University Fetes Alumnus’ Book-Into-Movie

The University will present a weekend of events celebrating the success of Andrew Neiderman ’62, whose fiction novel, The Devil’s Advocate, has been made into a major motion picture by Warner Bros. The highlight of the weekend will be a screening of the movie and a reception on Saturday, Oct. 25, at 6 p.m. at Crossgates Mall. Tickets for the event are $50 and $75.

The film, starring Keanu Reeves and Academy Award winner Al Pacino, will be released nationally on Oct. 17.

Neiderman is the author of 27 published novels, including Playmates, which was made into a movie titled The Maddening, starring Burt Reynolds. His works have been adapted for both the small and large screens.

He is also well known as the author who completed the works of the late author V.C. Andrews, each one reaching either number one or number two on the New York Times best-seller list. Neiderman, along with Jaffe-Braunstein Productions, is also producing a CBS miniseries based on the V.C. Andrews “Ruby” series of books. Neiderman’s latest novel, The Dark, will be published in December.

In addition to the screening, Neiderman will be speaking to classes at the University on Friday, Oct. 24, and signing copies of his book on Saturday, Oct. 25, at Barnes & Noble Bookstore on Wolf Road from 1 to 3 p.m. and at Lauriat bookstore in Crossgates Mall from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

The events are co-sponsored by the University at Albany Foundation and by the Alumni Association. Proceeds from the screening and reception will benefit Alumni Association student scholarships.

Lisa James

An Alum's Gift to Bring Educators Up-to-Date

Malcolm E. Blum ’54, shown here with President Hitchcock, did more than return to the University on Alumni Weekend, after almost 30 years, in order to attend the dedication of the Potter Club Room in the Alumni House. Now retired from a long and successful career as a teacher and administrator in California, he contributed $100,000 to establish an endowment to provide scholarships to students preparing for careers in education.

Blum told of his concerns about the course of American public education and the need to focus the training of educators — teachers, counselors, and administrators — on the changing needs of children. Blum was instrumental in planning and organizing a computer laboratory and related technology in the school district where he taught.

“His gift will allow our School of Education to attract outstanding students to careers in education, students prepared to meet a changing educational environment,” said President Hitchcock. “We are grateful for Mr. Blum’s generosity and welcome the challenges it presents to us.”