A New Look

The Emeritus Center Newsletter has a new look, but you'll find all the features you are accustomed to, now delivered in a more streamlined and concise fashion. The new format

required a team effort and we hope you like it. Comments are always welcome; you can contact us at emeritus.center@albany.edu.

A Message from President Ed Fitzgerald

Ed Fitzgerald writes: “We decided in December to continue our programming via Zoom due to the highly contagious omicron COVID variant that was rampant during the winter. With the coming of spring cases have significantly declined, and most pandemic mandates have been lifted. Hopefully things will continue to improve, and we can return to in-person programming in the fall.” His full message including highlights of the Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 programs and the selection of two new Emeritus Center Fellows, can be found here.

All 2021-22 Speakers Were Recorded, Videos Now Available!

Did you miss one of our speakers this past year? The Emeritus Center now has its own You Tube channel.  All programs during the Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 semesters were presented by zoom and recorded. As a bonus, you'll find summaries written by members of the Emeritus Center Directors for those speakers who presented in the fall semester. You’ll find a listing of all speakers for each semester, the summaries of Fall semester speakers programs and the recordings of each program here:

• Fall Semester
• Spring Semester

2022 William L. Reese Fellows

Randall Craig and George Robinson were named William L. Reese Fellows for 2022 by the Emeritus Center. The fellowship, named after the Center’s founding president, honors University emeriti for sustained, consequential and exemplary post-retirement professionally related contributions in scholarship, creative productions, teaching, or service.

Bill Hedberg Retires and Reflects on His Long Career at UAlbany

Bill Hedberg, Senior Vice Provost and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, served as the University's liaison to the Emeritus Center from its beginning. When Bill retired earlier this year, we asked him to reflect on his long career.  After having delivered extensive and reflective informational and deeply held emotional remarks at both a campus retirement ceremony in the Performing Arts Center and at this year’s Alumni Association Gala (where he received this year’s Excellence Award in Education), Bill provided some additional thoughts for this issue

In Memoriam: A tribute to Raymond J. Ortal

Ray Ortali, a founding member of the Emeritus Center, passed away on March 22, 2022, at the age of 94. Sorrell Chesin, former Emeritus Center Board member, knew Professor Ortali well and wrote this tribute to his memory.

Announcing the First EC Book Club

You are invited to join us when Dr. Frankie Bailey,  professor in The University at Albany School of Criminal Justice and Author of “The Red Queen Dies” will present on Monday, September 26, 2022

This is the first book in the Hannah McCabe series. Aside from the references to Alice in Wonderland, it was inspired by real life Albany history. We urge you to read Professor Bailey’s book over the summer and join the conversation this fall.

Preview: The Schedule of Speakers for Fall 2022

The fall semester of speakers is shaping up to be an exciting one. In addition to hearing from our recently selected Fellows, Randall Craig and George Robinson, and from Professor Frankie Bailey who will lead off our first book club discussion of her book, you’ll find many other presenters you won’t want to miss. Mark your calendars for all the speakers listed here and stay tuned for additional announcements.

And there’s so much more to be found on our website including a list of Board members and updated announcements. Be sure to visit our website often for updates.