Catching up with...

If you know Jordan Tedesco-Blair, the fact that he’s been a residence hall director in Davidson and Webster since 2019 won’t surprise you. But did you know he’s good at tennis? Or that he collects headphones and loves board games?

As an AOP student, Amarilis Francis ’07 appreciated the support she received from her professors, including Lorraine Cox, Deidre Hill Butler and John Cramsie.

Jillmarie Murphy, the William D. Williams Professor of English and director of Interdisciplinary Studies Programs, grew up in the greater metropolitan area of New York City, where she had what she describes as an idyllic childhood.

Mason Stahl is the James M. Kenney Assistant Professor of Environmental Engineering in the Department of Geosciences and Environmental Science, Policy and Engineering program.

Director of International Programs Lara Atkins grew up in Homer, N.Y., a Cortland County village with more cows than people.

An associate professor in the Department of Electrical, Computer, and Biomedical Engineering, Tak Buma almost took a swim in a Venetian canal once.

Aileen Schatz oversees orientation and pre-orientation programs, aiding new students and their families in their transition to Union.

Two economists, two teaching jobs in different countries, one big commute and a whole lot of cooking. That’s how life adds up these days for Dong (Carl) Cheng, the John D. MacArthur Assistant Professor of Economics, and his wife, Jun (Bean) Zhao.

Bill Blanchard Jr., a public safety officer with Campus Safety since 1998, can tell you the location of the best pianos on campus.

Kim Plofker, associate professor of mathematics, is always eager to talk about ancient Sanskrit, the value of interdisciplinary learning, butterflies and the local bus schedule.