February 2004
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Travel to Ireland
Ennis, Ireland
August 31-September 8
To find out more about this trip, or others that you can take with your fellow UAlbany alumni, call (518) 442-3080 or visit www.ahitravel.com/albany.

CORRECTION
The correct date for the Dave Barry Reading is Tuesday, May 4, 2004, at 8 p.m. in Page Hall. Details.

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University News

Hitchcock Takes Leave of Absence On January 30, UAlbany President Karen Hitchcock and SUNY Chancellor Robert King released a joint statement noting that, effective immediately, Hitchcock was going on leave due to "an ongoing illness in her immediate family." King appointed UAlbany Provost Carlos Santiago to serve as officer in charge in Hitchcock's absence. Hitchcock had previously announced in October that she was resigning in June 2004, at the end of the current academic year. In a memo thanking the UAlbany faculty and staff for their dedication and service, Hitchcock said, "While our families are always our first consideration, my love and respect for all of you have made this a truly wrenching decision." Details.

Campaign Passes Halfway Mark To date, the Bold.Vision. Campaign has raised a total of $277 million, more than halfway to the goal of $500 million. The University recently was informed of an anonymous bequest intention, currently valued at $1.9 million. Upon the death of the donors, the bequest will establish a trust that will fund the Grenander Scholarships, providing full tuition, room and board for four Humanities students in the College of Arts and Sciences.

UAlbany Casts its Vote for Baby Dane Mascot UAlbany’s “baby” Dane mascot finally got a name Saturday during pregame activities at the University's annual basketball bash, the Big Purple Growl. "Lil' D" now joins Damien, the Great Dane mascot, as a spirit builder for Great Dane athletic and other campus events. The University had launched a campaign in the fall to name the diminutive dane, and Lil’ D was chosen from more than 100 name suggestions.

Pep Band Debuts UAlbany has a new pep band, and its up-tempo harmonies are building spirit on campus. An all-volunteer ensemble of students and staff, the pep band made its debut at the women's and men's basketball games at the Big Purple Growl, February 7.

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William J. Reid Endowment Created An endowment has been established in the name of Dr. William J. Reid, Distinguished Professor of Social Welfare, who passed away in November 2003. The endowment has been dedicated, at Dr. Reid’s request, to supporting doctoral student dissertation research at the School of Social Welfare. Donations in his memory may be made to: The University at Albany Foundation, William J. Reid Endowment, c/o the School of Social Welfare, 135 Western Ave., Albany, NY 12222.

The Legacy of Brown v. Board of Education Segregation within school districts was cut by nearly half in the wake of the landmark desegregation case, Brown vs. the Board of Education, according to a new report released by UAlbany's Lewis Mumford Center. However, disparities across districts remain the main obstacle to equal educational opportunity. Details.

Health Risks Noted in Farm Raised Salmon A study published in Science in January found significantly higher levels of cancer-causing and other health related contaminants in farm-raised salmon than in their wild counterparts. "Ultimately, the most important determinant of risk has to do with where the fish is farmed not where it is purchased," said David Carpenter, an author of the study and director of the Institute for Health and the Environment at UAlbany. Details.

Researcher Receives $1.8 Million Grant to Study Latin American Education UAlbany Professor Gilbert Valverde has been awarded a $1.8 million grant from the U.S Agency for International Development for a Groundbreaking study of Latin American elementary education. Details.

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Great Danes Prepare For America East Championships The men’s tournament is being hosted by Boston University March 5–7. UAlbany is hosting a pregame alumni reception before the Great Danes’ first game on Friday, March 5. For all-session passes or individual tickets, contact the BU athletic ticket office at (617) 353-3838. The women’s tournament is being hosted by the University of Hartford March 10-13. For all-session passes or individual ticket information, contact the University of Hartford athletics box office at (860) 768-4295.

2004 Football Schedule Announced The Great Danes, who shared their second consecutive Northeast Conference championship last fall, will play seven games against conference opponents. The non-league schedule features two of the Patriot League's top three teams in Lehigh and Fordham, Atlantic 10 Conference member Hofstra, and Brown from the Ivy League. Details.

Doc Sauers Honored Former men's basketball coach Richard (Doc) Sauers was honored at halftime of the Great Danes January 28 game against Vermont. Sauers, who was being recognized on the occasion of his recent induction into the University’s Athletic Hall of Fame, is one of the winningest coaches in the history of college basketball. Sauers was presented with a plaque commemorating his 702 career victories in 41 seasons. Sauers, who retired after the 1997 season, was one of only 21 college coaches to win 700 games.

MORE GREAT DANE NEWS!

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Explore Your Benefits Are you aware of all the benefits of being a UAlbany alum? Check out the alumni web site to learn more about the programs and services available to all UAlbany alumni.

Graduate Scholarships Available The Alumni Association offers four graduate scholarships. Applications are due by March. For details, visit the alumni web site.

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Share Your Insights With Seniors at the Senior Salute The Alumni Office is looking for a few good men – and women – to share their insights with graduating seniors at the Senior Salute, April 21. This annual event is a one-stop shop for graduating seniors to access regalia, class rings, photographs, career services and much more. Alumni are being sought who can provide advice regarding entering the working world and answer questions regarding some of the more popular locations seniors relocate to after graduation including New York City, Long Island and Boston. To volunteer or to learn more, contact the Alumni Association at (518) 442-3080.

Alumni Softball Players Needed for Spring Stomp Show your alumni pride and join the alumni team battling UAlbany’s current students at the first Great Dane Spring Stomp, May 1. The alumni-student softball game will be one of the highlights of this new event to celebrate our athletic program. The event will include men’s lacrosse, carnival activities, fabulous food and family fun. If you’re interested in representing your fellow alumni in the game, contact Theresa Williams at twilliams@uamail.albany.edu.

Check Out Art & Culture Talks ACT (Art & Culture Talks) is a University Art Museum program that brings together artists, critics, writers and scholars to address key issues in contemporary art and culture. Spring semester programs include an informal conversation and reading with author Rick Moody, February 24, a lecture by art critic Katy Siegel, March 8, and a lecture, “Facts and Fictions: Stories and Histories in Recent Art” by Robert Storr, critic and curator in mid-March. These events are free and open to the public. For more information, call (518) 442-4035 or visit www.albany.edu/museum.

Upcoming Events
February 11 - Ethics 2004 – State, Federal and Corporate Practice, NYC. Details.
February 29 - Ice Skating at the Sculpture Gardens, Washington, D.C. Contact Shannin Addison for more information.
March 5 - America East Men’s Conference Tournament Pregame Party, Boston, MA. Details.
March 12 - Metro New York Happy Hour. Details.
March 23 - DC Alumni Reception. Details.
March 25 - Southeast Florida Alumni Reception. Details.
May 1 - Great Dane Spring Stomp, UAlbany. Details.

MORE Events NEWS!