May 2008

EVENTS

Master of Fine Arts Candidates Display Work
The University Art Museum is featuring the artwork of the UAlbany Spring 2008 master of fine arts candidates, May 2-18. The museum provides candidates the opportunity to exhibit a cohesive body of their work in a professional museum setting, while offering visitors an opportunity to see how today�s emerging artists are using the visual arts to address contemporary issues. Details.

Senior Education and Celebration Event
The School of Social Welfare�s Center for Excellence in Aging Services, and the School�s RSVP and OASIS programs, along with CDPHP will be sponsoring �Volunteer�Make the Connection� May 12. The event is designed to provide information and education on healthy volunteering. The luncheon program also celebrates and recognizes the volunteer services of many older adults throughout the region who donate their time and talent to community service. For more information, contact Lauren Velazquez.

UNIVERSITY NEWS

UAlbany Unveils "The World Within Reach"
The University launched its first-ever branding initiative last month with the theme "The World Within Reach." It showcases the University's distinctive qualities as a leading public research university that offers students a strong foundation for success and a broad worldview. The theme incorporates UAlbany�s five core strengths: strategic location, modern vision, life-enhancing research and scholarship, diversity that enriches learning and excellence at a great value. Details.

Presidential Search Postponed
UAlbany�s search for a president has been put on hold until a new SUNY chancellor is in place. Daniel Tomson, chairman of UAlbany's presidential search committee, indicated that the current pool of candidates "does not meet the quantitative and qualitative criteria required to present to the campus." Tomson mentioned several factors that have complicated the search: the resignation of Governor Eliot Spitzer, a tough state budget situation and not having a permanent SUNY chancellor. �A world-class chancellor will provide stable and dynamic leadership for SUNY," Tomson said. "Perhaps more importantly for us, the new chancellor will be a magnet for recruiting excellent presidential candidates to our campus." In the meantime, George Philip �69, �73 will continue his service as UAlbany�s interim president. 

UAlbany Alumni and Friends Receive Excellence Awards
The UAlbany Alumni Association honored its 2008 Excellence Awards recipients at a gala May 3. Recipients, selected for excellence in service to their profession, their communities and the University, included alumni from four decades, reflecting �UAlbany�s strength over time,� said Interim President George Philip �69, �73. Details.

Administrators to Stay Put
Interim President George Philip �69, �73 has announced that the University is keeping three top administrators in place. Lynn Videka was given a two-year appointment to continue as vice president for Research. Christine Bouchard has been appointed vice president of Student Success. She had served in that position on an interim basis since November. Edelgard Wulfert was chosen dean of the College of Arts and Sciences for three years. Wulfert was the acting dean.

University Signs Environmental Pledge
Interim President George Philip �69, �73 signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment May 5, confirming the University�s intentions to increase efforts to reduce campus greenhouse gas emissions and integrate sustainability topics into the curriculum. UAlbany, which already has reduced campus energy costs by $25,000 since last year, hired Mary Ellen Mallia to serve in the new position of environmental sustainability director in January.  Details.

SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES

Siegel New Dean of School of Business
Donald Siegel has been appointed dean of UAlbany�s School of Business. Siegel, professor of entrepreneurship and associate dean of the A. Gary Anderson Graduate School of Management, University of California, Riverside, will succeed Dean Paul Leonard, who is returning to his academic appointment as professor of finance. Siegel will assume the dean�s position July 1. Details.

School of Social Welfare�s Hardiman Awarded $125,000 in Grants
Eric Hardiman, associate professor in the School of Social Welfare, has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the Charitable Leadership Foundation and a $25,000 grant from the State Office of Mental Health to support the second phase of the Unity House Supported Housing program evaluation. The Unity House, in Troy, N.Y., provides community-based housing services to chronically homeless adults and families living with severe mental illnesses. Hardiman will conduct feasibility assessments for model replication sites and assist with the development of training and technical assistance material.

The Business of Green
The School of Business continues to contribute to UAlbany�s �Go Green.� In the MBA project G3, Going Green Globally, students will evaluate companies� green concerns based on finance, human resources, information technology management and marketing, and then make recommendations for future success. The program draws on the expertise of a variety of experts. Jim Mahoney, former CEO of Dayton Power and Light, has enlisted the Battelle Institute, the largest Department of Energy research contractor for the project. Pradeep Haldar, who heads the Nanoengineering Constellation of the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, will involve his nanotechnology students in the project this semester. Details.

College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering Partners With U.S. Government
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced a landmark agreement in April that will create the first-ever partnership between the federal government and UAlbany's College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) that will bring federal research expertise and resources to the campus. Schumer announced he brokered an agreement between the Center and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) that will help further advance the already successful collaboration between NIST and CNSE by providing the framework for both organizations to share research, equipment, staff and other key resources. Details.

Kecskes Receives Honorary Degree and Professorship at Zhejiang University
Zhejiang University will award Professor of Educational Theory and Practice Istvan Kecskes an honorary degree and professorship for his work in the cognitive aspects of bi- and multilingualism. Zhejiang University is one of China's five most prestigious universities.

ATHLETICS

UAlbany to Host 2009 Men�s Basketball Championship Tournament
UAlbany will play host to the 2009 America East Conference men's basketball tournament. The first three rounds will be held at SEFCU Arena March 6-8. The championship game will be played March 14 at the site of the highest remaining seed. This is the first time the America East will hold its tournament in Albany, which was chosen over Hartford in a vote of league athletic directors. UAlbany has belonged to America East, a nine-team conference, since 2001. The Great Danes won conference titles in 2005 and 2006

Men's Track Wins Fourth Consecutive America East Title; Women Place Third
UAlbany�s Jean Juste won the 110-meter high hurdles in a conference-record time to lead the men�s track and field team to its fourth consecutive America East Conference championship May 4 at the Beckett Family Track & Field Complex. The men scored 196 points, easily defeating second-place New Hampshire. In the women�s competition, UAlbany registered three individual champions to finish in third place with 116.50 points. Boston U. took the team championship with 193 points. Details.

Women's Golf Wins America East Championship
Amanda McPhee and Corrin Conroy finished in a three-way tie for first place to lead the UAlbany women�s golf team to the America East Conference Championship on Sunday, May 4, at the par-72, 5,826-yard Simsbury Farms Golf Course. The Great Danes captured their second conference championship in five years with a two-round, program-record score of 657, to top Hartford by one stroke. Details.

Student-Athletes Earn Recognition at Great Dane Awards
Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy presented Brian Lillis and Amber Maisonet with ECAC Merit Medals at the eighth annual Great Dane Awards May 5. The event celebrates UAlbany Athletics in the 2007-08 academic year. Presidential Scholar-Athlete Awards were given to Amanda Hall, Kelly Martinson, Mike Ammann and Steve Ammann. Details.

OF NOTE

Veterans Will Be Eligible for Free SUNY/CUNY Tuition
The new state budget will expand the tuition assistance program for war veterans, making them eligible for free undergraduate tuition at SUNY colleges and universities. The tuition assistance awards were increased from a flat $1,000 grant to the cost of tuition. The awards will be available to all combat veterans who served after Feb. 28, 1961. The funding will apply to veterans taking undergraduate, graduate or vocational training programs.

Stay In Touch With a UAlbany E-Postcard
Have you sent a UAlbany e-postcard lately? Check out the selection of free UAlbany-themed e-postcards at our Web site. Create your personalized message using images from across the campus. It's fast. It's free. It's fun.

Become a Regional Volunteer!
The Alumni Association�s Regional Volunteers act as local contacts for events and offer advice to alumni moving to their city. Visit the Regional Volunteer page to find out more and to sign up to represent UAlbany in your area.

UPCOMING EVENTS

June 30 � The Capital District Writing Project Invitational Summer Institute 

Fountain Day
Photo Gallery

Fountain Day
Video

Haven't made your gift yet?
With the new academic year just around the corner, now's the time to make your gift to the UAlbany Fund! Give by June 30 and you'll help UAlbany students get off to a good start, plus your gift will count toward your 2006-07 giving total.
Making a gift is easy - just visit our Web site to learn more! The UAlbany Fund

PUBLISHED BY: UAlbany Alumni Association
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