Categories: Business, News, Schenectady County

A celebratory atmosphere floated over miSci in Schenectady Wednesday morning, as local officials and museum leaders gathered to celebrate Neil and Jane Golub.

Surrounded by a small crowd and standing in a steady drizzle, the Golubs made their way to the welcome sign at the miSci entrance that now bears their names.

“This museum would not exist if not for the Golubs,” said Sen. Hugh Farley, R-Schenectady.

The Golubs were recognized for their years of contributions to the museum. Many leaders at Wednesday’s event credited the Golubs with the museum’s resurgence in recent years and helping to turn it into a regional attraction.

The event took place amid rumors that Price Chopper, which is owned by the Golub Corp., might be sold to an Idaho-based grocery holding company, though Neil Golub downplayed reports of the deal after the ceremony.

[Report: Albertsons in talks to buy Price Chopper]

Neil and Jane Golub’s financial support helped the museum transition from the Schenectady Museum to miSci, with a focus on technology, science and innovation.

Jane has served on the miSci board for more than 14 years, including a term as co-president. She also led fundraising efforts as a member of the museum’s Gala Committee.

Neil, who is chairman of the Golub Corp., spearheaded a fundraising drive that led to the installation of miSci’s Challenger Learning Center, which opened in 2015. He also helped establish the partnership between miSci and the San Francisco Exploratorium, which brought several hands-on exhibits to Schenectady.

Wednesday’s event culminated with the unveiling of new signage at the building’s entrance. Under the miSci logo, the words “… as envisioned by Neil & Jane Golub” have been bolted to the brick facade.





“Once a teacher, always a teacher,” said Jane Golub, who added that she enjoys seeing the reaction on kids’ faces when they come into the museum and see something new. Golub taught in the Niskayuna Central School District for more than 20 years.

“What we tried to do is to bring focus and bring some attention to detail about what are the possibilities,” Neil Golub said.

Tony Farah, chairman of miSci’s board, said the increase in annual visitors over the past five years is evidence the Golubs’ investments have paid off. In 2011, 30,000 people visited the museum, Farah said. So far this year, about 100,000 have visited.

In recent years, miSci has become a destination for surrounding communities, as well, Farah said.

Neil Golub said the museum’s revitalization paralleled the resurgence of Schenectady itself.

“You look at the number of people who have come through this museum; it’s gone from a few thousand to a hundred thousand,” he said. “That says a lot about what miSci has meant to the community.”

Reach Gazette reporter Brett Samuels at 395-3113, [email protected] or @Brett_Samuels27 on Twitter.