-Wright and Talha Janjua

At of the end of this term, President Ainlay will be departing from Union and welcoming the 19th president of the College, President-Elect David R. Harris. President Ainlay has served as Union’s president for the past 12 years and has overseen numerous significant changes on the campus, including the recent launching of a $100 million project for the new Science and Engineering Building, which will be named in honor of President Ainlay and his wife, Judith Ainlay.

President Ainlay agreed to answer a few final questions before the end of his term, including his thoughts on the past, present and future state of the College and the community. The following are his responses.

Q: How have you seen Union change in the past decade and where do you see Union going a decade from now?

A: It’s changed in many ways and yet something about it remains the same. As far as change goes, we’ve seen a remarkable improvement in the facilities and instrumentation that supports the educational process. We’ve also strengthened wellness and safety. The student body is far more diverse measured by any standard. The internationalization of the student body has also made us more global in our reach and orientation. We are on firmer financial ground and the support of our alumni has never been better. We have a  much greater appreciation of our history and role in higher education now. And, I think we’ve developed a stronger sense of community.

At the same time, some things that have been part of Union for a long time remain: a spirit of innovation, the closeness of relationships between students and faculty, staff and administrators. These have been and remain hallmarks of the Union experience.

We will undoubtedly continue to see improvement to facilities, especially in the area of student life, in the years ahead. We have a great deal of institutional momentum and this should continue to attract the best and the brightest to the College. I have a sense that there is growing awareness of Union, what it has been and what it’s doing now.

This should continue to increase our reputation and our relevance to higher education in general.

Q: In your own view, what makes Union distinct

A:In part, it’s the combination of arts, humanities, social sciences, sciences and engineering. To an even larger extent, it’s the quality of the educational experience and the focus on both disciplinary depth and breadth. Faculty and students at Union often focus on the intersection of fields in ways that make what we do quite rare.

Our location is another aspect of what makes us distinctive. Few schools combine a small city experience with close proximity to a state capital and impressive natural surroundings.

To be located where we are, in Schenectady, near Albany, on the banks of the Mohawk River and within a short driving distance of the Adirondacks, Berkshires and Catskills is nothing short of amazing.

There are other things that combine with these aspects of Union that help make us distinctive: for example, DIII and DI sports, a wide range of living options for our students, mini-terms and large-scale participation in study abroad opportunities.

Q: Do you have any advice for President David R. Harris?

A: Enjoy all that is so special about Union. I know I speak for Mrs. Ainlay as well in saying that we have both found engagement with the day-to-day life of the College to be helpful in so many ways. We find that attending lectures, plays, performances, games, poster sessions and other events give us energy. We always come away inspired. This engagement also allows me to tell the Union story more effectively.

Q: What is your impression of the new S&E building being named after the Ainlays?

A: I’ve been involved in the design of this building and the larger complex since day one. The Wold Center, which was really phase one, added so much to our campus and intellectual life. I know that “Ainlay Hall” will as well. Walking through the light well and into some of the other spaces last weekend left me in awe of the new opportunities this space will provide for students and faculty.

And, amazingly, this will all be a reality by the coming fall. It will greatly enhance the student experience and it will also attract the interest of other schools and prospective students. It is, in a word, a transformative project. We are humbled that the Trustees would name it in our honor.

Q: As this year’s graduation commencement speaker, what message would you like to leave the graduating seniors?

A: I won’t go into too much detail but I want the Class of 2018 to think about the ways in which Union has shaped them and prepared them for the opportunities and challenges that are ahead of them — this will be the central theme of my talk.

Q: What are you going to miss most about the campus?

A: There are so many things that I will miss about the campus. First and foremost, I’ll miss interacting with students. I went into higher education to be an educator and work with students and that still remains very important to me. And Union students, given their wide-ranging interests and ways in which they combine disciplines are particularly compelling. I never cease to be amazed by the work that they do.

I will also miss working with faculty, administrators, staff and alumni—the sense of working together to move this historic school forward is something I treasure. I’ll miss that to be sure. Yet, I hope there will be ways for me to continue to advance Union in the future. And I’ll miss the campus itself. I love walking the campus at all times of the day. There is a remarkable genius to its design that makes it so special today. When the chimes played during the common hour yesterday, in fact, I realized just how much I’ll miss hearing them played as I gaze across the historic central quad.

Q: What’s next after Union for you and will you return for annual events?

A: I’m not sure what is next beyond spending more time with my family. I’ve replied to inquiries that I still have work to do here. I know us well enough to know that we’ll do something that we find meaningful and allows us to make a difference. I know that I’ll take more and longer motorcycle rides. Beyond that, we’ll just have to see.

The women’s hockey team will dedicate its December 1 game against Harvard (in Boston) in our honor. They will wear the number 18 on their helmets in honor of my being the 18th President and recognizing that 2018 is Mrs. Ainlay and my “graduating” year. I

know we’ll be there to cheer them on. We expect to be back for the dedication of Ainlay Hall. I’m sure that there will be other events that keep us connected to Union. It is, after all, a very important part of our identity and informs how we see ourselves and the world.

Q: Is there a chance that you might be involved in an administrative role at a different college or university in the future?

A: There was a rumor going around that we were taking a presidency at some “great unnamed college or university.” There is no truth to this at all. It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve Union College and its mission and educational niche fit us well. I suspect that it would be very hard to serve as President at another institution after Union. Having said that, I’ll be open to other ways of making a difference. That remains important to me.

Q: Is there something you would like the Union community to know that you’ve learned over the years

A: Union has affirmed for me the value of being part of a diverse and inclusive community. I’ve learned much about the value of caring for and about others. I’ve learned how important it is to be thoughtful. I’ve learned much about the importance of mutual understanding and respect as foundational to genuine discourse.

I’ve learned much about the obligation one has to make a difference when one has been given opportunities. And, I’ve learned much about the power and satisfaction of partnering with others to advance an idea and even an institution.