University
News
Hitchcock
Takes Leave of Absence On January 30, UAlbany President Karen Hitchcock
and SUNY Chancellor Robert King released a joint statement noting that, effective
immediately, Hitchcock was going on leave due to "an ongoing illness in
her immediate family." King appointed UAlbany Provost Carlos Santiago to
serve as officer in charge in Hitchcock's absence. Hitchcock had previously
announced in October that she was resigning in June 2004, at the end of the
current academic year. In a memo thanking the UAlbany faculty and staff for
their dedication and service, Hitchcock said, "While our families are always
our first consideration, my love and respect for all of you have made this a
truly wrenching decision." Details.
Campaign Passes Halfway Mark To date, the Bold.Vision. Campaign has raised a total of $277 million, more than halfway to the goal of $500 million. The University recently was informed of an anonymous bequest intention, currently valued at $1.9 million. Upon the death of the donors, the bequest will establish a trust that will fund the Grenander Scholarships, providing full tuition, room and board for four Humanities students in the College of Arts and Sciences.
UAlbany Casts its Vote for Baby Dane Mascot UAlbany’s “baby” Dane mascot finally got a name Saturday during pregame activities at the University's annual basketball bash, the Big Purple Growl. "Lil' D" now joins Damien, the Great Dane mascot, as a spirit builder for Great Dane athletic and other campus events. The University had launched a campaign in the fall to name the diminutive dane, and Lil’ D was chosen from more than 100 name suggestions.
Pep Band Debuts UAlbany has a new pep band, and its up-tempo harmonies are building spirit on campus. An all-volunteer ensemble of students and staff, the pep band made its debut at the women's and men's basketball games at the Big Purple Growl, February 7.
William J. Reid Endowment Created An endowment has been established in the name of Dr. William J. Reid, Distinguished Professor of Social Welfare, who passed away in November 2003. The endowment has been dedicated, at Dr. Reid’s request, to supporting doctoral student dissertation research at the School of Social Welfare. Donations in his memory may be made to: The University at Albany Foundation, William J. Reid Endowment, c/o the School of Social Welfare, 135 Western Ave., Albany, NY 12222.
The Legacy of Brown v. Board of Education Segregation within school districts was cut by nearly half in the wake of the landmark desegregation case, Brown vs. the Board of Education, according to a new report released by UAlbany's Lewis Mumford Center. However, disparities across districts remain the main obstacle to equal educational opportunity. Details.
Health Risks Noted in Farm Raised Salmon A study published in Science in January found significantly higher levels of cancer-causing and other health related contaminants in farm-raised salmon than in their wild counterparts. "Ultimately, the most important determinant of risk has to do with where the fish is farmed not where it is purchased," said David Carpenter, an author of the study and director of the Institute for Health and the Environment at UAlbany. Details.
Researcher Receives $1.8 Million Grant to Study Latin American Education
UAlbany Professor Gilbert Valverde has been awarded a $1.8 million grant from
the U.S Agency for International Development for a Groundbreaking study of Latin
American elementary education. Details.