Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Lunch & Learn for November

 

"People of Courage, People of Hope, Seekers of Justice:  The Underground Railroad Revisited"


The Underground Railroad by Charles T. Webber (1893)

 
The voices of those involved in this historic Underground Railroad movement in our state and nation’s history relate a story not of tunnels and quilts, but a story of a civil rights movement, of African American leadership, of civil disobedience, that is relevant for us today. Revisit this significant story with researchers Paul and Mary Liz Stewart, co-founders of Underground Railroad History Project of the Capital Region, Inc. 

 
Friday, November 8, 2013 ~ 12noon to 1pm ~ Fischbach Room
Free!
Everyone is welcome!
Bring your lunch or purchase one in the Library CafĂ©. 
Dessert will be provided.
 
 
Adrienne Birchler
Coordinator
Friends of the Folsom Library


 

Monday, October 28, 2013

Rensselaer Libraries Given Most Generous Gift

George Mahe '42
(circa 1942)
The Rensselaer Libraries was recently bequeathed an astounding gift of 19.5 million dollars by alumnus George Mahe, who passed away in 2010.  Mr. Mahe received a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the Institute in 1942.  Before retiring in the mid-1970s, he was a project engineer with Sandoz Pharmaceuticals in East Hanover, NJ.

His niece, Elizabeth Wilson, and her husband, Kenneth, visited the library recently to tour it, visit the Archives, and have lunch with Rensselaer Libraries Director Bob Mayo, Vice President for Information Services and Technology and CIO (Chief Information Officer) John Kolb, and Advancement Officer Nina Moser. The Wilsons also dined with President Shirley Jackson at her home, where a plaque in Mr. Mahe’s honor was unveiled. It will eventually be placed in the Folsom Library. 
 
Presently there is a bronze plaque on the third floor of Folsom honoring Mr. Mahe's parents. It was mounted in recognition of the first monetary gift Mr. Mahe gave in their name. It is inscribed:
 
                                     TO FOSTER INQUIRY, LEARNING 
                                 AND EXCELLENCE AT RENSSELAER
 
Mr. Mahe's ultimate gift is a godsend and is making it possible for us to preserve our core collection.
 
Adrienne Birchler
Coordinator
Friends of the Folsom Library