Union College Magazine, Winter 2026

WINTER 2026

Volume 119 // Number 1

UNION COLLEGE IN THIS ISSUE: A

ON THE FRONT COVER

Elizabeth Kiss enters Memorial Chapel. Friday, Oct. 10, she was officially inaugurated as Union College's 20th president.

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

PHOTOGRAPHER

Paul Buckowski

DESIGN

2k Design

PRINTING Lane Press

UNION COLLEGE

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.

14

presidential inauguration

October 10, during Homecoming and Family Weekend, Elizabeth Kiss was inaugurated as the College's 20th president. Learn more about Kiss and her vision for Union in the pages that follow.

23

A decade of Klemm Fellows

As the Klemm Fellowship celebrates its 10th anniversary, alumni reflect on the difference it has made in their lives.

As part of Orientation in September, new students enjoyed 16 different day programs designed around common interests, exploring the Capital Region and beyond. President Elizabeth Kiss (front, right) joined in the fun, hiking Hadley Mountain in the southern Adirondacks. For more on the Class of 2029, go to p. 6. To learn more about President Kiss, who was inaugurated during Homecoming and Family Weekend, go to p. 14.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Discovering the magic of Union “

Drinking from a firehose” was my stock response to the question, “How are you doing?,” during my first few months at Union, as I sought to learn as much as I could, as quickly as I could, about our wonderful College.

But the expression fails to capture the diverse and delicious flavors of the experience. From a lively debate examining how AI should reshape higher education to a glorious performance of Mozart’s “Requiem,” from baking challah with the baseball team to admiring the view from the top of Hadley Mountain in the Adirondacks, every day has brought to life brilliant facets of this special place.

Jeff and I have relished watching our men’s and women’s hockey teams take to the ice in our spectacular new arena and cheered for all our Union teams in one of the most successful fall sports seasons ever for the College. Every team earned the chance to compete for a conference championship for the first time since 2009. The football team completed an undefeated Liberty League season by winning a thrilling game against RPI, earning our 14th trip to the NCAA playoffs. Both field hockey and volleyball earned top-two finishes in the regular season, while men’s and women’s soccer also qualified for postseason conference play.

We hosted engineering faculty and deans from across the country for a symposium on Engineering and Liberal Education and welcomed over 300 people for Kappa Alpha Society’s 200th anniversary gathering—a wonderful celebration of Union’s pioneering role in Greek life.

It was a joy to spend time with Stephen and Judith Ainlay, who returned to campus for the Feigenbaum Forum on Innovation & Creativity. And a joy to have Roger Hull and David Harris, as well as my successor at Agnes Scott, Leocadia Zak, participate in my inauguration, alongside family and dear friends and former colleagues from Davidson, Duke, Agnes Scott, Oxford, and Washington, D.C. Our talented student performers wowed everyone present on that beautiful day, topped off by fireworks and by what I hope will become a new Union tradition—a dance party in the Nott.

Above all, these past few months have given me an opportunity to discover the magic of Union—the unique ways a Union education helps students connect and integrate disciplines, nurtures their curiosity, provides them with a sense of belonging, and helps them develop the essential skills they need to lead lives of purpose and impact.

Today, as Union navigates a challenging higher education climate of intense political and economic pressures and fierce competition for students, we are called to embrace the imperative to innovate. We have commissioned a rigorous study of our prospective and admitted student market, which will enable us to understand how best to sharpen and amplify Union’s value proposition to drive enrollment growth. Finding compelling ways to communicate the distinctive value of a Union education to prospective students and their families will be key to the College’s future, and I am heartened by the energy and resolve of our faculty, staff and trustees in this endeavor.

This is our chance to reinvigorate Union’s magic for a new generation, just as our forebears did at key moments in our 230-year history. I look forward to sharing more information about this strategic initiative in the coming months—and to partnering with all of you on this journey!

ELIZABETH KISS, D.Phil.

U AROUND

Homecoming was tremendous

Homecoming and Family Weekend was one to remember. The weather was perfect, the festivities were wonderful and the College celebrated the inauguration of its 20th president—Elizabeth Kiss (see p. 14).

Above, guests celebrate student accomplishments at the Dean’s List reception. For more Homecoming photos, scan this QR code. And don’t forget to mark your calendars for Homecoming 2026 (Oct. 23-25).

Kappa Alpha turns 200

In September, nearly 350 people from across the country and Canada came to Union to celebrate the bicentennial of Kappa Alpha.

The oldest continuously active secret Greek letter social fraternity in the U.S., Kappa Alpha was founded as a literary society at Union in November 1825. Among the students who formed the group was Isaac Jackson, Class of 1826, who would go on to cultivate what is now known as Jackson’s Garden.

One of the highlights of the weekend was a presentation of a gift to the College. At the 175th anniversary, the fraternity agreed to refurbish the Kappa Alpha Gate at the main entrance of Jackson’s Garden. For the 200th anniversary, the group pledged to improve the area around the gate, including relocating the cornerstone from the group’s original housing, installing new paving and new benches for seating.

To read more, scan this QR code.

Renowned geoscientist and astronaut speaks at Feigenbaum Forum

Astronaut and visionary futurist Sian Proctor was the featured speaker at the annual Feigenbaum Forum on Innovation and Creativity Sept. 12.

Her talk, “EarthLight: Exploring the Intersection of Art, Science and Engineering for Earth and Beyond,” was a featured event of the Robert E. Martinson '65 Engineering & Liberal Education Symposium. Both the forum and the symposium are organized in collaboration with the Templeton Institute.

Proctor’s pioneering work bridges the worlds of science, space exploration, humanity and creative expression.

A scientist and geology professor at South Mountain Community College, Proctor made history in September 2021 when she became the first African American woman to pilot a spacecraft, Inspiration4, the first all-civilian orbital mission to space.

To learn more, scan the QR code.

Convocation ushers in new academic year

President Elizabeth Kiss presided over her first Convocation ceremony as the College formally kicked off its 231st academic year Sept. 2 in Memorial Chapel.

Kiss touched on the strengths that make Union unique, including its distinctive combination of humanities, social sciences, natural sciences and engineering. She invoked the longstanding refrain of Union developing every student to lead with wisdom, empathy and courage.

She also spoke about the challenges facing higher education, especially the intense political pressure and in some cases vitriolic attacks of campuses.

Kiss expressed confidence that, just like other challenges faced by the College in its long and storied history, including

world wars and most recently, a global pandemic, Union will weather any challenges placed in its path.

Also at Convocation, Chad Rogers, associate professor of psychology, received the Stillman Prize for Faculty Excellence in Teaching. Rogers teaches courses in Introductory Psychology, Psychology of Language and Cognitive Neuroscience.

Bunkong Tuon, professor of English, received the Stillman Prize for Faculty Excellence in Research. He focuses his research on Asian American literature, trauma studies, refugee studies and translation studies.

Both faculty prizes were created by Abbott Stillman ‘69, David I. Stillman ’72 and Allan Stillman in honor of their father

and grandfather, Abraham Stillman. Paisley Parmenter ’27 was presented with the Music Department Convocation Prize by Jennifer Matsue, professor of music and chair of the department. A biomedical engineering major, Parmenter displayed her vocal prowess with a powerful performance of “Quando me'n vo” from Giacomo Puccini's 1896 opera La bohème. She was accompanied by Akina Yura, affiliate artist in the Music Department.

For more on convocation, scan this QR code.

UNION WELCOMES THE CLASS OF 2029

Bottom:

THE CLASS INCLUDES:

23% first-generation students

37% domestic students of color and international students from 25 countries, including Afghanistan, Ecuador, Greece and Poland

29 states and Puerto Rico represented

The Class of 2029 officially joined the Union community Aug. 29, when first-year students moved onto campus.

Members of the class are looking forward to their journey.

When visiting campus, “it immediately felt like home,” said Caroline Frost ’29. “Union is a place to grow, explore, learn and to test limits. But most importantly to me, it was a place where I felt free to be me.”

“I’m looking forward to when school begins. I’m excited to try new things, live in a totally new environment, and most of all, meet new people,” added Torsten Fras ’29. Fras and Frost are among the 477 students who make up the Class of 2029.

Union celebrates the Class of 2025

On June 15, 500 members of the Class of 2025 graduated during Union’s 231st commencement ceremony.

The featured speaker was Emmy Award-winning journalist Joanna Stern ’06 (left), senior personal technology columnist at the Wall Street Journal. The student speaker was Aiden Markoff ’25, an English and economics major, and special guests included Ashley Sofia ’11, a Nashville-based folk-rock singer.

Ten members of the Class of 2025 received special recognition during the ceremony.

A record seven students earned the distinction of valedictorian: Gabriella Baratier, Maren Friday, Gabriella Gatto, Taryn LaFontaine, Trevor Smick, Abby Wilder and Michael York. All seven graduated with a perfect 4.0 grade point average.

Three students earned the distinction of salutatorian as a result of achieving the second highest grade point average in the class: Viraj Brahmbhatt, Sara Davis and Ariana Rogowski.

For more detailed coverage of the ceremony, scan this QR code.

2025 WAS A HIT!

For a video, scan this QR code.

Hundreds of alumni and friends returned to campus this spring (May 16 – 18) for ReUnion. Here are just a few of the highlights.

Ewo Harrell ’10 and Bob Pfifferling ’75 present a talk, “The Pursuit of Happiness.”

For more photos, scan this QR code.

Also at ReUnion this year, five graduates were honored for their outstanding commitment and service to the College.

Kathy Hughes Baird ’75 has served as a dedicated head agent for the Class of 1975 for over 40 years. She also has volunteered for the Admissions Office and contributed her expertise as a resource for students and alumni through the Career Center. For many years, she has supported annual scholarships, study abroad opportunities and The Union Fund. Baird spent nearly four decades at Dynamics Research Corporation, retiring as vice president and general manager of state government programs.

Christine Reilly ’75 has dedicated herself to advancing Union's mission and educational excellence through her leadership on the Board of Trustees (1996-2008), the Trustee Board of Advisors (1993-1996) and the President’s Council (2010-2014). Reilly, the first female vice president of Morgan Stanley Institutional Investment Management, has also contributed generously to The Union Fund and the Garnet Blades and is a Ramée Circle Society member.

Alan Reisch ’75 has helped countless students achieve their Union dreams through the Professor Therese A. McCarty Endowed Scholarship. He and his wife, Judith G. Dein ’76, have also generously supported The Union Fund, the Feigenbaum Center for Visual Arts, the Integrated Science and Engineering Complex and the Charles Tidmarch Memorial Prize. A longtime, dedicated member of the President’s Council, Reisch is a litigator with Goulston & Storrs, P.C. and a founding member and principal of Fort Hill Risk Management.

Emily Carrabba ’20 has given back to Union through her work with the GOLD Committee and service on the Class of 2020 ReUnion Committee. Also a Terrace Council donor, she continually demonstrates her commitment to sustaining the College for generations to come. Carrabba works at SK Capital, an investment firm focused on the specialty materials, ingredients and life science sectors.

THE FACULTY & STAFF MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD WAS PRESENTED TO:

Jennifer Mitchell ’04 has made Union a more vibrant and inclusive community. She helped launch the LGBTQ+ Alumni Network and has advanced vital initiatives such as the Hillel International Campus Climate Initiative’s Cohort Program. She has also represented Union on the road, joining College Relations staff in New York City and Chicago to share her scholarship and engage with alumni. Mitchell is an associate professor of English, chief diversity officer and dean for diversity, equity and inclusion.

Don’t miss out on the start of this new era for Union hockey!

GARNET CHARGERS

The Garnet Chargers have moved into their new home in Mohawk Harbor. Come out and join us for a game. And while you’re at the rink, you can check out all the great amenities—from the Messa Family Trophy Cases to the Union spirit shop to a variety of concessions.

TICKETS for the 2025-26 season are on sale at unionathletics.com/tickets or (518) 388-6020. QUESTIONS? Email tickets@union.edu

Union’s hockey accomplishments are on display in the Messa Family Trophy Cases at the M&T Bank Center. The cases honor Frank '73, P'08 and Colleen Messa P'08 for their contributions to Messa Rink and the hockey program. The cases were made possible through the generosity of Frank’s Union roommates and grateful alumni friends.

A HALF-CENTURY OF WOMEN’S ATHLETICS

ReUnion 2025 was the culmination of a year-long celebration of 50 years of women’s athletics at Union.

Students and alumnae-athletes alike have enjoyed a range of events marking this milestone: Networking and roundtable discussions. Alumni club events across the country. And a special exhibit in Schaffer Library, "Determined to Compete and Win: Fifty Years of Women's Athletics at Union College.”

Liz Yager ’79 is thrilled to have been involved in all of it.

“Working with Union staff to organize and deliver these events has been incredibly rewarding,” said Yager, who majored in biology. “Students truly appreciate connecting with us.”

“They want to hear about our history and experiences,” she continued. “They have been amazed to hear how hard we fought to start the women’s athletic programs and appreciate that we were trailblazers. Women’s athletics has come a long way.”

Indeed, Yager remembers playing softball on library field without a backstop or proper diamond, or even their own uniforms. They wore hand-me-downs from the men’s baseball team.

But they had the support of many in the campus community.

“Our early student journalists at Concordy—Lynn Bateman ’78, Cathy Reals ’78 and Diana Gazzolo ’78—kept us alive with articles that enlightened people and made them aware of women’s sports,” said Yager, who was a pitcher. “And Bobby Ridings, who oversaw what they called ‘The Cage’ in the gym, made sure we had the equipment we needed. He was a champion for us behind the scenes.”

For Yager, playing softball, basketball and volleyball all four years (and ice hockey in her senior year) was critical to her success at Union and beyond.

“I was the first member of my family to ever go to college, so it was very hard. On top of which, women were relatively new at Union and some professors and staff were not welcoming,” Yager said. “I would not have graduated without my teammates. We looked out for each other, helped each other and took care of each other.”

“Through sports and my teammates, I learned invaluable lessons about life and myself,” she added.

Yager went on to a fulfilling career that spanned several fields. She was the first female mass spectrometer service engineer for Hewlett Packard (HP) in the New York metro area. When HP moved her to California, she became the global big-system expert, teaching service engineers worldwide how to work on the instruments.

After leaving HP in 2000, she spent a period as a golf professional before becoming the Energy and Sustainability Manager of Sonoma County (California). Yager retired from this position in 2019.

Determined to compete and win

During spring term 2025, Schaffer Library presented “Determined to Compete and Win: Fifty Years of Women’s Athletics at Union College.” Scan the QR code to explore the digital exhibit and an interactive timeline.

Giving back to women’s athletics

Liz Yager ’79 loved being a four-sport athlete and her teammates eventually became the inspiration for a special gift. Scan the QR code to learn more about the endowed fund she and her wife, Stephanie Puentes, created.

1975

Mohawk Harbor

Mohawk Harbor, just a short distance from campus, is a vibrant part of the ongoing revitalization of Schenectady. The 60-acre site integrates condominiums and apartments, office space and retail, hotels, and restaurants and entertainment along a 1-mile stretch of waterfront. Just a few of the amenities include

the new home of Union hockey, the M&T Bank Center; restaurants like Druthers Brewing Company, Shaker & Vine and The Bunker; and hotels like Courtyard by Mariott and The Landing Hotel. Visitors can also enjoy the Rivers Casino & Resort, direct access to the water via a marina, and boat tours of the Mohawk River.

A BEAUTIFUL

Trustee Stanley O'Brien ’74, President Elizabeth Kiss, trustee Estelle Cooke-Sampson ’74 and trustee Judith Dein ’76 at inauguration

The inauguration of

DAY AT UNION: Elizabeth Kiss

If there was a theme for the inauguration of Union’s 20th president Oct. 10, it was “Beautiful Day”—and not just because student-dancers gave a stunning performance to this U2 anthem during the ceremony.

It was because there literally wasn’t a cloud in the sky. Because it was Homecoming and Family Weekend. Because history was being made.

“I couldn’t resist attending the inauguration of the first woman president of Union College,” said Judith Dein ’76, a U.S. magistrate judge in the District of Massachusetts. “This is my last year as a trustee on the Union Board, and I am really excited about Elizabeth’s vision for the College.”

“I thought her inauguration speech was perfect. What stood out to me was that the importance of—and the connections between—the liberal arts, science and engineering have been guiding principles for President Kiss throughout her life,” Dein added. “She gets what Union is all about, and it just feels so right to have her as our next president.”

During her address, Kiss (pronounced quiche) emphasized the importance of Union’s cross-disciplinary educational mission.

“[Elizabeth] touched upon the critical issues the Union community needs to face and projected a thoughtful, steady approach that seems like the best way forward to me.“

— Shawn Jorgensen ’94, P’26

“Union has weathered many storms over the past 230 years,” Kiss said. “During this challenging time for higher education, when we are called to prepare students to lead successful and impactful lives in a world shaped by new technologies and buffeted by climate change, geopolitical conflict, political polarization and a rising tide of global authoritarianism, it is more important than ever to center ourselves around our core values of free inquiry, curiosity and the cultivation of wisdom, empathy and courage.”

Kiss, an Oxford-trained philosopher and former president of Agnes Scott College, served as CEO of the Rhodes Trust before joining Union July 1.

A native of New York City, she earned her undergraduate degree in philosophy from Davidson College. She holds master’s and doctorate degrees in philosophy from the University of Oxford, which she attended on a Rhodes Scholarship.

Kiss’s inauguration address reflected her commitment to making this next Union chapter as bright as all the others that have come before it. Her openness about challenges, but also her excitement about the opportunities these challenges bring, was obvious.

“I attended inauguration because I wanted to see how President Kiss is planning on steering us through these choppy waters,” said Shawn Jorgensen ’94, a physician and partner at Adirondack Rehabilition Medicine in Glens Falls, N.Y. “I heard an optimistic vision for Union with an acknowledgement of the challenges ahead.”

“She touched upon the critical issues the Union community needs to face and projected a thoughtful, steady approach that seems like the best way forward to me,” added Jorgensen, whose daughter, Vanessa, is a member of the Class of 2026. “Elizabeth’s warmth and energy are impossible to hide.”

A detailed story about the inauguration and Kiss’s address is available at union.edu/news or scan this QR code to watch a recording of the event.

“President Kiss’s passion for fostering diversity in all areas, and her commitment to continuing the tradition of education that produces well-rounded global citizens, really stood out to me during her address.”

— Yareli Rodriguez ’16

Above: Yareli Rodriguez ’16 with her partner Faruk Curebal at inauguration.

Throughout her career, Kiss has harnessed this energy to advocate for inclusive communities where all members feel welcome and supported. In addition to championing diversity at Agnes Scott and the Rhodes Trust, Kiss is a trustee of the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, a large private foundation dedicated to providing equitable access to education, health care and home purchasing.

“I want to start plugging into the Union community as an alum, especially now that the campus is close to home,” said Yareli Rodriguez ’16, a client services associate at Tempus Financial in Schenectady. “The times we are in have shown me that it is of the utmost importance to support the work of institutions like Union, both financially and with our physical presence at events like the inauguration of a new president.”

“President Kiss’s passion for fostering diversity in all areas, and her commitment to continuing the tradition of education that produces well-rounded global citizens, really stood out to me during her address,” she added.

Santos Avila ’08, a school counselor at Port Chester High School in Port Chester, N.Y., was similarly impressed by Kiss.

“It was evident that her passion for education knows no bounds,” he said. “This is amazing to see because my greatest joy is when I send a student to Union. I have had several students graduate from Union and several are studying there now, doing amazing things.”

“Meeting President Kiss, her personality shines through; she is a humble and genuine person,” Avila added.

“It was evident that her passion for education knows no bounds. This is amazing to see because my greatest joy is when I send a student to Union.”

— Santos Avila ’08

More inauguration day festivities

Opposite page:

Top—President Elizabeth Kiss with inauguration guests

Middle (and this page)—Everyone enjoyed the President’s Welcome Reception (and dance party) in the Nott Memorial.

Bottom—Fireworks celebrate inauguration and Homecoming and Family Weekend.

Scan this QR code to watch a highlight reel of inauguration and its associated events.

Q&A

President Elizabeth Kiss shares a bit about herself while offering thoughts on the current higher education landscape and her goals for Union in this ever-evolving world.

A conversation with President Elizabeth Kiss

Q: Your family fled to the U.S. following the Hungarian Revolution, a revolt against the former Soviet Union’s control of the country. How has this shaped you?

A: Yes, I’m the proud daughter of Hungarian refugees. I was born and raised in the Bronx, but my parents and two older sisters had moved there after fleeing Hungary in 1956. My father had the distinction of being a political prisoner under both the fascists and communists, and my mother was arrested as well. So, I grew up in a family that stood up for what they believed, and this continues to inspire me to try to live up to their example. Something else that shaped me was that, as recently arrived refugees, we were not well off—in fact we were pretty poor. But my parents managed to create so many enriching educational experiences for me and my sisters. And my mother volunteered as a block captain for the March of Dimes, so that when I was four years old, she and I would walk around and collect money from the neighbors. She was demonstrating public spiritedness in ways both large and small.

Q: What are your priorities for Union? What would you like to see accomplished in one year? In five?

Q: It’s a challenging time for higher education right now. How do you approach this?

A: It is indeed a tough time, with intense competition for students combined with unprecedented political and economic pressures. But I believe that tough times call for institutions to live their core values and to find innovative ways to sustain their missions. Union College stands for core values of free inquiry, the integration of different disciplines and perspectives, the importance of learning and curiosity, and the preparation of every student for public-spirited leadership. I look forward to working with faculty, staff, students and alumni to champion those values. Today, more than ever, we need to restore faith in our core institutions, including the academy, and the vital role our institutions play in American progress. We also need to celebrate the value of being part of a community which welcomes people from all kinds of backgrounds in a spirit of friendship. That’s what I believe America stands for and it’s the America my family fled to and was so inspired by. And I hope and trust that at Union, we can continue to live those values every day.

Q: What are Union’s strengths in this rapidly changing world?

A: We’re living in a world where many of the jobs that tomorrow’s graduates will seek haven’t even been invented yet. A liberal arts and engineering education prepares you to navigate this dynamic landscape by enabling you to become an agile thinker and to gain essential skills critical to career success—to speak well, write well, integrate information, lead and support others. Teamwork is a critical ingredient for career success in every area, and Union provides amazing opportunities to learn teamwork. A third of our students are varsity athletes, others are in club sports, others are involved in the performing arts including theater, dance, and music, and others work on research teams. I always say to parents, the most important thing is for your child to find something they’re passionate about, and to find mentors who will help them grow and excel. They’ll find both at Union College. They’ll also find peers and an alumni network passionate about supporting them on their journey.

A: My top priority is for us to figure out how we can best position ourselves to stand out in a very competitive market. We have commissioned a study of prospective and admitted students, which will enable us to test different options for how we articulate Union’s value proposition. I am excited to see the data from this study, which will help us understand what we need to emphasize, amplify or elevate in the student experience to drive enrollment growth.

I am also keenly focused on improving our residence halls. Union is immensely fortunate to have superb academic facilities, thanks to the efforts of my presidential predecessors and the generosity of many donors. But our residence halls need to catch up. We are launching a trustee task force to help us develop a residential master plan and to advise us on the best mix of options for funding it.

So in one year, I hope to have a clear roadmap to guide us in both of these areas. And then we will work hard to implement that roadmap and hope to see significant results within five years.

Of course, I have many other priorities besides these two ... including women's flag football, launching in 2027, and some terrific new curricular and co-curricular initiatives. But all these efforts are aimed at sustaining our mission and keeping Union strong for years to come.

Q:You were president of Agnes Scott College and CEO of the Rhodes Trust. How do your experiences at these institutions inform your approach to guiding and strengthening Union?

A: My 12 years at Agnes Scott gave me a lot of relevant experience to draw on. Facing substantial enrollment pressures and headwinds, Agnes Scott commissioned a rigorous strategic positioning study, just as we are doing at Union, and then moved swiftly to implement its recommendations. The results were transformative, leading to the largest classes in the College’s history. The process wasn’t always smooth or easy, but it gave me great appreciation for how creative and innovative faculty can be, and for the power of a robust partnership between trustees, administrators, and faculty. An institution united behind a Big Idea can pull off incredible things. So I am excited to be part of a similar journey at Union!

My time at the Rhodes Trust also taught me a lot about innovation and change. I used to quip that the Trust was a “120-year-old startup.” The ability to reimagine an old and storied institution to position it for success in a new era has a lot of relevance to Union. I also loved working in such a global community at Rhodes, and hope to draw on those experiences in supporting global learning and recruitment at Union. Finally, Rhodes taught me a lot about the power of an alumni network, even though with 5,000 living alumni the Rhodes Scholar community is quite small. Union also has a “small but mighty” alumni network of incredibly accomplished and impressive people, and I am excited for us to find new ways to celebrate and engage our alumni.

Q: As you’ve started to get to know the Union community, what has impressed you the most?

A: So many things have impressed me, it’s hard to choose! I have loved meeting so many students who are intellectually ambidextrous, drawing insights from different disciplines and connecting their interests in art and biology, history and computer science, opera and engineering. Jeff and I have also enjoyed watching how Union students excel in sports as well as in the performing arts—including the musicians and dancers at my inauguration, who knocked everyone’s socks off. We are a community with heart, and I’ve been inspired by the passion and dedication faculty and staff bring to their work every day, and by the warmth of casual interactions on campus. And I am repeatedly struck by how Union punches above its weight in the leadership and social impact of our alumni. It is a magical place, and I feel so fortunate to be a part of it!

Additional information about Elizabeth Kiss is available at union.edu/presidents-office.

A DECADE OF KLEMM FELLOWS

When asked what she might say to the Klemm family in honor of the 10th anniversary of the Klemm Fellowship program this year, Abigail Salamone ’18 expressed her gratitude.

“Thank you for all your work in making these fellowships possible for students. They are really life changing!”

It’s a sentiment echoed by many fellows, and no wonder. These fellowships take students around the world, giving them opportunities they just aren’t likely to have elsewhere.

Why it’s special

“At a glance, the Klemm Fellowship, like our other mini terms, is a three-week hands-on immersive experience,” said Lara Atkins, director of International Programs. “But it is an internship, with no faculty taught course, and therefore, Union students do not generally earn academic credit.”

It is also, usually, a solo experience.

“Fellows are almost always embarking on a project alone. They meet other volunteers when they arrive in their host country, and they have staff on the ground to support them, but they are not going with a group of Union students,” Atkins explained. “For many fellows, this is the first time in their lives that they are traveling alone. This enhances opportunities for personal growth and reflection.”

The Klemm Fellowship is also strengthened by faculty investment. Acting as advisors, professors work closely with students before and after their fellowships.

“The faculty have advocated that all fellows should do an internship but also take lessons in the local language,” Atkins said. “This comes from Union’s strong belief that students should integrate culturally into any experience they have, and learning the language is integral to this.”

“Also key to the program is the reflection upon return. All fellows work with their faculty advisor to prepare a presentation for Steinmetz Day, in which they not only focus on what they did, but on aspects or discoveries that were transformative and why.”

And for most fellows, the experience truly is transformative.

“Over the last four years, I have had the privilege of going to four different places through the International Programs office,” said Eastwood Yeboah ’25, who was a fellow in Tanzania. “Each of these places—South Africa, Greece, Tanzania and San Francisco— taught me something different about myself, and not just as a student, but also as a person.

“My fellowship, particularly, was an eye-opening experience, both for my understanding of my goals and of international human rights, a field I hope to make a difference in.”

How it all started

The program sent its first group of fellows abroad for three weeks during the 2015 winter term.

They stayed with host families and worked for local organizations in Ghana, Mexico, Ecuador, Mongolia and Morocco (the countries vary somewhat from cohort to cohort).

The program is funded through the Professor Frederick A. Klemm and Eleanor G. Klemm Fund for International Study and Service, and most costs are covered by the Klemm Fellow International Internship Program.

A professor emeritus of German, Klemm was considered the father of terms abroad at Union. He inaugurated the College’s program by guiding a group of 28 students to Vienna, Austria, in spring 1969. He died in 2010 at 97. Eleanor died in 2004. The couple was dedicated to supporting students pursuing international careers in service, and their family has maintained this commitment over the years.

In May, their daughter, Ginny Wells, and her husband, Bill Wells ’64, attended a campus celebration in honor of the 10th anniversary of the fellowship. They enjoyed speaking with the most recent fellows and were surprised with a special gift.

“We dedicated the conference room of the International Programs Office as the Klemm Conference Room,” Atkins said. “We are so thankful that through their generosity, we are able to offer this experience to our students.”

Bill ’64 and Ginny Wells were honored in May for their role in supporting the Klemm Fellowship. During this event, which the most recent fellows attended, the conference room in the International Programs Office was dedicated as the Klemm Conference Room.

KLEMM FELLOWS: Where are they now?

Yuan Gao ’18

MAJOR: Computer science

FELLOWSHIP LOCATION & YEAR: Andasibe, Madagascar, 2016

What did your fellowship mean to you?

In Madagascar, I participated in a wildlife conservation project. I explored the mysterious rainforest day and night, observed the natural behavior of wild animals in their native habitat, and learned what environmentalists do to protect those gorgeous but vulnerable species. I have been passionate about wildlife since childhood. The three weeks I spent in Madagascar were the closest experience I have ever had to true wilderness. Everything I encountered was new and inspiring. I witnessed firsthand how human activity impacts the local habitat and how much work is needed to rehabilitate the environment. Truly, I felt compelled to take action and help improve the situation.

What are you doing now?

After completing my graduate-level education, I became a software engineer at a tech company. Though my job absolutely aligns with my major and allows me to deepen my knowledge in computing, deep down, I know I miss my days in the forest and the magnificent wildlife there. I began searching for opportunities to contribute to wildlife conservation in my spare time. I volunteered at an animal shelter for a few years. Last year, I started volunteering for a zoo in China, where I write coding scripts to assist in monitoring local species. One day, I might transition to working full-time in conservation as there are still many things I’d like to do for wildlife. The switch may happen in the near future—who knows?

Curious what past Klemm Fellows went on to after graduation or what their fellowship experiences meant to them? Here’s a quick look at just a handful of fellows.

Abigail Salamone ’18

MAJORS: Anthropology & Chinese FELLOWSHIP LOCATION & YEAR: Chengdu, China, 2017

What did your fellowship mean to you?

Going to China and getting the opportunity to volunteer at a kindergarten there opened my eyes to so many things about education and how if differs around the world. This is partly what inspired me to pursue the further education that I did and ultimately my job now. I gained the experience of working with people from around the world at the school and learned about their cultures and backgrounds as well. It was also the first time I went abroad on my own (without a group), which really challenged me but helped me gain confidence and experience navigating new challenges on my own.

What are you doing now?

After Union, I went to Taiwan on a Fulbright fellowship for English teaching for one year. I then went to the University of Cambridge in the U.K. and received my master’s degree in education, globalization and international development. I have since moved back to my home city of Buffalo, N.Y., and also did a master’s in English for speakers of other languages at University of Buffalo. I now work as an ENL (English as a new language) teacher in Buffalo Public Schools, working with the immigrant and refugee students there.

Cameron Bechtold ’20

MAJOR: Environmental science

FELLOWSHIP LOCATION & YEAR: Galapagos Islands, 2019

What did your fellowship mean to you?

It truly was a once-in-a-lifetime experience being able to live and work on the Galapagos, a place previously only known to me in science textbooks, for three weeks. I still vividly remember waking up at 5 a.m. to go to the beach to count the sea lions, using a machete to cut down and prepare food for the tortoises, and hiking through the mountains to leave rat poison aimed at limiting the invasive population. I also remember witnessing judgment from many tourists about the way of life on the islands and remember watching cruise ships go by, bringing little economic

benefit directly to the local people. As a result, I’ve learned how important it is to listen and to understand local perspectives that differ from my own, as well as shopping and living locally to boost their economy. I’ve taken the entirety of this experience with me everywhere I’ve been, especially when I visited other island nations like Tuvalu, Kiribati, and Fiji during my Watson Fellowship.

What are you doing now?

I work at the British Consulate-General in Houston, Texas, as an energy and climate policy advisor.

Cameron Bechtold ’20 and Rose Parisi ’20 in the Galapagos.

Tawreak Eddington ’21

MAJOR: Political science & history FELLOWSHIP LOCATION & YEAR: Cordoba, Argentina, 2018

What did your fellowship mean to you?

I worked as a Klemm Fellow under a local lawyer to address human rights concerns of the past and present. I documented ongoing trials of officials involved in the human rights abuses of the Videla dictatorship by observing court trials. Additionally, I aided local organizations in developing materials to help young women imprisoned for petty crimes learn about their legal rights and resources, participated in the production of a Christmas show for homeless populations, and worked with others to do food distribution for homeless people on the streets throughout the city. My experiences abroad have crystallized my desire to work in the field of international human rights to provide critical services to minority communities, hold states accountable, and amplify discourse around abuses.

What are you doing now?

I have continued to work in the realm of human rights and am in law school at Yale, hoping to do international human rights law. During a recent term, I worked with the Lowenstein International Human Rights Clinic supporting special procedures mandate holders for the United Nations on a variety of human rights evidence. Additionally, I am a managing editor for the Yale Journal of International Law and work with the California Public Defender’s office doing Habeas petitions. This past summer, I worked with the litigation firm Susman Godfrey and also with the NAACP’s Legal Defense Fund in New York City, doing voting rights and criminal justice work. Additionally, I will be participating in the law school’s Linkages exchange program and returning to Argentina (but this time Buenos Aires).

Isabella Jenney ’25

MAJOR: Biology, with minors in psychology & global and popular music FELLOWSHIP LOCATION & YEAR: Cusco, Peru, 2023

What did your fellowship mean to you?

My fellowship experience was a defining moment in my college career, as it was the first time I was able to see what my job would be like as a midwife if I chose that path after graduation. I was able to observe three births while in Peru, as well as learn everyday clinical tasks from nurses and midwives. My time in Peru confirmed my passion for midwifery and strengthened my drive to become a nurse-midwife after graduation.

What are you doing now?

In August 2025, I began a dual master’s program at Yale School of Nursing, where I will become a certified nurse midwife and a women’s health nurse practitioner. I am extremely excited about this program, and I am eternally grateful to the Klemm family for making my experience in Peru possible. I would not be where I am today without this fellowship experience.

Eastwood Yeboah ’25

MAJORS: Psychology & Africana Studies, Seward minor FELLOWSHIP LOCATION & YEAR: Arusa, Tanzania, 2024

What did your fellowship mean to you?

During my fellowship, I worked with a human rights lawyer to promote human rights education and address related abuses. It was an eye-opening experience that reinforced the importance of collaboration and intentionally working with others to achieve a shared goal, especially in the realm of human rights advocacy, which often adopts a more grassroots approach. While I was always passionate about public service, my time in Tanzania helped me recognize that I need a stronger foundation in public health practices, more expertise in evidence-based practices, and the cultural competence to address global health adversities such as human rights abuses. These ideas really pushed me to think more about the type of experiences I wanted following graduation.

What are you doing now?

After graduation, I moved to Taipei City, Taiwan, where I am pursuing my Master of Science in global health. I was offered a full academic package, so I feel really excited about this opportunity to relocate and specifically focus on my research interests for the next two years.

Family Circle

Shawn Jorgensen ’94 and daughter Vanessa Jorgensen ’26

To learn more about the Family Circle, please contact:

Noelle Beach Marchaj '05 Director of Family Philanthropy Cell: 860-655-2875 | marchajn@union.edu union.edu/parents-families

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

We are thrilled to welcome Class of 2029 families to the Union community, and we invite all families to join us in supporting the educational programs and activities that will make your child’s Union experience extraordinary.

Union is a special place for three generations of my family. My mother worked here, allowing my brother and me to go here, and independently my daughter chose to come here as well. She saw, on her own, why Union was the place my mom didn’t want to retire from, and where my brother and I had the best years of our lives. She feels the beauty and gravitas of the campus that I still feel when I visit her, and also the undercurrent of energy in the student body that I still remember from my first night of orientation. We are thrilled she chose to extend the Union tradition in the family.

– Shawn ’94 and Stephanie Jorgensen P’26

FOC U S

Ever wonder what Union professors and students are up to when they aren’t in class? Just about everything, as it turns out. Nothing is beyond their collective reach or curious minds. Here’s a glimpse of the diverse and intriguing work they do.

That sunscreen you slathered on all summer wasn’t just sitting on top of your skin, it was soaking in.

Soaking up the sunscreen?

But just how quickly and how much? That’s something Bennett Cooney ’25 was trying to figure out during his senior year.

Sunscreen snapshot

“In the U.S., sunscreens are overseen by the Food and Drug Administration, which employs a safety standard: generally recognized as safe and effective (GRASE),” said Cooney, who majored in biochemistry. “GRASE status is given to chemicals for which manufacturers have provided sufficient data (from scientific or clinical studies) to show they are safe and effective for humans.”

“Many sunscreen products incorporate ultraviolet filter chemicals (UVFCs), which absorb or reflect the sun’s UV light, which is known to cause skin cancer,” he continued. “But many commonly used organic UVFCs have been

denied GRASE status, indicating the possibility that they are not safe to put on our skin.”

Why the denial?

“Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide (mineral sunscreen ingredients) have been deemed safe by the FDA and have GRASE status,” Cooney explained. “But other UV-absorbing chemicals currently used in non-mineral, and even some mineral sunscreens, were denied GRASE status due to a lack of data about their safety.”

“These non-GRASE chemicals are still allowed for use in sunscreen until the FDA makes it final ruling.”

Which has some people worried.

“A major concern for many ultraviolet filter chemicals is their ability to penetrate the skin. They have been detected in blood, urine and breast milk of humans who use sunscreen products,” Cooney said. “There are studies indicating that some of the UVFCs are endocrine-disrupting chemicals, meaning

they mimic or interfere with human hormones.

“Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals can lead to developmental effects, interference with the reproductive system, increased risk of cancer and even immune system disturbance.”

This is one reason Cooney and his advisor, Associate Professor of Chemistry Laura MacManus-Spencer, were curious about how quickly—and how much—these chemicals soak into our skin.

Cooney’s study

Cooney studied the four most common ultraviolet filter chemicals in U.S. sunscreen (both lotions and sprays): homosalate, octisalate, octocyrlene and avobenzone.

These chemicals—listed as active ingredients on labels—are found in most sunscreens in stores today, MacManusSpencer said.

While Cooney used a Neutrogena spray sunscreen in his study, she added, the fact that most non-mineral sunscreens include the same ingredients means his results should be reasonably applicable across different brands.

Specifically, Cooney analyzed concentrations of 15% homosalate, 3% octisalate, 4% octocrylene and 3% avobenzone in the sunscreen.

“We were trying to understand the penetration profile and what is passing through the skin, and what stays in the skin,” Cooney explained, adding that they did not investigate the impact of these chemicals on human health.

To determine how quickly and how much these chemicals soaked in, he used a synthetic human skin model called a Strat-M membrane and a Franz cell—a small piece of equipment in which the

membrane is clamped between a donor chamber and a receptor chamber.

“The donor chamber is clamped above the membrane and holds the sunscreen, keeping it in contact with the membrane,” Cooney said. “We then add a biological buffer solution to mimic bodily fluids present under human skin.”

If chemicals passed through the membrane, they ended up in the receptor chamber, where Cooney collected them.

“I analyzed these samples using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to determine how these commonly used UVFCs permeate the skin model,” he explained. “My research is key to understanding how quickly and to what degrees these chemicals absorb into our skin when we apply sunscreen.”

Preliminary results

Looking at his early data, Cooney found that about 850 nanograms of homosalate and 99 nanograms of avobenzone permeated the 0.64 cm2 Strat-M membrane (for size comparison, according to Google, a dime is 2.54 cm2.)

He then scaled these values up to correspond with the size of a typical person, to make better sense of what this data might mean outside the lab. (Note: Below, 75 percent roughly corresponds to the amount of skin a person would

typically cover with sunscreen while at the pool or beach.)

“Using 75 percent of an average adult’s skin surface area, which is 1.3 m2, we obtained a value of 19.8 milligrams of homosalate and 2.7 milligrams of avobenzone that would permeate through human skin,” Cooney explained.

If this doesn’t sound like much, that’s because it isn’t.

“Per application, we expect 26,000 milligrams of total sunscreen to be applied to a person,” Cooney explained. “So, if each application of sunscreen contains 15% homosalate and 3% avobenzone, that would be 3,900 milligrams of homosalate and 780 milligrams of avobenzone applied to an entire human.”

“Our percent recoveries are less than 0.5% of the total, which is not a lot,” he continued. “A lot of these chemicals are getting trapped in the membrane, showing that the skin is holding on to the sunscreen and not all of it is permeating through.”

Small amounts, however, can still add up.

“The amounts absorbed by the membrane are for one application, so we could expect greater amounts of these chemicals to absorb throughout the day with multiple applications,” Cooney said.

Is this harmful? Maybe, but more conclusive data is needed.

“Since these chemicals have not been studied extensively, we do not know for sure how they are acting once they enter the body,” Cooney said.

Cooney’s research was supported by a Union College Student Research Grant and the Edward R. Kane (1940) Endowed Chemistry Fund. He is currently taking a gap year to apply for graduate school and plans to pursue a career in the pharmaceutical research industry.

RON SINGER ’62

Consolaçam (The Great Consolation): Four Stories of Jews in the Ottoman Empire

The Piker Press

Consolaçam is a book of stories about Jews in the Ottoman empire. The title is adapted from Samuel Usque’s A Consolation for the Tribulations of Israel (with translation, notes and introduction by Gershon I. Gelbert, Ph.D. Bloch Publishing Co. New York, 1964. Originally written in 1553.) Consolaçam continues the theme of exile and sanctuary from Uhuru Revisited, Singer’s African trilogy.

MARTIN JAY ’65

Magical Nominalism: The Historical Event, Aesthetic Reenchantment, and the Photograph

The University of Chicago Press

In this magisterial new book, intellectual historian Martin Jay traces the long-standing competition between two versions of nominalism— “conventional” and what he calls “magical.” According to Jay, since at least William of Ockham, the conventional form of nominalism contributed to the disenchantment of the world by viewing general terms as nothing more than mere names we use to group particular objects together, rejecting the idea that they refer to a further, “higher” reality. Magical nominalism, instead, performs a reenchanting function by investing proper names, disruptive events, and singular objects with an auratic power of their own. Drawing in part on Jewish theology, it challenges the elevation of the constitutive subject resulting from Ockham’s reliance on divine will in his critique of real universals.

EDWARD TESSLER ’70

Murder at Bull Run

Independently published

Jack Muller gets more than he bargained for when he signs up to fight with the 14th Brooklyn in April 1961. His mentor dies just after the Battle of Bull Run, but Jack is convinced that this was not just another casualty of war. How can he prove that Michael was murdered, and how can he bring the killer to justice without damaging the reputation of Michael’s beloved regiment? This debut novel is a masterpiece of historical fiction, blending a complex murder mystery with camp life, military strategy and the new American pastime of baseball.

DAVID DRUSCHEL ’74

(WRITING AS GWYN PARRY)

The Chesterfield Clue: The First Chesterfield and Carrie Finger Lakes Wine Country Mystery Once Upon Avon Press

Following Gwyn Parry’s comic masterpiece, The Chesterfield Hours —which received a starred review* from Kirkus and was ultimately named to their Best of 2012 and LOL (6 funniest novels of the year) lists— comes this mystery debut. Mother knows best, eh? At least while mainly sober. Thus, when the “mythical” Ffoulkes Fortune actually comes through (to the only pair who didn’t scheme for it), the ghost of Daphne Ffoulkes Chesterfield instructs her son to “put a bit of it back into the land.” This advice he dutifully follows by purchasing the Finger Lakes wine estate of Carrie’s father, a “retired” Brooklyn gangster. Ensuing are rooms full of lust, triumph and scandal in the vineyards, humor bone-dry as a fine Cab Sauv, classic country-house murder, and masterly courtroom chess played by the anciently wise French “avocat” Alaistre (“Swifty”) Treves-Alsace. The book is available at Amazon and thegwynparryhours.com. *www.kirkusreviews.com

STEPHEN CRIMI ’81

Hermes Runs the Game: Inverted Myth, Sacrifice and Initiation In-Forming the Events of 2020-2024

Logosophia Books

Hermes Runs the Game shows how the arc of the covid years is a perfect fit to an inversion of every element of the archaic Greek animal sacrifice, invented by Hermes. Hermes, as the presiding deity over commerce, travel, borders, initiation and thievery, is woven into every aspect of the covid op. He was busy in his aspect of psychopomp, guide of souls, to their afterlife destination. The last third of the book turns to the light of the Greek mystery tradition, how it was transformed into rationalism, and the possibility of now reconnecting with the nearly occluded vision of the divine illuminating the sacred origins of the western tradition. This is a book looking deeply at the spiritual underpinnings of the age we are living through.

CHERYL SPANOS ’84

Bedlam Bewitched

Deadnettle Publishing

In this debut young adult fantasy novel, a teenage witch must save her uncle’s enchanted bookstore from scheming adversaries and swindlers from her past. Romance, intrigue, humor, and witchcraft blend in this charm-filled tale of mayhem amid the stacks. Visit the author’s website at http://cherylspanos.com for further details.

NORMAN BIRNBACH ’85

Stealing Time

Linden Tree Press

New York, 2020. Tori’s world is falling apart. Between the pandemic and her parents’ divorce, what else could go wrong? Plenty! Like discovering that a jewelry heist 40 years ago sent her grandfather to jail and destroyed her family. New York, 1980. Bobby’s life is pretty great—until a strange girl shows up in his apartment claiming to be a visitor from the future. Specifically, his future, which apparently stinks. Oh, and did she mention she’s his daughter? Together Tori and Bobby have to join forces to save a legendary diamond at the heart of all their troubles. But a gang of thugs wants it, too, and they’re not about to let a couple of teenagers get in their way. Stealing Time received a Claymore Top Pick at the 2024 Killer Nashville International Writers Conference.

DIANE MEHTA ’88

Happier Far: Essays

University of Georgia Press

In Happier Far, Diane Mehta takes us on a funny and engrossing tour of the absurdities and dilemmas of becoming a writer, and how family can sometimes help us and sometimes get in the way. From a vibrant childhood in India to her youth in an unwelcoming New Jersey suburb, from the confusions of marriage and divorce to life as a single parent, she chronicles her search for a family history that can help explain who she is and what matters most to her now.

ELANNA POLLACK REISS ’91

The Crayon Family

Independently published

Mommy and Daddy cannot have babies of their own, genetically, so they go in search of the perfect combination to start their family. They ultimately have twins and are delighted at all of the colors their beautiful family can now make. In The Crayon Family, the use of color brings in the concept of how carefully and intentionally the babies were created. This children’s book, written to explain to a young pair of twins where they come from, is great for ages 2 to 6.

NADIA ALEXIS ’09

Beyond the Watershed CavanKerry Press

Bringing together poetry and photography, Beyond the Watershed explores generational trauma, domestic violence, healing and reclamation through the experiences of a Haitian American daughter and her Haitian immigrant mother. In her vital poetic debut, Nadia Alexis uses stunning imagery drawn from the body, spirit, nature and cityscapes to 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.

CONSIDERATION

Media, formerly Bookshelf, 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:

Union College Office of Communications & Marketing 807 Union Street Schenectady, N.Y. 12308

Or send synopsis and high-resolution image to: magazine@union.edu

DEAR

IA MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE ALUMNI COUNCIL

ALUMNI,

hope this message finds you well! As Alumni Council president, I’m continually inspired by the unique community that binds us together—a community where different backgrounds, perspectives and passions come together to create something greater than the sum of its parts.

Union isn’t just our name—it’s who we are. It’s the connection we feel to this remarkable college, to each other and to the generations of students who will follow in our footsteps. One of the most meaningful ways we strengthen those connections is through philanthropy.

A powerful example is The Union Fund—a tradition more than a century old and the oldest continuing fund of its kind in the nation. The Union Fund fuels the College’s mission by supporting everything from financial aid and student research to athletics, study abroad and campus enhancements. Every donor and every dollar make a difference. Unrestricted gifts are especially impactful, helping the College address its greatest needs and embrace new opportunities.

This fall marked the start of Elizabeth Kiss’s first academic year as Union’s 20th president. Her leadership brings fresh energy and vision to our community—and with it, a meaningful opportunity for alumni to show their support. Your generosity will help ensure Union continues to thrive under her leadership, staying true to our values while boldly shaping the future.

If you visit ualumni.union.edu, you’ll find inspiring stories of alumni changing the world around them, made possible by the education, values and connections they found at Union. When you give back, you’re investing in future stories. You’re helping students discover who they are now, and who they’re meant to become.

Thank you for your generosity, your spirit and your continued commitment to Union. It matters more than you know.

Warmly,

Tess (Skoller) Gould ’13, president, Union College Alumni Council

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT:

Alex Brockwehl ’11

Political science and Spanish major Director for policy and partnerships, Leadership Now

As director for policy and partnerships at Leadership Now, Brockwehl works with business and thought leaders to drive a forward-looking policy agenda to strengthen America’s economy and democracy.

Previously, Brockwehl served as director for migration cooperation at the White House National Security Council during the Biden Administration. In this role, he coordinated efforts across federal agencies and with 21 partner countries to address unprecedented levels of migration throughout the Western Hemisphere. His expertise also extends to Capitol Hill, where he worked as a Foreign Policy and Defense Fellow for Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and as staff director for the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, where he advised House Democrats on U.S. policy toward Latin America and the Caribbean. He also previously served at the U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.S. State Department, advising agency leaders on U.S. foreign policy and foreign aid programs.

Before his government roles, Brockwehl worked as a senior program officer for Latin America at Freedom House and consulted for organizations like the National Democratic Institute and the International Rescue Committee, focusing on global democracy and migration issues. Brockwehl holds a master’s degree in public affairs from Princeton University and

engages in global policy discussions as a term member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He credits Union with providing the foundation for his ongoing commitment to international diplomacy and public policy and he has remained involved with the College as an alumnus. He lives in Washington, D.C. with his wife, Eliana, and their son, Sebastian.

How have you stayed involved with Union as an alumnus?

I always enjoy engaging with current Union students. Last spring, I spoke during a “World Constitutions” course taught by professors Bradley Hays and Daniel Mosquera. We discussed the example of Chile, which underwent two recent processes to rewrite their Constitution, both of which resulted in referendums that were voted down. The students asked probing questions, including about what lessons we could draw from Chile’s example in thinking about the challenges

facing American democracy. These engagements always remind me of my love for Union and keep me feeling connected to the Union community.

What was your most formative experience at Union?

There are a couple. Studying abroad in Mexico further cemented my love of Latin America and improved my Spanish skills. It also introduced me to some of the migration challenges I’ve since worked on, but with a perspective from the other side of the U.S.-Mexico border, which I’ve never forgotten. I also took a number of political theory courses with Professor Lori Marso, which shaped the way I try to draw upon and apply political theory in approaching tough policy issues.

Favorite Union memory:

In 2008, I took an “Electoral Politics” class with Professor Zoe Oxley, where we did a simulation of the presidential election. It

was a lot of fun and there was a great dynamic among the class; everyone took it seriously enough to make things exciting, but nobody took it too seriously such that things got personal. For me, it was a time when I was wondering whether politics or policy was the direction I wanted to go in professionally. The class helped me realize that I was drawn toward the intersection between the two, and that’s where I’ve spent a lot of my professional career.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received/given?

Pursue your passion, even when it means embracing some degree of uncertainty. For some students, their passion will align perfectly with a well-defined and clear career track, but for many it won’t. I was in this latter group. In my experience, you have to become comfortable with not knowing exactly where your next step will lead. And then there is probably no decision more important in life than choosing the right partner. My wife is the best sounding board and source of strength and advice I could ever ask for and I try to be the same for her in her career. She is the only person whose judgment I often trust more than my own.

Fun fact about yourself:

My grandfather, Don Brockwehl, was a Union alum (Class of 1942). He studied civil engineering and met his two lifelong business partners at Union. While I inherited none of his talent when it comes to building things, it made him very happy when I chose Union. And when our son, Sebastian, was born, we chose Don as his middle name, as a way to honor my grandfather and continue his legacy.

Alumni Clubs

RIDGEFIELD, CONN.

Alumni gathered in Ridgefield, Conn. From left to right are Betsy Modest Brand ’82, Randi Ribakove ’82, Jim Fisher ’81, Felicia Rubinstein ’82, Pamela Viglielmo ’82, Janet Harrold ’82, College Relations staffer Devon Murphy Stein, Peter Vanderminden, Lisa Vanderminden ’79, Darryl Hamilton ’77, Maureen Pons, Stacy Zelikson ’86 and Robert Zelikson. Not pictured: Alice Levine ’79, Lawrence Levine ’78, Michael Brand ’78 and Karen Brand.

Alumni enjoyed a spring training baseball game.

enjoyed a gathering in the

WASHINGTON, D.C.

Alumni joined Ashok Ramasubramanian, dean of Engineering and co-director of the Templeton Institute, for a dinner and discussion.

SCHENECTADY, N.Y.

Keri Messa Foley ’08, pictured here with her family, and many other alumni attended the final regular season hockey game at

NEW YORK CITY

Alumni attended a reception with Stephen Berk, the Henry and Sally Schaffer Professor of Holocaust and Jewish Studies, before viewing the Anne Frank Exhibition.

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 near you, contact us at alumni@union.edu or (518) 388-6168. A full listing of up-todate events can be found at ualumni.union.edu/events.

1938

Family and friends mourned the recent death of George Thiessen, the College’s oldest living alumnus. George died May 15, 2025, two weeks shy of his 109th birthday. An electrical engineering major, George spent 38 years as an engineer for General Electric in Schenectady.

1949

Friends and family are remembering Philip Michael Barrett, 97, of Morgan Hill, Calif., who died June 28, 2024. Phil held a B.S. in electrical engineering from Union College and was a member of Beta Theta Pi Foundation fraternity. After graduation, Phil worked as an engineer before moving into sales at United Centrifugal Pumps, where he spent 48 years. Phil, who had a talent for working with his hands, built his family’s first home in Ossining, N.Y. He and his wife, Terry, were devoted Catholics and parishioners at St. Catherine of Alexandria Church in Morgan Hill for more than 40 years. Active in his community, Phil was a member of the Ossining Planning Board and the Election Board, as well as a Boy Scout leader. Phil is pre-deceased by his wife and survived by his children Diane (Chuck) Kebles, Tom (Suzanne) Barrett, Phyllis Hartzell, Virginia

CLASS NOTES U

Barrett, Bess (Michael) Pieracci, Kevin (Reggie) Barrett; grandchildren Philip (Karen) Kebles, Colleen (Kyle) Imler, Mike (Kassidi) Barrett, Samantha Barrett, Nick (Maureen) Pieracci, Katy Pieracci, Julie (Kevin) Kesler, Jessica Pieracci, Percephonie Draconis; and great-grandchildren Colin and Ryan Kebles, Blakelyn Barrett, Amelie and Nico Pieracci, and Adeline and Riley Imler.

1953

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Hubert Plummer 21 Temple Road Setauket, N.Y. 11733 (631) 941-4076 whp@plummerlaw.com

1954

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Avrom J. Gold 19702 Bella Loma, Apt. 9-102 San Antonio, Texas 78256 (908) 581-1455 avromgold@gmail.com

Friends and family are remembering Charles Herbert Vesty, who died peacefully in his home in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, on January 31, 2025, just shy of his 93rd birthday. He was born and raised in Alexandria Bay, New York. At Union, he studied economics and was a member of the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity. After graduation, he served as a first lieutenant in the US Air Force, then enjoyed a career as a captain with Eastern

Airlines until his retirement in 1990. In 2018, he and his wife relocated from New England to Florida. Charlie is survived by his cherished wife of 64 years, Renee Vesty; his loving children Jill and Todd Vesty; son-in-law Mark Neagle; daughter-in-law Michelle Vesty; and adored grandchildren Flint Neagle and McKenna Vesty. He was laid to rest at the Massachusetts National Cemetery this June. His was a life well lived, full of adventure, travel, joy, and love.

1955

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Ken Haefner 1346 Waverly Pl. Schenectady, N.Y. 12308 kbhaefner@gmail.com

Herbert M. Round, of Naples, Fla, died March 23, 2021. His family writes, “Herb earned his BSEE and MS in industrial administration from Union. He held a New York State PE license and had a 40-year

career in the electric utility industry. Born and raised in Schenectady, Herb was a Beta Theta Pi brother. He met Marlene during his junior year and after graduation, they were married for 60 wonderful years. Herb is survived by two sons and a grandson.”

1956

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

William Deuell 2666 Steeple Run Lane Manteca, Calif. 95336 whd2923@gmail.com

1957

Calvin Knickerbocker writes, “Having retired from IBM in 1987, I taught at the University of Texas at Dallas from 1987 to 1991. We moved from Dallas to Nashua, N.H., in 1998. I have been teaching senior citizen courses at Rivier University in Nashua since 1999. Until it went out of business due to COVID in 2023, I had been

president of the Nashua Community Concert Association since 2014. That group brought six concerts from around the USA to Nashua each year. I did income tax returns for AARP for 20 years (again, until COVID).”

1958

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

David C. Horton

68 Paul Revere Road Lexington, Mass. 02421 paulrevereroad@aol.com

William (Bill) Wintersteen ’58 died Nov. 21, 2024.

Col. Chet Cavoli (Ret.) writes, “For those of you who served in our military, you might find it interesting to know that my nephew, General Chris Cavoli, is the present Supreme Allied Commander of NATO. Yes, ‘Ike’s’ old job before he became president. We are a local (Schenectady) family who immigrated from ‘war torn’ Europe after WWII—and—now, one of us is in charge of all their and our military, in one generation. I served 24 years in our Air Force and retired with the rank of Colonel. After graduating at the top of my pilot training class (12 months), I was rewarded with ‘fighter and test pilot’ training, which led me to flying various fighter aircraft including F-102s, F-106s, F-4s, RF-4s, F-15s, and F-16s—totaling over 4,000 flight hours. Flew over 100

combat missions in Vietnam. In addition to serving 4 years in the Pentagon, I had a number of command positions at Wing, Weapons Center, and Air Division levels and more importantly ‘Top Gun’ school at the Air Defense Weapons Center. I received a number of awards including The Bronze Star Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medals, Air Medals (7), Air Force Commendation Medals (4), etc. I am a graduate of National War College, Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Command and Staff College, along with two master’s degrees. I am presently living in Panama City Beach, FL and Alexandria VA— 6 months each. Great life!”

Friends and family are remembering Joseph Zaccaria, who died February 14, 2025. At 88 years old, Joe lived a full life after earning his PhD from Columbia University. He taught as a professor at the University of Illinois, published seven books, had his own consulting business, and enjoyed many hobbies over the years including playing several instruments, camping, sailing, photography, gardening, acrylic painting, drawing, and reading nonfiction books. He will be dearly missed by his family including Thia (his wife of 65 years), Jason and Kerith (his children), four grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.

Bruce Martin writes, “Just a note to let folks know I’m still upright at 90. It’s Florida, when it’s cold up North; Schenectady, in time for ReUnion weekend until Homecoming, with a few weeks in St. Andrews, Scotland in between. Golf 3 times/week keeps me active.”

1959

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

William “Dal” Trader 5361 Santa Catalina Avenue Garden Grove, Calif. 92845 daltrader@earthlink.net (310) 629-8971

Roy S. Malpass writes, “Last spring, I was given the American Psychology and Law Society’s Award for Distinguished Contributions to Psychology and Law. AP-LS is also Division 41 of the American Psychological Association.”

Roy S. Malpass ’59 received the American Psychology and Law Society’s Award for Distinguished Contributions to Psychology and Law.

Paul Freundlich writes, “Noting that my former college roommate, Jim Swan, had passed on released a few memories I thought worth submitting. We both took Codman Hislop’s creative writing class, under the impression that we were on track to compete for producing the next great American novel, and in the meantime collaborated editing ‘The Idol.’ Along with a third roommate, Bob Kent, we had an apartment our junior year, conveniently located near the college— convenient for the roulette and pinochle games we ran.

Jim was our class valedictorian and went on to Harvard, as did Bob, while I scored a fellowship from Penn. The last time I saw Jim, he stopped by my DC apartment to show off his spiffy, new Corvette. He was just back from Europe where he traveled in a Ferrari. We shared an appreciation for fast, elegant cars—I had a vintage Aston Marten. As for the next ‘Great American novel,’ the world is still waiting.”

Paul Freundlich is the author of a novel, “Deus ExMachina.” available on Amazon, and two dozen documentary films and videos, including ten for the Peace Corps (“A Choice I Made” is a social document of the first magnitude. It is also a superb Film—the Harvard Crimson).

1960

CLASS CORRESPONDENTS

Charles E. Roden kiw702@aol.com

Joel Kupersmith, M.D. jk1688@georgetown.edu

Dick Bruce writes, “I wrote and produced a play, ‘Sometime Child,’ which was performed at the Theater of the New City in Manhattan. A film of the play can be seen on You Tube. I have written a book version of the play, which is available on Amazon.”

Mark Krugman and his wife, Dr. Jane Curtis, of Newport Beach, California, very much enjoyed the alumni event at the Newport Beach Winery. Mark is retired from clinical and is working as a medical director doing complex specialty coding.

Joel Kupersmith writes, “A few months ago, at my request, my status changed at Georgetown University from professor of medicine to professor emeritus of medicine. Also, a

remembrance—from 20052013 I was the chief research and development officer at the VA, directing its extensive medical research program nationally. One of my accomplishments was starting the Million Veteran Program, which became one of the world’s largest genetic databases. It reached its millionth subject on Nov. 8, 2023, and the VA had a celebration of that on Sept. 23, 2024. I spoke at that event. The Million Veteran Program is often cited as a major government success in IT, and it was part of a Presidential Precision Medicine Initiative. The research derived from it is voluminous and phenomenal, a fact which gives me great pride.”

1962

Family and friends are remembering Dr. Peter E. Schwartz, the John Slade Ely Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Yale University School of Medicine, who died Oct. 20, 2024, in New Haven, Conn. Peter was a pioneer in the field of gynecologic oncology and neoadjuvant chemotherapy and was passionate about practicing medicine and caring for patients. Peter graduated from Albert Einstein College of Medicine and served in the United States Air Force before spending 49 years at Yale. Peter co-authored over 360 peer-reviewed journal articles, 35 case reports and 126 chapters, and received numerous honors for his academic achievements. In 2006, Governor Jodi Rell declared November 18 Dr. Peter E. Schwartz Day for his years of service to Yale and the State of Connecticut. He was especially proud of his

contributions to improving women’s health and training a new generation of obstetricians and gynecologists. Peter was the first to establish a role for neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the initial treatment of women with advanced ovarian cancer, and he established a standard of care for the treatment of earlystage uterine serous cancer using adjuvant chemotherapy and vaginal radiation therapy. When not working, Peter most enjoyed being with family. He loved traveling with his wife, Arlene, hiking and skiing in the USA, Canada and Europe. Peter especially enjoyed skiing and attending Union hockey games with Arlene, their sons and grandsons. Peter is survived by Arlene: their sons Bruce (Anne), Andy (Kelly) and Ken (Jamie); and grandsons Paul, Josh, Toby, Judah and Guy.

Family and friends are remembering Dr. Stephen L. Zuckerman, a flamboyant, unconventional optimist and beloved caregiver who died with both his children by his side Jan. 30, 2025. He was 84. Stephen graduated from Downstate Medical Center Brooklyn in 1966. At the age of 30, he took his family on a 2-year transformative journey to the U.S. Trustee Islands of Micronesia. Stephen brought supportive medical care and his wife, Kathy, offered

classroom education to the Islanders. In their spare time, they vigorously pursued scuba explorations of the many lagoons and exotic marine life. Stephen’s insatiable diving routine brought him acclaim in a Continental Air Lines’ brochure, naming one location as “Zuckerman’s Reef.” In the early 1970’s Dr. Z. started a rural outreach healthcare co-op serving Northern Minnesota. He brought “big city” medical professionals to the Onamia Hospital, the Indian Reservation and other nearby communities. Even as a full-time physician, Stephen pursued his interests in many diverse areas of social, literary and entrepreneurial fields. He was on the boards of the Children’s Theatre Company, Playwright’s Center and the Film Society of Minneapolis-St. Paul. He also served on the boards of several Medical start-up companies, Venture Capital funds and Biotech companies that helped advance innovative ideas in healthcare. He was a prolific writer of many articles and several hilariously introspective paperback books. Stephen is survived by his second wife, Pamela; children Gabrielle and Joshua/Lisa Draho; grandchildren Ava and Ruby; first wife, Kathleen Alwin; siblings Bernice Hillenmaier and Robert Zuckerman (Brenda); and nephew and

niece Michael Zuckerman and Alexandra Trapp (Kenneth).

1965

Family and friends are remembering William E. “Bill” Parry, of Coronado, Calif., who died Oct. 31, 2024. Bill strove to be his best for his son Mike, family, friends, community, country—and lacrosse. He cherished his Chi Psi brothers, who knew him as “Zates,” and playing Union lacrosse. After completing Officer Candidate School, he did three tours of duty in Vietnam with the Navy. Later, Bill commanded the Naval Training Center, Santa Barbra, and earned an MBA before assignment as navigator for the USS Tarawa (LHA-1). In 1982, as community manager of Naval personnel WDC (OP-13), Bill pioneered computerized strength planning. He returned to Naval Air Station North Island as chief of Naval Reserve Pacific Fleet training manager in 1985, retiring in 1988. In the 24-year civil service career that followed, he was a manpower engineer at CINCPACFLT and CNET, and served as director, afloat training, Military Sea Lift Command. Bill retired again in 2008 after 44 years of Navy and civil-Navy service. Bill’s son, Mike, was his pride and joy and his passion was the success of youth through sports, especially lacrosse. Bill coached passionately, as a volunteer, for over 38 seasons in Coronado—from Pop-Warner football to boy’s lacrosse. He was named U.S. Lacrosse San Diego Chapter Man of the Year 2002 and in 2012, was selected as a Coronado Coaching Legend. A life member of the VFW and Marine Corps League of Coronado, he was a Coronado Optimist for 37 years. Survivors include his

wife of 15 years Sarah Kaufmann, his former wife of 32 years Carolyn Thomas Parry, son Michael Parry, and grandchildren Asha and Bodan.

William E. “Bill” Parry ’65, shown here at his 50th ReUnion, died Oct. 31, 2024.

1966

Paul Bilder writes, “Continue to work as an internist in Cottage Grove, Oregon. Medicine is still my passion and I will do it until I can’t do it well. Also continue to coach lacrosse, now at Sheldon High School in Eugene as a goalie coach and play in the Roseburg High School alumni game as a goalie yearly. Staying active and continue to see my children and grandchildren as often as I can.”

1967

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Joseph Smaldino 6310 Lantern Ridge Lane Knoxville, Tenn. 37921

Smaldinojj@gmail.com (815) 762-5984

1968

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

John Dresser

Etna, N.H.

jdressernh@gmail.com

Friends and family are remembering Richard Gary who served honorably in

Vietnam and Iraq in the United States Navy, Marine Corps and Army. He died Aug. 26, 2024. Following his military service, he worked as a consumer safety inspector for the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, until becoming a state shellfish standardization officer for the Washington Department of Health in 2003. Richard earned a Bachelor of Arts in East Asian studies from Union College, a Master of Science in international relations and affairs from Boston University, and a Master of Public Health in public health management and epidemiology from the University of Washington School of Public Health and Community Medicine. Richard was preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, but is survived by his two younger sisters, Diane Carney of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., and Lisa Davies of Endwell, N.Y. Richard is also survived by his son, Rich (Kirstin), and three grandchildren, Abigail, Samuel and Johnathan. Everyone will miss him dearly. A ceremony was held with full military honors at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Wash.

John Morey writes, “Ellen and I recently moved into our newly-constructed condo in New England’s first senior

cohousing community in Littleton, MA. We started creating our Hager Homestead community about five years ago and are now welcoming our members into their homes as construction reaches completion.”

1969

CLASS CORRESPONDENTS

George Cushing Delanson, N.Y. pinyachta@gmail.com

Ray Pike

Salisbury, Mass. rnwpike@comcast.net

1970

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Frank P. Donnini Newport News, Va. fpdonnini@aol.com

Andy Anderson lives in Haworth, N.J., and writes, “I struggled with the reality of being a Garnet Charger and no longer being a Dutchman. You reminded me that change is hard. While I was still coming to terms with that, Manhattan College, where I did my graduate work, changed its name to Manhattan University. My head is still swimming. Fortunately, that will not happen to Union College since it has been a part of Union University for a very long time. I read with interest the article from the January newsletter that described the return of the Eliphalet Nott portrait to its museum-like setting in the Nott Memorial Building after a cleanup. I feel a touch of guilt that I likely contributed to the dust and grime that necessitated that work. During my years at UColl, the painting hung in the green room of the theater in the Nott Memorial building. The green room was the round-the-clock hangout for

the Mountebanks; our clubhouse. The other furnishings of the grungy room were an eclectic and well-worn collection of sofas, upholstered chairs, coffee tables, etc. Eliphalet hung on the wall above a sofa. I recall saying hello to the old boy as I entered the room. It seemed an odd place for a large, formal 19th portrait. The theater and the green room generated a significant amount of dust, grime, and smoke. Dust came from the construction of sets and smoke came from the burning of various botanicals. I need to visit campus and say hello to Eliphalet in his new, classy location. He has surely come up in the world. Also, the photo is of my son Evan wearing my letter sweater. He absconded with it some years ago and still wears it in the midst of winter. The heavy wool garment has held up quite well. The Block U lives on and Go Chargers!”

Howard Blank resides in Monaco and writes, “Our daughter, Jessica, and her husband, Christian, (Go Union St. Gilloise), living in Brussels, made us grandparents last July with little Mia. I haven’t done any GT racing this past year but hope to get some in later this year. I am still waiting for

Virgin Galactic to start rescheduling flights. I think there are about 5 flights to go before it will be my turn. (David) ‘Gary’ Decatur paid us a visit last fall on his way back to the US from India.”

Mark Bornfield lives in Hollywood, Fla., and writes, “My musical is up now in Florida!”

Jim Cranston, a Sigma Phi fraternity brother at Union, lives in Venice, Fla., and writes, “Like many of our classmates, I’m enjoying retirement on our boat or on a mountain bike as a Sarasota County volunteer Trail Steward. Especially after storms or hurricanes, I venture into the outback and canopied trails to make sure they’re clear. Last year [Fall 2024], Hurricanes Helene and Milton created many debris challenges to the parks and preserves, given that the damage from Hurricane Ian [Fall 2022] is still visible. This volunteer job helps me to age ‘gracefully,’ which I’m sure the rest of our class works at this too. Here’s a photo of me volunteering on the trail (note the snake caught in the spokes; sorry). After Union, I enjoyed a 21-year career in the Navy, serving on both nuclear submarines and deep-sea saturation diving ships, culminating in Command-at-sea. This segued

nicely into a 20+ year career at General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton, CT, where I worked my way up to director of quality, deep submergence and submarine safety.” Jim retired from the Navy as a Commander and is a USCG Licensed Ship’s Master: capt. jimcranston@yahoo.com.

John Hammerstrom lives on the Big Island of Hawaii and writes, “I looked forward to our 55th ReUnion in May [2025] with special anticipation, because COVID caused the cancelation of our 50th. It was heart-warming to see friends made nearly six decades ago and to remember those we have lost.”

Len Simon writes, “I live in San Diego, CA, where I practice a little law but am mostly retired. I lecture, appear on podcasts and write articles as well, a lot of them about the intersection of sports and the law, and the upheaval in college sports. I follow the Duke Blue Devils and the San Diego Padres closely, and I co-own a minor league baseball team in Lake Elsinore, CA. I have three grown sons, two in Los Angeles and one in Washington, D.C. My wife, Candace, passed away about 15 months ago, and I have a lovely new girlfriend, also named Candace. I see Craig Carlson and his wife, Therese, who live

in San Diego, and more occasionally Rich Gilman and his wife, Karyn, who live in LaQuinta (in the desert, not too far away), and Peter Siegel, who started with our class but transferred to Berkeley, where he still lives. I also remain in touch with Ira Rutkow and his wife, Beth, but am overdue for a visit with them.”

Robert Stone lives in East Greenwich, RI, and continues to produce works of fiction. He writes, “My second book was published at the end of 2024. This novel is a murder/ mystery taking place in a fictional eastern Connecticut town. It is titled Murder in Rock Cove. My first book, The Chronicles of Benjamin Prescott, was historical fiction. All are available on Amazon. My third book is currently in the final stages of review before publication. It is another murder/mystery set in the late 17th Century in Rhode Island. I am hoping for a mid-spring release date. It was a mild winter in Rhode Island and hope to make it to campus for our 55th in May [2025].”

Visions: a supported residence for developmentally delayed adults in Hanover, NH (Visions for Creative Housing Solutions). Finally empty nesters, we are looking forward to some extended travel.”

Sandy Williamson lives in Leland, NC and writes, “It doesn’t seem very long since we were sharing a beer in the Officers’ Club at Lowry AFB in Denver. But time has flown. My wife, Sharon, and I will celebrate our 54th anniversary in June. We’re ‘finally’ settled near Wilmington, NC on the Cape Fear River. Spend our time enjoying our 3 children and 12 grandkids, travel, and outdoor activity.”

Carl Thum lives in Norwich, VT and writes, “Lisa and I are entering our fifth year of retirement: more time to exercise, read, dinner with friends, and local travel. Our son moved to work in SoCal, and our daughter moved into

Chris Wood lives in Morgan Hill, CA and writes, “Last fall, my wife and I went on a 3 1/2 weeks small boat cruise down the Danube River; Germany to Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania. The lessons we learned were amazing. The horrible impact of the Russian occupation of Eastern Europe for one. Most countries are still trying to recover. Why goulash is the greatest food ever and Lufthansa food is way better than US airlines. Being primarily in Eastern Europe, we noticed that everything is way less expensive, but still high quality. The people are super

friendly and love to talk and ask questions about the US like: ‘Are you voting for Donald Trump?’ (my responses are self-censored due to probable inappropriate language) or ‘Do all Americans live in mansions?’ Nope, we’re just like you; some rich, most middle class and some poor. We learned a lot, and it was worth every penny.”

Michael DiPietro ’70 and Jeff Knetzer ’70 attended a class in Reamer auditorium during ReUnion in May.

During ReUnion in May, members of the Class of 1970 donned M*A*S*H themed apparel: Frank DeNunzio, Michael DiPietro, Jeff Knetzer and Paul DiPietro (brother of Michael but not an alum). Paul visited Michael on campus many times as a middle school student and knew many members of the Class of 1970.

1971

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Henry Fein, M.D.

Rockville, Md.

hgfein@aol.com

Richard Heiden (dressed as Father Mulcahy) and Ron Ruhl (dressed as Radar & Teddy Bear) embraced the Class of 1970 M*A*S*H theme during ReUnion in May.

Munno ’70, Ron Ruhl ’70 and Jeff Knetzer ’70—three stars of the 1967-68 championship undefeated wrestling team, now in the Union Athletics Hall of Fame—catch up at ReUnion in May.

1973

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Larry Swartz Niskayuna, N.Y. larry.swartz@agriculture.ny.gov

Mark Shugoll, PhD, was awarded the prestigious Mason Arts Award, which is given annually at the George Mason University College of Visual and Performing Arts Degree Celebration ceremony. Awardees are distinguished members of the regional arts community who have made significant contributions as artists, scholars, curators, critics and volunteer leaders. Dr. Shugoll has served on the boards of numerous arts organizations and has created award-winning arts education programs. He developed ArtSpeak! that, for 23 years, has brought famous theater artists like Audra McDonald, Patti LuPone, Kristin Chenoweth, Sutton Foster, Kelli O’Hara and more into public schools to talk and perform.

The American Marketing Association’s New York chapter (AMA New York) recently unveiled the 2025 class of Marketing Hall of Fame inductees. Among them was Russell Winer, professor emeri-

tus at NYU Stern, who was named New York Choice. The inductees were recognized for their accomplishments across a range of categories during a ceremony on May 21.

1974

Jeryl (Proce) Sletteland writes, “My new role is associate publisher Schneps Media Group.”

Michael Friedman writes, “I was banned for life from the Lark Tavern, Albany; Rupsi’s Tavern, Schenectady; Oepfelchammer, Zürich; Tommy Bahamas, Palm Desert, California and a bar in Buffalo for a bad Bills joke. After barely graduating (top 98.5%) from Albany Law School, I practiced law for 38 years in Albany. I then moved to La Quinta, CA hours before permanent Maintenance Guidelines passed in NY. I am a multiple winner of the AuSable River White Water Derby. I was a member of the undefeated Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) 1972 intramural basketball team. I won the Swim for the Cup at Babcock Lake in 1967. The only thing Albert Einstein and I have in common is attending the ETH in Zürich. I wrote the book Greater Than a Tourist – Zürich. I was the president of the Albany County Bar

Association and packmaster of Cub Scout Pack 149. I received the Distinguished Service Award of the Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York, Albany County Bar’s President Award and Pro Bono Award and NY State Bar’s 1996 Pro Bono Attorney Award. I received NY Law Journal’s Pro Bono ‘Lawyers Who Lead By Example’ Award. I passed the California Bar Exam and was admitted in 2020. As a result, the California Bar changed the Young Lawyers Association to New Lawyers Association. The only thing Nixon and I have in common is being licensed NY/ California lawyers. He was disbarred in NY. I am the only Bethlehem Central graduate who ever was ‘top fan’ of Hornussergesellschaft Winterthur.”

1975

David Neifeld writes, “I officially retired from private practice after 40 years in family medicine back in May of 2022. Celebrated my 44th wedding anniversary last year and my granddaughter’s Bat Mitzvah in September 2024. Still have my health and am planning on attending my 50th reunion in May of 2025.”

Dr. Audrey Kupchan ’76 recently received the Irving Beck Laureate Award from the Rhode Island Chapter of the American College of Physicians. She is pictured with chapter president Dr. Kwame Dapaah-Afriyie (left) and Dr. Yul Ejnes (right), former chapter governor.

A group of alumni celebrated Mark Manus’s 65th birthday recently. From left to right are Carl Schwartz ’76, Naomi Robbins ’76, Mark Gross ’75, James Smith ’75, Kate McDowell ’75, Lois Brustman ’75, Richard Strassman ’76, Marc Lust ’74, Mark Manus ’75, Robert Werber ’76, Robert Field ’75, Robert Brown ’75 and Michael Wrubel ’75.

Novak,

1976

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Paul Boyd pboyd@yahoo.com

Barbara (Claflin) Hotchkin writes, “I retired in 2017.”

1978

Bruce Cohen writes, “On August 27, 2024, I began my 31st year as rabbi and music director at Congregation Beth El of Manhattan (bethelnyc.org).

My wife, Debi, and I still live and work in New York, as does our youngest son Levi, who took a degree from Queens College in Art, and wants to break into sculpting for movie special effects. My eldest son

Ari (32) attended Union for a year, then moved to Israel and to do full service in the Israel Defense Force. He is now leading a double life as a musician and computer services rep. My

Cohen ’78 with his children, Levi and Ari, and wife, Debi, at Western Wall in Jerusalem 2005. Bruce writes, “My eldest was bar mitzvah there, and my wife threw me a 50th birthday party at the King David Hotel.”

own writing & music webpage is brucelcohenwordsmusic.com— which, along with my synagogue’s website, pretty well covers what I’ve been up to. Go, Union! I loved my time there, and my college mates. Can’t believe 2028 will make it 50 years since. Best to all!”

Bruce Jacobson, Steven Fein and their spouses, Susan and Sheila, were able to celebrate together for a few days in NYC—the 50th anniversary of their meeting as Union College freshman roommates in Davidson. Bruce and Susan live in Manhattan and are the parents of 3 children and have 6 grandchildren. Steven and Sheila live in Agoura, CA and are the parents of 4 children and have 3 grandchildren.

’78 and Susan Jacobson with Steven ’78 and Sheila Fein, in NYC, August 2024

Family and friends are remembering Roger R. Summerhayes, of Crown Island, Lake George, N.Y. and St. Croix, U.S.V.I., who died Feb. 11, 2025. At Union, Roger acted in several plays and co-founded the Union College Liberation Army. Following graduation he served in the Peace Corps in Fiji, earned an MFA in filmmaking from Stanford, and taught science at Miss Porter’s School (Farmington, Ct.) and Country Day School (St. Croix), from which he retired in 2022. In

1997 Roger wrote, produced, filmed and edited the awardwinning documentary “Langmuir’s World” about his grandafather, Nobel laureate chemist Irving Langmuir.

1979

Richard Monda writes, “My photograph of the Oct. 14, 2023, annular solar eclipse taken from Albuquerque, New Mexico—combined with a hot air balloon taken a few hours earlier at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta— was on the cover the 2024 fall issue of the Planetarian, the quarterly journal of the International Planetarium Society. I call it ‘Fire and Light: Annularity over Albuquerque.’ I am a fellow of the International Planetarium Society, having spent 25 years in the planetarium community before teaching college physics and astronomy.” Access the journal article and cover at https:// cdn.ymaws.com/www. ips-planetarium.org/resource/ resmgr/planetarian/20212040/202409planetarian.pdf

1980

Peter Heath writes, “After over 40 years of Engineering, CAD, and PLM work I retired at the end of June. I have finished my 33 Hot Rod and I’m looking forward to many more projects. My wife, while still working, is becoming a master quilter. My son is pursuing factory automation and works manufacturing components for the auto industry. My daughter, after 5 years of college hockey, has started her social work career.”

1981

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Sue Barnhart Ferris sferris59@gmail.com

Nicholas Gray writes, “I retired in October 2018 after 30 years in the IT department of UPS and 37 years in the industry. I have really enjoyed retirement and keep busy by walking every day, helping around the house and volunteering in a community service organization in town. Our older son graduated on Father’s Day 2024. It was a gorgeous day, unlike my graduation which was held in the Field House due to the weather. We were fortunate to be able to attend the Admitted Student Open House in February 2020 and meet President Harris at the

Founder’s Day dinner the evening before the Open House. I was the chair of the Parents Circle 2022-2024. We are still in Bergen County, N.J., and our goal is to move south at some point but that will depend on how successful our younger son’s band becomes. Check out Funhouse Mirrors on all streaming platforms.”

1982

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Mary Isaac mbonkisaac@gmail.com

Paul Freedman writes, “I retired in 2021 and have thoroughly enjoyed this new phase of life; somehow my days are perhaps even busier now than when I was working, but no complaints. My wife, Kerry, and I visited Japan this past spring (2024) for a couple of weeks. During our travels from Tokyo south we stopped along the way to ride the 50-mile SHIMANAMI KAIDO bicycle route across six islands in a day. During the past year I also enjoyed several Union gatherings. 1) Tailgating and watching Union beat Middlebury in lacrosse on a chilly

evening at the US Lacrosse Hall of Fame field in Sparks, Maryland, with a couple of old friends, Andy Brooks ’78 and Theron Russell ’75. 2) Dinner in Washington, D.C., with Dean of Engineering Ashok Ramasubramanian, to celebrate the recent establishment of the Templeton Institute and discuss the future of the engineering and computer science programs at Union, which are going strong.”

Stuart Jablon writes, “After a 30-year career in the fruit business, bookended by stints with the US Peace Corps (1st as a volunteer and later as a country director), I have officially retired. Enjoyed my career and the places it took me and the people I teamed with throughout the journey. Next steps are traveling with my wife and serving on a board of a tropical fruit grower/exporter to guide and mentor the leadership team.”

1983

CLASS CORRESPONDENT Cory Lewkowicz Needham, Mass. corylewkowicz@gmail.com

Lisa (Ryan) Bernard writes, “Like many of our classmates, I’m leaning into an encore career. Mine is writing, and this year brought much joy and growth, and recently, some unexpected accolades. Two of my blog essays (www.LisaBernard. WordPress.com) won CT Press Club Awards—one first place and another third place. With the invaluable support of my Writers’ Rendezvous group and fellow participants in Westport’s monthly Writers’ Mic, I’ve since completed my first novel, and two literary pieces will be published in a journal in 2025. I’m excited, too, for finishing a year-long seasonal series on the black

bears with whom we share the habitat in Litchfield County, Connecticut. Fellow alumni who remember my Comparative Communist Studies days and my first career as a Russia wonk, poke fun at the irony. I retired from watching ‘the Russian bear’ and its behavior on the world stage only to find myself viewing ‘North American black bear’ antics in my own backyard—literally!”

Andy Levine’s “Second Act Stories” podcast was recently named the Signal Awards “Most Inspirational Podcast” of 2024. Every two weeks, he and his co-host, Scott Merritt, profile courageous individuals pursuing a more rewarding life in a second act. Give it a listen on www.SecondActStories.org or your favorite streaming service. Andy’s TEDx Talk, “The Art of the Second Act,” has over 100,000 views on YouTube.

Cheryl Aylesworth writes, “I retired in 2023 from a thriving medical oncology practice. I puttered a bit then opted to return to the work force as a medical director for a local hospital.”

Iris Cohen Porush writes, “I am a partner at a financial planning & investment firm in Williamsburg, VA. I am the proud mom

of 2 grown sons and have 2 lovely granddaughters.”

Dr. David Kloth writes, “Here is the link for a podcast where I was interviewed on advocacy in Healthcare. Becker’s Healthcare is one of the top-rated healthcare podcasts in this country. In this interview, I discuss the Federation for Pain Care Access, FPCA, an organization I started to organize multiple medical societies to help patients fight against improper treatment coverage decisions. As part of the interview, I discuss the work I have done over the last 25 years in advocacy on a national level. Link: https:// podcasts.apple.com/us/ podcast/advocating-for-access-dr-david-kloth-on-painmanagementid/1452376188?i =1000689153540”

Kathryn M. Bailey writes, “In January, I attended a wine tasting event in Manchester, N.H. I visited Robert Sinskey Vineyards & Wilding Farm from Napa, Calif. I got talking with the co-owner, Maria Helm Sinskey, who said she was originally from a place in upstate New York I probably wouldn’t know. I asked where and she said Schenectady. I said I went to Union! She said she did, too, and we discovered we are both Class of ’83!

I have since learned that not only is Maria the culinary director and co-owner of the vineyard and farm the produces amazing organic wines, but she was named ‘Best New Chef in America’ by Food and Wine in 1996. She published a great cookbook, ‘The Vineyard Kitchen,’ that my husband bought me for Valentine’s Day. It was a very special connection and goes to show how widespread and accomplished our class is.”

Joseph Fitzgerald writes, “After

35 years of serving our United States Navy at Naval Nuclear Laboratory I decided to retire. Retired six years ago to spend more time with my family— particularly my wife, two children (one a Union graduate) and six grandchildren (all of them local). Looking back, I truly believe the foundations established at Union College and my eight plus years in the Navy were instrumental in preparing me to serve our country at a high level and were critical to preparing me for life as a husband, parent, and now grandfather. Be well.”

1984

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Linda Gutin Durham, N.C. lindagutin@hotmail.com

Susie Wilder Danziger writes, “I am happy to share that I have completed my Master of Social Work and passed the NYS licensing exam. I definitely couldn’t have done it without the hands of all of my Union friends at my back, advising and supporting me. I hope that I can be an inspiration for others looking for a way to pivot and give back during this next phase of life!”

Ted Borer recently penned a poem: For thirty years through cold and heat, in Princeton’s plant, I took my seat. / Her energy world, my trusted domain, through storms and seasons, loss and gain. / But January came and I stepped away. Retirement dawned—a brand new day. / Yet idle hands don’t suit me well, Borer Energy Engineering I now sell. / Consulting work’s both fun and grand, With meaning deep and travel planned. / On two-wheeled journeys, hills I chase, regaining strength, restoring pace. / The garden calls—a cherished space,

where fruit and greens find their place. / As our fourth nears Vassar’s end, my wife and I, more time can spend. / So onward now with joy and cheer, embracing all this golden year!

Justin (Tim) Green continues his work as an aviation lawyer and currently represents victim families from the American Eagle Flight 5342 collision with an Army Black Hawk helicopter on January 29, 2025. He and his wife also are supporters of their son Luke, whose band Renesans is a top up-andcoming heavy metal band. Thankfully their oldest is going to law school, because their high schooler is hell bent on becoming an actor.

Renee Haber writes, “I was retired from my job of 33 years effective June 1 (that’s not a typo—I got put out to pasture) and have spent the time since then figuring out what’s next. While doing so, I have been enjoying playing pickleball, traveling, walking with my dog and taking good care of my husband while he continues to work. Happy and lucky and grateful!”

1985

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Timothy Hesler

timothy.t.hesler@gmail.com

Professor Jeffrey Van Detta (Albany Law School ’87) is in his 26th year of teaching law and his 38th year in the legal profession. During the last 14 months, he has placed six scholarly articles for publication: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back: How The New York Appellate Division Slowed The Progress of Judge Cardozo’s Effort In MacPherson v. Buick Motor Co. To End Privity’s Stranglehold Over Negligence Claims In Product Injury Cases,

41 Touro L. Rev. Issue 1 (2025); Erie Mistakes: The Eleventh Circuit Misconstrues Already Problematic Georgia Precedent On Choice Of Law, 79 U. Miami L. Rev. Issue 4 (2025); Serving Sovereigns: In Republic Of Sudan v. Harrison, The Supreme Court Maintained The Inviolability Of Foreign Embassies Against Service Of Process Despite The FSIA Anti-Terrorism Exception’s Remedial Goals, 65 Va. J. Int’l L. Online 1 (2024); (S)election Of Georgia

Professor Jeffrey Van Detta ’85 in his faculty office at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School

This year marks the 40th year since the 1985 Union Commencement, when Jeffrey Van Detta ’85 stood on the steps of Memorial Chapel with his proud father, Mr. James F. Van Detta, Jr., (1922-2012). Jeffrey’s father was a World War II U.S. Army Air Corps veteran. Completing college on the GI Bill, James Van Detta served as a public school teacher and guidance director at Schoharie Central School from 1947-1987.

Supreme Court Justices: Democracy—Or Dynasty?, 87 Albany Law Review 101 (2024) (State Constitutional Commentary Issue); Heresies, Heretics, and Hermeneutics: The Battle of Textualism Against Pragmatism—and Itself—on the Roberts Court, 13 Belmont L. Rev. 1 (2024) (lead article); and A Primer and Update On Georgia’s Conflict of Laws, 17 John Marshall Law Journal 1 (2025) (2024 Annual Law Journal CLE Symposium).

Kappa Sigma brothers Andy Klumpp ’85, Peter del Rosario ’85, Don Salvatore ’84, Bob Van Voris ’85 and Bill Martuscello ’86 at the rainy but triumphant conclusion to their bike trip from Manhattan to Union College in October 2024.

1986

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Allan Markus bigalmed1@gmail.com

Lisa Freed writes, “After 13 years managing the iRobot STEM program, my position ended, and I needed to find another way to fulfill my passion for guiding students in their careers. I am currently an adjunct professor for Endicott College and have taught an Innovation Seminar (think product development), internship classes and will be teaching entrepreneurship this spring. ‘The Nest’ is much like Union and I feel very at home!”

Lisa Freed ’86 recently joined the faculty at Endicott College.

The daughter of Mike Kozub ’85 and Trish Allen Kozub ’85 got married in summer 2024. Friends of theirs in attendance included Peter Stegemann ’85, Tricia Bowering Stegemann ’85, Vickie Chandler Silver ’83, Paul Kurker ’85, Lynn O’Brien Kurker ’85, Tom Blackburn ’84, Nancy Baum Lipsitz ’85 and Joe Picano ’85.

1987

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Drena Root drena.kr@gmail.com

1989

Lori (Kaplan) Selsberg writes, “I recently launched DocuGuardian, a digital platform designed to bring peace of mind by helping individuals securely organize and share their critical documents, memories and end-of-life plans.” Learn more at www. docuguardian.com

1990

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Brian Moss brian@soaringcapitalllc.com

1991

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Jen Brandwein jenbrandwein2@gmail.com

Louis Mazzone writes, “Happily retired after a 46-year career with The General Electric Company of Schenectady and Niskayuna.”

1992

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Laurel Mullen jay.mullen@comcast.net

Andrew Rosen writes, “Living and working in Londonderry, NH (approx. 45 mins north of Boston). I practice internal medicine and pediatrics for the Elliot Health System in Londonderry.”

Louis Mazzone writes, “Happily retired after a 46-year career with The General Electric Company of Schenectady and Niskayuna.”

1994

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Randall Beach Schenectady, N.Y. rsbeach72@gmail.com

1995

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Brett Rubin bretthrubin@gmail.com

Attorney Maris J. Weiner, of Williams Family Law, was recently appointed a fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, an honor reserved solely for skilled negotiators and experienced litigators who represent individuals in family law matters.

Max Heinegg writes, “My third book of poems is out now: https://lilypoetryreview.blog/ keepers-of-the-house-by-maxheinegg/ This is a book about teaching and its challenges in the current state of affairs. In addition, I’ve been named the poet laureate for the city of Medford, MA (my term runs July 2025 and runs until July 2027).”

1996

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Marla Striar marlastriar@gmail.com

Richard Fuerst’s family organized and hosted a “surprise” 50th birthday party for him for his family and friends at the Mohawk GC on Sept. 14, 2024. Union alumni in attendance were, Mitchell Singer, MD, Ann Bradford Singer, Kate Hedgeman, Esq., Joe LoDestro, Mitch Weisenberg, Jon Gasthalter, John Eldh, Jennifer Dominelli, Esq., Jack Gold, MD, Paul Wersten, Remo Muscedere, Matt Peluso, Esq., John Vero, Esq., Sarah Delaney Vero, Esq., and Anthony Clement ’25

A golf trip to the Auld Sod! Friends and former Union roommates Greg Midland ’96 and Dan Petruzella ’96 traveled to Scotland in October 2024 to celebrate turning 50. The duo played 8 rounds of golf in 6 days at some of the best links courses in the world, including The Old Course at St. Andrews.

1997

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Sara Amann Garrand Ballston Lake, N.Y. sgarrand1@nycap.rr.com

Shuron Morton was recently profiled on bankwithunited. com in a story titled “Get to know United’s newest leader in brokerage.” In July of 2024, he joined the United Bank team as senior vice president and regional sales manager of United Brokerage Services, Inc.

Have you changed careers?

Traveled?

Won an award, gotten married or had a baby?

Been published or promoted?

SUBMIT A CLASS NOTE: Email classnotes@union.edu

Photos are welcome, too, and will be published as space allows. Please send photos that are at least 1 MB in size for consideration.

A career of flight, innovation and teaching

Big hats come with big responsibilities, but also big rewards. Just ask Martiqua Post ’99.

She has a couple of pretty important jobs—jobs that require immense dedication to people and country—but she wouldn’t trade the happiness they bring her for anything. She loves being an aeronautics professor at the U.S. Air Force Academy and a deputy program manager at the federal Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).

Post majored in mechanical engineering at Union and minored in math before earning a Ph.D. in aerospace and mechanical engineering from the University of Notre Dame.

“Early in life, I realized I had a gift for math, abstract objects, scientific reasoning and decision-making. I felt a responsibility to use my gifts and opportunities to make this world a better place,” she said. “This led me to engineering and, ultimately, aerospace—which has been filled with discovery, knowledge, conversation and innovation.”

She credits her mother, Charlotte, for inspiration.

“Her belief in the power of learning and her constant encouragement taught me not only to pursue an education but to embrace it as a lifelong journey,” Post said. “She planted the seeds of curiosity and resilience and nurtured my self-confidence.”

This is evident in Post’s career with DARPA, a Department of Defense agency that invests in new technologies to create new capabilities for national security. Here, driven by her curiosity and passion for discovery, she spends most of her time helping oversee the Control of Revolutionary Aircraft with Novel Effectors (CRANE) program.

“We’re building an X-plane to demonstrate active flow control technology,” she explained. “Since the Wright brothers, airplanes have relied on movable control surfaces like ailerons and rudders.

“CRANE’s X-65 uses compressed air blown over the wings to shape airflow, allowing the aircraft to fly without external

How did your time at Union inform your career path?

“My Union College education was a foundational investment in myself; the rigorous curriculum fed and fueled my passion for learning. One of my favorite mentors was mechanical engineering professor Ann Anderson. We conducted research on how turbulence affects heat transfer and together wrote my first journal paper. From her, I discovered the joy and benefit of independent research. Union also created opportunities to broaden my experiences, and broadened my world: I interned at Alcon Laboratories in Irvine, Calif., hosted by an alumnus. I worked on re-engineering the large machines used in cataract surgery and served alongside a quality engineer on the operations floor. My senior year, I spent a semester at the Czech Technical University in Prague. Looking back, I can see how each of these experiences shaped the path that led me to where I am today.”

—Martiqua Post ’99, U.S. Air Force Academy aeronautics professor & deputy program manager, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency

moving parts. This capability could offer significant benefits to both military and civilian aviation.”

This sort of work pairs perfectly with her other big job—teaching aeronautics at the U.S. Air Force Academy.

“Aeronautics, a subset of aerospace engineering, involves the study and design of vehicles capable of operating within the atmosphere,” Post said. “All of my students will become Air Force officers ready to serve our nation, with a majority becoming pilots, unmanned aerial vehicle pilots or engineers.”

To better serve her students, in 2013, Post herself earned a private pilot’s license.

“It was inspiring to study and fly next to my students and for me to understand what they would be going through as officers in pilot training,” she said. “Becoming a pilot helped me connect better with my students and helped me as a professor by

providing an alternate way to explain some concepts.”

“It also made me a more ‘legit’ aero prof!” Post added. “I love teaching. Working with motivated young people is inspiring. They are the future.”

This is especially true in fields with quickly evolving technology, like aerospace.

“We really need to ponder the societal impacts of our choices now to ensure a future filled with the freedoms we experience today and to create capabilities for future generations,” Post said. “To make that a reality, we need more educated, innovative engineers.”

“We need individuals motivated by the opportunities of the rapidly expanding capabilities in air and space, such as autonomous systems, machine learning, high-speed flight, very low earth orbit operations and space exploration,” she added. “I am really excited about the future!”

1998

Heather (Buanno) Dukes was appointed to a six-year term as judge in Rensselaer City Court, Rensselaer, New York. Heather hears criminal and civil matters. She was appointed to the position by Rensselaer City Mayor Michael Stammel.

1999

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Monica Lussier monica_lussier@yahoo.com

2000

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Kimberly Kilby kimberlyakilby@gmail.com

2002

Ricja Rice was sworn in as Albany County Family Court judge in December 2024.

2005

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Annette C. Stock annettecstock@gmail.com

2006

Brad Akin was named to Trusted Advisor’s 2024 Future of Business Management list for his work with high-networth musicians. https:// trustedadvisor.la/the-futureof-business-management-2024/

Pete Mason (G’06) is a high school special education teacher in the Capital Region. He has published 7 books, including 4 children’s books, since 2009, and promotes a series of PhanArt Shows at live music venues across the country. He is publisher of NYS Music, a non-profit organization, covering music and arts in all corners of New York

State. He and his wife, Amanda (G’07), were married in Albany in July 2023, and live in Scotia.

Amanda (Gordick) Thibodeau was recently promoted to partner at Morse, BarnesBrown & Pendleton, PC, located in Waltham, Massachusetts. Amanda focuses her practice on the counseling and litigation of employment issues, specializing in guiding startups and emerging companies through the entire life cycle of the employment relationship. Amanda also works closely with the firm’s transactional lawyers, advising businesses and institutional

investors on employment law compliance. She has been with the firm since 2019, most recently as a senior attorney.

2007

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Jackie Siedlecki Murphy jaclynrenemurphy@gmail.com

2008

Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP recently announced the promotion of Mark T. Sottile, in the Philadelphia office, to partnership. Mark focuses his practice on employment litigation and counseling and commercial

Adam Nebenzahl ’06 was relieved as the commanding officer of USS ALBANY (SSN 753), a nuclear-powered attack submarine based in Norfolk, Virginia. Seventeen Union College alumni attended the traditional Change of Command ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk on Friday, February 28. Attendees included Stephanie (Schuman) Nebenzahl ’06, Nicole Sabbatino ’06, Katharine Linehan ’06, Jennifer Pangburn ’06, Ryan Grant ’05, Stephanie (Rubino) Grant ’06, Carin Jenkins ’06, Garrett Lunden ’06, Matthew Toper ’06, Evan O’Hara ’06, Nick Gajewski ’06, Billy Condon ’07, Dan Felder ’07, Brandon Means ’07, Will Dewey ’07, Rob Massie ’07 and John Switchenko ’07.

litigation. He has tried multiple cases to verdict in Pennsylvania and New Jersey state and federal courts and obtained summary judgment victories in countless high-stakes employment and commercial litigation matters.

Jamie Dughi Hogenkamp recently became a partner at Barclay Damon. Jamie is a member of the Health & Human Services Providers and Health Care Teams and Corporate Practice Area. She advises health care and human services providers on matters relating to regulatory compliance, formation, corporate governance, affiliations, mergers, asset acquisitions, and corporate reorganizations, and she serves as general counsel to not-for-profit entities throughout the Northeast.

2009

Nadia Alexis writes, “My debut hybrid poetry and photography collection, Beyond the Watershed, was published on March 4, 2025, by CavanKerry Press. I’m excited to share that, thanks to strong pre-orders and early support, the book went into a second printing on publication day. It was also featured on the Mississippi Top

Nadia Alexis ’09 signs a copy of her new hybrid poetry and photography collection, Beyond the Watershed.

Reinforce Union’s future with a planned gift to the College endowment

Gifts to Union’s endowment help supply a stable income stream to ensure Union’s continued excellence in teaching, research and experiential learning.

When you support Union’s endowment through a planned gift, you join other alumni and friends of the College in:

• Providing Union with a solid financial foundation for the future

• Strengthening Union’s ability to recruit and retain faculty, staff and students of the highest caliber

• Allowing the College to weather short-term economic ups and downs

AND DID YOU KNOW? You can do all these things while also reducing your tax burden and providing for your family.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about how to make a planned gift in support of Union’s endowment, please contact: Devon Murphy Stein

Director

of Gift Planning and Senior Major Gifts Officer murphysd@union.edu | 518-388-6156 rameecircle.org

A life of music: From Schenectady to Los Angeles

Pakk Hui ’00 was going to be a doctor. He’d charted a path towards medicine his entire life, earning two advanced degrees in healthcare-related fields.

But he became something different—a composer. Because the music always found him. Even when he was immersing himself in science as a biology major at Union.

“Music has always been an essential part of my life. No matter how much I tried to focus solely on science, I just couldn’t let music go, so I chose to minor in it,” Hui said. “My time at Union was filled with music, from singing with the Dutch Pipers to playing in the Jazz Ensemble.”

“The late Hilary Tann, professor of music, changed everything for me,” he added. “She taught me to compose as if I were telling stories, an idea that resonated deeply with me since I had always loved listening to film soundtracks. Though I had never seriously considered music as a career, my passion for it was too strong to ignore and it became the path I was meant to follow.”

And follow it he has.

Hui has helped score nearly 400 television episodes, including Showtimes’ “American Gigolo” and the latest season of Amazon’s hit show “Reacher.” He has also helped compose the scores for dozens of blockbuster films, like “Furious 7” and “Avengers: Age of Ultron.”

His most recent works include his award-winning scores to “Dear Ernie” and “Roberta’s Rules,” and Hui’s debut feature film, “Sway,” was an official selection at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival. The short film, “Tsuyako,” has won over 30 awards from festivals all around the world.

This last one is particularly special to Hui.

“Of the projects I’ve worked on, ‘Tsuyako’

remains one of my favorites. As someone who is part of the LGBTQ+ community, I deeply identify with the main character,” he said. “Set in post-war Japan, it follows Tsuyako, a woman torn between her true self and her duty as a mother and wife.

“The emotional weight of her sacrifice inspired a score that is understated yet deeply moving. It’s a project that continues to hold a special place in my heart.”

Creating music for stories is something Hui loves. The notes, once mixed with the images of a film or show, become so much more than just scene-setting noises.

“Music is an essential part of storytelling because it has the power to guide, and sometimes even mislead, the audience emotionally,” Hui said. “A film’s score doesn’t just accompany the visuals—it shapes the mood, enhances pacing and builds tension and release, making every moment more impactful.”

Good music, too, often exists without the screen.

“When crafting music to help tell a story, I see the narrative as a road map, guiding the melodies, harmonies and textures. In turn, the music itself becomes its own narrative, capable of standing alone while still carrying the essence of the story,” Hui explained. “This is especially true for film music, where the score can take on a life beyond the screen, allowing the story to exist and resonate purely through sound.

“That ability to create something that speaks even when the visuals are gone is what I find most incredible about composing for film and TV.”

Hui, who lives in Los Angeles with his husband, was selected as one of eight composers to participate in the prestigious Universal Composers Initiative in 2021. UCI is NBCUniversal’s one-of-a-kind career advancement program for underrepresented composers.

How did Union impact your career path?

“If I hadn’t had the opportunity to minor in music at Union and study under Professor Hilary Tann, I don’t think I would have found the courage to pursue film music. After earning my degree, I stayed at Union to complete an M.S. in healthcare management and later an MBA in health systems administration—still holding onto the idea of a career in medicine. During the time I was in these graduate programs, I often found myself stopping by Professor Tann’s office just to talk about music. She was the first person to truly believe in me and encourage me to follow my heart. After my MBA, I enrolled at Berklee College of Music to study film scoring. Union gave me the foundation—and the nudge— I needed to embark on this path.”

—

Pakk Hui ’00, composer

Reads list—published by the Clarion Ledger, the state’s major newspaper—which highlights the top-selling books at independent bookstores across Mississippi each week. Additionally, I was honored to receive a FY2025 Literary Arts Fellowship from the Mississippi Arts Commission to support the revision of my novel-in-verse and help subsidize travel to the 2025 AWP Conference in Los Angeles. To learn more about my work, please visit my website: nadiaalexis.com.”

2010

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Deanna Cox deannac88@gmail.com

Matthew Bombardier was voted one of Vermont Business Magazine’s 40 under 40 in 2024. He is deputy director, advanced module engineering, at GlobalFoundries.

2011

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Katie Perry katherine.claire.perry@gmail.com

2012

CLASS CORRESPONDENTS

Anna Meiring annameiring@gmail.com

Benjamin Engle benjamin.engle@gmail.com

Asif Afridi, M.D., recently joined Clifton Park Family Medicine, a practice of St. Peter’s Health Partners Medical Associates. A board-certified family medicine physician, Asif provides comprehensive care to patients of all ages. Prior to joining Clifton Park Family Medicine, he worked as a family medicine physician with Community Care Physicians in Rotterdam. Asif received his medical degree from Spartan Health

Sciences University in Vieux Fort, St. Lucia. He completed a residency at Wellspan Health in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. His professional interests include management of conditions such as weight loss, diabetes, and hypertension.

2014

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Jasmine Roth jasnroth@gmail.com

2015

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Sara Andelin '15 sara.e.miltenberger@gmail.com

2017

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Jake Ulrich jake.ulrich@duke.edu

Benjamin Mountain was recently promoted to staff software engineer at the health-tech company Maven Clinic. He’s now leading a small team of engineers to help put women and families at the center of healthcare. He’s also exhilarated about his wedding to Micah Gebreyes in Orange County, CA, along with their Pomeranian Cashew. Many of the attendees, groomsmen, and best man were notable Union classmates and were excited for the couple to wed on September 20, 2025.

Gregory Rose graduated from Union College in with a major in bioengineering and as a member of the varsity football team. Gregory went on to attend the New York College of Podiatric Medicine, where he served as class president and graduated as the valedictorian in 2023. During his time in medical school, he obtained a second degree—a master’s in public health with a focus on health care administration. He is now in his residency in foot and ankle surgery at INOVA Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, Virginia, where he is focusing on foot and ankle trauma, flatfoot and cavus reconstruction and total ankle replacement. Gregory credits his professors at Union College for preparing him for the rigors of medical school as well as his brothers at the Theta Delta Chi fraternity for reinforcing his values of work ethic, teamwork and commitment to serving others. Gregory hopes to become a leading figure in foot and ankle surgery and continue training the next generation of foot and ankle surgeons after he completes his residency in 2026.

Gregory Rose ’17 graduated from the New York College of Podiatric Medicine in 2023.

2019

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Delila Haden dhaden1919@gmail.com

2020

CLASS CORRESPONDENTS

Kayla Fisher kaylafisherny3@gmail.com

Omarra Hannibal-Williams ohannibalwilliams@gmail.com

Meaghan Barros was recently chosen as the only national recipient for the Furthering Osteopathic Footprint Award, which recognizes an outstanding student with contributions to increase diversity, equity and inclusion. She also won first place at the regional ALOMA conference for a presentation on which she was first author. Meaghan is a student at Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (ACOM).

Meaghan Barros ’20 and her fellow presenters and co-researchers, Avery Ballato, Alexander Bennett and Taylor Nakashima, recently won first place at a regional ALOMA conference.

2021

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Brian Huang huangb@alumni.union.edu

2023

CLASS CORRESPONDENT

Paige Kent paige.kent01@gmail.com

2009

Courtney Coffin married Karl Amundson March 23, 2024, in Boyds, Maryland. Alumni in attendance included Matthew Statton, David Arouca ’10, Sean and Tricia (Linden) Wade, Julia Bernstein and Jessica (Adam) Sananes.

2013

Rebecca Scahill married Stephen Macioch at Housing Works Bookstore in SoHo, NYC, on Oct. 21, 2023. Alumni in attendance included Hilary Drabkin, Tess Skoller, Hanna Pitter, Ariana (Abrams) Pickering, Nora Wood, Shari (Kram) Nacheman, Haasanur Rahman, Stacey Berger, Samantha (Killeen) Lippman and Matthew Lippman

Tess (Skoller) Gould and William Gould were married September 21, 2024, in Tannersville, N.Y., at Deer Mountain Inn. Alumni in attendance included Caroline Clark, Sasha Zuflacht, Nora Wood, Shari (Kram) Nacheman, Charles Valik ’61, Ariana (Abrams) Pickering, Dr. Alyssa (Feldman) Churchill, Andrew Churchill ’11 and Jeffrey

Weinstein (former Union Athletics assistant sports information director). Tess writes, “A fun anecdote: this flag has appeared in at least seven wedding photos as it has been present at nearly every one of my friends’ weddings I’ve attended since we graduated! The sisterhood of the traveling Union College banner, if you will!”

Rachel Fried ’17 married Saad Shukran ’16 in Newport, Rhode Island on May 4, 2023.

Alumni attend the wedding of Jessica Feinberg ’17 and Paul Sockol.

2016

Victoria Cullinan and Michael Tirri were married Aug. 25, 2024, at Rock Island Lake Club in Sparta, N.J. Alumni in attendance included Danny Haramis ’25, Lily Marletta ’25, Peter Bove ’89, Chris Donovan, Sarah Pedrick, Morgan Seber, Kathleen Bove ’89, Nicole Georgelas ’13, Abigail Donovan, Katelyn Cerrone ’13, Jessica Salerno ’13 and Anna Doran ’17.

’17

Lonergan Jr. ’17 married Julia Kipp ’18 on Aug. 24, 2024.

Brandon Estes ’22 and Madyson Whitney ’21 married in Newport, R.I., July 14, 2024, at a celebration hosted by Scott ’92 and Christyn Whitney ’93. There were over 50 Union alumni present, including 10 Union unions! ’21

2017

Jessica Feinberg and Paul Sockol were married Oct. 20, 2024, in Newport, Rhode Island. Alumni in attendance included her dad, Mark Feinberg ’79, and sister, Madeline Feinberg ’20, Olivia Aitken, Laila King, Olivia Estes, Courtney Segal, Jake LaRovera ’16, Katherine Drebin ’15, Laura Mueller, Gina Valentine ’16, Madison Shapiro, Kristy Landre,

Jake Kirshner ’18, Taylor Gorman, Leigh Barnhill, Domenic Nardone ’20, Roslyn Stone ’81, Michael Pollock ’80 and Jeffrey Siegal ’79.

2021

Mia Minuto married Andrew Ayala ’20 at The Erlowest in Lake George, New York, on June 7, 2025. Alumni in attendance included Alexandra Minuto ’22, Jason Ayala ’23, Alison Kinsella, MaryKate Moriarty and Colin Kelly ’20.

ARRIVALS

2010

Lauren McCartney and Chuck Pappas ’11 welcomed Charles Patrick Pappas on Aug. 30, 2024. Big sister, Emmy, is thriving in her new role!

2011

Anne (Woodward) Reiser ’11 and Ken Reiser ’12 welcomed their daughter, Millie, in August 2023.

2014

Nicholas D’Angelo and his wife, Kathryn D’Angelo, welcomed their daughter, Lillian Rose D’Angelo, on Sept. 19, 2024, in New York, N.Y.

2015

Donald Tanner Jones ’14 and Danielle (Coppola) Jones ’15 welcomed their son, Donald Jones, who was born on July 11, 2024.

IN MEMORIAM

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

1930s

George Thiessen ’38, of Glenville, N.Y., died May 15, 2025.

1940s

Carson Thompson ’43, of Amsterdam, N.Y., died Jan. 26, 2025.

Philip M. Barrett ’49, of Morgan Hill, Calif., died June 28, 2024.

John T. Perta ’49, of Powell, Ohio, died Nov. 16, 2024.

1950s

Francis R. Taormina ’50, of Niskayuna, N.Y., died Oct. 7, 2024.

Louis W. Snell ’50, of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., died April 5, 2025.

Peter Fyfe ’51 , of Lexington, Va., died Nov. 19, 2024.

Jack J. Fischel ’51 , of Rockville, Md., died Oct. 17, 2024.

F. William Weaver ’51 , of Springfield, Va., died Nov. 27, 2024.

Samuel B. Pulliam ’51 , of Bedford, Mass., died Feb. 23, 2025.

Robert Hockenbury ’52, of McKownville, N.Y., died Dec. 28, 2024.

Hugo F. Clearwater ’53, of Saranac Lake, N.Y., died Dec. 20, 2024.

William A. Tuthill Jr. ’53, of Richmond, Texas, died Oct. 16, 2024.

DR. EUGENE HALPERT ’52

Dr. Eugene Halpert ’52, a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, had a unique and heartwarming Union story—one that began in 1949 and culminated with his graduation in 2019.

Halpert, a longtime resident of Great Neck, N.Y., who died Oct. 31, 2024, at the age of 93, earned all his Union College credits in just three years, between 1949 and 1952. So, when the University of Chicago Medical School offered him a full scholarship, requiring only his credits and not a bachelor’s degree, he went to the Windy City.

After earning his medical degree (1956) and serving as a captain in the U.S. Army, he embarked on a distinguished career spanning more than four decades as a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst. And as a clinical professor in the Department of Psychiatry at NYU Medical Center for over four decades, starting in 1968, he helped train generations of psychiatrists.

Halpert was also a past president of the Long Island Psychoanalytic Society, and served on the editorial boards of many publications, including The International Journal of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. Prestigious medical journals such as the Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association published his many scientific papers.

But through it all, one thing niggled Halpert. According to his family, he expressed sadness

for most of his life that he was a medical doctor but not a Union graduate—because he loved the College and his experience here. Halpert also had to explain why he lacked a bachelor’s degree every time he applied for a medical faculty position.

In 2019, unbeknownst to Halpert, his son, Douglas, decided to do something about this. He petitioned Union College to grant a bachelor’s degree to his father.

On Monday, March 18, 2019, Halpert received a very special call from Schenectady, advising him that Union would award him a bachelor’s degree at Commencement that year.

Halpert responded by reciting the lyrics to Union’s alma mater, “Ode to Old Union.” His wife Miriam cried, partially out of joy and, according to his family, possibly out of relief that she’d no longer have to hear the original story about how he lacked a bachelor’s degree.

Halpert, whose hobbies included painting, archeology, the Brooklyn Dodgers and traveling the world, was preceded in death by his beloved wife. He is survived by three sons, David (Teresa), Andrew (Sandy) and Douglas (Yee-Wen); nine grandchildren (Sam, Claire, Abe, Jake, Maddie, Evvie, Rebecca, McKenzie and Chen Chen); and three great-grandchildren (Hugh, Elaine and Zora).

BARBARA BOYER

Barbara Boyer, an emerita faculty member in biology who taught at Union for more than 35 years, died April 27, 2025, at the age of 83.

A specialist in invertebrate development and noteworthy researcher, in 1984, she was honored by having a tropical flatworm named after her, Convoluta boyeri. Boyer earned a bachelor’s degree with distinction from the University of Rochester in 1963, an M.S. from the University of Michigan in 1964 and a doctorate from Michigan in 1969.

She came to Union in 1973, the same year that her husband, John, joined the department. The couple, who were married in 1968, retired together at the end of the 2010 academic year as full professors.

John Boyer died in January 2016 at 74.

To read an in-depth remembrance for Boyer, scan this QR code.

Dr. Howard Kloth ’53, of Ridgefield, Conn., died Sept. 25, 2024.

Dr. Charles E. Hallenbeck ’53, of Willoughby, Ohio, died Nov. 27, 2024.

Charles Vesty ’54, of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., died Jan. 31, 2025.

Francis J. Enzien ’55, of Rexford, N.Y., died Sept. 28, 2024.

Herbert M. Round ’55, of Naples, Fla, died March 23, 2021.

John M. Pavkovich ’55, of Cupertino, Calif., died Jan. 2, 2025.

William G. Carey III ’56, of Waitsfield, Vt., died Dec. 6, 2024.

Eugene R. Bailey ’56, of Middletown, R.I., formerly of Westborough, Mass., and Sherborn, Mass., died Jan. 8, 2025.

Arthur E. Fabricant ’56, of West Palm Beach, Fla., died Jan. 13, 2025.

Robert E. Pierce ’56, of New Wilmington, Penn., died Feb. 19, 2025.

Dr. Alan Greene ’56, of Jamaica Plain, Mass., died Feb. 28, 2025.

Clifford R. Moss ’56, of New Britain, Conn., died March 12, 2025.

Joseph A. Sutka ’56, of Valhalla, N.Y., died March 23, 2025.

Jay G. Fromer ’57, of Hartford, Conn., died Sept. 30, 2024.

John D. Mosher ’57, of West Chester, Ohio, died Feb. 23, 2025.

Rev. William R. Wintersteen ’58, of Richmond, Vt., died Nov. 21, 2024.

Hon. Joel M. Flaum ’58, of Buffalo Grove, Ill., died Dec. 4, 2024.

Joseph Zaccaria ’58 died Feb. 14, 2025.

Gerald Fincke ’59, of Warwick, N.Y, died Nov. 6, 2024.

Fredrik A. Muller ’59, of Niskayuna, N.Y., died Sept. 22, 2024.

Bruce M. Manzer ’59, of Ballston Spa, N.Y., died Dec. 2, 2024.

1960s

James C. Bendig ’60, of Simpsonville, S.C., died July 18, 2024.

Eugene A. Demonet III ’61 , of Suwanee, Ga., died Sept. 14, 2024.

Lawrence J. Matteson ’61 , of Titusville, Fla., died Nov. 20, 2024.

Douglass B. Fox ’61 , of White Plains, N.Y., died Nov. 10, 2024.

Dr. Peter E. Schwartz ’62, of New Haven, Conn., died Oct. 20, 2024.

William L. Bardeen ’62, of Manchester, N.H., died Nov. 27, 2024.

Rene L. Maduro ’62, of Willemstad, Curacao, died Dec. 1, 2024.

Dr. Stephen L. Zuckerman ’62, of Minneapolis, Minn., died Jan. 30, 2025.

Robert Wallace ’63, of New York, N.Y., died Sept. 6, 2024.

Jean-Paul Poulin ’63, of Niskayuna, N.Y., died July 29, 2024.

Dr. Raymond F. Sabatelli Jr. ’63, of Lee, Mass., died Nov. 14, 2024.

Bruce E. Manwaring ’63, of Oswego, N.Y., died March 6, 2025.

Robert L. Michalek ’64, of Scotia, N.Y., died Sept. 24, 2024.

Harvey H. Kagan ’64, of Redding, Conn., died Jan. 11, 2025.

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

Jonathan T. Patten ’64, of Colorado Springs and most recently of Louisville, Colo., died Feb. 16, 2025.

William J. Heisler ’64, of Hilton Head, S.C., died March 7, 2025.

FELMON DAVIS

Felmon Davis, a professor emeritus of philosophy and luminous presence in the world of philosophical education, died May 7, 2025, in his adopted home of Mannheim, Germany. He was 76.

Davis, who joined Union in 1980 as a visiting instructor and retired in 2018, was a central figure in the Philosophy Department. During his career, he served as department chair and was active on the Humanities Faculty Development Committee and the president’s colloquia on minority hiring. He also founded Ephemeris: An Undergraduate Journal of Philosophy in 2001.

A Philadelphia native, Davis earned a B.A. from Haverford College and his Ph.D. in philosophy from Princeton University. He focused his research on moral theory and the philosophy of religion.

To read an in-depth remembrance for Davis, scan this QR code.

James E. Hughes G’65, of Queensbury, N.Y., died Nov. 21, 2024.

Theron A. Ross Jr. ’65, of Greece, N.Y., died Oct. 29, 2024.

Gabriel J. Basil G’65, of Apopka, Fla., died Sept. 3, 2024.

Henry B. Gerling ’65, of Buffalo, N.Y., died Nov. 30, 2024.

William E. “Bill” Parry ’65, of Coronado, Calif., died Oct. 31, 2024.

William Halpin ’65, of Mount Vernon, N.Y., died Feb. 7, 2025.

Anthony Q. Baxter ’66, of Lexington, Ky., died Nov. 5, 2024.

Richard Gary Lillie ’68, of Seattle, Wash., died Aug. 26, 2024.

Frederick H. Jones ’68, of New York, N.Y., died Oct. 18, 2024.

Neal R. Ogden ’68, of Albuquerque, N.M., died Sept. 1, 2024.

Rev. E. Frederick Holst G’69, of Zion Hill, Penn., died Nov. 3, 2024.

John J. Holden G’69, of Homosassa, Fla., died Nov. 9, 2024.

1970s

Robert P. Okello ’70 died Oct. 4, 2024.

Rev. John Osgood ’70, of Nyack, N.Y., died March 24, 2025.

William Bregenzer ’71 , of Clifton Park, N.Y., died Sept. 11, 2024.

Wayne H. Bishop G’71 , of St. Petersburg, Fla., died Oct. 12, 2024.

Phillip Garrison G’71 , of Tinton Falls, N.J., died March 11, 2025.

Timothy D. Backus ’72, of Westerville, Ohio, died Dec. 17, 2024.

Donald Clarey ’72, of Albany, N.Y., died Oct. 7, 2024.

Steven C. Van Ness ’72, of Potsdam, N.Y., died Dec. 15, 2024.

Salvatore A. Cori G’72, of Savannah, Ga., died Nov. 14, 2024.

Christian C. Stecher ’72, of Glenville, N.Y, died Jan. 10, 2025.

William R. Rebh G’72, of Wakefield, R.I., and formerly of Poughkeepsie, died Jan. 3, 2025.

Stephen Anchukaitis G’72, of Schenectady, N.Y., died Jan. 28, 2025.

Rev. Ainslie Wagner ’72, of Cornelis, N.C., died Feb. 5, 2025.

Thomas W. Huppuch ’72, of Leominster, Mass., died Feb. 6, 2025.

Gary Snyder ’74, of Sunny Isles Beach, Fla., and formerly of Kingston, N.Y., died Oct. 30, 2024.

Ronald T. Weber ’74, of Tucker, Ga., died Oct. 10, 2024.

Kathleen M. Woods ’74, of Washington, D.C., died Sept. 26, 2024.

Joseph J. DeConno Sr. ’74, of Wilton, N.Y., died Aug. 31, 2024.

William A. Sandy ’74, of Roanoke, Va., died Dec. 30, 2024.

Thomas F. Anacker ’74, of Centerville, Ohio, died Jan. 22, 2025.

Leslie Byers, of Decatur, Ga., died in February 2025.

Warren W. Askland ’75, of Hopewell Junction, N.Y., died Oct. 22, 2024.

Thomas M. Huber Sr. ’75, of Mechanicville, N.Y., died Feb. 9, 2025.

Joseph R. Huba ’76, of Guilderland, N.Y., died Oct. 28, 2024.

Joan Lundstrom Jantz ’76, of Arlington, Mass., died Feb. 4, 2025.

Steven B. Hahn ’77, of Wyomissing, Penn., died Sept. 1, 2024.

Roger R. Summerhayes ’78, of St. Croix, V.I., died Feb. 11, 2025.

John J. Cook ’78, of Ballston Spa, N.Y., died March 10, 2025.

1980s

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

Scott A. Sands G’81 , of Fishkill, N.Y., died Nov. 23, 2024.

Dr. Mark E. Osborn ’81 , of Albany, N.Y, died Feb. 18, 2025.

John W. Rigley ’82, of Fremont, Calif., died Dec. 28, 2024.

Kathryn A. Bryan ’82, of Honeoye Falls, N.Y., died Feb. 17, 2025.

Jill S. Bryce ’83, of Wynantskill, N.Y., died Feb. 27, 2025.

Edward A. Nadarzynski ’84, of Hopewell Junction, N.Y., and formerly of Holyoke, Mass., died Sept. 5, 2024.

Jacqueline E. Palladino ’86, of Wellesley, Mass., died Nov. 12, 2024.

1990s

John R. Reese ’91 , of Johnstown, N.Y., died Feb. 20, 2025.

Robert M. Rabbin G’92, of Altamont, N.Y., died Jan. 14, 2025.

John H. Augstell G’96, of Loudonville, N.Y., died Jan. 25, 2025.

Robert J. Senska III ’99, of Morgantown, W. Va., died Jan. 23, 2025.

2000s

William A. Smullen ’01 , of Massachusetts, died Dec. 18, 2024.

Friends of Union College

Lawrence F. McGahey, of Duluth, Minn., died Nov. 5, 2024.

Elinore Farnum, of Schenectady, N.Y, died Oct. 30, 2024.

Flora Mannato, of Schenectady, N.Y., died Oct. 14, 2024.

Giuseppe Faustini, of Saratoga Springs, N.Y, died Nov. 21, 2024.

Nicola Gemmiti, of Rexford, N.Y., died March 5, 2025.

Alan L. Kratzke Sr., of Rotterdam Junction, N.Y., died March 24, 2025.

MARGARET ELEANOR HORSFALL SCHADLER

Margaret Eleanor Horsfall Schadler, a resident of Niskayuna, N.Y., who made indelible contributions to the College during her time as a professor, died April 18, 2025, at the age of 93. Schadler, who earned a B.S. in biology from Cornell University in 1953 and worked in her field for the next several years, moved to Schenectady in 1957 with her husband, Harvey. Here they raised a family, and Schadler earned an M.S. and Ph.D. in biology from Union.

In addition to being an alumna, Schadler served as associate dean for undergraduate programs for many years. In 1991, she helped establish one of the College’s most beloved and important traditions—Steinmetz Symposium. The day-long event has showcased the scholarly and creative works of countless students for 35 years.

To read an in-depth remembrance for Schadler, scan this QR code.

At Union, curiosity sparks innovation, and your support fuels it. From late-night study sessions to hands-on research and collaborative classroom moments, students are shaping their futures every day—with your help.

When you give to The Union Fund, you’re investing in opportunities that challenge, inspire and transform. Your generosity strengthens the academic experience and ensures that every student has the resources they need.