Union College: A Historical and Contemporary Overview

Union College, a private liberal arts college located in Schenectady, New York, boasts a rich history and a commitment to academic excellence. Founded in 1795, it holds the distinction of being the first institution of higher learning chartered by the New York State Board of Regents, marking it as the second college established in the state, following Columbia College.

A Legacy of Firsts and Innovation

Union College's early history is intertwined with the development of higher education in New York State. Schenectady, the city where Union was founded, had been established and populated by people originating from the Netherlands. The local Dutch Reformed Church played a significant role in advocating for the establishment of an academy or college in the area. The Schenectady Academy, established in 1785, served as the city's first organized school and quickly flourished, attracting approximately 100 students within its first year.

In its early years, Union College conducted classes on the upper floor of a building, while a grammar school operated on the lower floor. However, it soon became evident that this space was insufficient for the growing college. Construction began on a three-story building, possibly influenced by Princeton's Nassau Hall, and it was occupied in 1804. That same year, Eliphalet Nott assumed the presidency of the college and envisioned an expanding campus to accommodate the growing student body. In 1806, a large tract of land was acquired to the east of Downtown Schenectady, on a slope leading up from the Mohawk River and facing westward.

The college chose French, "rather than Latin for its motto. The head of the Roman goddess Minerva (Greek goddess Athena) appeared in the center of an oval. Minerva was originally patroness of the arts and crafts but had over time evolved to become an icon of the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment."

The "Mother of Fraternities"

In the 19th century, Union College earned the moniker "Mother of Fraternities" due to the establishment of three of the earliest Greek-letter fraternities on its campus. This legacy reflects the college's role in shaping the landscape of Greek life in American higher education.

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A Commitment to Inclusivity

After 175 years as an all-male institution, Union College began enrolling women in 1970, marking a significant step towards inclusivity and gender equality. This decision broadened the college's reach and fostered a more diverse and representative student body. In another step toward inclusivity, in 2023, the college changed the school's nickname from "Dutchmen" and "Dutchwomen" to "Garnet Chargers" as part of a branding update. On February 25, 2025, Union hired former Rhodes CEO Trust Elizabeth Kiss as its first woman president in its 230-year history.

A Campus of Architectural and Natural Beauty

Union College's campus is home to several notable buildings and spaces, each contributing to the college's unique character and atmosphere:

Nott Memorial: Designed by Edward Tuckerman Potter, this iconic building derives from the central rotunda in the original Ramée Plan. Initially intended as a chapel, the Nott Memorial primarily served an aesthetic purpose when it was built. It housed the library until 1961, when Schaffer Library was constructed. Its design shares similarities with the Radcliffe Camera at Oxford University.
North and South College: These buildings were the first to be constructed according to Ramée's plans. Construction began in 1812, and they were occupied in 1814.
Memorial Chapel: Constructed between 1924 and 1925, Memorial Chapel serves as the central college chapel and honors Union graduates who lost their lives during wartime.

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Schaffer Library: Erected in 1961, Schaffer Library was the first building specifically designed to house the college library. Trustee Henry Schaffer provided the majority of the funds for its construction and a later expansion. The original building was designed by Walker O. Cain of McKim, Mead and White and built by the Hamilton Construction Company. A major renovation and expansion project was undertaken in the late 1990s to address structural issues with the 1973-1974 addition.
Jackson's Garden: Established in the 1830s by Professor Isaac Jackson, Jackson's Garden encompasses 8 acres of formal gardens and woodlands. Situated where Ramee's original plans envisioned a garden, it initially featured a variety of vegetables, shrubs, and flowers grown from seeds sent by botanists and enthusiasts worldwide.

Governance and Student Life

"The Trustees of Union College", a corporate body, has owned the college and been the college's designated legal representative throughout its history. The Board consists of alumni, faculty, students, the president of the college, and others. The governor of the state of New York is also an ex officio member.

The Student Forum represents the principal form of student government at Union College. "The purpose of the Student Forum is to formulate policies in areas involving the student body." "The student body is represented by a president, vice-president of administration, vice-president of finance, vice-president of academics, vice-president of campus life, and vice-president for multicultural affairs."

Academic Excellence and Research Opportunities

Union College is committed to providing a rigorous and well-rounded academic experience for its students. Although Latin and Greek remained a part of the curriculum, new subjects were adopted that offered a more readily apparent application to the busy commercial life of the new nation. Union College commenced a parallel scientific curriculum in 1828. Undergraduate research at Union College had its origin in the first third of the 20th century when chemistry professor Charles Hurd began involving students in his colloid chemistry investigations. Since then, undergraduate research has taken hold in all disciplines at the college, making this endeavor what has been termed "the linchpin" of the Union education. By the mid-1960s several disciplines at Union had established a senior research thesis requirement, and in 1978 the college began funding faculty-mentored student research in all disciplines.

Union College makes available a variety of opportunities for formal study outside the United States, the most popular of which are the Terms Abroad Programs. Currently, Terms Abroad are offered for residence and study on nearly every continent, some in cooperation with Hobart and William Smith Colleges.Opened in 1961, Schaffer Library currently makes available onsite about 750,000 books in print as well as electronic formats. The two largest historical, electronic collections are Early English Books Online (EEBO) and Eighteenth Century Collections Online (ECCO). The library's print and rare book collections are especially strong in 18th and 19th-century literature, the Scientific Revolution, and the Enlightenment.

Social Life and Traditions

Union College offers a vibrant social environment with a variety of activities and organizations for students to participate in.

After issues with binge-drinking, and excessive vandalism, Union College's board suspended greek life in 2004. This ban removed exclusive rights from sororities and fraternities to any residence on campus, allowing Union College to regain partial ownership of the houses. While not affecting the majority of Greek students, who already shared housing with other students, it displaced the members of five of the most visible fraternities, who enjoyed what the college considered prime real estate in mansions at the heart of the campus. The move was cast as a means of enhancing Union’s social and cultural life, which college officials reported to be overwhelmingly Greek. This initiative was, and remains, a controversial step by the college. A non-residential "house system" was created and funded, establishing buildings to serve as intellectual, social, and cultural centers for resident and non-resident members. All incoming students are randomly assigned to one of the seven Minerva Houses.

The Department of Music sponsors lectures, performances, recitals, and workshops by visiting artists at numerous campus venues, including the Taylor Music Center and Memorial Chapel. Union College jazz, choral and orchestral groups, a taiko ensemble, and three student a cappella groups perform regularly.

Athletics

Intercollegiate competition is offered in 26 sports; for men, in baseball, basketball, crew, cross-country, football, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, tennis, and indoor and outdoor track; and for women, in basketball, crew, cross-country, field hockey, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, indoor and outdoor track, and volleyball. Union today participates in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the Liberty League, ECAC Hockey and the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC). All club sports are administered through the student activities office. The most active and popular clubs are baseball, bowling, fencing, golf, ice hockey, karate, rugby, skiing, volleyball, and ultimate frisbee. Facilities include the Frank L. Messa Rink at the Achilles Center, the David Breazzano Fitness Center, the Travis J. Clark Strength Training Facility, the David A.

Union has hosted the two longest games in NCAA Men's Hockey History, losing both by identical 3-2 scores: The longest game in NCAA hockey history was played on March 12, 2010. Quinnipiac University defeated Union College, 3-2, in the ECAC Hockey League Quarter-Finals after 90:22 of overtime. Greg Holt scored the winning goal just after 1:00 am local time. The second-longest game in NCAA hockey history was played on March 5, 2006. Yale University defeated Union College, 3-2, in the ECAC Hockey League first-round playoff game after 81:35 of overtime. The Union football team went undefeated during the 1989 regular season, going 10-0.

Admissions

For the Class of 2029, Union College received 9,243 applications and accepted 3529 (38.2%).

Location and Accessibility

Union College is located at 807 Union Street, Schenectady, NY 12308. The campus is easily accessible by air, train, and bus. The college is approximately 15 minutes from Albany International Airport. It is also accessible by Amtrak and Megabus.

From New York State Thruway Exit 24, take the Northway (I-87) north to Exit 6 (marked 'Route 7 west'). Follow Route 7 west for 6.5 miles and bear right onto Union Street. Continue on Union Street for 2.7 miles and enter the campus through Payne Gate on the right. From I-90 West, take the New York State Thruway Exit B1. Continue on I-90 West to Exit 1.Take I-87 North (the Adirondack Northway). From Thruway Exit 26, take I-890 east to Exit 4 (Erie Boulevard). Follow Erie Boulevard north to Union Street (second light after the Amtrak station), turn right onto Union Street, and follow for one mile. Enter the campus through Payne Gate on the left.

Union Commonwealth University

Union Commonwealth University is strengthening its commitment to both students and the region by welcoming several new employees who are alumni or have strong local ties. Union Inaugurates Dr. Union Commonwealth University formally inaugurated Dr. D.J. Washington as its 20th president on Friday, September 19, in a ceremony that honored the institution’s history while celebrating a bold vision for its future.

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