

4. Rhodes scholar turned Union president

6. Quiet place to cram for finals

9. Trophy on the line in Albany each winter

10. Inventor and Union professor associated with GE

13. Actor on “Parks and Rec” who made Jean-Ralphio the woooorst!

14. Final resting place of Union’s longest-serving president

15. Campus relic that predates most everything else

17. The geologist’s Minerva House

Answers on Page 62

1969

Joseph J. James writes, “After three decades of serving as an economic development manager and director for local and state governments, I became a climate-tech entrepreneur and invented, in 2018, and have begun deploying my patented Combined Remediation Biomass and Bio-Product Production (CRBBP) Process. I plant the fastest and largest-growing bio-crops I can find, and use photosynthesis to maximize the capture of extraordinarily large amounts of CO 2/acre/time period, at a very low cost ($35/ton), to combat climate change, and to remediate other environmental challenges and provide other societal benefits (pop-up shade amenities), then convert the resulting plant material (biomass) into Climate-Smart BioProducts, in which I can long-term sequester the captured carbon, while creating new bio-economy jobs. In addition to conducting Demo Projects in the US, I have just shipped seeds to Africa to see how we might operate on that continent, as well.”

T. Michael White MD (Dr. Mike) lives in Florida’s “sweet spot” -- Belleair, Florida. He writes, “Having been gifted the privilege of a lifetime medical career (thank you Union), I recognize a responsibility to strive to leave my sacred profession better than when it was first entrusted to me. At this time, I am endeavoring to fix United States health care by advancing universal access to affordable, basic/necessary, compassionate—safe, timely, efficient, effective, equitable/just, patient-centered care. (ABC-STEEEP). Please follow my progress at https://www.fixingushealthcare.com/ and then please share your insights regarding what I have right, wrong and/or omitted. Your perceptions will greatly enhance my efforts. I will be delighted to hear from you at mikewhitemd@gmail.com.”

On November 18, 2025, Gerald “Jerry” Sternberg and his wife, Merle, received the Jewish Federation of Madison’s Ben Minkoff Volunteer

Service Award. They founded the African American/Jewish Friendship Group, which holds an annual Freedom Seder and in January 2026, they sponsored a bill in the Wisconsin Legislature to mandate the teaching of African American History in all Wisconsin schools, which will need a majority of State Senators and Assembly Representatives to be enacted. Jerry is still practicing law pro bono, representing poor folks, after working as a government lawyer for 38 years. When the Sternbergs lived in Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y., he and Merle established a community breakfast in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., which just had its 14th annual celebration.

1970

John DiCocco writes, “After a career in marketing for colleges and universities, I’m delighted to announce the publication of my book, ‘FU, A Novel of Foxton University,’ called by one reviewer ‘the most hilarious sendup of higher education you may ever read.’ I’m already working on a second novel. Friends can find it on Amazon or at johndicocco.com. I’m also looking forward to Homecoming in the fall of 2026. Staying active here in Plymouth, MA, with golf, pickleball and gym workouts. Best wishes to all.”

Bill Dwyer writes, “I have been living in the Palm Beach, FL, area for the last 35 years. I am retired from an aerospace company. December 28, 2024, Teresa Fitzsimmons and I got married. We both lost our spouses in 2020. We met in a grief group and by the grace of God we were married last year. We honeymooned in Cape Cod, MA. We saw Tom Oberst ’69 and Don Jackson during our stay.”

John Hammerstrom writes, “Seven local friends and a tractor contributed to construction of a quonset hut dedicated in October 2025 to house the tractor at our home on the Big Island of Hawaii. I personally touched all 2,000 bolts, and my hands have nearly recovered. My new motto is ‘I’m getting too old NOT to [fill in the blank].’

I really enjoyed our 55th ReUnion, particularly the conversations with cronies and also those with several ‘kids’ I should have gotten to know better 55 years ago. We have some very bright, interesting classmates.”

Mark Kopins lives in Langhorne, PA, about a half hour from Philadelphia, and writes, “Wife Margie and I just got back from a mission to Cuba. We visited four synagogues and attended several local concerts. Last summer we went on a cruise around the Great

Lakes. It was my first visit to Niagara Falls and Mackinac Island. Looking ahead, we signed up for a London theatre tour in the spring that includes five shows. We are also signed up for a river boat cruise going from Memphis to Nashville for next summer. We’ll keep traveling, but I must admit I'm slowing down a little with age. When we aren’t traveling, I keep busy with euphonium lessons, ping pong, Netflix movies, going to the gym and doctor visits.”

Mike McFarland writes, “Retired in 2014 after working 44 years; first 34 years in telecommunications (Bell Labs, AT&T, Lucent, Paradyne, among others) and the last 10 in enterprise software (Citrix Systems). First 22 years in engineering roles and the last 22 in product management PM. I loved those PM years! Health is still good so my wife of 53 years and I travel quite a bit across the US and Canada in our RV when we are not gardening at our Tampa, FL area home in November through May and hiking near our north Georgia mountain retreat during Florida’s hot and humid June through October period. We’re planning a 3-month excursion to western US and Canadian national parks in the summer of 2026. I did a solo 87-day trip (lots of Fitbit zone minutes while hiking). All my photos convinced my wife she’s going this time. One son (a student-athlete back in his day) and one grandson (a budding student-athlete). Life is good!”

Carl Thum writes, “Lisa and I are in our fifth year of retirement after 37-plus years at Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH. Successful transition of our ID adult daughter into a nearby supported residence. She calls it her new home. We visit our son who lives/works (GIS) in SoCal. Doing a bit more travel. Concentrating on family and friends. Attend the Union-Dartmouth hockey games. Union is a ‘hot’ college for some of the local high schools.”

Kevin Clowe ’72 writes, “I was recently in London at the Stafford Hotel in St. James, in the American Bar. During WW2, American officers were billeted here, and the bar became a repository for all kinds of mementos and such (many photos of famous individuals). Still one of the top hotel bars in London. As you can see, there is a Union banner that goes back at least 30 years to when I was first here. About ten years ago I sent a similar picture with, oddly, Bill Nighy, the English actor, sitting beneath it (he thought I was taking his picture).”

1971

Steve Amira writes, “The announcement in alumni newsletter that Professor Carl George had died at age 95 brought back many memories. When I, and my roommate, Vic Lerish, first got to know Carl as our adviser freshman year, he was also new to the school and was a young man of 37. The article went on to highlight his many accomplishments and activities over the years, both at the school and more widely. Many of these were unknown to me, but in retrospect, no surprise either. If nothing else, his ability to impress

upon us his deep appreciation of biology and the natural world, and the need for all of us to actively protect and preserve it, had a profound impact on us. He was a master teacher and his course in vertebrate biology was among the best courses I had. Carl was my thesis advisor and from him I learned how to do more sophisticated, graduate level work. Carl’s cultural interests and his total dedication to the school was an extra bonus. Remarkably, at our 45th ReUnion weekend, Vic and I, and our party, were able to have dinner with Carl and reminisce. We were lucky to have had him as our advisor and professor. Union was as lucky to have him as an ongoing presence as we were to be his advisees.”

1973

Patrick A. Guida, Esq. is now president of the Rhode Island Bar Association. His term runs from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. Patrick is a partner at Duffy & Sweeney, a Division of Stevens & Lee and is part of the firm’s banking and finance, business law, and real estate law teams. He has been providing legal services to institutional banking clients throughout New England for more than four decades and previously served as in-house counsel for two major banks. In 2022, he was elected president of the American College of Commercial Finance Lawyers and named an honoree in the Excellence in the Law Hall of Fame by Rhode Island Lawyers Weekly. He was recognized by Best Lawyers as the 2019 “Lawyer of the Year” for Banking and Finance in the Providence metro region. He is an elected Fellow of the American College of Commercial Finance Lawyers and a member of the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws. Patrick is a member of both the Rhode Island Bar Foundation and the American Bar Foundation.

1974

Chuck Rothman has had his novel, The Cadaver Princess, published by Amazing Stories Select. It is his third published novel. Chuck has been writing SF and fantasy for over 40 years, with the novels and over 60 short stories in print in magazines like Asimov's, The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, and Analog, plus in the anthologies Temporally Out of Order, Horror for the Throne, Unidentified Funny Objects and others. The Cadaver Princess is set in London in 1831, when a corpse that is brought to an anatomist for dissection sits up—despite being clearly dead. SF author Alan Steele calls it, “a dark mélange of fantasy, horror, and history, The Cadaver Princess hooked me on the first page. Like Dickens crossed with Poe, there isn’t anything else quite like it.” Chuck’s web page is chuckrothman.com

1976

HAM mile captain Ellen Radack Kahan ’76 and medical tent physician Nadia Duvilaire ’90 ran into each other at NYC Marathon 2025 (mile 3P/B). Small world!

Despite retirement, Craig Diamond concluded a multi-year study of the impacts of biosolids in Florida, which has become the basis for reconsideration of state regulations. He continues to serve on the Sierra Club’s Conservation Policy Committee and was elected to the Executive Council of the International Society for the Advancement of Emergy Research. He and wife travel often to France to see the grandchildren and he makes a point of visiting Sam Hughes when stars align and the weather permits.

Nick Coward writes, “Within one week of graduation from Union, I started work as a clerk in the offices of BakerMcKenzie, a rapidly growing, pioneering global law firm now including some 72 offices in 49 countries. While continuing to work, I attended the George Mason University School of Law (now the Antonin Scalia law school), from which I secured a law degree and legitimized myself. After almost 50 years with BakerMcKenzie, during which I had the privilege of helping to establish a premier practice focused on the application of US law to transactions outside the US by both US and non-US firms, including the effects of US trade sanctions and export controls, as well as serving as

Helena Binder ’76 writes, “In October, I had the pleasure of directing a production of Carlisle Floyd’s ‘Susannah’ for St. Pete Opera (https://stpeteopera.org/event/ susannah/), which allowed me to spend some extended time with dear friends Jan Abelseth ’75 and Steve Lillienstein ’75, who live in Gulfport, FL. We had a lot of fun talking about old times and remembering our Union classmates.”

managing partner of the Washington office and a member of the firm’s global Executive Committee, I decided to retire at age 70. I now have time to spend with my wife and 4 children and have taken up singing again, a passion fostered in me by Hugh Allen Wilson during my tenure at Union. Coupled with extensive international travel (also a feature of my time at Union) and service on boards of community organizations, I am pleased to report that there remains the possibility of fulfilling life after retirement.”

1977

Irving Kaufman MD writes, “I’m so happily married to my wife, Reva of 41 years. We’re blessed with four children and 10 grandkids. I enjoy working three days a week at Saint Peters

Landreth

Glenn

and Ben

(all members of Phi Sigma

recently enjoyed a mini-ReUnion in Concord, N.H. They gathered for lunch and then went to the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center. The center, which is a museum and a planetarium, has many interesting things to see. Lots of space & technology exhibits.

1978

Family and friends are remembering Jeffrey P. Clarke, of Moultonborough, N.H., who served in the Army during Vietnam. The recipient of the Bronze Star with Valor and the Eagle for Meritorious service, he owned Clarke Insurance Agency in Manchester, Conn., for 35 years. Jeff loved his time at Union and Alpha Delta Phi. He died March 28, 2025, at 78.

1979

Don Dulchinos ’78 writes, “While browsing through the Spring 2025 issue, where we usually breeze past the weddings section as our classes have long since married, or re-married, the note in 2012 for Benjamin Engle and Melanie Watman caught our eye for the mention, among alumni in attendance, of the phrase ‘and in our hearts, Lisa Novak ’79.’ As Lisa and husband Gregg were extremely close friends of ours in those years before they were lost to us too young, we began messaging each other to see if anyone knew the married couple. We finally found one of us who remembered that Benjamin is the son of Lisa’s dear sister, Bethany, and her husband Lawrence. So that was a sweet note for the family to include in

University Hospital Be Well, Family Medicine in Somerset, NJ. We specialize in using the innovative program of Dr. Dale Bredesen, Recode 2.0 at www.apollohealth.com, to stop the progression and reverse minimum cognitive impairment and early Alzheimer’s in over 80% of my patients. I’m also still the chairman of the Department of Family Medicine in Saint Peters University Hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey. I’m still the Stein hospice medical director in Somerset, NJ. I’m a happy student of Yan style tai chi. Still enjoy swimming.

And I am grateful to still be able to walk and shovel snow; 10,600 steps yesterday at beach house in Bradley Beach, New Jersey. Still love singing, and various houses of worship, and I am still a tenor and a grateful former member of the college glee club. I still like following international news and kill politics and having membership in the international relations club is a great experience in Union College. I love to cook for my family and friends and I enjoy several Jewish houses of worship. I pray for peace and understanding of all people in the world.”

Members of Sigma Chi attended a golf event at Christman’s Windham House in August 2025. Alumni in attendance included Tom Talbott ’80, Paul Romas ’80, Anthony Klockenbrink ’79, Mike Squier ’80, Steve McCarthy ’80, Doug Crawford ’80, Vern Wetmore ’79, KR Marshall ’80, Paul Stolboff ’80, Pete Van Valkinberg ’80, Scott Troxell ’80, Mike Hogan ’80, Mike Mulpeter ’80, Carl Seiden ’80, Rick Mirabito ’80, Kevin Eberly ’80, Billy Fay ’80, Chris Walsh ’80 and Keith Miller ’80.

the magazine notice. Also, in the process of research, one of our friends discovered something many of us had not known; a tribute to Lisa that had been started up by her friends in the publishing business -

http://lisalibraries.org. From that site: ‘The Lisa Libraries was started by author Ann M. Martin and friends to honor and memorialize children’s book editor Lisa Novak. Some of the libraries established have been at

day-care centers, prison visiting areas for children of incarcerated parents, and after-school programs. The Lisa Libraries supplements under-filled shelves as well as providing books to many children who may never have owned a book before.’ Those of us who hadn’t heard of this were moved and are putting together a group donation with everyone listed below. If we missed a friend of Lisa, please see the site below to donate as you are so moved. And we still miss you, Lisa and Gregg. Mike Densmore ’75, Al Humbert ’77, Laurie Horowitz Humbert ’78, Jeff Barnes ’77, Carl Mateo ’77, Chris Pike ’77, Marji Cooney Macy ’78, Don Dulchinos ’78, Steve Attermann ’79, Roger Landau ’79, Paul Magaril ’79, Ted O’Brien ’79, Beth Berlin ’80, Ellen Lapayover Hannah ’80, Drew Hannah ’80, Pete Raymond ’80, Steven Krisky ’80, Dana Mintzer McClive ’80, Harry RocklandMiller ’80, Pete Raymond ’80, Gregg Singer ’80, Robert and Elisa Smalley ’80, Sue Weiner ’80, Jeff Wilklow ’80, Sally Sandbach Wilklow ’81, Erik Aldeborgh ’81, Steve Buchanan ’81, Neal Cabral ’81, Kevin Farley ’81, Jan Goldstein ’81, Connor Jane O’Brien Mayer ’81, Harry Rosen ’81, Jack Taylor ’81, Steve Mark ’82, Suzanne Koppelman ’82 and John Atwater ’83. Tax-deductible monetary donations can be made by sending a check made out to The Lisa Novak Community Libraries, address at the link, or use the PayPal button at the bottom of the page: http://lisalibraries.org/ contact/. Please add the notation that this is from ‘Union Friends of Lisa’ in either the memo section of the check or as the ‘company’ for the online donations.”

1980

Paul Romas writes, “Since 2007, members of Sigma Chi fraternity (Class of ’80) have been making a trip up to Christman’s Windham House in Windham, N.Y., for a 2-day golf event. The event was held this year August 22/23, with 2 fun rounds of golf interspersed with stories of grandchildren and Union College memories. It

usually draws 20-30 members of our fraternity. In addition to catching up with our brothers, we have been collecting and donating money to various charities, both in Schenectady and elsewhere, that we feel are important. Over the years, we have contributed to the Boys and Girls Club of Schenectady; Big Brothers/Sisters; Safe, Inc.; City Mission; Catholic Charities and Inner Cities Ministries. Last year, we donated to Western North Carolina Red Cross due to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. Year to date we have contributed over $100,000 to these charities. Our golf outing is in memorial to our cook, Don Z., who provided many notable meals during our stay at Union. Donations to City Mission are in his name. When we get together, it’s amazing how the years melt away and we feel as if we had just left Union yesterday.”

1981

Karen Karibian writes, “I recently visited my good friend and college pal Karen Lee Kahl ’80 and her husband, Mitch, in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, where they retired to. It was wonderful spending time with them in the balmy, warm weather and I was happy to see that they have settled nicely in a vacation-resort type of environment. Karen worked in Jersey City for many years and convinced me to consider it as an option for relocation, as my roots were originally from Manhattan. Jersey City is in very close proximity to the Big Apple and is an evolving, prospering place, with an expansive and beautiful waterfront (a great prototype for a fifteen-minute city). Since graduating, I have lived in numerous places, including rural Vermont, but my inner compass brought me back to the tri-state area, which I am presently enjoying. The offerings for cultural, artistic, social and activism-based activities are endless. I will always look fondly upon my time at Union. It enabled me to pursue my intellectual, creative and moral ambitions. I hold these memories sacred and always will. Those

Mary Beth (Burnett) Regan writes, “It was great to see some Class of 1981 alums in September. We gathered in the Boston area and had a great seafood lunch in Hingham. Our group included John Hunt, Nancy (Colt) Hart, Jim White, Chuck Hart ’80 and MB (Burnett) Regan.”

were the best of times! As an avid reader and lover of adventure and freedom, my experiences at Union solidified my independent spirit and curious nature. My friendship with Karen over so many years has proven to be a most rewarding one, and I am so grateful for her, as well as for my colleagues, professors and Union staff members that I met along the way!”

Friends and family are remembering James S. Daly, of Wilton, N.Y., who died October 27, 2025. Jim grew up in Niskayuna and was a lifelong resident of the Capital Region. After graduating from Union with his degree in political science, he received his JD from Albany Law School. He then joined his father, Charles Daly ’38, in the practice of law and continued that practice until his death. He was a member of the Sigma Phi Society and a 45-year member of the Mayfield Yacht Club. Jim is survived by his wife, Jennifer A. (Gaylord) Daly; his sons, Jared and Ian; his brother Bob Daly ’71; his sister, Nancy Camden; and his nieces and nephew.

Robert J. Ostrander writes, “I just read the article about the Klemm Fellows in the winter issue of our alumni magazine. Professor Klemm was our professor for a term abroad in Schwäbisch Hall, Germany for the spring trimester in 1979. In addition to the language instruction at the Goethe Institut there, Professor Klemm taught a great course in the history and Weltanschauungen (roughly worldviews, but not exactly) of Germany from the Middle Ages through the Baroque period, largely anchored in trips highlighting the architecture of each period. The photo is at the Hotel Rose in Schwäbisch

Hall, which became our gathering place, and where the proprietors threw us a farewell party on their patio, with a keg of the local Haller Löwenbräu and a generous platter of sausages. One legacy of Professor Klemm’s passion for terms abroad is my helping with a small exchange program between the SUNY Upstate Medical University Norton College of Medicine and two medical colleges in Germany. I have led the coordination of an exchange with 3 German students for 4-10 weeks of study here in the Finger Lakes, where my practice has been. Thank you for allowing me to relive those wonderful days.”

Robert is an associate professor and medical director of Rural Medical Scholars Program/RMED at SUNY Upstate Medical University Norton College of Medicine.

1982

Classmates are remembering Sonia Rosen, who died May 5, 2025, in Arlington, Virginia. She was 64. They write, “Sonia Rosen: Mother, humanitarian, social justice warrior and friend. While at Union, Sonia launched an Amnesty International chapter and helped found the Women’s Network, where she supported women’s reproductive and mental health on campus. After graduation, Sonia worked at the International Human Rights Law Group in Washington D.C. and obtained her JD in 1989 at the University of Minnesota. She then worked for Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights, where she helped draft a UN-endorsed protocol on investigating politically motivated murders (including the shocking murder of six Jesuit priests in El Salvador); advocated to stop human rights violations in numerous countries; and established a death penalty project. In 1992, Sonia served as director of Amnesty International’s Midwest Office in Chicago and, in 1993, joined the US Department of Labor to lead a new division to counter global child labor. Among other actions, she organized a presidential initiative central to building the foundations of the

anti-sweatshop movement. She volunteered and held consultancies with several Jewish, social justice, political and environmental protection organizations. She was particularly active in her last years with the Arlington Food Assistance Center, to which donations in her memory can be made https://afac.org/. In 1997, the Union College Magazine ran this article about Sonia: https://drive.google.com/ file/d/1mwduoSTqsS3AREmnak-pxtomq7iRbUQg/view?pli=1. A 2023 interview with Sonia is posted here: https://umedia.lib.umn.edu/item/ p16022coll684:5. Sonia will be missed by so many who loved and cherished her.”

John Hartzell writes, “I retired from the practice of law in December 2023. My last position was serving in the Pennsylvania Office of Chief Counsel, where I was deputy chief counsel with the Pennsylvania Department of State. I previously retired from the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve in 2015, where my final rank was captain. As a volunteer, I became a master watershed steward through the Penn State Extension Office in 2024. I assist the extension office with stormwater and watershed projects in Adams and Cumberland counties. I also serve on the Straban Township Planning Commission. My wife Jan (F & M 1984) and I live outside

Union’s Family Circle is a philanthropic group whose members become College insiders and investors in its success, ultimately developing stronger ties to their student’s Union experience.

We appreciate everything that Family Circle members shared with Union in 2025 – 2026. Your generosity has an incredible impact.

We invite all families to join us in supporting the educational programs and activities that will make your child’s Union experience extraordinary.

To learn more about the Family Circle, please contact:

David Jadin

Director of Major Gifts (518) 388-6728

jadind@union.edu union.edu/parents-families

“Our family has enjoyed a long history with Union. So much of who we are today stems from the experiences both in and out of the classroom, as well as the friendships created here. Having our son attend Union, we know his experiences here will last a lifetime.”

– Dan ’90 and Cathy Gould P’26, Family Circle co-chairs

of Gettysburg, PA. I am currently over 700 miles into a flip-flop thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, which has been a longtime goal. I am doing this with a friend. It is physically more demanding than I anticipated, but I am enjoying it thoroughly.

Richard Altman writes, “In the summer of 1981, I went on a term abroad—a study of socialized medicine to England, Sweden and Poland—but Poland was cancelled due to impending martial law and political issues. So, I had a wonderful summer in England and Sweden with the late Professor Gado and classmates. Finally, 44 years later, I went to Poland with Professor Stephen Berk on an Eastern European tour. There were 7 other Union grads there as well representing the classes of ’75, ’80, ’81, ’82, ’83 and ’90.

1984

Linda Gutin writes, “For several years now, I’ve had fun sending email blasts inviting and—yes!—enjoying your submissions. Shortly after the last one, however, I received a particularly heartfelt response: ‘Hey there, Linda. This is Alison, Pete Jameson’s wife. You may not have heard our sad and awful news: On October 10, 2024, Peter was diagnosed with metastatic pancreatic cancer. Despite treatment and a valiant fight, he died May 16, 2025. This grief journey is brutal, and I’m grateful for the remarkable support his Sigma Chi brothers have shown.’ Thanks to guidance and editing from the magazine’s terrific staff, we invite you to read these interrelated submissions from Pete’s family and Dave Frederick as well as a heartwarming obituary linked at union.edu/magazine or just Google his name—and, if you’re on LinkedIn, search his name for a wonderful, informative post by a former colleague. Personally, I wish I’d known him better. Getting to know Alison, who was his high school sweetheart, has been a true honor. To those who knew Pete, I’m so very sorry for your loss. And, if reading this special combination of updates inspires you to do so, you’re certainly invited to honor lost classmates in future submissions.

Friends and family are remembering Peter Hamilton Jameson, 63, of Pittsford, N.Y., who died May 16, 2025, after a valiant fight against pancreatic cancer. They write, “At Union, Pete joined Sigma Chi fraternity, where he served as vice president and embodied all seven of the principles upon which it was founded: courage, wisdom, integrity, high ambition, self-control, courtesy, and fidelity. Respected by both older and younger brothers, when Pete spoke, people listened. (It helped that he was also very funny.)

After Union, Pete married his muchbeloved Alison. After earning his MBA from the University of Rochester, Pete joined Eastman Kodak, becoming a vice president in project management. His passion for exploring new technological frontiers led him to the mountains of Geneva, Switzerland, with Kodak, to the shores of the Pacific for a role with Osterhout Design Group in San Francisco, and, finally, back to Rochester with Vuzix. Ever the supportive father, Pete traveled thousands of miles to cheer on his kids at soccer games, band recitals and musical productions. He coached youth basketball in Rochester and little league baseball while in Geneva. A renaissance man who never idled, Pete truly embodied the spirit of DIY throughout his life. From painting houses in college to building entire decks by hand, he always found a project to work on. Even right up until his diagnosis, Pete worked tirelessly refurbishing the family cottage on Keuka Lake, creating a beautiful place for them to gather for generations to come.”

Dave Frederick writes, “While I could tell you about me, I’d prefer to share what being Pete Jameson’s fraternity brother and friend has meant. In re-reading his obituary, I realized that he led a blessed life—one he worked hard for and truly deserved. As a leader at Sigma Chi, holding the position of Pro Consul (Vice President) when I was Consul (President), Pete was a dedicated student who also knew how to have a good time. With his future wife, Alison, attending Skidmore, we made numerous trips to Saratoga—and she often visited the

Sigma Chi house. As fun-loving as Pete, their love was truly special. Soon after graduation, they were married in a storybook wedding in their hometown of Pittsford, N.Y., where—having moved around the world and back— they eventually resettled. As my wife is also from Pittsford, we were fortunate to share more memorable times. When I learned of Pete’s illness, I was heartbroken. Their rock, a husband and father with integrity and high standards, Pete left a lasting impression on so many—as evidenced by the overflowing church at his funeral. Sigs attending were: me, Tom Cutter, Charlie Moore, Scott Wykoff ’85, Darryl Hunt ’86 and Andy Hartzell. Other Sigs attending the visitation were Pete Stegemann ’85 with wife Tricia Bowering Stegemann ’85, and Frank Volino ’85.”

Andrew J. Kirsch writes, “After graduating in 1984, I earned my M.D. from SUNY Downstate School of Medicine, completed my urology residency at Columbia University Medical Center, and a pediatric urology fellowship at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. I serve as chief of pediatric urology at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta; professor of urology at Emory University School of Medicine; and medical director at Georgia Urology, the largest physician-owned urology practice in the country. I’ve published more than 300 manuscripts and book chapters, trained hundreds of urologists and cared for tens of thousands of children. In 2025, I received the John W. Duckett Pediatric Urology Research Excellence Award from the American Urological Association. I’m also the co-founder and CEO of Global Continence, Inc., developer of Soluu™, a noninvasive neuromodulation device designed to stop bedwetting in children. We’re preparing our FDA submission and have raised over $2 million in funding, supported by multiple NIH/FDA Pediatric Device Innovation Grants. My Sigma Phi fraternity brother, David Katz, serves as our business advisor. Learn more at globalcontinence.com. Earlier this year, I co-authored The Ultimate Bedwetting Survival Guide, a five-star

Amazon release for parents and clinicians. Outside of medicine, I serve as chief medical liaison at Project Chimps, a sanctuary for retired research chimpanzees in Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. I live in Atlanta with my wife, Dr. Susan (Singer) Kirsch ’86, also a physician. We’re proud parents of three grown children, including Alex Kirsch ’16, and one grandchild.”

Alissa Calabria Quinn writes, “I’m thrilled to share that I’ve published my first book, The Power of Impact Circles! This book explores how authentic relationships, shared purpose and community can transform both our personal and professional lives. Rooted in my experiences as a wealth management professional and lifelong connector, The Power of Impact Circles offers a framework for building meaningful networks that elevate not only success—but fulfillment. I’m honored to follow in the footsteps of my father, Union College Psychology Professor Frank Calabria, who also chronicled his journey in his memoir, Let It Be a Dance. Since its release, I’ve had the privilege of sharing the message of Impact Circles at the Forbes SHOOK Top Advisor Summit in Las Vegas, the Women’s Employment & Resource Center, and the Fort Orange Club Literary Society. I was also deeply humbled when the Mayor of Schenectady proclaimed September 24, 2025, as “Alissa Calabria Quinn Day” following my keynote for the Schenectady Business & Professional Women’s Club, in my hometown. Learn more at www.thepowerofimpactcircles.com”

Jeffrey J. Cornell writes, “I recently retired as a principal engineer from General Dynamics, Electric Boat after 40 plus years in the nuclear engineering discipline. I received the ‘Distinguished Shipbuilders Award.’ I split my time between the shipyard in Groton, CT and the Kesselring Site Test and Training Facility near Saratoga Springs. We have two farms in Hartford, NY in Washington County (Holley Hill Farms, LLC) near the Vermont border where we make maple syrup and grow hay,

sweet corn, lots of potatoes and other vegetables. We have three sons and two grandchildren. My youngest son, Charles Cornell, is a talented musician and entertainer on his YouTube channel. I play brass instruments in local community bands. I continue to be Scoutmaster of the local Troop (a job I have had for decades). I am an Adirondack 46er and enjoy hiking, camping and canoeing.”

Cheryl (Keenan) Dorsey writes, “Our focus lately has been three: prong grandchildren, consulting on an EVTOL aircraft and pilgrimages. The grandchildren keep us very busy as they live nearby. The consulting allows me to ride the next aviation technology wave, and the hiking keeps us physically active. From 2022 to 2024 we hiked the entire Camino Frances, the Camino Portuguese, and the Camino del Norte. Last fall we backpacked the Via Francigena from Switzerland to Rome. It was by far the hardest thing I have ever done and in hindsight I’m glad I did it.”

Cheryl Spanos’ debut fantasy novel, Bedlam Bewitched, was awarded a 2025 IPPY (Independent Publisher Book Awards), garnering a bronze medal in the Young Adult Fiction— Fantasy category. A teenage witch must save her uncle’s enchanted bookstore from scheming adversaries and swindlers from her past in this award-winning tale of mayhem amid the stacks. Visit the author’s website at https://www.cherylspanos.com/ bedlam-bewitched/ for further details.

1985

Norman Birnbach writes, “Stealing Time, my debut book, was named a 2025 Silver Falchion Finalist and a 2025 Silver Falchion Award Judges’ Top Pick at this year’s Killer Nashville Writers Conference.”

Thomas Webb writes, “I thoroughly enjoyed 2 years in the Sierras with Yosemite Helitack before finishing a MSME (G’85). Subsequently ventured into commercial aerospace at Texas Instruments and Pratt & Whitney and went on to become a 777/767/747 Aircraft Specialist for KLM Airlines (Schiphol), and QANTAS (Sydney); accumulating several patents along the way. Tried diligently over the years not to become a technical barbarian (and partially succeeded). Still have a tag-a-long 85 Toyota Supra, equipped with a cassette player. Reconnected with Robin Kilmartin ’83 while single parenting. We recently got hitched in Steamboat, Colorado, with a small bridle party—literally chomping at the bit! Good grub and honest horses rounded out the festivities. Currently enjoying time with family and friends in the Sierras (NV) and White Mountains (NH). Many thanks to my 12308 VIPs Ann Thomas (AV), Brian Cotterell (Skellar), Bruno Sacchetti (Peter Pause), and Professors Jewell, Harlow, Ingalls, and Sowa.”

1986

Mary K. Carroll, the Dwane W. Crichton Professor of Chemistry at Union College, completed a three-year term in the American Chemical Society (ACS) presidential succession in December 2025. She remains active in ACS. For 2026, she has been appointed as an Associate to the ACS Committee on Membership Affairs (MAC) and as a consultant to the newly formed ACS Committee on the Advancement of LGBTQ+ Chemists (CALC).

1987

Drew Lent writes, “It has been a wild ride from a one-person sub-satellite

Naresh Gunaratnam ’87 writes, “Andre Les Pierre ’87, Jonathan Barofsky ’87 and I met in Brooklyn recently to celebrate my birthday. I am a GI doctor and am in Minneapolis and run this program: https:// www.mngi.com/health-360”

Class of 1987 graduates Amy Sirkin Mulron (top left), Traci Farber Kamil (top right), Shari Ruoff Kurtz (bottom left) and Michelle Packer Honig (bottom right) recently got together. Traci writes, “Almost 40 years later, the friendships I began at Union College remain at the heart of my life, and I enjoy celebrating life’s milestones together.”

’88 with

office in Rochester to a recent promotion to vice president at Tetra Tech. Our western New York services focus on clean energy development, remediation of contaminated properties and making the world a better place one day and one site at a time. It is also great to share the news with my dad (David Lent ’53).

1988

Keith Young writes, I was saddened to read of the passing of Felmon Davis. I took a few courses from Felmon and he was my thesis advisor. He was the best—a philosopher’s philosopher. According to William Temple: ‘Criticism must be sympathetic, or it will completely miss the mark; but it must also be dispassionate and relentless.’ That was Felmon. The first impression he gave was warm and friendly. All were welcome in his class; all were invited to contribute. But what was contributed, in class or in a paper, was subject to unsparing scrutiny. He wanted us to think; and if we were already thinkers, he wanted us to go beyond where our thoughts had taken us. He wanted us, in short, to grow. A few years ago, I reread the text of my senior thesis, ‘The Myth of Sisyphus’ by Albert Camus. I took the occasion to reach out to Felmon with a brief email, to which he responded. I will take this occasion to say publicly what I said to him in private: I am grateful to have been his student.”

1990

Pamela Kustas writes, “In 2012, I made a career change for an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. I moved to Singapore and joined Bloomberg as an equities market specialist to provide analytical equity expertise to prospective clients and current users. I was traveling and covering clients in S.E. Asia. It was amazing to be there collaborating with customers and our product development team to influence the future direction of Bloomberg’s products. My term abroad was a great foundation for traveling! I came back right before

Covid and am now back in Cambridge, Mass. I am still working with market analytics but for commercial real estate data. Marathons sneaks are on sabbatical, but I’ll get back to it!”

Motown Museum recently announced the appointment of Kenya LeNoir Messer as chief executive officer. A nationally respected leader in both academia and cultural institutions, she will assume day-to-day leadership of the museum. Kenya previously served in senior roles at Columbia University and Wilberforce University, and most recently as president and CEO of the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. She is also a published author, experienced cultural board trustee, and national voice on organizational growth, equity and impact.

1991

Mary Farris writes, “In January of 2022, I departed GE after more than a decade and joined Analog Devices, a global semiconductor manufacturer based outside of Boston, MA, as head of ESG, Sustainability and Human Rights. I’m passionate about my work and have found a great roost from which to drive meaningful change. My spare time is devoted to my dogs, home renovation, stockpiling books and artwork, and cooking. I raised two amazing men (26 and 27), and they give me enormous hope for the future. If folks are in or around Boston and want to catch up, give me a shout.”

Ellen Matloff writes, “About a 1.5 years ago I was in search of a college student for a paid position to help my dad write a short chronicle of his time in Vietnam as a MASH surgeon. I started with his alma mater for both college and medical school, and my former employer, here in CT. I reached out multiple times to multiple people—no response (think about that). Jay Freeland suggested that I reach out to Union and connected me with Rog Woolsey and Will Wright at the Career Center. Within a week, they sent a job description to Union students, and I got a response from Cole Randall ’27,

ME and political science major. We set up a short interview and then we spoke to my dad—it was clear that we had found a rock star. Cole and my dad worked on the short Vietnam memoir for months and Cole cleaned it up and submitted it to the Library of Congress, where it was accepted (want a copy? LN423@yahoo.com).

Cole is smart, kind, reliable, hardworking, resourceful, a great writer and editor, and now a friend of my dad’s and of mine. I feel so proud that Union is recruiting and educating students of Cole’s caliber. My dad and I both agree that the college in New Haven did us a favor by ignoring my emails so that we could find the real Ivy League pick, at Union College.”

Kimberly Keller Vlasseman writes, “I am starting my 35th year of teaching high school mathematics! I spent 2 years in CT, 6 years at TASIS England in England, 24 years at the American School of The Hague in The Netherlands, 2 years at Mont'Kiara International School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and just started a new job at Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia. We are enjoying getting to know the DC area and hope to connect with old friends after all of the years away!”

Robert J. Sokolowski recently wrote this poem titled, “Union College.” Union College, our hearts of Garnet/ shine beneath legacy of the Nott./ With hope and trust, our dreams have begun/ We stand as many, yet we are one./ Let us believe in all we have become,/ Celebrate our hearts learning in the sun./ With charger pride, we lift our song,/ Together strong—Union College, we belong./ With caring hearts, we serve our community,/ Chasing tomorrow with strength and unity./ To give, to live, to learn and lead,/ We plant the roots of every seed./ Give with unity, live in the beauty,/ Of all we share, of all we start./ In every hand, in every heart,/ WE hold Our never-ending legacy./ Let us believe in all we have become,/ And honor our shared hope and destiny./ With Charger’s grace, our spirits move as one—/ Forever proud

of the Union College family./ Union College whether today our yesterday,/ our hearts are one.”

1992

Allyx Schiavone is the executive director of Friends Center for Children, an innovative early childhood education provider that has served the New Haven community for 18 years. On September 14, Allyx celebrated her sixteenth year with the organization. Allyx was recently appointed by the Connecticut State Senate to serve on the Early Childhood Education Endowment Board. She is also co-chair of the Child Care for Connecticut’s Future Coalition, representing partners working to increase public funding for early care and education across the state. She has 30 years of experience as a teacher and administrator in Connecticut and New York.

1993

Jody Yetzer ’93 hosted a mini ReUnion with Pete Savage ’94 (left) and Kirk Andreae ’94 (right) at her home in Cincinnati on June 14, 2025.

1994

Ann (Driscoll) Cook writes, “I moved to Jamesport, N.Y., after selling my home and moving my twin girls into Brown & RISD. It’s been busy! I’m also loving my mediation and arbitration practice at Phillips ADR. It is so much more rewarding than anything I’ve done so far in my career.”

Family and friends are remembering Starra Cahan Sherin, of Greenwich, N.Y., who died May 30, 2025. Starra graduated with a B.A. double major in math/English and an MBA from Union College, Phi Beta Kappa. At Union she was a DJ for the Blues Hour on WRUC and the co-chair for the Concert Committee. Starra was a CPA and her last position was chief tax and compliance officer for ezTaxReturn, an online tax submission service. Additionally, she was an adjunct professor at SUNY Empire State University. Starra was also an accomplished dancer and choreographer whose heart was to dance before the Lord. She homeschooled her 3 children through high school, and poured into the lives of many other children by teaching dance and movement classes for over 20 years. She is survived by her husband, David; her children, Abigail (Obi) Steffen, Zion Sherin, and Micah Sherin; her sister, Kimberly (Bob) Cahan Carr ’92, her brothers Joel (Stacey) Cahan and Levi Cahan; her parents Jeffery and Sally Cahan; 15 nieces and nephews; and 10 great-nieces and great-nephews. Everything Starra did was done with excellence unto her Lord Jesus Christ.

1996

Aaron Guiterman has been appointed U.S. chairman of government & public affairs at Edelman Public Relations and serves as U.S. head of the company’s industrials portfolio of clients.

Mike Elmendorf writes, “Life is good. Emily and I are busy with our two kids, George (12) and Madeline (9). I’m heading into my 15th year as president & CEO of the Associated General Contractors of New York State (AGC NYS), New York’s leading statewide construction industry organization. In October, I joined New York Governor Kathy Hochul to announce that the state will invest an additional $600 million to improve New York’s roads as a result of an $800 million increase to the NYSDOT capital plan AGC fought for and secured in the state budget—the largest mid-plan increase in history.”

1997

Khristian Gibson ’97 writes, “My wife, Kazuha (attended 94-95), and I are proud to announce our son, Jamie, joined the Class of 2029 in the fall! We celebrated this occasion with a lovely garnet U-shaped cake from our neighborhood bakery @padocabakery, managed by Megan Sesil ’09!”

1998

Shelby Grant writes, “Although I started as 1996, I did not graduate until 1998. However, I spent most of my time as Class of 1997. I identify with ’98 as the class that got rained on. But I would like to attend 2026, 2027 and 2028 ReUnions. I will be heading to Schenectady a lot in the coming years. I guess I need to start planning now.”

Kevin Christie was recently elected first selectman of Westport, Conn. A former corporate strategy advisor and current member of the Board of Education, he is the first Democrat elected to the town’s highest office since 2009.

Barclay Damon LLP recently announced that Melissa Zambri, partner, has been named co-leader of the Health Care Practice Group. Melissa previously led the practice group from 2013 until 2018. She is also co-leader of the Health Care and Health & Human Services Providers Teams and is a member of Barclay Damon’s Management Committee and managing director of the Albany office. Her practice focuses on enterprise development and regulatory guidance for the health care industry.

1999

Monica Lussier writes, “I hadn’t been back to Union since graduation, but last May, the stars aligned: it was our 25th ReUnion, and we had a junior in high school. Since Brett and I met at Union, we saw the visit as a chance to share something meaningful with our daughter—maybe even spark a legacy. She loved the campus and was especially charmed by the Rathskeller, which quickly became her benchmark questions for every other college visit: “What are your late-night eateries?” But Union didn’t offer her intended major, so the fit wasn’t quite right academically. Still, walking onto campus again brought back a flood of memories. I remember visiting Union as a prospective student and feeling instantly at home—like I belonged. That feeling never left me and being back reminded me just how strong it was. Interestingly, our daughter had that same sense of belonging when she visited the college that she’ll be attending this fall. And Brett and I felt it too—we just knew it was the right place for her. ReUnion weekend was a joy. We reconnected with old friends, shared stories and laughed like no time had passed. It was also the first time I truly felt the desire to give back to Union. That weekend stirred something deeper—a gratitude for the foundation Union gave me. Now, as we prepare to send our daughter off to college, I’m reminded of all the emotions that come with that transition: the nervous excitement,

the hope of finding new friends, wondering what it will be like to have a roommate, and the reality of living away from home for the first time. Of course, today there are cell phones and texting. When I was at Union, we had long-distance calling codes and email was just beginning to emerge. So much has changed—and yet, the feeling of finding your place remains timeless.”

2000

Harris Beach Murtha announced recently that Mathew P. Barry was appointed to managing partner of its Capital Region offices. He is a graduate of Albany Law School and is a past president of the Albany County Bar Association. Mathew is co-leader of the firm’s financial institutions industry team and a member of its commercial real estate practice group

2005

Erin Williams and Brandon McCormick welcomed their son, John Williams McCormick (“Will”), on May 10, 2024, in Boston, Massachusetts.

2006

Ruth Fasoldt was recently named to the 2025 Who’s Who in Government Relations list of notable figures influencing policy and spending in New York. Ruth Fasoldt was already one of the state’s more plugged-in government relations figures before she joined Con Edison in 2023. She

ALUMNI PROFILE:

Nadia Alexis

’09

A poet’s journey

Writing a book is hard. Getting it published? Harder. The effort, though, is worth it.

Nadia Alexis ’09 knows this well. It took nine years to see her debut poetry collection in print—from the time she started writing Beyond the Watershed in 2016 to the day it hit stores in March 2025.

Alexis first submitted her manuscript to a publisher in 2019, after completing her MFA in creative writing at the University of Mississippi. It was rejected.

She hired a manuscript reviewer in 2020, continued revising and adding poems in 2021 and 2022, but hesitated to submit her manuscript again.

“I considered the possibility of not publishing for reasons like fear, or the idea that it would be more difficult to publish a book like mine,” said Alexis, who was an interdepartmental political science and Africana studies major at Union. “But I pushed myself to submit again.”

And again, and again. It took seven tries before her manuscript was accepted by CavanKerry Press in spring 2023.

“This journey taught me a lot about persistence, trusting the work and trusting myself. I had to overcome my tendency to keep revising and seeking external permission to publish,” Alexis said. “I had to realize that I was just delaying the ‘yes’ that was trying to find me.”

Beyond the Watershed is a full-length hybrid collection of original poetry and photographs

(also taken by Alexis). It has garnered attention as a Publishers Weekly spring 2025 poetry preview title and as one of the most anticipated Caribbean releases of 2025. It was also longlisted for the 2025 Maya Angelou Book Award.

Alexis was also selected for Poets & Writers magazine’s 2026 debut poets feature, part of their annual spotlight on ten emerging authors (Jan/Feb 2026 issue). This marks the 21st year of the series and was the fourth time that a book published by CavanKerry Press was featured (the last time was in 2009).

“Beyond the Watershed brings together poetry and photography to explore generational trauma, domestic violence, healing and reclamation through the experiences of a Haitian American daughter and her Haitian immigrant mother,” Alexis explained. “I trace journeys to break free—documenting pain, making space for light, connecting with spirit and becoming a reckoning on paths to safe waters and transformation.

“It’s a book about love, survival, becoming and resistance.”

When Alexis isn’t writing or taking photographs, she teaches poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction and playwriting at Mississippi School of the Arts.

She loves “getting the chance to mentor talented poets and writers who will one day be bestsellers, make more of their own dreams come true, positively impact the lives of others and become favorite artists of their own audiences.”

It’s work that feels especially critical during this age of artificial intelligence and ChatGPT.

“It’s important that students and others learn to rely on their own creative genius and limitless imaginations to craft their poems, stories and essays, rather than attempting to use AI,” Alexis said. “Otherwise, you run the risk of robbing yourself of the growth you can only experience through trial and error, through community, through wins and losses and more.”

Her poetry has appeared in Indiana Review, MQR: Mixtape and Shenandoah, and her essays have been published in Poets & Writers, Madame Noire and BLACK STEW. As a photographer, she has exhibited widely in the U.S. and Cuba. Her photos have also been showcased virtually, including in Mfon: Women Photographers of the African Diaspora, alongside more than 100 women of African descent, and in group exhibitions with Carrie Mae Weems, including at the Havana Biennial.

Alexis has earned numerous honors, including a Literary Arts Fellowship from the Mississippi Arts Commission, a Mississippi STAR Teacher Award, and recognition as the Poet of the Year Honoree of the Haitian Creatives Digital Awards. A fellow of the Callaloo Creative Writing Workshop and The Watering Hole, she also holds a Ph.D. from the University of Mississippi.

Learn more about Alexis and her work at bynadiaalexis.com

HOW DID UNION INFORM YOUR CAREER PATH?

“Union made me into a leader and a bigger thinker. The intellectual rigor, mentorship and community I experienced there laid the foundation for the poet, photographer, mentor and teacher I am today. It gave me the confidence to pursue my passions and graduate study. To question assumptions and develop my own truths. To combine research with my creative gifts. And to build a meaningful career grounded in storytelling.”

— Nadia Alexis ’09, author of

Liz August ’08 reconnected with her Gamma Phi Beta sister, Karin Ente ’09, in Las Vegas in June 2025. They ran into each other at the iconic A Little White Wedding Chapel, where Karin’s friend, Katie Jordan ’12, and Liz were both coincidentally renewing their vows with their husbands in ceremonies just 15 minutes apart. All three were also attending the same conference.

helped LinkNYC launch its first-of-akind free Wi-Fi towers across New York City, then managed Lyft’s public policy strategies as it expanded its ride-hailing and CitiBike services throughout the city. Now at Con Edison, she oversees government relations efforts at the local, state and federal levels and manages seven regional community affairs teams.

The Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod recently appointed Katharine Linehan to the position of community relations officer. She will lead the bank’s corporate giving initiatives and administer The Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod Charitable Foundation Trust. An accomplished financial industry executive, Katharine has served in senior management positions at Boston-based State Street Corporation for more than 15 years. In her most recent role as vice president, global custody control, she worked with worldwide product executives to implement short- and long-term strategies for a global custody product generating $4.7 million in annual revenue.

2008

Na’eem Crawford-Muhammad received his Juris Doctor degree from New York University School of Law in May 2017.

2009

Union gathering hosted by

held August 2. See large image and complete caption on page 36.

2010

Three DC-based members of the Class of 2010 welcomed babies in fall 2025 within two weeks of each other. Simone Sampson and Jason Aul welcomed River Elodie in September. Katie (Meyer) Fayad and Ramy Fayad welcomed Adam Ramy in October. He joins big sister, Lulu (5). Bridget (Jameson) Johnson and Chris Johnson welcomed Thomas Andrew in October. He joins siblings James (4) and Phoebe (2.5).

2012

Adams Leclair LLP is pleased to announce Kelly Geary’s promotion to partner. This achievement reflects both her exceptional legal judgment and the disciplined work ethic, which she has demonstrated since joining the firm in 2024. Kelly concentrates her practice in construction and surety law, employment matters and insurance defense. She has earned a reputation for thorough preparation, thoughtful analysis, and steady advocacy in complex litigation matters.

2013

Courtney Turner and Susan Joyal Petrie ’00 are both teaching and coaching at Hingham High School in Hingham, MA. Courtney, a special education teacher, was named the 2025 MIAA Coach of the Year for Girls Hockey as she coached the Hingham team to a State Championship. Susan, a history teacher, was named the 2025 MA National History Day teacher of the year and the 2025 Boston Globe D2 field hockey coach of the year, as she led the Hingham team to its first ever state final appearance.

2014

Cat Ziac Boyd and Stephen Boyd ’16 are thrilled to announce the arrival of the newest member of the Garnet family: Claire Julia Boyd, born August 1, 2025; 6 pounds, 15 ounces; 21 inches. Claire is the granddaughter of

Veronica Ziac ’02 and Martin Ziac Jr. ’87 & ’90; and the great-granddaughter of the late Martin Ziac ’56. The Boyds live in Mill Valley, CA.

2015

Ellie Mulpeter (previously Danielle MacGregor) writes, “On October 18-19, 2025, nine Union alumni gathered in Wellfleet, Massachusetts, to support Jimmy Mulpeter and his business—Old King’s Oyster Company, LLC—at the annual Wellfleet OysterFest. We worked together from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday to help shuck and serve oysters to thousands of attendees.” The annual Wellfleet OysterFest is one of the most popular events on Cape Cod, celebrating art, seafood and community. Upwards of 20,000 people gather in the heart of downtown for the two-day event that features local food, beer and wine gardens, live music, arts and crafts vendors, and, of course, oysters.

2016

Edythe Malara-Lutjen recently received the 2025 Award for Excellence in Teaching at the K-12 Level from the Society for Classical Studies. She teaches Latin at Shaker High School in Latham, N.Y. Learn more at https://classicalstudies.org/scsnews/2025-award-excellenceteaching-k-12-level

2017

Benchmark Strategies, Boston’s leading public affairs and strategic communications firm, announced recently that Ryan McGeown-Conron joined the firm as senior director of public affairs. Ryan brings nearly a decade of public policy experience to Benchmark—most recently in public health and healthcare policy for the Baker and Healey Administrations.

Virginia and Max Roehmholdt ’15 welcomed their second child, Ellen Mae Roehmholdt, in September 2025.

2018

Kentaro Barhydt, who is working on a Ph.D. at MIT, recently had a paper published in the journal Science “Loop closure grasping: Topological transformations enable strong, gentle, and versatile grasps.” MIT News also featured his work in the article, “Vine-inspired robotic gripper gently lifts heavy and fragile objects.”

2019

Octavious Cook recently became assistant principal of Mont Pleasant Middle School. He brings significant expertise in community and student development, most recently spending three years as the Community School Coordinator at Keane Elementary School. In this role, he was instrumental in coordinating community events, forging local partnerships, and boosting student and family engagement.

Troy Hansen graduated with a BS in biomedical engineering. He then attended the University of South Florida and received an MS in medical sciences. He worked for 3 years in Sarasota, Florida, as a medical scribe in the emergency department, including working during Hurricane Ian. He then worked at St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester, MA, as an emergency department technician, helping to care for the sickest of the sick. He was accepted into the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, which he started in the fall of 2025. He received the HPSP scholarship and is commissioned in the US Army as a second lieutenant. He plans on pursuing a career in trauma surgery.

2021

Emma Kelly, a dance minor while attending Union, is the co-founder and artistic director of Fusion Dance Collective, a non-profit 501 (c)(3) dance community providing dance classes and performance opportunities for trained adults in the Boston area. Emma also works full-time in the healthcare industry at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

2022

Elevation Science Institute recently shared that Tess Gallagher, whose cutting-edge research has led to fascinating insights on 150-million-yearold long-necked, long-tailed dinosaurs, has published a new paper. “Fossilized pigment structures reveal first evidence of color patterning in sauropod dinosaur skin,” presents a discovery that gives new understanding of what young long-necked dinosaurs may have looked like in life. It was published in Royal Society Open Science.

2024

The Bulfinch Group recently announced that Nathan Sullivan joined the firm as a financial representative. Nathan’s mission is to help consult with individuals and young professionals about their financial needs and develop plans with appropriate flexibility and protection. Determined to help those that need financial guidance early in their lives, he remains focused on informing and teaching individuals as they embark on their own financial journeys.

Answer Key: How well do you know U ? (page 42)

DOWN:

1. Garnet 2. Hans Groot Kill 4. Kiss 6. Schaffer 9. Mayor’s Cup 10. Steinmetz 13. Schwartz 14. Vale 15. Wall 17. Wold

ACROSS:

3. Kappa Alpha 5. ReUnion 7. Go U 8. Smith 11. Nott 12. Dorms 13. Springfest 15. West Beach 16. Seward 18. Lobster

Submit

note to

or to your class correspondent (visit ualumni.union.edu and log in to visit your class page and find your correspondent’s contact information).

Photos are welcome, too, and will be published as space allows.

Please send photos that are at least 1 MB in size for consideration.

UNIONS

2011

Lauren Soneira and Matt Sherman were married June 8, 2024, in Coxsackie, N.Y. Alumni in attendance included Max Troop, Liz Sargent, Nate Wickham, Marisa (Kwoczka) Wickham, Meredith Allenick ’12, Briana Mark, Jessica (Hakim) Danesh, Sloane Sheldon, Matt Breazzano, Jackie (Aruch) Colman and Jodi (Schwartz) Appelbaum.

2013

Eliot Tear ’13 and Jackie Young were married in October 2024 at Boston Park Plaza. Alumni in attendance included Elisabeth Truscott ’09, Brendan Truscott ’10, Adam Rose, Mike Sachs, Andrew Knight, John Bocchino, Andrew Griffin, Alicia Blecich ’15, Omar Alvarado, Shawn Tangnavarad, Alan Jones ’81 and Jordan Adey.

Stacey Berger and Andrew Hinzman (Elon University 2012) were married May 10, 2025, in Pittsburgh, Penn. Alumni in attendance included Brian Karimi-Pashaki ’12, Alexandra Stone ’12, Elizabeth Carney ’12, Robert Carney ’75, Brian Stevens ’11, Elizabeth Rodiger, Elise Malkin, Matthew Lippman, Samantha Lippman, Caroline ClarkKaufmann, Allison Gibeley, Rebecca Macioch, Hilary Drabkin, Samantha Turk, Shelby Cuomo and Kate Foley.

2014

Sarah Bradner ’14 and Timothy Palace ’15 married at The Wentworth Inn in Jackson, N.H., on Dec. 13, 2025. Alumni in attendance included John Hallenbeck ’76, Tom Hallenbeck ’80 and a previous resident professor from 2015-2018, Greg Hallenback.

2016

Mary Nell Cella and Kian Nowrouzi were married Sept. 28, 2024, at Tanglewood in Lenox, Mass. Alumni in attendance included Andrew Witkowski, Erin Ostheimer, Ella Fertitta, Ali Smith, Hannah Gardner, Ray Farmer, Ariella Yazdani, Mary Beth Flashner (Cordier), Jason Flashner, Matt Hellauer, Becca Portnoff, Brian Solinsky, Nate Singer, Mike Presendieu, Ryan Murphy, Brianna Godlewski, Cam Robertson, Anna Seraikas, Cara Slugaski, Grace Cella, Janey Fine and Jeremy Sagaille.

2017

Grace (Kernohan) Pursley and Mike Pursley were married April 19, 2025. Alumni in attendance included Amelia Ezequelle, Brenna (Clavette) Messier, Ariel Gershon, Mary Claire, Alex Lipnickey, Jaime (DeFelice) Lawler, William Wu ’16, Emily (Hamilton) Bunge, James Basuk, Dan Asselin ’19, John Peterson and Naaila Phoenix.

2018

On April 12, 2025, Mady Marks married Tyson Stickler (USNA, Class of 2019) at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, Virginia. Alumni in attendance included Tacia Angelopoulos (bridesmaid), Elisabeth Palmieri (bridesmaid), Amy Sciascia (bridesmaid), Kiley Adams, Ali Morgan, Angelina Mozier, Corey Ruchman, Kayla Ryterband and Michael Sciascia ’17.

Thirty-three alumni, and head athletic trainer Cheryl Rockwood attend the wedding of Packy Brown ’19 and Sophie (Borg) Brown ’19 in Harwich Port, Mass., June 29, 2025.

Michelle Tremblay ’21 and Lucas Cavedagne ’21 married on Aug. 9, 2025, in Boston, Mass. Alumni in attendance included Leo Cavedagne ’21, Thomas Peters ’21 and Chang Kim ’21.

2019

Kyler Wang and Laura Doody were married in Ballston Spa, N.Y., on Aug. 30, 2025. Alumni in attendance included Marc Perlman, Samantha Kruzshak, Ali Greenberg, Callie Sturgeon, Colin Molloy, Sam Riordan, Brandon Dempsey and Kaitlyn Connor ’21. (photograph on page 63)

Alumni attend the wedding of Daniel Goldman ’20 and Isabella Bergami ’21.

2021

Daniel Goldman ’20 and Isabella Bergami were married on Oct. 4, 2025, at Forest Lake Camp in Chestertown, N.Y. Alumni in the wedding party included Richard Goldman ’87, Melanie Goldman ’23, Annabelle Carter ’20, Kyle Davis ’20, Bridget Logan ’20, Abbie (Maycock) Wheelock

and Kaylee Velasquez. Guests in attendance included Mandy Blakeman ’22, Quentin Cachon ’20, Kaylie Corda ’20, Laura Fryberger ’23, Jackson Gelinas ’20, Lisa Harootunian, Jason Higginbotham, Changho Kim, Kaila Lasher, Rebecca Lippitt ’19, Meg Morrissey ’20, Laura Piccirillo ’20, Emma Puhalski ’22 and Hailey Sinon.

In Memoriam

For links to full online obituaries, please visit union.edu/magazine and select In Memoriam from the menu.

1940s

Dr. Francis A. Foresta ’49, of Temecula, Calif., died May 17, 2025.

1950s

Dr. Bernard G. Wisoff ’50, of Manhasset Hills, N.Y., died Sept. 29, 2024.

Clarence Giles Jr. ’50, of Clayton, N.Y., died Aug. 2, 2025.

Dr. Ernest C. Winslow ’50, of Norwich, Vt., died Oct. 29, 2025.

Martin Siegel ’51, of Schenectady, N.Y., died June 24, 2025.

Clarence H. Walker ’51, of Exton, Penn., died Aug. 25, 2024.

Raymond J. Fabian ’52, of East Greenbush, N.Y., died June 20, 2025.

Martin Werman ’52, of Boca Raton, Fla, died Sept. 28, 2025.

Clayton G. Carter ’52, of Latham, N.Y., died Nov. 7, 2025.

William S. Conway ’52, of Sand Brook, N.J., and formerly from Fayson Lakes, N.J., and South Salem, N.Y., died Jan. 19, 2026.

BURK

KETCHAM

’48

Burk Ketcham ’48, oarsman, author and devoted son of Union, died Dec. 22, 2025, in Hingham, Mass. He was 100.

A Navy veteran of World War II, Ketcham held a master’s degree in urban planning from Columbia University. His 40-year career included redeveloping the Newport, R.I., waterfront and abandoned Denver rail yards, as well as urban and community planning in post-Soviet Russia.

Throughout his career and beyond it, he was an avid Union supporter. Ketcham was a steadfast donor for 36 consecutive years and in 2025, while living just across the street from campus, he attended both Commencement and the inauguration of President Elizabeth Kiss. And in May 2023, he received the Class of 1943 ReUnion Award for best overall ReUnion effort.

Ketcham’s long life was one dedicated to learning and community.

A resident of Tacoma, Wash., for 20 years, he was active in the Pierce County Peace and Justice initiatives and the Quaker community there.

After returning to Schenectady at age 94, he was active with Schenectady Friends and a member of the Schenectady Monthly Meeting. He applied the Quaker peace and equity testimo-

nies throughout his life and remained committed to activism, even holding a one-man protest outside his apartment nearly every day in 2025 against President Donald Trump.

Ketcham’s ten decades were also marked by reinvention.

He took up rowing in his late 60s after his wife, Helen, died in 1989, and completed his first World Rowing Masters Regatta at age 80. In 2016, at 90, he was the oldest participant at the FISA World Masters Rowing Championships. He medaled twice at World Masters championships and successfully lobbied World Rowing to establish new age brackets, ensuring that octogenarian and nonagenarian athletes could continue to race and be recognized.

Creativity animated Ketcham’s later years as much as competition.

A prolific writer, he self-published six novels, as well as haiku. In the weeks before his death, he was more than 60,000 words into a new novel set in Maine. And each year, he handpainted about 200 Christmas cards for family and friends, including staff in Union’s College Relations Department. Survivors include his sons, Christopher Ketcham, who is a member of the Class of 1974, and Scott Ketcham.

Barry Traub ’53, of San Francisco, Calif., died Aug. 13, 2025.

Dr. James A. Gray ’53, of Rutland, Vt., died Nov. 8, 2025.

Hon. Hugh Kingon ’53, of New York, N.Y., died Oct. 1, 2025.

Edmund C. O’Meally ’54, of Westminster, Md., died June 29, 2025.

Dr. Eliot Schechter ’54, of Oklahoma City, Okla., died May 28, 2025.

Kendall R. Pirro ’54, of Rotterdam, N.Y., died June 12, 2025.

Dr. Richard Nash ’54, of Canton, N.Y., died June 17, 2025.

David V. DuBois ’54, of Cinnaminson, N.J., died Nov. 10, 2025.

Marvin C. Zepf ’54, of Pont Saint Lucie, Fla., died Dec. 14, 2024.

Dr. Donald V. Grosky ’55, of Clifton Park, N.Y., died June 29, 2025.

Raymond J. Thimineur ’55, of Glenville, N.Y., died Nov. 14, 2025.

Ernest M. Myer ’56, of West Hurley, N.Y., died March 25, 2025.

Richard F. Royer ’56, of Williamsburg, Va., died Sept. 20, 2025.

Walter Wallace ’56, of Leland, N.C., died Nov. 1, 2025.

Norton Reamer ’58, a life trustee and former chair of the board, is being remembered for his leadership, intellect and generosity. A prominent investment entrepreneur, he died March 20, 2026, at his home in Jamestown, R.I. He was 90.

“Norton brought remarkable energy, intellectual curiosity, kindness and generosity to all he did,” President Elizabeth Kiss said in a message to the Board. “We are grateful for Norton’s life, leadership and service.”

Reamer was the chief investment officer and CEO of Putnam Investments in the 1970s, and he founded United Asset Management in 1980 and led it for 20 years. In 2003, he founded Asset Management Finance and led the firm through 2013. Since 2000, he served as president of Unicorn Corporation. Each firm was a leader in its investment approach and organizational structure.

As a Union alumnus, he was a trustee from 1973 through 2007, serving as chair from 1990 to 1994, after which he was named a life trustee. He received the Alumni Gold Medal in 1993, and the

Founders Medal in 1995. A generous donor with a giving record of 64 consecutive years, he supported The Union Fund, engineering and computer science and the Reamer Campus Center, which is named in memory of his parents, Ruth Fillett and Murray Reamer. He served as chair of the Bicentennial Campaign.

Reamer visited campus in 2016 to discuss his book, Investment: A History. Co-authored with Jesse Downing, the book chronicles the democratization of investing, once a privilege only of the elite, and seeks to educate the investor and level the playing field.

He was an electrical engineering and economics major at Union, graduating Phi Beta Kappa, and received his master’s degree with honors from Harvard Business School in 1960.

Survivors include his wife, Rita; a daughter, Arden; and a son, Jason.

To learn more, scan this QR code.

Barry D. Wolfensohn ’56, of Livingston, N.J., died Nov. 27, 2025.

Ronald C. Madsen ’57, of Baldwinsville, N.Y., died April 7, 2025.

Albert W. Banker ’57, of Raleigh, N.C., died April 15, 2025.

Paul R. Mohr ’57, of Pheonix, Ariz., died May 16, 2024.

Dr. Michael D. Miller ’57, of San Rafael, Calif., died May 9, 2025.

John Mizerak ’57, of Greenport, N.Y., died Sept. 20, 2025.

Harry J. Benedict ’57, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., died Dec. 2, 2025.

Ronald C. Madsen ’57, of Baldwinsville, N.Y., died April 7, 2025.

Walter W. Arp ’59, of Huffman, Texas, died March 27, 2025.

James H. Tyler ’59, of Dewey Beach, Del., died July 2, 2024.

James P. Gersbach ’59, of Schenectady, N.Y., died Aug. 17, 2025.

Kent Dixon ’59, of St. Petersburg, Fla., died Aug. 10, 2025.

Robert A. Jones ’59, of Merrimack, N.H., died Nov. 12, 2025.

1960s

Juergen Krause ’60, of Setauket, N.Y., died May 6, 2025.

Joseph Andreana ’60, of Oxford, Conn., died May 25, 2025.

Major Walter W. Lange ’60 (USAF ret.), of Martinsburg, W. Va., died Dec. 24, 2024.

Stewart A. Denenberg ’60, of Plattsburgh, N.Y., died Oct. 3, 2025.

Stephen Zimmerman ’60, of Yorktown, N.Y., died Oct. 28, 2025.

John B. Salzman ’60 died March 16, 2025.

Robert L. Lacombe Sr. ’61, of Pooler, Ga., died May 26, 2025.

William W. R. Hughes Jr. ’61, of Simsbury, Conn., died June 30, 2025.

Lewis D. Corvene ’61, of Hudson, Fla., died June 4, 2025.

James Nichols ’61, of Statesboro, Ga., died Aug. 11, 2025.

Sir George Reid ’61 died Aug. 12, 2025.

Norman G. Lavery ’62, of Missoula, Mont., died June 9, 2025.

Ronald P. Quake ’62, of Wells, Maine, died June 29, 2025.

Thomas F. Johnson ’62, of Annadale, Va., died Sept. 12, 2025.

Philip L. Taylor ’62, of Lake Forest Park, Wash., died June 24, 2024.

Dr. John Angerosa ’63, of Schenectady, N.Y, died April 24, 2025.

William E. Gibson ’63, of Rochester, N.Y., died Feb. 7, 2025.

Leslie R. Hill ’63, of Albuquerque, N.M., died Aug. 12, 2025.

Morley M. Blouke ’63, of Portland, Ore., died Sept. 6, 2025.

W. Dennis Moran ’64, of Scituate, Mass., died Jan. 16, 2025.

Tom Phillips ’64, of Dublin, Ohio, died March 21, 2025.

Kenneth Stone ’64, of Williston, Vt., died Oct. 21, 2024.

Ronald Rudmann ’64, of Koehler, Mich., died Nov. 12, 2024.

Lt. Col. James W. Duers ’65 (USAF ret.), of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., died May 20, 2025.

David Whitaker ’65, of Rochester, N.Y., died Sept. 4, 2025.

Stuart A. Morse ’65, of Dallas, Texas, died Nov. 5, 2025.

Mark Obenzinger ’65, of Santa Fe, N.M., died Oct. 26, 2025.

Dr. Joel H. King ’66, of Richmond, Va., died March 8, 2025.

David L. Kohn ’66, of Boca Raton, Fla., died June 20, 2025.

Robert V. Jackson ’66, of North Syracuse, N.Y., died Dec. 27, 2024.

William A. Savage G’66, of Hendersonville, N.C., died Dec. 4, 2025.

David B. Linck ’67, of Craftsbury, Vt., died Aug. 8, 2025.

Sally W. Kirouac G’67, of Olympia, Wash., died Oct. 3, 2025.

Timothy L. Rupinski ’68, of Colorado Springs, Colo., died April 20, 2025.

Robert P. Hallenbeck Jr. ’68, of West Chester, Penn., died April 30, 2025.

Jeffrey P. Clarke ’68, of Moultonborough, N.H., died March 28, 2025.

William B. West ’69, of Trumbull, Conn., died April 30, 2025.

Bruce Northrup ’69, of Cambridge, N.Y., died June 11, 2025.

H. Frederick Schrull ’69, of Geneva, N.Y., died Aug. 9, 2025.

Dr. Ernest J. Dellheim ’69, of Wynnewood, Penn., died Oct. 26, 2025.

Dr. Arthur R. Jacobs ’69, of Bedford Hills, N.Y., died Oct. 21, 2025.

1970s

James J. Burke G’70, of Cary, N.C., died Aug. 17, 2025.

Thomas D. Isaac ’70, of Snowmass, Colo., died Sept. 4, 2025.

James R. Kennedy G’70, of Springfield, Va., died Aug. 9, 2025.

George R. Elmendorf ’70, of Albany, N.Y., died Sept. 25, 2025.

Rev. Fernando Siaba ’70, of Oak Park, Ill., died Oct. 6, 2025.

Jeffrey R. Stall ’70 died Aug. 22, 2025.

Eric Cherson ’70, of Horsham, Penn., died Nov. 6, 2025.

Spencer J. Golub ’70, of Lincoln, R.I., died Nov. 22, 2025.

Lawrence J. Lagace Jr. ’71, of Colonie, N.Y., died Sept. 9, 2025.

Garry L. Drummond ’72, of Irving, Texas, died Feb. 19, 2024.

Mark L. Gademsky ’73, of Amherst, N.Y., died Oct. 19, 2025.

Barbara Warner ’75, of Windham, Maine, died April 5, 2025.

Marie C. Modic G’75, of Moorestown, N.J., and formerly of Scotia, N.Y., died April 15, 2025.

John S. DeMatteo ’75, of Glenville, N.Y., died Sept. 1, 2025.

Stephen E. Ryan ’75, of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., died Dec. 17, 2025.

Christopher M. Huban ’76, of Orlando, Fla., died April 14, 2025.

Garvin Wells Jr. ’76, of New Bern, N.C., died Sept. 12, 2025.

Lynne A. Birdsall ’76, of Craftsbury, Vt., died Sept. 20, 2025.

William I. Engle G’77, of Lanesborough, Mass., died April 12, 2025.

James R. Ebbets Jr. ’77, of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., died Aug. 30, 2025.

James A. Burke ’77, of Silver Spring, Md., died Oct. 18, 2025.

Gerard W. Quinn ’77, of Forked River, N.J., died Nov. 24, 2025.

Anthony M. Benigno ’78, of Oswego, N.Y., died July 11, 2025.

Gary A. Johnston ’78, of Latham, N.Y., died Oct. 27, 2025.

Michael Joyce ’79, of Locust Grove, Va., died July 28, 2025.

Thomas B. Welles ’79, of New Fairfield, Conn., died Nov. 26, 2025.

1980s

John M. Buell ’80, of Schenectady, N.Y., died April 9, 2025.

James W. Van Fleet G’80, of Corpus Cristi, Texas, died Feb. 2, 2025.

Carmen Saginario Jr. ’80, of Cinnaminson, N.J., died July 27, 2025.

Daniel E. Woodward ’81, of Webster, N.Y., died April 24, 2025.

Wayne T. Riker ’81, of Cape May, N.J., died Aug. 7, 2025.

James S. Daly ’81, of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., died Oct. 27, 2025.

Sonia Rosen ’82, of Arlington, Va., died May 5, 2025.

Christopher W. Hart ’82, of Rexford, N.Y., died Aug. 4, 2025.

Robert W. Beard ’82, of Rome, N.Y., died Nov. 21, 2025.

Alan P. Bartlett G’82, of Ballston Spa, N.Y., died Nov. 20, 2025.

Dr. Jay V. Dewell Jr. ’83, of Pinehurst, N.C., died Oct. 12, 2025.

Karen A. Norton ’84, of Westbook, Maine, died July 30, 2025.

John F. Tierney ’84, of Tewksbury, Mass., died Sept. 25, 2025.

Peter Hamilton Jameson ’84, of Pittsford, N.Y., died May 16, 2025.

Michael P. Chase Sr. ’86, of Guilderland, N.Y., died Nov. 13, 2025.

Linda Michon G’87, of Niskayuna, N.Y., died April 9, 2025.

Ashley L. Heacock ’87, of Pittsfield, Mass., and formerly of Altamont, N.Y., died Oct. 14, 2025.

Frederick J. Sura ’87 died Nov. 11, 2024.

1990s

Keith A. Reynolds ’92, of Grant Pass, Ore., died June 2, 2024.

Starra C. Sherin ’94, of Greenwich, N.Y., died May 30, 2025.

Raymond J. Freda G’96, of Hopewell Junction, N.Y., died Aug. 19, 2025.

Michael Yusko III ’96, of Hudson, N.Y., died Sept. 6, 2025.

Samuel Slater ’96, of Newport, R.I., died Oct. 2, 2025.

Kenneth J. Hackett ’97, of Niskayuna, N.Y. died July 7, 2025.

James P. Burnes G’98, of Clifton Park, N.Y., died Sept. 12, 2025.

Friends of Union College

Jermell Fuller, of Schenectady, N.Y., died April 11, 2025.

Darren V. Alvaro, of Chestertown, N.Y., died Feb. 17, 2025.

Judith A. Ferradino, of Schenectady, N.Y., died Dec. 1, 2025.

The world has changed; Union needs you.

Carl George, a professor emeritus of biological sciences whose wide-ranging curiosity forged connections across natural history, culture, art, architecture, classics and the ancient world, died Dec. 18, 2025, at the Schenectady Center following a brief illness. He was 95.

George joined Union in 1967 and over the next three decades, mentored generations of students. Whether lecturing in the classroom or taking his students on hikes, bird counts or other field research, George was an inspiring figure to those thirsty for knowledge.

One of George’s former biology students is Andrea Barrett ’74, a National Book Award winner in 1996 for fiction for “Ship Fever and Other Stories.” The recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship and a MacArthur Fellowship, Barrett noted the profound impact George had on her.

“Carl was a truly remarkable human being, a great teacher and a rare and dedicated mentor,” said Barrett, who routinely kept in touch with him for decades after graduating. “He treated his students as if we could be exactly as brilliant and engaged and hard-working and curious as he was himself: a priceless gift, from a priceless person. Not just the gift of knowledge, but the understanding that we could keep learning throughout our lives, and perhaps share that with others.”

Though he retired in 1997, George remained very much involved in the life of the College. To learn more, scan this QR code.

It’s never too early to think about your legacy and how to structure your estate plans. Still in your 30s, 40s or 50s? Doesn’t matter. You can achieve your financial goals while also pursuing a long-term giving strategy to advance Union’s interests.

By working with your financial planner, you can select gift plans that help you avoid capital gains, minimize your tax burden and provide for you and your family. At the same time, you can play an active role in building Union’s general endowment. The endowment is Union’s foundation for present and future success in all domains, including student recruitment and retention, faculty development and innovation, programming and capital improvements.

TO LEARN MORE, CONTACT: Devon Murphy Stein

Director of

Gift

Planning

and

Senior

Major Gifts

Officer

murphysd@union.edu or (518) 388-6156 rameecircle.org

A Look Back

Throwing it back to 1976: An alum shares a few memories

Don Hamerman ’76, who has enjoyed a diverse and successful photography career, kindly shared a handful of photos, accompanied by his recollections, from his Union days. To see more of his work, visit hamerman.com.

Arrow-circle-up “The Kappa Alpha fraternity, housed in a corner of Davidson Hall, hosted a yearly spring party known chiefly for its high-octane punch. Shirts by Chemise Lacoste were a must-have for many.” (Photo taken in 1975 or 1976)

Arrow-circle-right “Professor Hans Freund, here barefoot and sporting natty seersucker trousers, taught a popular history of art class. This must have been an uncharacteristically warm early spring day.” (Photo taken in 1976)

Arrow-circle-up “For many (most?) of my classmates, the City of Schenectady wasn’t much of a destination at that time. Outside of a used bookstore on Jay Street and a tired Two Guys department store, and a bar or two, my memories of downtown activities are limited…or nil.” (Photo taken in 1975 or 1976)

ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER

Don Hamerman ’76 has always loved photography, a passion he began to hone during his time in Schenectady, and one that grew into a rich and rewarding career. Though Union had no dedicated photography professors at the time, Hamerman found ways to explore the field and incorporate it into his American Studies major.

“I did enroll in a couple of photo classes taught by generalist art professors (and artists) Arnie Bittleman and Nina Rosenblum. Outside of the art department, my interest was encouraged by my French professor, Bill Thomas, who guided our junior year trimester abroad in France, and who allowed me to turn in an independent project that was photography focused.

“In my senior year, for an American Studies project, I documented the town of Cohoes, N.Y., for a course taught by Professor Pat Allen. About a dozen of these images are now in the collection of the New York State Museum in Albany.

“Another photo opportunity popped up in the spring of ’76, when

the Union alumni magazine editor, Bob Carman, hired me and classmate Sam Hughes ’76 to do a story about some popular watering holes in Schenectady and Saratoga Springs. I did the pictures; Sam did the prose— Sam segued into a career as a wine writer before a long career as the senior editor and a writer for the UPenn alumni magazine.”

Roughly a year-and-a-half after graduating from Union, Hamerman began working as a freelance photographer in Washington, D.C., covering politics, and shooting as the staff photographer for a music and arts monthly.

“A typical week might find me covering a performance, backstage with a local or national band, then photographing a congressman or senator in his office the next day (at that time, almost always a man). Congressional hearings were in actual smoke-filled rooms in the ’70s,” Hamerman said. “My pictures documenting the D.C. music scene for that period (1978-80) are archived in the Performing Arts Library at the

Arrow-Circle-Left “For me, the Rathskeller was only an occasional destination. There was a busy foosball table and one or two pinball machines off in a corner. One friend recently mentioned the pleasant memory of downing a cold Genesee Cream Ale or two after a night of studying in the library. Cheeseburgers: seventy cents.”

(Photo taken in 1976)

University of Maryland.”

Hamerman married Fern Galperin ’76 in 1979. In 1980, they moved to New York City, where Galperin started graduate film school at New York University, after a few years working for Senator Joe Biden and “60 Minutes” in D.C.

In New York, Hamerman largely left the music world behind to freelance, shooting for New York Magazine and others, as well as book publishers, ad agencies, design firms, corporations and non-profits (e.g., The New York Public Library, Columbia University, and many colleges and universities around the country).

After 22 years in NYC, in 2002, he moved his business to Connecticut, where he and Galperin have lived since the late ’80s. He’s wound down the commercial side of his practice but continues his efforts in the art world, including his widely collected series of “Found Baseballs.”