Union formally kicked off its 230th academic year Tuesday afternoon with its traditional Convocation ceremony in a packed Memorial Chapel.
President David R. Harris officially welcomed the 511 members of the Class of 2028. Selected from nearly 8,500 applicants, the students hail from 33 states and 28 countries. The class is also made up of 50 percent of domestic students of color and international students, making it one of the most diverse in the College’s history.
Memorial Chapel was packed as Union formally kicked off its 230th academic year Tuesday afternoon with its traditional Convocation ceremony.
Turning his thoughts to the year ahead, Harris then focused on what he called the three C’s: community, constructive engagement and the case for Union.
Union is a caring community and not a place of sharp elbows where everything is a competition. That is evident in simple acts such as when returning students descend upon new students’ cars when they arrive on campus for move-in day to help with the process.
He noted that while there are many paths to deepen the College’s sense of community, he wanted to share two.
One is food. He reminisced about the role food had when he was a kid and his family gathered for Sunday dinners at his grandparents’ house, strengthening their connections to one another. He mentioned the College’s new dining services partner, Bon Appétit Management Company, and its commitment to sustainability and from-scratch cooking, which should improve the overall campus dining experience.
“Like those Sundays of my childhood, I expect that the quality of food will make you want to come together to eat in our dining halls, linger a while, make new friends and deepen connections with people you already know,” he said.
He reminded the audience that this is the final season for the College’s Division I men’s and women’s hockey teams to play their home games at the iconic Messa Rink. Next year, both teams will play at a new $50 million arena being built at Mohawk Harbor, adjacent to campus.
“We strengthen community over shared meals, but we also build community through shared experiences,” he said. “If attending hockey games is not your thing, I hope you will give it a try this year. It would be fantastic to end our time at Messa by breaking attendance and enthusiasm records for every one of the men’s and women’s home games.”
Since becoming president seven years ago, Harris has encouraged constructive engagement over issues that often divide. This includes bringing in notable speakers that expose the campus community to a range of topics and perspectives.
“You need not change your views but must deepen understanding of why someone’s views differ from your own,” he said.
That mindset is especially critical this year, as lingering tensions over the Israel-Gaza war and a bitter U.S. presidential race threaten to raise emotions on college campuses across the country.
Harris said there were many opportunities to broaden perspectives for and promote meaningful exchange on issues, including a political science class focused on the election, a Cookies and Conversation series in the Minervas, and the College’s invitation to participate in Hillel’s Campus Climate Initiative. Union is partnering with Hillel International, the world's largest Jewish campus organization, to better understand, strengthen and enhance the environment for Jewish students.
“Nothing is to be gained by seeking to marginalize or silence those who think otherwise, and certainly not at an institution whose focus is on wisdom, empathy and courage,” he said.
Finally, Harris reminded the audience of the ongoing challenges in higher ed, including finances, demographics and the rising cost of attending college.
At Convocation, President David R. Harris said, "I remain confident that Union’s future is bright. We are a school that refuses to look down and back. We look up and out.”
Founded in 1795, Union has transformed many times in terms of buildings, academic offerings and demographics of students, faculty and staff. He said the mantra in all areas must be continuous improvement to allow the College to achieve even greater heights. This includes spreading the word about what Union is and the benefits of a Union education and experience, improving all aspects of the school’s academic offerings and the student experience outside the classroom so that every graduate develops the competencies critical to future success.
“Despite these challenges, I remain confident that Union’s future is bright,” Harris said. “We are a school that refuses to look down and back. We look up and out.”
Also at Convocation, Michele Angrist, the Stephen J. and Diane K. Ciesinski Dean of Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs, presented the winners of the College’s top faculty awards.
Stacie Raucci, the Frank Bailey Professor of Classics, received the Stillman Prize for Faculty Excellence in Teaching. Known for her innovative and creative approach to designing courses in Latin, Greek and classical civilization, Raucci is currently working on a three-year project supported by the Byron Nichols Fellowship for Faculty Development, “Ancient Roman Gardening: Cultivating Interdisciplinarity, Community and Well-Being,” with Angela Commito, senior lecturer in the Department of Classics. Raucci joined Union in 2004.
Carol Weisse, the Ronald M. Obenzinger Professor of Psychology and director of Health Professions, received the Stillman Prize for Faculty Excellence in Research. Her current research examines systems of care for chronically and terminally ill residents in the community with a focus on hospice and palliative care in home settings. She recently had a paper published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology-Oncology Practice with Kelly Melekis from the University of Vermont and three Union alumni, “Mixed-Methods Study of End-of-Life Experiences of Patients With Hematologic Malignancies in Social Hospice Residential Home Care Settings.” Weisse joined Union in 1988.
Both faculty prizes were created by Abbott Stillman ‘69, David I. Stillman ’72 and Allan Stillman in honor of their father and grandfather, Abraham Stillman.
Ryder Mollo ‘26, Leo Weisberger ‘26 and Ben Pistiner ‘27 perform legendary jazz saxophonist John Coltrane’s rendition of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein’s “My Favorite Things.” The students were presented with the Hollander Convocation Music Prize by Jennifer Matsue, professor of music and chair of the department.
Amanda Tommell-Sandy, the assistant director for Health Promotion and Student Wellness, was presented with the UNITAS Community Building award by President Harris. It is given in recognition of a person who has helped foster community and diversity at Union. During her time at Union, Amanda has presented at the local, state, and national levels on the topics of sexual assault response, eating disorders, and alcohol and other drug abuse response and prevention. She joined the College in 2007.
Ryder Mollo ‘26, Ben Pistiner ‘27 and Leo Weisberger ‘26 were presented with the Hollander Convocation Music Prize by Jennifer Matsue, professor of music and chair of the department. The prize was established by the late Lawrence J. Hollander, dean of engineering emeritus. The students performed legendary jazz saxophonist John Coltrane’s rendition of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein’s “My Favorite Things.”
Angrist also recognized the students who made the Dean’s List last year. They will be honored at a reception during Homecoming and Family Weekend.
Convocation opened with remarks from Stacie Raucci, the College Marshal; Julie Swidler ‘79, chair of the Board of Trustees; Kristina Striegnitz, associate professor of computer science and chair of the Faculty Executive Committee; and Sage Stinson ’25, Student Forum president.
A community barbecue followed on Hull Plaza.
Fall term classes begin Wednesday, Sept. 4.