On June 12, 2010, Union Graduate College awarded 182 Master’s Degrees and certificates in Education, Bioethics, Engineering and Management. Despite the rain outside, Memorial Chapel was brightly lit with the smiling faces of graduates, families, friends, and Union Graduate College faculty and staff members.
Keynote speaker David Shippee MBAH ‘85, CEO of Chase Brexton Health Services in Baltimore Maryland talked about the importance of having a great mentor early in his career. Shippee intended to study physical therapy, but changed his mind when an advisor told him to have the greatest impact on healthcare, he should become an administrator. The rest is history. Shippee now leads the 3rd largest HIV treatment center in the nation, and serves as a consultant to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Student speaker Justin Schmiedel MBAH ’10 echoed Shippee’s words by acknowledging his own mentor, his uncle Joseph Stern MBAH ’90. Schmiedel encouraged all graduating students to thank the support system that helped each of them reach graduation day. During his time at Union Graduate College Schmiedel served as President of the Graduate Student Assembly. He now heads to Cleveland for a fellowship at the prestigious Cleveland Clinic, beating out 200 hopefuls across the nation for this coveted position.
Also honored was Rick Reynolds, Social Studies teacher at Burnt Hills – Ballston Lake High School and adjunct professor at Union Graduate College. Reynolds, who received the Crystal Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching, is known for making history come alive for his students, whether in the classroom or when he dresses up as his cousin, former Treasurer of the United States Samuel Meredith.
Retired School of Management Professor Josef Schmee was recognized by President Schweitzer with the Faculty Leadership Award for 2010. The Austrian statistics professor’s unconventional approach to teaching, coupled with a personal mission to ensure students appreciated the arts and culture have left a powerful mark at Union Graduate College. Dr. Schmee is truly unforgettable to both faculty members and former students alike.
This year’s graduating class made history as the first to study at Union Graduate College’s brand-new campus in downtown Schenectady.
Union Graduate College
80 Nott Terrace, Schenectady, NY 12308 US
Phone: (518) 631-9900 Fax: (518) 631-9901
Educating Graduate students from Albany, Schenectady,
Upstate New York’s Capital Region, United States, and around the World.
