University News

GETTING SMARTER ALL THE TIME: THE FRESHMAN CLASS This fall's freshman class is the strongest academically that Director of Admissions Robert Andrea has seen since he joined UAlbany four years ago. The class, made up of 2,100 traditional freshmen, was drawn from 17,316 applicants. With an average high school GPA of 90 and mean SAT scores that are 15 points higher than last year's, the class is scholastically talented. There are 200 Presidential Scholars in the incoming class, compared with 173 last year, and more than 100 College Scholars, up from 87 last year.

HISTORIC MURALS ON DOWNTOWN CAMPUS TO BE RESTORED The first of 14 historic murals at UAlbany's Milne Hall, which show scenes from the history of the Capital Region, will be restored in an ambitious project beginning this month. The murals, which were painted from 1933 to 1946 by artist David Cunningham Lithgow (1868-1958), were funded by graduating classes of the Milne School. The entire project, which will take approximately three years to complete, is estimated to cost $100,000. Details.

EFFORT TO SAVE STARVING SALUTED Catherine Bertini '71 has received the $250,000 World Food Prize for her leadership of the United Nations World Food Program. Bertini, undersecretary general of the United Nations for Management, headed the food program from 1992 to 2002. During that decade, the World Food Program "saved more people from starvation and death than any other organization in the world," said Kenneth Quinn, president of the World Food Prize Foundation. Bertini was honored with UAlbany’s University Medallion at this year's graduate commencement, the highest honor the University bestows upon individuals.

CAMPAIGN UPDATE Following the success of June’s regional campaign kickoff in New Jersey, another event will be held September 25 at the Wilton, Conn., home of Norm ’83 and Michaela Snyder. Norm is an enthusiastic alum who is looking forward to becoming reacquainted with other alumni from the Fairfield County/Westchester County area. Regional alumni events in New York City, Northern and Southern California, Atlanta and Texas are currently being planned, with several more under discussion.


Schools and Colleges

AFRICANA STUDIES PROGRAM RANKS IN TOP 10 UAlbany’s Africana Studies Program was named one of the top 10 in the nation as reported in Black Issues in Higher Education magazine. Tied for eighth place with New York University and just ahead of 10th place UMASS-Amherst, the program was praised for its leadership, diversity and strong record of degrees completed. Details.

CENTER FOR JEWISH STUDIES LAUNCHES RESEARCH PROGRAM UAlbany's Center for Jewish Studies has established a new research associate program to advance the work of scholars and researchers who might benefit from the center's resources. The Research Associate Program extends the boundaries of the center while broadening opportunities for academic work at the University. Details.

MICHAEL WERNER NAMED ALBANY'S ARCHEOLOGIST Michael R. Werner, Ph.D., Classics Program, was named the city of Albany's archaeologist by Mayor Jerry Jennings. The study of historic artifacts will take place as construction occurs throughout the city. The mayor, with the assistance of Professor Werner, will work toward the organization of an archaeological center for the storage and examination of artifacts.

SOCIAL WELFARE RECEIVES REAFFIRMATION OF ACCREDITATION The baccalaureate and masters programs of the School of Social Welfare were successful in receiving reaffirmation of accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The process included a rigorous self-study, a campus visit by a team of distinguished social work educators and review by a committee at CSWE. Standards included curricular content essential for professional social workers, quality of faculty, adequacy of resources and services to students.


Athletics

GREAT DANES OPEN AGAINST BROWN UAlbany is picked to win the Northeast Conference Championship again and will open the home portion of its schedule against Brown on Saturday, Sept. 20. This will be the first time UAlbany has played an Ivy League school in football.

MORE GREAT DANE NEWS!


Of Note

NEW ALUMNI WEB SITE LAUNCHED Alumni visiting UAlbany’s alumni web site will see something new this month. The Alumni Office has redesigned the site, which reflects the recent redesign of the UAlbany homepage. The new site incorporates the University’s new logo and a modern design that reflects the bold vision for the University. It also includes a number of new features to bring you more of the information and news you want as well as an easy navigation system. Check it out at www.albany.edu/alumni.

NEW CAMPUS PRINT AVAILABLE The Alumni Association has commissioned artist Larry Van Alstyne to create a new 16” x 20” print featuring UAlbany’s downtown and uptown campuses, celebrating the new growth of the University. You can purchase a limited edition print by calling 1-800-836-ALUM or emailing [email protected]. Prints cost $15.95 for members and $24.95 for non-members. Alumni can view and purchase prints during Homecoming at the Alumni Breakfast and Tailgate Tent.

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS CORRECTION Robert Burstein, Esq. ’72, was accidentally omitted in the listing of Alumni Association board of directors in the July News@UAlbany. Burstein ’72 was elected as Counsel to the Board. For a full list of the Alumni Association board, click here.


Events

HOMECOMING FEATURES OLD STANDBYS AND NEW EVENTS Come back to campus and enjoy the fun and hoopla of Homecoming 2003, Oct. 24-26. It’s all here, waiting for you in one jam-packed weekend. Highlights include the Touchdown Tailgate, UAlbany Football vs. Stony Brook, Jazz Cabaret and Comedy Night. New events include an Alumni Breakfast, Legacy Reception and Sociology Reception. Visit our web page For the latest information.

WSUA 40th AND WCDB 25th ANNIVERSARY REUNION Year 2003 marks the 40th anniversary for WSUA and the 25th anniversary for WCDB. All former WSUA and WCDB alums are invited back to campus Oct. 24-26 to celebrate the station’s heritage. A plethora of activities are being planned, but the highlight will be the Anniversary Reunion Dinner Saturday evening. For more information visit www.albany.edu/alumni for the link to the weekend’s activities.

MUSEUM FEATURES “A MOVING PICTURE SHOW” The University Art Museum will feature the exhibit “A Moving Picture Show,” a video installation by Allen Yates, MFA ’99. This series of 20 video-looped projections captures every-day actions that “create a moment that is outside time.” On view Sept. 16-Nov. 1, 2003. The artist will speak about his work Oct. 30, 2003, at 4 p.m. in the University Art Museum. For more information: (518) 442-4035 or www.albany.edu/museum.

UPCOMING EVENTS
September 16-24 – Alumni Tour to Provence
September 20 – NYC Chapter, Picnic in the Park
October 24 – NYC Chapter, Happy Hour
October 24-26 – Homecoming/Family Weekend 2003
November 11 – Capital District Chapter, Culinary Institute of America
November 15 – Washington DC Chapter, UAlbany vs. Towson Football Pregame party
November 21 – UAlbany vs. Siena Basketball Pregame Party, Pepsi Arena, Albany

MORE Events NEWS!

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Published by:
UAlbany Office of Alumni Relations
www.albany.edu/alumni
/ [email protected]