Memorial for President Kermit Hall
Monday Aug 14 2006 @ Small Fountain
see also Shabbos House Remembers President Kermit Hall
 

Being that many students were unable to attend the August 14th memorial for the untimely passing of the beloved 17th President of UAlbany, Dr. Kermit Hall, here are a few pictures and some description of what took place and a few notes on what the speakers said in their tribute to this great and unpretentious leader of our university community.

Behind Nick (from right) is NYS Assemblyman Paul Tonko (who knew President Hall from his position as Chair of the Energy Committee of the Legislature), US Congressman John Sweeney (who says Hall was not bashful to meet with him even though UAlbany is not directly in his physical district. Chancellor Ryan mentioned that Mr. Sweeney was instrumental in getting millions in federal funds for UAlbany and regional initiatives, such as Nanotech), Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings (who recalled his neighborhood walk with President Hall of UAlbany, and Mark Sullivan of St Rose through the Pine Hills neighborhood. He got a chuckle out of the crowd when he told the story of them meeting 3 freshmen on the corner of Western and Lake at 9pm, and the Hall recognized them in a bar at 11pm, and reminded them that they said they were freshmen!), US Senator Hillary Clinton (she spoke passionately about Hall's vision for the University, the SUNY system and the State, in particularly his latest project of collaboration with Chinese universities), SUNY Chancellor John Ryan (who served as interim President at UAlbany before Hall's appointment), UAlbany Provost Susan Herbst (who spoke about her many hours with Hall on business, and what he was really like as a person. She says it was often hard to get places on time because President Hall would stop to speak with everyone from faculty and University officials to janitors and bus-drivers).