News From Fort Schuyler

February 4, 2008 - Volume 8, No. 4

GO JOE 8-0 - Tongue firmly in cheek, PROF JOE McNEILL, Class of 1949, contends that "The academic life was the perfect learning environment for retirement activities." Typical of Joe, who taught engineering for many years at Fort Schuyler, he leads a vigorous retirement at the Renaissance Community in Manchester, not far from the Atlantic Ocean, Princeton and Trenton. "We really enjoy retirement. I turn 80 in March. So much to do here in Renaissance. On the top of my list is my family (11 children married and 27 grandchildren); oil & acrylic painting, barbershop chorus; daily gym & pool; and so many other creative activities. Life is fulfilled."

HEADS UP FOR YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD HIGH SCHOOL HISTORY TEACHER - If you know of someone who teaches American History in a middle school or high school tell them about The Gilder Lehrman Institute and its special Summer Seminars for Teachers throughout the nation. Successful applicants get tuition, books, room and board, plus a $400 stipend. A course offered at Columbia University from July 6 - 12, "New York in the Gilded Age", will once again be co-taught by DR. KAREN MARKOE, who has chaired Fort Schuyler's Humanities Department since 1992. The deadline for submitting online applications for these very competitive seminar programs is February 15, 2008. Go to www.gilderlehrman.org for full information.

WISE COUNSEL - TOM MAGLIOCCA, Class of 1953, has recently been appointed to membership on the SUNY Maritime College Council by Gov. Eliot Spitzer. The College Council, in accordance with provisions of New York State Education Law, consists of ten members _ nine appointed by the governor for seven year terms and one elected by and from the student body. The duties and powers of the College Council include: recommending candidates to the SUNY trustees for appointment as president of the college; reviewing all major plans of the president and making relevant recommendations before submission to the trustees; making regulations regarding campus faculty; reviewing and recommending institutional budgets; fostering the development of citizen advisory committees; naming buildings and grounds; making regulations regarding student conduct; and exercising supervision of student housing and safety.

METROPOLITAN WATERFRONT ALLIANCE - This maritime advocacy group began as a Municipal Art Society project in 2000 and became independent in 2007. MWA's mission is "... to transform the New York and New Jersey Harbor and Waterways to make them clean and accessible, a vibrant place to play, learn and work, with great parks, great jobs and great transportation for all." (Yes, SUNY Maritime College is one of the 300 participating organizations.) For more information go to www.waterfrontalliance.org

WATERFRONT ORGANIZER VACANCY - Last week MWA announced that it is looking for an outgoing, organized, self-starter to strengthen and cultivate partnerships with community-based groups who work to improve the waterfront environment, jobs, recreation and transportation in New York and New Jersey. The waterfront organizer would also be an effective advocate to elected officials, community leaders, local press, and businesses about issues affecting the waterfront." For detailed information go the Waterfront Alliance homepage (see above) and click on "About" and then on "Jobs."

MORE THINGS NAUTICAL - There will be a free lecture "City of Water: Examining the Past and Future of New York's Waterfront" at 7 PM on Thursday, February 21 at the new quarters of the Museum of American Finance, 48 Wall Street (www.financialhistory.org). The speaker is Kent Barwick, President of the Municipal Art Society. This is part of the Downtown Alliance's 'Third Thursday' series. Required online registration begins at 12 noon on 9 February at www.downtownny.com/thirdthursdays

OLD NEWS BUT GOOD NEWS - This past summer Astronaut SCOTT J. KELLY, Class of 1987, commanded the space shuttle ENDEAVOR for a 13-day mission to the Space Station. This was Scott's third space flight. STS-118 lifted off August 8th and returned August 21ST. For a wealth of details and graphics about the mission go to NASA at www.nasa.gov

FRED HESS FONDLY REMEMBERED (PART IV) - Memories of Fred, who died December 13, 2007, continue to arrive. JOE McNEILL, Class of 1948 writes, "He was my mentor while a student, then a practicing engineer, then a parent, then an engineering professor, and then a happy, successful retired person." OTTO LIEPIN, Class of October 1946 writes that "Our Heritage Wall Committee was pleased that we were able to honor Dr. Hess at the Wall of Honorees. I can still recall seeing Dr. Hess on our Summer of 1946 Cruise to South America... I believe that Dr. Hess imparted some of his knowledge about astronomy to the 'Deckies' but 'us characters' (the engineers) were not privy to this opportunity, but I am not absolutely sure of my facts as some 62 years have helped cloud the issues." [Sounds right to the Editor although he was not quite 8 years old at the time.]

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Richard Corson - Forest Hills, NY

Latitude 40.716N Longitude 73.85W

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