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Eighty-five years ago, the Women of the University Community (WUC) was organized for faculty wives who stayed at home to get together over coffee and develop friendships.

Many things have changed, but the camaraderie and friendship remain.

“WUC evolved because as women joined the workforce there was still this need in the community, especially for someone new who just moved here, to make a connection—be it through a play group with a child, a book club or a cooking group, or if you just wanted to get more familiar with the campus and community,” says Pauline Saraceni, WUC president.

The group incorporates all current and retired staff, faculty and graduate assistants, as well as spouses and partners from SU, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry and University Hospital. Men are also welcome to join.

For those new to the community—or anyone else interested in getting to know the group, the WUC is hosting its annual fall gathering Wednesday, Oct. 10, from 5-7 p.m. at the home of Judy Cavanagh, 1350 Westmoreland Ave. Guests can mingle, enjoy some refreshments, and learn about the group’s events, interest groups and fundraising activities for three scholarships. The event is the group’s main membership drive.

“We have special events and interest groups, such as book clubs, a cooking group and neighborhood groups, among others, but the main focus of the organization is our support of three endowed scholarships,” Saraceni says.

The Mildred Eggers award is presented to students in continuing education studying part time at University College, the Ruth Tolley award is presented to outstanding juniors in the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, and the Beverly Whaley scholarship goes to a sophomore or junior at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.

The WUC scholarship committee works with University College to help select the three yearly recipients of the UC award. “The scholarship committee finds it very rewarding to hear the amazing stories of these deserving students,” says Tina Casella, WUC vice president.

As part of its efforts to continue to build the endowments, the WUC’s biggest fundraising effort is the annual holiday poinsettia plant sale.

In the spring, the WUC hosts its annual scholarship luncheon, when that year’s scholarship winners are recognized from each of the institutions. “It’s very significant that this organization has kept these scholarships going for many years, and we’re still helping students,” Saraceni says.

Saraceni enjoys meeting the new faces who have recently moved to the community and appreciates the role WUC has continued to play over the years. “It’s such a tradition, and hopefully with new members, we can infuse some new ideas and initiatives to make it into even more of what people might be looking for in this organization,” Saraceni says.

The fellowship among the many members of WUC and wide range of people to meet keeps Casella involved with the WUC. “It’s a very worthwhile organization,” Casella says. “It makes you feel good to see the scholarship winners at the spring luncheon—that motivation keeps us going.”

To R.S.V.P. or for directions to the fall gathering, contact Casella at 315-622-4138 or cscasell@syr.edu.