2008 Woodie Awards
Concordy remembers Audrey Brennan, '02
Erika Schnitzer
Issue date: 1/24/08 Section: News
Audrey Brennan, a starter for three years on the Women's Varsity Volleyball team, "was a tremendous person with a passion for all she did," Sandra Collins, Head Volleyball Coach, recalls fondly. "She was a fierce competitor, a true teammate and friend to so many on the volleyball team, and respected by opponents for her skills on the volleyball court."
"Audrey came to Union with incredible athletic ability and a love for the game of volleyball…For me, Audrey was one of the best players I've had the pleasure of coaching at Union," Leslie Bogucki, Audrey's first volleyball coach at Union, noted.
Twenty-seven year old Audrey passed away at home on January 8 after a four-year battle with PH+ ALL Leukemia. After graduating from Union with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, Audrey decided to pursue a Master's Degree in Public Health Policy. Following her diagnosis, however, Audrey devoted her life working to find a cure for her disease.
In addition to her skills on the volleyball court, Audrey was a star both on the softball field-she was a starter for all four years on the Women's Varsity Softball team-and in the classroom. For her senior thesis, Audrey researched "the history of welfare and the impact of welfare reform on single mothers," her thesis advisor, Political Science Professor Terry Weiner, explained. "The thesis demonstrated her academic skills and her compassion for those less fortunate than her."
Audrey was one of six students chosen to study public health systems in Ireland with Anthropology Professor George Gmelch. "During the first three weeks when the whole group traveled together, Audrey was always a good sport, bringing humor, kindness and spirit to all that we did. Although she was not an Anthro major, she had a knack for doing field research, with much of her success being due to an engaging…personality," Gmelch noted.
Assistant Director of Alumni Relations A.J. Bodden, '03, one of Audrey's peers, stated that "she epitomized what a Union student is and should be: a true renaissance woman...Her personality positively impacted the lives of all whom she interacted with, regardless of whether it was in the classroom, on the field, or anywhere else on campus," Bodden remembered.
Besides her involvement in athletics, Audrey was a member of Sigma Delta Tau and the Political Science Honor Society, Pi Sigma Alpha. She also completed her work study in the Student Activities office. "In my first days at Union College, Audrey did more than any student to help me understand the Union culture from a student's perspective," Director of Student Activities Matt Milless remembers.
Above all, Audrey Brennan was truly an enthusiastic and passionate individual. Bogucki's sentiments are echoed by all those who knew Audrey: "She had a great personality and a fun-loving spirit...She will be missed by all, but never forgotten as a great player and teammate."
"Audrey came to Union with incredible athletic ability and a love for the game of volleyball…For me, Audrey was one of the best players I've had the pleasure of coaching at Union," Leslie Bogucki, Audrey's first volleyball coach at Union, noted.
Twenty-seven year old Audrey passed away at home on January 8 after a four-year battle with PH+ ALL Leukemia. After graduating from Union with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, Audrey decided to pursue a Master's Degree in Public Health Policy. Following her diagnosis, however, Audrey devoted her life working to find a cure for her disease.
In addition to her skills on the volleyball court, Audrey was a star both on the softball field-she was a starter for all four years on the Women's Varsity Softball team-and in the classroom. For her senior thesis, Audrey researched "the history of welfare and the impact of welfare reform on single mothers," her thesis advisor, Political Science Professor Terry Weiner, explained. "The thesis demonstrated her academic skills and her compassion for those less fortunate than her."
Audrey was one of six students chosen to study public health systems in Ireland with Anthropology Professor George Gmelch. "During the first three weeks when the whole group traveled together, Audrey was always a good sport, bringing humor, kindness and spirit to all that we did. Although she was not an Anthro major, she had a knack for doing field research, with much of her success being due to an engaging…personality," Gmelch noted.
Assistant Director of Alumni Relations A.J. Bodden, '03, one of Audrey's peers, stated that "she epitomized what a Union student is and should be: a true renaissance woman...Her personality positively impacted the lives of all whom she interacted with, regardless of whether it was in the classroom, on the field, or anywhere else on campus," Bodden remembered.
Besides her involvement in athletics, Audrey was a member of Sigma Delta Tau and the Political Science Honor Society, Pi Sigma Alpha. She also completed her work study in the Student Activities office. "In my first days at Union College, Audrey did more than any student to help me understand the Union culture from a student's perspective," Director of Student Activities Matt Milless remembers.
Above all, Audrey Brennan was truly an enthusiastic and passionate individual. Bogucki's sentiments are echoed by all those who knew Audrey: "She had a great personality and a fun-loving spirit...She will be missed by all, but never forgotten as a great player and teammate."
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