EVENTS
Boston Alumni To Celebrate
Alumni in the Boston, Mass, area are invited to the Celebration of Alumni & Friends, Jan. 12 at the Sunset Cantina in Boston, 5-6:30 p.m. Following the gathering, alumni will have a chance to cheer on the Great Danes as they take on the Boston University Terriers in the Roof at the Case Center Gymnasium. The reception cost, which includes hors d’oeuvres and a drink, is $10 for Alumni Association members and $15 for non-members. Game tickets are $4 per person. Call 1-800-836-ALUM by Jan. 9 to RSVP.
Big Purple Growl & Ferocious Feast Tickets Available
Tickets are now available for the ninth annual Big Purple Growl and Ferocious Feast. The event features a pregame party in the University Gym Feb. 4 followed by a women's and men's basketball double-header against Boston University. Visit our Web site for details.
West Central Florida Alumni Chapter Annual Luncheon Set
Don't miss this year's 24th annual luncheon of the West Central Florida Alumni Chapter. The luncheon will be held at Marina Jack Restaurant in Sarasota, Fla., Jan. 28. For more information, call Marjorie Diana at (941) 496-8698 or the Alumni Association at 1-800-836-ALUM. RSVP by Jan. 20.
UALBANY NEWS
Inaugural Scholarship Fund Tops $1.5 Million
A 700,000 donation from the estate of Irving Harold Losee ’38, has pushed the Inaugural Scholarship Fund total to more than $1.5 million, surpassing the initial target of $1 million two months ahead of schedule. President Kermit L. Hall announced the donation and other gifts totaling $1 million in support of The Honors College during the December 11 Winter Commencement. Full story >>
UAlbany Establishes Honors College
As the centerpiece of its commitment to excellence in undergraduate education, UAlbany has unveiled a new University-wide, interdisciplinary Honors College. The college will ultimately include approximately 500 top-flight undergraduate students who will complete specialized course work, conduct research and work closely with distinguished faculty in a vibrant living-learning community. Full story >>
Study Abroad Program Ranked No. 1 in SUNY System
UAlbany's study abroad program has been ranked first of all campuses in the State University of New York system. UAlbany placed nearly 500 students in study abroad programs during the 2004 school year. Full Story >>
UAlbany Fund Supports University Initiatives
As of Dec. 8, the UAlbany Fund had realized nearly $1,185,000 in cash and pledges toward its 2005-06 goal of $2 million. Annual giving from alumni, parents and friends provides the University’s most flexible source of revenue. If you haven’t made your gift yet, there’s still time! Visit the UAlbany Fund Web page to make your gift online and learn how your tax-deductible contribution has an immediate impact on UAlbany students and programs.
Middle Earth Peer Assistance Program Celebrates 35th Anniversary
UAlbany's nationally recognized Middle Earth Peer Assistance Program celebrated its 35th anniversary last month with the presentation of a $15,000 donation from the Dominion Foundation. Since 1970, Middle Earth has trained 1,500 student volunteers, provided hotline assistance to more than 77,000 students in crisis and presented outreach education programs to more than 100,000 individuals in need. Full Story >>
UAlbany Launches New System to Support School Improvement
The University, the state education department and business leaders unveiled a new Web-based system of tools last month designed to help schools across the state improve. Just for the Kids-New York, an affiliate of the National Just for the Kids project, offered the people of New York a new "toolkit" designed to help educators use data to raise student achievement. Full Story >>
SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES
School of Business Dean’s Leadership Council Kicks Off
Last month’s Dean’s Leadership Council (DLC) Block Party, the debut event of the DLC, welcomed School of Business students, faculty and staff including members of Pi Sigma Epsilon, Delta Sigma Pi, Beta Alpha Psi and the Accounting Club. Brian DiMarino ’06, Don Boyce ’06 and Dean Paul Leonard founded the group to promote a sense of community in the School of Business.
U.S. Department of Education and SAMSHA Fund Alcohol Intervention Programs
UAlbany has received a $295,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education to prevent high-risk drinking and violent behavior among college students. The University also received a $1.4 million grant from the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration to fund interventions for college students at high risk for alcohol and substance abuse. Full Story >>
Rockefeller College Honors Alumni and Faculty
The Nelson A. Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy honored six distinguished alumni and faculty at its annual recognition ceremony Nov. 28. This year’s recipients were John G. Gunnell, Lifetime Achievement Award; Bruce Plaxen ’79, Distinguished Alumnus Award in Political Science; Denise Sheehan ’88, Distinguished Alumna Award in Public Administration; Frank Thompson, Distinguished Service Award; Peter J. Casale ’82, Distinguished Extended Learning Leadership Award of Excellence; and Soonhee Kim ’98, Young Alumni Award. Full Story >>
School of Social Welfare Assistant Professors Receive Drescher Awards
Assistant professors Sandra Austin and Starr Wood have received awards through the Dr. Nuala McGann Drescher Affirmative Action/Diversity Leave Program, which enhances employment opportunities for minorities, women, employees with disabilities and Vietnam-era veterans who are preparing for permanent or continuing appointments. The grants are administered through the State of New York/United University Professions.
Center for Human Services Research Receives Four Grants
• $160,000 from the New York State Office of Children and Family Services to study legally-exempt child care providers in Albany County.
• $971,885 from OCFS to support an evaluation of Healthy Families New York, a child abuse prevention initiative.
• Estimated $350,000 five-year grant from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to develop a management information system for the Albany County System of Care Initiative.
• $1.5 million five-year contract in conjunction with the Professional Development Program to develop a training/evaluation initiative for the Coordinated Children's Service Initiative.
ATHLETICS
Men’s Indoor Track & Field Picked To Win Conference Title
UAlbany men's indoor track team has been picked to finish first in the America East Conference in voting by the league’s head coaches. The UAlbany women were selected to place second out of nine teams. The men, who were second at the 2005 America East Indoor Championship, won the conference title in 2002-03 and 2003-04. The UAlbany women received three first-place votes to bolster their second-place standing in the preseason poll, after finishing third at the conference championship last year. Full Story >>
Men's Lacrosse Announces 2006 Schedule
America East Conference champion UAlbany has announced its 2006 schedule. The Great Danes, who made their third consecutive NCAA appearance last year, will play defending national champion Johns Hopkins and 2004 NCAA champion Syracuse. NCAA participants Massachusetts and Delaware also are on the non-league slate. Full Story >>
Calling All Great Danes Fans – Join the UAlbany Varsity Club!
Help support the winning tradition of the Great Danes by joining the UAlbany Varsity Club – a constituent group of the UAlbany Alumni Association. Your membership supports student athletes, scholarships, facility improvement and alumni programs. Plus, members receive half-price basketball and football season tickets, free admission to pregame parties, a Varsity Club T-shirt, half-price athletic facilities membership and much more. Contact the Alumni Association at 1-800-836-ALUM for more information. Full Story >>
OF NOTE
Alumni Association Announces Scholarship Opportunities
The Alumni Association is offering four graduate fellowships and one new undergraduate scholarship for the 2006 academic year. The new Bertha Brimmer Legacy Scholarship ($2,000) will be awarded to an incoming freshman or transfer student who is the child or grandchild of an alumnus/a. For more details on all the scholarships, visit our Web site.
Now Is the Time to Get In Touch With Old Friends
It’s the holiday season, and what better time to get in touch with old friends you haven’t heard from in a while? If you’d like to find a former college buddy, try searching UAlbany’s free Alumni Online Directory. You can also send a special UAlbany greeting by using a UAlbany E-postcard. Choose from 50 different images.
Call for Nominations for Alumni Association Board
The Alumni Association is now accepting nominations for its board of directors. Any association member in good standing may be recommended. Names must be received by the Alumni Association by March 10, 2006.
NEW! Check out all the fun, new items designed specifically for UAlbany alumni at the Alumni Association’s new Web Store. It’s not too late for a little holiday shopping or an early New Year’s present!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Dec. 15 – Holiday Gathering of SUNY Alumni of Atlanta
Jan. 12 – Celebration of Alumni & Friends, Boston, MA
Jan. 25 – Celebration of Alumni & Friends, Phoenix, AZ
Jan. 28 – West Central Florida Alumni Chapter Annual Luncheon
Feb. 4 – Big Purple Growl and Ferocious Feast
MAKE UALBANY STRONGER
Learn how you can stay connected and make UAlbany stronger during the Alumni Association’s upcoming membership campaign. Watch your mail in February to find out more.
Check out the special NY City Edition UAlbany magazine.
PUBLISHED BY: UAlbany Alumni Association
www.albany.edu/alumni | [email protected]