RCNJ

The Albany Times Union reports that Rensselaer held its honors convocation on Sunday at the Alumni Sports and Recreation Center in Troy. At this event, over 300 students were awarded the Rensselaer Medal, a recognition of excellence in science and mathematics during their junior years in high school. According to the article:

For more than 85 years, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, in conjunction with high schools around the world, has awarded the Rensselaer Medal to high school juniors who have distinguished themselves in math and science.

The Rensselaer Medal carries with it a $15,000 annual scholarship. The scholarship is guaranteed for a maximum of four years to each medalist who is accepted by and enrolls at RPI.

RPI President Shirley Ann Jackson, who was a Rensselaer Medal winner herself, said the program is a wonderful way for RPI to "identify talented students who excel in science and math." Conversely, for students and their parents, the scholarship that accompanies the medal "enables young persons to avail themselves" of the educational opportunities offered at RPI. The yearly scholarship was increased from $10,000 to $15,000 in 2002.

A number of other awards and recognitions took place at the convocation, including the Founders Award, to 68 students for "creativity, leadership, discovery, and the values of pride and responsibility", and an honorary doctorate to New York State Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno.

Faculty recognitions included:

• Dr. Georges Belfort for his induction to the National Academy of Engineering,
  
• Dr. Igor Vamos for winning a Guggenheim Fellowship,
  
• Dr. Robert Linhardt for assuming the Ann and John H. Broadbent Jr. ’59 Senior Constellation Chair in Biocatalysis and Metabolic Engineering, and
  
• Jong-Shi Pang for assuming the Margaret A. Darrin Distinguished Professor in Applied Mathematics.
  

Posted by Dave Aiello at 5:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

D3Football.com reports that Joe King got his 100th victory as RPI's head football coach as Rensselaer trounced Hartwick 52-7 in Oneonta. According to the article:

The Engineers (6-0, 2-0 UCAA) gave 15th-year head coach Joe King the 100th victory of his career at RPI. King, who has a 100-36-2 record, has led the Engineers to two NCAA Playoff appearances (1999, 2001), five victories in Eastern College Athletic Conference Bowl Games (1992, 1993, 1995, 1997, 2002) and four UCAA Championships (1997, 1998, 1999, 2001) during his tenure. In addition, he guided RPI to undefeated regular seasons (9-0) in 1999 and 2001.

RPI was winning 42-0 at halftime. Hartwick committed 11 turnovers. Most of the Rensselaer starters were watching from the sidelines in the second half.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 11:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Albany Times Union reports that Freshman Julie Aho scored a goal with 1:04 left in regulation time to give Rensselaer a 4-4 overtime tie with Union College in the opening game of the season for both schools.

This is the first game RPI has played since women's head coach Bill Cahill passed away. As such, it was John Burke's first game as acting head coach.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 11:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

USCHO.com reports that the RPI Men's Hockey Team rolled over Army 6-0 to win their first game of the season. Freshman Tommy Green scored two goals and junion Cody Wojdyla had a goal and an assist to lead the Engineers. Nathan Marsters was perfect in goal, making 12 saves for the win.

It's hard to believe that 12 shots on goal is not an all-time low number of opponent shots against Rensselaer in a single game. But with a 100 year history of ice hockey, it would take some research to confirm.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 10:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

At the alumni reception that took place on October 21 in Morristown, members of the Rensselaer Club of New Jersey presented two signed hockey sticks to President Shirley Ann Jackson to demonstrate support for Division I ice hockey at Rensselaer.

The NCAA Division III Presidents' Council proposed the elimination of scholarship awards at Division III schools that "play up" to Division I in one sport. If this proposal is approved by a vote of Division III athletic directors at a meeting in January, the Rensselaer's men's ice hockey program would lose the ability to grant scholarships.

This proposal has provoked a loud response from the eight schools that would be affected. Dr. Jackson issued a statement opposing the proposal back in August, and the Rensselaer Alumni Association has urged alumni to express their opposition to the proposal.

This stick signing was an attempt to demonstrate this opposition in a unique way. Over 100 alumni attended the reception and participated in the stick signing.

Pictured here, left to right, are RCNJ Past President Dave Aiello '89, Rensselaer President Shirley Ann Jackson, and RCNJ Vice President Sandeep Nandy '94. This photograph was taken by John Cloninger '96.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 6:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

On Tuesday, the Rensselaer Office of Alumni Relations and the RCNJ held an Alumni Reception keynoted by Rensselaer President Shirley Ann Jackson. Dr. Jackson gave an entertaining presentation entitled Renaissance at Rensselaer.

President Jackson's talk focused on the new campus facilities that are now under construction on the Troy campus, including the Biotechnology & Interdisciplinary Research Center and a 500 car parking garage on College Avenue. She also showed a number of photos of the construction in progress, making the progress more real for alumni who had not yet seen it.

Dr. Jackson also pointed out that the first year class, the Class of 2007 is a record breaking class in a number of important ways:

• 1,356 students
• 325 women
• 315 Rensselaer Medalists
• 88 legacies

Dr. Jackson rightly pointed out that "the Class of 2007 is an affirmation of the renaissance taking place at Rensselaer."

Later in the program, RCNJ Vice President Sandeep Nandy '94 discussed recent achievements of the chapter, upcoming alumni events, and urged alumni who have not taken part in our events in the past to join us. Nandy then presented
Dr. Jackson with two hockey sticks signed by over 100 alumni to demonstrate New Jersey alumni support for Rensselaer's men's Division I ice hockey program.

The alumni reception was held at the Westin Morristown. This photograph of Dr. Jackson was taken by John Cloninger '96.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 5:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SKNandy writes, "John Burke has been named acting head coach for the Rensselaer women's ice hockey team. Burke had served as assistant coach for the Rensselaer men's ice hockey team for the past 8 years. He replaces the late Bill Cahill, who died suddenly after a heart attack on October 5."

"Burke is happy to be named to the position. In an article on the Rensselaer Athletics website announcing his appointment, he said":

I am honored to have the opportunity to take over the women’s program. Bill was a man I really enjoyed being around and learned a lot from, not just in hockey but in life. I look forward to building on the foundation and tradition he established. It remains our goal to make Rensselaer one of the top women’s hockey programs in the country.

"The RPI women's hockey team opens their season this Saturday night with a contest at Union College."

Posted by Dave Aiello at 6:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SKNandy writes, "On September 23, the RCNJ held its annual phonathon to raise money for the Rensselaer Annual Fund. This year's event had nine alumni volunteer callers. These callers raised $31,740."

"A special round of thanks go out to Mark Samitt '84, chair of the RCNJ phonathon, for recruiting volunteer callers!"

Posted by Dave Aiello at 6:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SKNandy writes, "The RCNJ will be sponsoring a trip to the New Jersey Devils game on Friday, December 12, 2003. The Devils will be hosting the Philadelphia Flyers with faceoff scheduled for 7:30pm at the Continental Airlines Arena."

"A limited number of tickets, at a cost $20 each, are available. If you are interested in attending, please contact Sandeep Nandy via e-mail at Sandeep.Nandy@verizon.com."

"Directions to Continental Airlines Arena can be found on the Meadowlands Sports Complex website."

"Come watch the defending Stanley Cup champions battle one of their biggest rivals. The RCNJ hopes to see you there!"

Posted by Dave Aiello at 6:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This is a reminder that an alumni reception featuring a talk by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute President Shirley Ann Jackson will take place on Tuesday, October 21, 2003, at The Westin Morristown, 2 Whippany Road, Morristown, NJ. Hors d’oeuvres and cocktails will begin at 6:30 pm. President Jackson will present her talk, "Renaissance at Rensselaer" at approximately 7:30.

Directions to The Westin Morristown are available from Yahoo! Maps or MapQuest. For any other last minute information, contact Laurie Allen, gillel@rpi.edu by email, or by phone at 518-276-6882.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 7:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

USCHO.com reports that Rensselaer scored three goals late in the third period to tie UConn, 4-4. Freshman Oren Eizenman scored two goals. Nick Economakos and C.J. Hanafin each scored one for the Engineers. Kevin Croxton had two assists. Kevin Kurk made 22 saves in his first start of the season.

Our intrepid correspondent John Cloninger reportedly attended this game. We hope that he will file a first-hand report soon.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 7:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In its Friday edition, The Albany Times Union pointed out that the Rensselaer varsity hockey programs are rebounding from the deaths of two very important staff members. Two weeks ago, we mentioned the sudden death of Bill Cahill who had served as men's assistant coach and acting head coach before assuming his most recent role as women's head coach. However, men's equipment manager Tom Cavosie also passed away in July, while on a fishing trip.

Tom was an integral part of the men's hockey program and the father of Marc and Eric Cavosie, two alumni of the men's varsity program. Many of the upperclassmen on the team played with one or both of the Cavosies, and had a close relationship with Tom.

A commemorative shoulder patch with the initials "TC" was placed on game sweaters prior to the beginning of the season. It will now be joined by a similar patch in honor of Bill Cahill.

The loss of these two men was also discussed in an article by Jayson Moy '89 that appeared recently on USCHO.com. Jayson has been one of the voices of RPI Hockey on WRPI for the past 12 seasons. He also serves as the General Manager of USCHO.com.

There has been little written about the reactions of the players on the women's team to the death of their coach. One of the more detailed discussions of the impact on the women's hockey program appeared in the Troy Record back on October 7.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 7:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Howard Deutsch told us that the Rensselaer Alumni Association and the Rensselaer Entrepreneur Network are presenting a technological entrepreneurship forum entitled New Global Economic Model. This event will take place on Wednesday, November 5, 2003, from 6:00 to 9:00pm, at the Yale Club in New York City.

Admission to this event is $25. Registrations for the forum may be made through Rensselaer's on-line payment system.

Read on for the speaker's list, registration details, and directions to the Yale Club.

Rensselaer’s Alumni Association and the NYC Rensselaer Entrepreneur Network affinity group cordially invite you to attend a panel discussion on:

New Global Economic Model

Our distinguished panel will discuss the opportunities and challenges that the new business model will present to the US economy, business, and individual careers. The members of the panel:

• David Hodgson, Managing Partner, General Atlantic Partners
• John Lonski ’73, Chief Economist, Moody’s Investors Service
• Michael Mandel, Chief Economist, BusinessWeek
• Denis Simon, Dean, Lally School of Management and Technology

Wednesday, November 5, 2003, 6-9 p.m.

Location:

Yale Club

[ Driving and Transit Directions ]

Trumbull Room

50 Vanderbilt Avenue

New York, NY 10017

Hors d’oeuvres and Cash Bar

---

To register:

Cost of the event: $25

RSVP by October 29, 2003

Registrations for the event can be made through Rensselaer's on-line payment system.

[ Click here to register ]

Questions? Val Beck, Office of Alumni Relations, 518-276-6206 or beckv@rpi.edu.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 10:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

On Friday, The Albany Times Union reported that Matt Murley '02 was named to the roster of the Pittsburgh Penguins for the start of the season.

In what was reported to be his first NHL game, Friday night against the Los Angeles Kings at Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh, Murley played 11 minutes and 23 seconds during 18 shifts. According to the Times Union, Matt Murley is the 20th Rensselaer alumnus to have played at least one game in the National Hockey League.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 7:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Early in the third period of Sunday night's game against Providence College, Rensselaer had a potential game tieing goal disallowed because the officials ruled that the goal net had been dislodged from its moorings. Moments later, Providence sophomore Nate Meyers scored an insurance goal, and the Friars went on to win 5-2. The game was played at Schneider Arena in Providence before a crowd of only 921.

Kirk MacDonald staked RPI to an early 1-0 lead. Ryan Shields scored the other goal for the Engineers. Nathan Marsters made 23 saves in the game.

The team returns to Troy for its home opener on Friday night against UConn. Faceoff is at 7:00pm.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 6:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

USCHO.com reports that Boston University defeated Rensselaer 5-2 in RPI's 2003-4 season opener at Walter Brown Arena. Ben Barr and Scott Basiuk scored for the Engineers, while Nathan Marsters made 24 saves in the loss.

RPI plays Providence College tonight in Providence.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 5:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

D3football.com reports that senior quarterback Dan Cole led RPI to a 33-7 victory over Union College to claim the Dutchman's Shoes for 2003. Cole threw for 272 yards and four touchdowns, and also rushed for over 100 yards.

With the victory Rensselaer sweeps all of its traditional trophy games for the season (Shotglass, Transit, and Dutchman's Shoes). This is only the third time this has happened in school history. The last time was in 1999.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 5:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dave Aiello wrote, "The Albany Times Union reported yesterday that Rensselaer Women's Hockey Coach Bill Cahill passed away of a heart attack on Sunday at age 53. Bill was a friend and mentor to many people who were involved in men's and women's ice hockey at Rensselaer over the past 15 years. He served as assistant coach of the men's team under Mike Addesa during my senior year. He later served as the interim coach after Coach Addesa resigned, and as an assistant to Buddy Powers and Dan Fridgen."

"Bill assumed the role of head coach of the women's team in 2000, at the behest of Bob Ducatte, Rensselaer's athletic director at the time. An article that appeared in last week's edition of The Poly points out Cahill's achievements as women's head coach in the past year:"

• school record for wins last season (20-7 overall)
• school record for consecutive home victories, 11
• ECAC Coach of the Year for 2002-2003
• finalist for ACHA Division III Women's Coach of the Year

"Although the Times Union extensively quotes Dan Fridgen, neither of these articles give the players' perspective on the loss of Bill Cahill. I can't speak for members of the women's team, who lost the only head coach that their program has had since it achieved varsity status. But, everybody I know from the men's teams over the years loved to work with Bill. He was a man who always seemed to find a way to make people feel better about their circumstances. As Coach Fridgen said in the Times Union, he was very supportive of everyone with whom he worked."

"This is a terrible loss for the Women's Hockey Team, the Athletic Department, and the Rensselaer community. If any details of funeral arrangements are provided to the public, I will post them as an update to this story."

Update: Kevin Beattie, Rensselaer's Sports Information Director told us, "Viewing hours will be Thursday from 4-8pm at Athy Funeral Home at 111 Lancaster Street in Worcester. The funeral will be held on Friday morning at 11am at Blessed Sacrament Church on Pleasant Street in Worcester. In lieu of flowers, gifts should be made payable to Let's Go Red-Women's Hockey and sent to Let's Go Red!, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, AS&RC Building, 110 Eighth Street, Troy, NY 12180-9987."

Posted by Dave Aiello at 8:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Yesterday, the RPI football team dominated the University of Rochester, 47-26. According to D3football.com, Rensselaer "...scored on seven of its first eight posessions of the second half all unanswered". The article further underscored the domination by pointing out that RPI has outscored Rochester 75-6 in the second half of their last three meetings.

Rensselaer senior quarterback Dan Cole finished 35 of 52 for 474 yards with 3 touchdowns. He also rushed for 42 yards and had 516 yards of total offense. The number of completions, yards passing, and yards of total offense are all individual school records.

RPI moves to 4-0 overall, 1-0 in the UCAA.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 6:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)