Your Gifts at Work

	UAlbany's First Endowed Professorships Eric Block Is First Delray Professor As a boy in Forest Hills, N.Y., Eric Block set up a basement laboratory where he performed experiments that produced “awful smells and big flashes.” Today, his lab at UAlbany is quieter and less combustible — but still aromatic — as he researches sulfur and selenium compounds in food, particularly garlic and onions; in nanotechnology; and in drug research. Block, recently named UAlbany’s first Carla Rizzo Delray Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, acknowledges that, if done today, his boyhood experiments could probably “get me into trouble with the law.” But his youthful research, inspired by his “wonderful” schoolteachers and later by professors at New York City’s Queens College and at Harvard, paved the way for a highly successful career. After teaching for 14 years at the University of Missouri in St. Louis, Block relocated to the Capital Region for a post, including a six-year stint as chair, in UAlbany’s Department of Chemistry. His research focuses on “some very exciting initiatives in cancer prevention and treatment using compounds of sulfur and selenium.” He is also working in the field of agriculture to develop environmentally benign biocides and pesticides that can be used to treat crops or even animals, such as poultry, being raised in situations where they are prone to certain diseases. “I’d like to discover ways to treat them that don’t pollute the environment with toxic substances. I am also delighted to collaborate with my colleagues in UAlbany’s College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering on projects involving sulfur chemistry,” he said. In the fall of 2006, Block will be a visiting fellow at Wolfson College of Cambridge University in the United Kingdom. Block never met Carla Rizzo Delray, a New York State College for Teachers graduate and retired GE researcher who passed away in 2000, leaving the University an estate that totaled more than $1 million and funded the endowment that supports the professorship. However, he has read about her, and he hopes the professorship will honor Delray and “encourage me to continue my teaching and research.” Former students Zhixing Shan, Ph.D.’03, and Jin Jin, Ph.D.’06, now postdoctoral researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, are grateful to Block for his professional and personal guidance. Shan, who plans to work for a pharmaceutical company as a synthetic organic chemist, appreciated Block’s “excellent training lab” and his concern about “his students’ career planning and our everyday lives.” Block’s “guidance, encouragement and support, both in the laboratory and in life,” were especially important to Jin. “His rigorous scientific approach, and his fearless attitude toward difficulties, helped me build self-confidence in the field, which is the most important thing in my research work, the synthesis of organic molecules with some bioactivities,” she adds. For more information >>
	Ahead of Her Time Carla Rizzo Delray, B.A.’42, never did anything by halves. As an undergraduate at the New York State College for Teachers, she majored in French, Spanish and mathematics, and minored in history. Later, she held positions in the securities industry, as a financial analyst and in the field of artificial intelligence. For Delray, being “a generalist ahead of my time” — or “someone who knows how to do more than one job” — was the key to career success. And State College, she often said, helped her to achieve that key. Delray remained close to the college, and to its successor institution, the University at Albany, for nearly 60 years, until her death in 2000. Over the decades, she kept in touch with her former professors and friends, and became friendly with other UAlbany supporters. She was proud to see her alma mater “evolve and reach out to the community” — and, through her generosity, she promoted its evolution and outreach. A charter member of the Heritage Circle Society, which honors supporters who make planned gift commitments to UAlbany, Delray recognized the importance of contributing to the future in a positive way. The University, she said, “provides opportunities for lifelong learning. I believe in the life of the mind; that’s where everything starts. My life would not have been as fulfilling without my connection to Albany, and I never would have been able to afford elsewhere the education I received there. I’m very proud to be an Albany graduate!” Delray is a General Electric Research & Development Center retiree for whom Lecture Center 4, was named in 1995. The 100-seat, high-tech computer room is the Carla Rizzo Delray Technology Facility. In gratitude for her education (“I owe my livelihood to Albany,” she once said), Delray left her estate to the University. Her bequest, one of the largest individual gifts in UAlbany history, was used to endow the $1.3 million Carla Rizzo Delray ’42 Professorship, now held by Distinguished Professor of Chemistry Eric Block. Delray was glad to make the provision: “Albany deserves our support,” she said. “We can’t wait for the other person to take the initiative. ” — Carol Olechowski
	Kenneth Demerjian is Falconer Chair Atmospheric Sciences Research Center Director Kenneth Demerjian was surprised at being named UAlbany’s first Ray Falconer Endowed Chair in Atmospheric Science. “I never had myself in mind for it,” said the professor of atmospheric chemistry, who joined the UAlbany faculty in 1986. But former students Chenxia Cai, Ph.D. ’06, and Mingyu Tang, M.S. ’06, feel the honor was deserved. “As a professor, Ken is very knowledgeable. He always gave his students background that would interest us, and motivated us to do further study. As an advisor, Ken is very nice. He always considers the student’s future from the student’s perspective,” observed Tang, a full-time modeler (meteorologist) who is also doing marketing and project development for AWS Truewind, a provider of wind resource maps, windpower plant design and other services from its offices at ASRC. Inspired by Demerjian’s work, Cai, a native of China, came to UAlbany in 2000 to study for a Ph.D. after earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Nanjing University. “Dr. Demerjian is an expert in the field of atmospheric chemistry and the environment,” Cai noted. “He has dedicated his entire career to environmental studies, particularly air quality studies that are critical to public health, as well as to climate change.” Cai is grateful to Demerjian for “his counsel and rich ideas. I believe I have gained great experience in the research field of atmospheric sciences and have built strong problem-solving skills under Dr. Demerjian’s guidance.” Prior to joining the UAlbany faculty, Demerjian, an Ohio State graduate, spent a decade directing a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) division on assignment to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). His experience includes developing some of the first photochemical mechanisms used in air quality modeling systems – “models now routinely used in designing emission control strategies for the reduction of hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxide to meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for ozone.” Currently, he is leading a six-year, $7 million study funded by the EPA, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). The PM2.5 Technology Assessment and Characterization Study-New York is one of several sites nationwide that provide enhanced measurement data on the chemical and physical composition of particulate matter and its associated precursors – information critical to improved understanding of PM components and their associated health effects and exposures. Demerjian is honored to be the University’s first Falconer Chair. Named for longtime ASRC employee Ray Falconer, who planned and operated the center’s Whiteface Mountain Field Station and instituted the summer lecture series on natural history, the chair is supported by a $1.5 million endowment established by the late Gertrude Thompson, who regularly attended the lectures. For more information >>
	Raymond E. Falconer UAlbany’s 'Dean of Weather Forecasting' Every day for 25 years, Ray Falconer would arise before dawn, consult his weather charts, formulate the forecasts for various regions of New York and phone them in to at least half a dozen radio stations. By the time he passed away in December 2001 at the age of 88, the man who had come to be known as "the dean of weather forecasting," "the unofficial voice of the University" and "Mr. Weather" had disseminated at least 55,000 forecasts to millions of loyal listeners. Falconer seemed destined for a life as a meteorologist. The Vermont native began his weather forecasting career in 1942 at New Hampshire’s Mount Washington Observatory -- a rugged place where wind gusts have exceeded 200 miles per hour, wind chills can plummet to minus 110 and the average annual snowfall totals 21 feet. In 1946, Falconer joined the General Electric Research Laboratory in Schenectady. There, he spent 11 years on such initiatives as Project Cirrus, which involved the seeding of clouds. In 1961, Falconer became the first full-time employee of the University at Albany’s newly created Atmospheric Sciences Research Center (ASRC). His work earned him numerous honors, including the American Meteorological Society’s 1964 Seal of Approval for radio weather casting and the 1980 Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service. In 1987, he received UAlbany’s Citizen of the University Award. Falconer designed and operated the ASRC’s Whiteface Mountain Field Station, where he began a highly successful summer lecture series on natural history. It was there that he met Gertrude Thompson, a New Jersey woman who attended the lectures on a regular basis and established, with a $1.5 million bequest, the Ray Falconer Endowed Chair in Atmospheric Sciences now held by ASRC Director Kenneth Demerjian. Falconer continued his involvement with the lecture series even after retiring as senior research associate in 1983.
	First Inaugural Scholars Named Although they have different career goals, the first of UAlbany’s Inaugural Scholars have two things in common: They excel at their studies, and they expect to achieve great things. Sheila Gaddy, who majors in Africana studies and minors in English, is "on a mission to do something with my life." The lifelong Albany resident and mom of three grown children transferred to the University two years ago to prepare for a career teaching college-level English. Gaddy, who also plans to write, is already the author of the self-published volume Life’' Experiences and Challenges in Poetry. The poems published in the work, "13 or 14 years old and written on scraps of paper," chronicle some of the "struggles" she has overcome, including a kidney transplant, unemployment and a back injury. Nineteen-year-old Zakhar (Zack) Berkovitz, whose family came to the U.S. from Belarus several years ago, enrolled at UAlbany hoping to “explore a lot of things and leave my imprint.” The sophomore biology/Judaic studies major packs as much activity as he can into a typical day; “sleep is overrated,” he contends. Berkovitz also minors in mathematics; participates in Hillel, Albany Crew and the Spirit Committee; and is a work/study student for UAlbany’s Division of University Advancement. A member of the Western Turnpike Rescue Squad in Albany, he plans a career in medicine – possibly in pediatrics. Jeffrey Castillo, 20, has already lined up a post-graduation job as an analyst at JP Morgan Chase in his native Manhattan, where he has also completed two summer internships. A senior Dean’s List student majoring in business, he has taken 18 to 21 credits each semester, as well as summer courses. Castillo participates in UAlbany’s Project Excel, a program that provides academic support, study skills workshops and other services that increase the retention and graduation rates of low-income, first-generation and disabled students. He has also volunteered with inner-city youth through the New York State Museum Club. Senior business major Jessica Gunsch of Pleasant Valley, N.Y., wants to demonstrate that “women can succeed and that there are a lot of ways for them to achieve their goals.” Severely injured in an automobile accident several years ago, the 21-year-old defied the odds and recovered. Although well-meaning friends told her she would probably have to abandon her plans for college, she refused to listen. "I like going to class. I like to learn new things," she says. Gunsch, who also minors in English and women’s studies, plans to work on Wall Street after graduating from UAlbany. University President Kermit L. Hall established the Inaugural Scholarship Fund in February 2005 to benefit undergraduates and build UAlbany’s endowment. Another round of awards is planned this year. The Inaugural Scholarship Fund currently totals more than $2 million.
	Scholarship Fund Memorializes Brothers A UAlbany alumnus killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and his late older brother are being remembered with a scholarship fund. Funded by a $100,000 contribution from their parents, the Brooke David and Peter Julian Rosenbaum Memorial Scholarship pays tribute to two brothers who died too young. Brooke, 31, earned a B.A. in psychology from UAlbany in 1991. An avid reader and music fan, he managed international bond settlements for Cantor Fitzgerald’s overseas division at the time of his death in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attack. Peter, Brooke’s only sibling, was also 31 when he died of congestive heart failure in 1998.
	Two New Endowments for Rockefeller College As Frank Thompson, former dean of the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, stepped down from his post after 18 years in 2005, colleagues, friends and former students lauded his leadership and vision by creating a scholarship fund in his name. The Dean Frank J. Thompson Scholarship will support a public administration student interested in health care, public management or human resources — all specializations of the longtime dean, who recently returned to the college faculty. A second endowment, the Rockefeller College Fund for Student Excellence, will benefit students in political science and in any area of public administration. The endowments have been funded with more than $85,000 in contributions. Alumni Jeffrey Mishkin, B.A.’69; Lewis Wiener, B.A ’84; and Michael Lampert, B.A ’73 provided leadership gifts. Donations are still welcome. For more information, contact Paula-Christy-Heighton at pheighton@uamail.albany.edu, or 518-591-8711.
	Harbison Fellowship Attracts Three International Scholars Two students from the Caribbean and a third from Southeast Asia are pursuing graduate studies at UAlbany’s School of Education, with support from a fellowship fund established in memory of the school’s late dean, Ralph W. Harbison. Barbados native Janice Harewood is a Ph.D. candidate in the counseling psychology program. She plans to teach, conduct research and counsel clients. Doctoral student Ancelle Scheker is studying educational public policy. She will return to her native Dominican Republic to create educational opportunities. Layheng Ting of Cambodia is enrolled in the master’s program in educational administration and policy studies. Her studies in finance and organization of higher education will assist her in creating an improved financial system for the Royal University of Phnom Penh, her employer since 2001. Fellows are selected based on their leadership, service and commitment to education; scholarship; and promise of future achievement in education. The Harbison Fellowship now totals $311,000. For more information, contact Ruth Schulman at rschulman@uamail.albany.edu, or 518-442-4991.
	Late Health Commissioner David Axelrod Is Still an Influence Former New York State Commissioner of Health David Axelrod, M.D., passed away in 1994, but a School of Public Health fellowship endowment established in his name continues his lifelong mission. By providing scholarship support to top graduate students, the David Axelrod Public Health Endowment attracts outstanding men and women to the school, which combines UAlbany’s academics and research strength with the practical world of the state health department. Fourteen students have received Axelrod Fellowships since the mid-1990s. Among them are the first recipient, Danice Stone ’97, who is now a research scientist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. Others include Randi Walker ’00 and James Bowers ’01, researchers with the New York State Department of Health; and Michelle Gill ’05, a public advocacy specialist in Tanzania.
	Scholarship Remembers World War II Veteran, Supports Libraries A new scholarship fund that benefits UAlbany students also memorializes a World War II veteran and New York State College for Teachers graduate. Peg Pfaff endowed the Curtis Pfaff Memorial Scholarship with a $25,000 annuity. The fund honors her late husband, who put his studies on hold in the early 1940s to join the Army Enlisted Reserve Program and later served with the 10th Mountain Division. Wounded in the Philippines in 1945, he was discharged early the following year and returned to State College to complete his degree. Pfaff earned a bachelor’s degree in 1948 and a master’s in 1950.
	Torah Scroll Finds a Home at UAlbany The University at Albany’s Center for Jewish Studies is now the home of Torah Scroll No. 1204. The scroll, which has a fascinating history, was one of about 2,000 scrolls confiscated from Czech synagogues after the 1939 Nazi invasion. It was kept in the Jewish Museum in Prague for almost a decade, then transferred to Michle Synagogue near Prague, where it remained for another 15 years. In 1963, British philanthropist Ralph Yablon acquired Torah Scroll No. 1204 and more than 1,500 others. He later established the Memorial Scrolls Trust to catalogue, restore and distribute the religious artifacts. UAlbany alumna Hedy Bagatelle, B.A.’60, and her husband, Warren, donated the scroll to the University.
	Sherman, Sherer Establish Center for Jewish Studies Endowment Funds Two new endowments have been established in support of the UAlbany Center for Jewish Studies at the University at Albany--The Susan Roth Sherman and Malcolm J. Sherman Philanthropic Fund and The Eunice Sherer Judaic Studies Scholarship. "The funds will support the general activities as well as provide scholarship for outstanding students," said Mark A. Raider, director of the Center, at a public reception following the fall 2005 meeting of the Jewish Studies Advisory Board. The Susan Roth Sherman and Malcolm J. Sherman Philanthropic Fund was established by Malcolm J. Sherman in memory of his late wife Susan Roth Sherman. Susan R. Sherman was a highly recognized professor of Gerontology in the School of Social Welfare at UAlbany and also a founding member of the Jewish Studies Advisory Board. The fund, valued at over $50,000, was established at the United Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York with the primary purpose of advancing the Center for Jewish Studies at the University. The Eunice Sherer Judaic Studies Scholarship was established by Dr. Abraham Sherer, shortly before his own passing in memory of his late wife Eunice. Dr. Sherer was a founding member of the University's Jewish Studies Advisory Board, and was affectionately known to the students as "Uncle Abe." The $25,000 fund will provide scholarships for students who are in good academic standing and demonstrate financial need. In addition to friends and loved ones who delivered remarks on behalf of their respective families, Rod Margolis, executive director of the United Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York, also spoke about the harmonious partnership between the Federation and the Center for Jewish Studies, of which the fund is emblematic.