Union in the Media

An ongoing inventory of archival collections at Schaffer Library has uncovered a historic find: a rare lock of hair belonging to George Washington hidden inside a long-forgotten book.

“This is a very significant treasure,” said India Spartz, head of Special Collections and Archives. “It’s a tremendous testament to history and our connection to some of the most important historical figures.”

The discovery has been reported in hundreds of media outlets, including the New York Times, Washington Post, Fox News, CNN, USA Today, NBC News and NPR.

The New York Times ran a story on its front page.

An ongoing inventory of archival collections at Schaffer Library has uncovered a historic find: a rare lock of hair belonging to George Washington hidden inside a long-forgotten book.

“This is a very significant treasure,” said India Spartz, head of Special Collections and Archives. “It’s a tremendous testament to history and our connection to some of the most important historical figures.”

The discovery has been reported in hundreds of media outlets, including the New York Times, Washington Post, Fox News, CNN, USA Today, NBC News and NPR.

Mary Esch of the Associated Press visited campus to report on the discovery. Her story appeared in hundreds of outlets across the world, including U.S. News and World Report.

Journalist Scott Greenberger, author of “The Unexpected President: The Life and Times of Chester A. Arthur,” will deliver the keynote address at Founders Day Thursday, Feb. 22, at 1 p.m. in Memorial Chapel.

The event commemorates the 223rd anniversary of the College’s charter.

The country's 21st president, Arthur was a member of the Class of 1848.

In advance of the event, the Daily Gazette took a look at Arthur's presidency.

An ongoing inventory of archival collections at Schaffer Library has uncovered a historic find: a rare lock of hair belonging to George Washington hidden inside a long-forgotten book.

“This is a very significant treasure,” said India Spartz, head of Special Collections and Archives. “It’s a tremendous testament to history and our connection to some of the most important historical figures.”

The discovery has been reported in hundreds of media outlets, including the Washington Post, New York Times, Fox News, CNN, USA Today, NBC News and NPR.

An ongoing inventory of archival collections at Schaffer Library has uncovered a historic find: a rare lock of hair belonging to George Washington hidden inside a long-forgotten book.

“This is a very significant treasure,” said India Spartz, head of Special Collections and Archives. “It’s a tremendous testament to history and our connection to some of the most important historical figures.”

The discovery has been reported in hundreds of media outlets, including the New York Times, Washington Post, Fox News, CNN, USA Today, NBC News and NPR.

The Times Union in Albany, N.Y. was the first to report the discovery.

Union’s chapter of Alpha Phi Omega (APO) hosted a fundraiser in honor of Alexander Askenazy ’20 Sunday, Feb. 11, at Messa Rink.

The 19-year-old passed away in his residence hall last October from an existing medical condition.

“Skate for Alex” included skating and trivia.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy (CURE).

A number of media outlets covered the event:

• WTEN (ABC affiliate)
• WNYT (NBC affiliate)
• Spectrum News

Union’s chapter of Alpha Phi Omega (APO) hosted a fundraiser in honor of Alexander Askenazy ’20. The 19-year-old passed away in his residence hall last October from an existing medical condition.

“Skate for Alex” included skating and trivia.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy (CURE).

The Daily Gazette previewed the event.

In conjunction with the Mandeville Gallery’s new exhibition, "Probability and Uncertainty," there was a demonstration of a select few Olivier Models from the Union College Permanent Collection. Jeff Jauregui, assistant professor of mathematics, demonstrated how the models move and explained their purpose in the study of mathematics.

The Times Union stopped by to check out the event.

Union hosted the fall joint meeting of New York State Section of American Physical Society and Astronomical Society of New York.

More than 242 participants attended the meeting, 119 of those being graduate and undergraduate students.

The theme of our meeting was Gravitational Waves. Jennifer Fredricks, Dean of Academic Departments and Programs, gave opening remarks and officially opened the meeting. The event included over a dozen talks and 55 student poster presentations.

Rainer Weiss, the 2017 Nobel Prize winner in Physics and professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, delivered a keynote speech on “The Remarkable Gamble the National Science Foundation took with LIGO.”

Union College has a long-standing history in supporting ASNY and NYSSAPS. Faculty have played crucial roles in establishing or maintaining them. A. G. Davis Philip, former visiting research professor at the College, was a founder of ASNY and served as secretary and treasurer for more than 30 years. Rebecca Koopman ’89, chair of the Physics and Astronomy Department, has served as secretary for ASNY over the last 16 years. Samuel Amanuel, associate professor of physics and astronomy, has served on NYSSAPS’ executive committee since 2015.

The Department of Physics and Astronomy would like to acknowledge financial support from Dean of Academic Departments and Programs and Dean of Faculty; also, non-financial support from Society of Physics students, Chemistry, Biology, ITS, College Relations, Athletics, Facilities and Dining Services.

Mary O'Keeffe, a public policy economist who teaches the College’s service-learning class, “Income Tax Policy and Practice,” shared her expertise on the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program with U.S. News and World Report.

This tax filing season marks the 13th year O’Keeffe has overseen Union’s VITA program. In that time, the program has helped secure more than $5 million in state and federal refunds for low-income working families and senior citizens.

O’Keeffe was honored in 2014 with a Jefferson Medal, the "Nobel Prize of public service. Sponsored by the Jefferson Awards Foundation, the annual honors recognize "unsung heroes" from across the country for their community service.