They range in age from their early 20s to their 80s. They all have achieved success in their chosen fields. 
     Some lived modestly, invested wisely, worked hard, and attained great wealth—then gave away significant portions of that wealth. Others are just getting ready to enter the working world and their first "real" job. 
     One competed at the highest levels of athletic achievement—the Olympics—then returned to college and is now attending graduate school. Others led the University at Albany football team to its most successful season in 20 years, breaking records along the way. Still another needs a wheelchair to get around, but hasn’t let that stop her from attaining professional and personal fulfillment. 
     Two are blind, but serve as mentors, role models, advocates, and counselors to others, including University at Albany students. One writes best-selling paperback novels that become major motion pictures. Another writes about the rural poor in the Dominican Republic. Still another, a disciple of Albany chronicler and University faculty member William Kennedy, dedicated years of his life learning and writing about the life and times of an enigmatic and beloved Albany political figure. 
     One traded in her political theories for her own electoral campaign—and shocked the city of Albany and the Capital Region with a history-making victory. Others are sought throughout the world for their expertise on bird migration and the international bond market. 
     Who are they? They are the subjects of the feature stories in this issue of Albany, and they all are members of the University at Albany family. 
We are proud to highlight the achievements of alumni Maria Smith, Diana Richburg (also an M.B.A. student), Sheri Denkensohn, Michael Corso, Dolores Cimini (also a University staff member), Paul Grondahl, Barbara Fischkin, Andrew Neiderman, Ed George and Frances Gildea George; professors Ken Able, Ron Forbes, and Helen Desfosses; and student-athletes Joe Savino and Dan Gmelin. 
     These alumni, faculty, staff, and students exemplify the University at Albany. Their efforts and successes are the reasons why the University at Albany, after 153 years, continues to be a premier center of scholarship and research; why Albany students succeed in life; why the membership rolls of the Alumni Association continue to grow; why the University was able to complete the largest and most successful campaign for private funds in the history of New York public higher education; and why the University is a major social, economic, and cultural resource for the Capital Region and New York State. 
     One exciting example of the University’s cultural dimension is in the spotlight right nowduring our "Shakespeare Semester." More than 30 lectures, courses, exhibits, and performances are offering students, faculty, artists, outside scholars, and members of the public the opportunity to interact, converse, and share their knowledge and appreciation of Shakespearean drama. Call (518) 442-4207 for schedule and event information. 
     And we are looking toward the future, beginning a 10-year master plan for new construction and renovations that President Karen R. Hitchcock says will enable the University "to respond to the need for more space (now and in the future) for academic purposes, the ever-expanding use of technology, and the changing academic needs of faculty and students."