October 2007

EVENTS

Alumni Association Sponsors Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company
In conjunction with the University�s themed year focusing on China, Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company will conduct activities at the Performing Arts Center Nov. 1-Nov. 3. The company�s work fuses the dynamic freedom of American modern dance with the grace and splendor of Asian art. The event is sponsored by the Arts and Culture Committee of the UAlbany Alumni Association. Details.

Culinary Institute of America Dinner, Tour and Program Set
An Italian treat for all your senses! On Nov. 12, join UAlbany professor Maria Giuliana Keyes at the Alumni House at 1 p.m. as she presents �Italian Regional Specialties� highlighting the regional cooking of Italy. After the program, a charter bus will transport you to the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), Hyde Park. At the CIA, enjoy a tour of the school and see classes in session. Before the Tuscan-inspired dinner at Ristorante Caterina de�Medici, you will have time to shop at the bakery and book store. To register, visit our Web site.

UAlbany vs. Siena Men�s Basketball Pregame Party Scheduled
An annual tradition not to be missed! Before you cheer on the men�s basketball team Dec. 1 at the Times Union Center, start the festivities at the pregame party. This annual event will be held at Broadway Joe�s, 51 S. Pearl Street. Come mingle with fellow Great Danes fans while you enjoy food and a beverage. Don�t be seen without your purple and gold! Visit our Web site to register.


UNIVERSITY NEWS

Philip Named Officer in Charge
SUNY Interim Chancellor Dr. John B. Clark has named George M. Philip Esq., �69, �73, officer in charge of the University at Albany. At an upcoming meeting of the SUNY Board of Trustees, Chancellor Clark is expected to recommend that Philip be formally named interim president of the campus. Philip will assume the interim presidency Oct. 26. Philip comes to this position from a highly distinguished career, including more than 36 years of experience at the New York State Teachers' Retirement System. He is a UAlbany alumnus, chair of the University Council and a director of the State University Research Foundation.

Outstanding Leaders Receive Highest Honors from UAlbany Foundation
Neil and Jane Golub, Price Chopper president and CEO and director of vendor income programs, respectively; George M. Philip, Esq., �69, �73, retired executive director and CIO of the New York State Teacher's Retirement System; Paul A. Leonard, dean and professor of finance, School of Business, UAlbany; and Leonard A. Slade, Jr., director of doctoral and master's programs in humanistic and liberal studies, UAlbany; have been named recipients of the 2007 University at Albany Foundation Citizen Laureate Awards. Details.

Entry Plaza Construction on Schedule
Construction on the Entry Plaza at the main entrance to the University campus is proceeding right on time, in preparation for the completion of an attractive new entrance prior to winter. Details. View the video news clip


SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES

UAlbany to Use Robots to Study Computer Science Education
UAlbany's Institute for Informatics, Logics and Security Studies (ILS) has received $326,752 to utilize social robotics as a mechanism to deliver a revitalized computer science education. The program will bring together researchers from UAlbany's ILS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Schenectady County Community College, Union College and the Schenectady Museum & Suits-Bueche Planetarium. Students will utilize robots as a platform to learn key computer science concepts, programming and the interplay between hardware and software. Details.

UAlbany Researchers Test Software on Online Public Feedback Process
UAlbany researchers Jennifer Stromer-Galley and Nick Webb, in collaboration with Texas Tech University professor Peter Muhlberger, have received a $449,000 National Science Foundation grant to study how existing software, developed by the Institute for Informatics, Logics and Security Studies at UAlbany, can help overcome barriers in the online public comment process used to provide feedback to government agencies. The Deliberative E-Rulemaking Decision Facilitation Project will use the software to manage and organize public opinions to help relay feedback to government agencies proposing regulations. Details.

Federal Reserve Governor Warsh at School of Business
Kevin Warsh, the youngest member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, spoke at UAlbany in September to School of Business students and faculty on the future of the U.S. economy. Since Federal Reserve Board governors rarely speak publicly and hardly ever on a university campus, it was an extraordinary honor for the University to host Governor Warsh. The event was sponsored by the School of Business� Center for Institutional Investment Management and facilitated by School of Business Advisory Council member Bob Lazar �77.

UAlbany-Albany High School Alliance Mentoring Programs Bolstered by Standish Family Fund
The UAlbany-Albany High School Alliance for Young Talent received a $15,000 grant from The Community Foundation for the Capital Region's Standish Family Fund to help develop alliance activities, including tutoring and mentoring programs for high school students. The alliance was created in 2006 to strengthen the relationship between Albany High School and UAlbany. Faculty from both institutions work to put together programs and tutoring sessions to create an atmosphere that will help prepare high school students for college. Details.

School of Social Welfare Professor Ronald Toseland Receives AGE-Social Work Achievement Award
Professor Ronald Toseland has received the Career Achievement Award from AGE-Social Work, a membership society for social worker scholars and practitioners focused on improving the lives of older adults. The award is given to a person who has made an outstanding contribution to the field of gerontology. Toseland, director of the Institute of Gerontology, has worked in the field of gerontology since 1974. The award will be presented at the 60th annual Gerontological Society of America meeting in November.


ATHLETICS

Men�s and Women�s Basketball Schedules Announced
The men's conference schedule begins Jan. 3 at New Hampshire, and the season concludes with the America East Conference Tournament March 7, 8, 9 and 15. Binghamton University's Events Center will host the first round, quarterfinals and semifinals. The Great Danes� non-conference schedule features Duke and an appearance in the ESPNU BracketBusters series for the third consecutive season. The women's program has a 16-game America East schedule that starts Jan. 5 at New Hampshire, and the season ends with the America East Conference Tournament March 13-16 at the University of Hartford's Chase Arena. Details.

Big Purple Growl & Ferocious Feast Date Announced
The 11th annual Big Purple Growl and Ferocious Feast will take place Feb. 2, 2008. The event will feature a men�s and women�s doubleheader against Stony Brook in the SEFCU Arena. The women�s game will begin at 4:30 p.m. and the men will tip off at 7 p.m.


OF NOTE

Nominations Deadline for Alumni Association Excellence Awards Approaches
The deadline for nominations for the 2008 Alumni Association Excellence Awards is Oct. 26. The awards recognize alumni and friends of UAlbany for their outstanding achievements and service to the University and community. Visit our Web site for more details.

Photo Gallery Highlights Alumni in Action
What have your fellow alumni been up to lately? Check out the Alumni Association Photo Gallery to see photos taken at alumni events on campus and across the country.


UPCOMING EVENTS

Oct. 27 � Reception with "Wicked" author Gregory Maguire �76, Boston

Nov. 12 � Culinary Institute of America Dinner, Tour and Program, Capital Region Chapter

Dec. 1 � UAlbany vs. Siena Men�s Basketball Pregame Party


UAlbany Fund Calling!

My fellow student callers and I are working hard to contact each and every alum this semester. This is our chance to update you on the exciting things happening at the University. It is also an opportunity for you to get involved in supporting our school. Whatever it was about UAlbany that got you excited when you attended, you can be sure that there are thousands of current students who feel the same way. By contributing to the UAlbany Fund, you'll be ensuring that everyone's experience here continues to be a great one. When your call comes, please answer the phone and take a moment to talk with us and see how you can be a part of the future of the University at Albany. I look forward to speaking with you!

Evan Patterson 
Class of 2008





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PUBLISHED BY: UAlbany Alumni Association
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