Association Honors Those Who Have Honored Albany
Notable alumni and friends of the University were feted in June at the Alumni Association Awards Ceremony in the Campus Center Ballroom.
Given the Alumni Lifetime Achievement award was Paul Bulger �36, whose commitment and service to the University and the national and international educational communities has spanned over 60 years. A former president of the Alumni Association, he was its first-ever Annual Fund chairman � a term marked by the building of the Alumni House. He was provost and professor of education at Columbia University Teachers College, president of the State University College at Buffalo, and principal of Harlaxton College of the University of Evansville in England, has served as a consultant to foreign governments and universities, and was New York�s associate commissioner for higher and professional education.
Receiving Distinguished Alumni awards were Barbara Jean Schoonmaker Chase �48, Marijo Dougherty �76, Dr. Douglas J. Kilgus �73, and Haskell Rosenberg �40.
Schoonmaker Chase has focused on cultivating the full potential of youth, performing professional and volunteer assignments in United Way, Rotary International and scouting programs for both boys and girls for the past 40 years.
Dougherty has given back to her alma mater in a big way as associate director and now director of the University Art Museum. In her roles as artist, administrator, and volunteer, she has helped bring the University and the Capital District community closer together.
Dr. Kilgus, associate professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, has distinguished himself as a superb orthopedic surgeon and is a co-designer of one of the most popular total hip-replacement implants in the world today.
Rosenberg is a successful businessman who has been an ardent supporter of the arts and a person committed to his Jewish heritage. His leadership and generosity have brought significant resources to such instituions as the University Art Museum, the Opera Theatre of Rochester and the Rochester Jewish Community Center.
Excellence in Teaching awards were presented to Rebecca Slack Donaghy �83, Rev. Anthony Maione �79, and Kiisa Nishikawa �80.
Donaghy received an M.A. in criminal justice at Albany and is now an associate professor in human services at Jefferson Community College, where she founded the college�s Human Services A.S. and Early Childhood A.A.S. degree programs.
Since 1989, Rev. Anthony has been director of campus ministry, head of the theology department and teacher of theology at Saratoga Catholic Central High School. He has revamped the department to create an innovative, holistic approach to faith-formation.
Nishikawa is an advanced associate professor in functional morphology and behavioral neurobiology in the biological sciences department at Northern Arizona University-Flagstaff and on her way to becoming an internationally recognized researcher in her field.
The University Award, given to a non-alumni for exceptional leadership or service to the University community, went to Helen Desfosses of the Department of Public Administration and Policy. As a public educator, community leader and dedicated member of many key University committees, Desfosses has built on her University research and teaching and Africana studies to serve as a frequent policy analyst for local television and public radio. In 1997 she won her race to become Albany�s Common Council president.
The Excellence in Alumni Service award went to Vivian Hillier Thorne �48. Thorne began her service to the University immediately upon graduation as the first councilor of the Class of �48. Since then she has been and continues to be a member of the Alumni Association board of directors, and also serves on the University Council. She has been a board member of the University at Albany Foundation and active in several ad hoc project assignments. During the 1980s, she served as national chair of the University�s Annual Fund campaign.
The Alumni Association, in partnership with the Institute of Legal Studies at Albany Law School, will hold "Conference on the Law: Truth and the Law," in conjuction with Homecoming on Friday, Oct. 23, in the Campus Center.
Prominent alumni Jeffrey Michkin �69, executive vice president and chief legal counsel of the National Basketball Association; Richard C. Wesley �70, associate judge of the State Court of Appeal; Cathi Hesion �74, partner in Flemming Zulack & Williamson of New York City; Ted Anderson �82, partner in Kilgore & Kilgore of Dallas, Texas; David Silk �85, partner in Wachtell Lipton Rose & Katz of New York City; and Harold Hanson �63, partner in Hinman Straub Pigor & Manning of Albany, will join with keynote speaker Judith S. Kaye, Chief Judge NYS Court of Appeals in the event.
For more information on the all-day conference, call Christine Sarratori at 442-3080.