Union in the Media

By: Maura Driscoll '15

The Kenney Community Center’s Volunteer of the Week is Professor Mary O’Keeffe.

A public policy economist who teaches the College’s service-learning class, Eco 391: Income Tax Policy and Practice, as well as supervises the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, O’Keeffe has overseen IRS-certified student volunteers in preparing and filing free tax returns for low-income working families, senior citizens and disabled individuals in Schenectady.

O’Keeffe also contributes to the Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) on campus and is the founding director of the Albany Area Math Circle, an effort that grew from her volunteer work in local public schools. She is co-organizer of the Math Prize for Girls at MIT, where she works with hundreds of enthusiastic young women in mathematics.

In May, O’Keeffe received the Kenney Center’s award for Outstanding Volunteer Service to Union College and the Schenectady Community. “We admire Mary O’Keeffe so much for the incredible dedication and desire to help the community in so many ways,” said Janet Sweeney, Kenney Center assistant director.

On Feb. 6, O'Keeffe will be hosting a luncheon talk at Messa House about her community math outreach work, focusing on the mathematical leadership and community collaborative opportunities that her math circle initiatives provide to young women. It is also the keynote talk for President Ainlay's annual Commission on the Status of Women meeting. For those interested, RSVPs can be sent to Professor Sheri Lullo at lullos@union.edu.

Scott Waldman - Times Union

Christopher Chabris, associate professor of psychology, got to spin his science recently on the stage of “Ingenious Nature,” a theatrical mixtape that recently completed its run at the SoHo Playhouse.

To read more in the Times Union, click here.

Chad Orzel, associate professor and chair of the Physics and Astronomy Department, published an invited review article in the Comments on Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics series in the journal Physica Scripta. "Searching for New Physics Through Atomic, Molecular and Optical Precision Measurements," describes a number of experiments that are searching for physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics.

Richard Wilk, professor of mechanical engineering, has been appointed chair of the Schenectady County Environmental Advisory Council. SCEAC advises the county legislature and provides a liaison between the community and county government on issues related to environmental quality and natural resources.

Jordan Hastings ’13 participated in a post-graduation alumni panel at his alma mater, Cambridge Central School in Cambridge, N.Y. Hastings spoke about the freedom of college and how students should create a working structure for staying organized to be successful after high school.

Chief Information Officer Ellen Borkowski has been appointed chair of the 2013 EDUCAUSE Professional Development Committee. EDUCAUSE is a nonprofit that works to advance higher education through information technology.

The Artists in Music Awards have nominated Jermaine Wells’s band, Ill Funk Ensemble, for Best R&B/Soul Artist. AIM’s mission is to entertain, recognize and represent some of the finest emerging music artists from around the world. The award ceremony will take place on Feb. 7 in Hollywood, and people can vote for the group by clicking here. Wells is the media coordinator for academic and special events.

Carin Perilloux, visiting assistant professor of psychology, led a discussion on “Sexual Misperception: She’s Just Not That Into You,” at Binghamton University. The talk focused on her research on the conflict of the sexes and physical attractiveness.

Christopher Chabris, associate professor of psychology, co-authored an article in the Wall Street Journal. Chabris, along with his research partner Daniel Simons of the University of Illinois, discussed popular neuromyths, including how humans use only 10 percent of their brains. Click here to see an additional story about Chabris on stage with rapper and playwright Baba Brinkman in New York City's SoHo Playhouse.

John Garver, professor of geology, was awarded a $26,666 grant from the Keck Geology Consortium to support his research project with a colleague from Carleton College. The grant continues to fund a multi-year project focused on understanding the tectonic evolution of the Chugach-Prince William terrane in south central Alaska. Also, Garver was recently featured in a Times Union story regarding Mohawk River flooding. As part of the state’s Mohawk River committee, he reviewed the federal government’s plan to mitigate flooding along eight river dams along a 40-mile stretch of the Erie Canal.

Research by Cay Anderson-Hanley, associate professor of psychology, was featured in The Scientist magazine. In pilot studies, she found that patients with autism spectrum disorders performed better on cognitive tests and showed less disruptive behavior after playing exercise games like "Dance, Dance Revolution."

By: Maura Driscoll '15

Aude Bechu ’16 is the Kenney Community Center’s Volunteer of the Week.

Bechu participated in the community service pre-orientation program, where she volunteered locally. She also volunteered at John Calvin Toll Day of Service, and is a member of the Environmental Club, Equestrian Club and the Multifaith Forum.

During winter break, Bechu worked at Pegasus, a therapeutic horseback riding center in her town. “The little things, like talking to a child on the horse and helping them steer, helped a kid achieve more independence and confidence,” she said.

Bechu is also the Kenney Center’s most dedicated member of the Homework Help after school program, where she assists local children with their work and plays games with them.

“We really appreciate Aude’s dedication to the program and that she came every week,” said Janet Sweeney, program director.

Originally from North Salem, N.Y., Bechu is a chemistry major.

Kelly de la Rocha - Daily Gazette

In 2010, Union installed three 1.2 kilowatt wind turbines near the soccer fields adjacent to College Park Hall. In addition to providing energy savings, the turbines are also used as a teaching tool.

To read how in a recent story in the Daily Gazette, click here.

To read a release on when the turbines were installed, click here.

The Scientist

Cay Anderson-Hanley, assistant professor of psychology, was recently featured in The Scientist for her research on the benefits of physical-activity video games for children with autism spectrum disorders.

To read the article, click here.

How does a writer choose words for a poem? How does a painter select color and form? What, in effect, informs a work of art?

These are among the questions raised in the new Mandeville Gallery exhibit, “Connections: Exploring the Ties Between Poet Jim McCord and Painter Bruce McColl,” which runs through Oct. 28.

The two men – McCord is professor emeritus of English, and McColl, director of the Currier Museum Art Center in Manchester, N.H. – met more than a decade ago at the Vermont Studio Center. They spent hours discussing each other’s work, sparking a friendship that would influence both the form and content of their respective artistic endeavors.

To read more about the exhibit in the Times Union, click here.

A reappointment review committee has been formed to evaluate the performance of Raik Zaghloul, Head of Collection Development, for promotion to assistant librarian.

Members of the review committee are Gail Golderman (Schaffer Library, Chair), Donna Burton and David Fuller. Members of the campus community are invited to offer written and oral testimony to committee members no later than May 1. If so desired, interviews may be arranged by contacting Gail Golderman at (518) 388-6624.

Andrea Foroughi, professor of history and director of the Women’s and Gender Studies Program, was recently featured on Civil War Talk Radio, a program on World Talk Radio.

A new study led by Assistant Professor of Psychology Cay Anderson-Hanley shows that older individuals who exercise using the features of interactive video games experience greater cognitive health benefits than those who rely on traditional exercise alone. The study appears in the February issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Hanley’s team of researchers, which included Union students, monitored the physiological, neuropsychological

and behavioral impact “cybercycling” had on seniors recruited from eight independent living centers in the Capital Region.

To date, dozens of news outlets from around the world, including CNN, Time and the Telegraph of London have reported on Anderson-Hanley’s findings.

For Time...

For the Times Union...