Demers Award Winner Jeffrey Schanz, assistant vice president for alumni relations (third from left), was joined onstage by Trustee Paula Loring Simon ’68, RAA President Teri Kozikowski ’85, Roger Mike ’70, and Glenn Brown ’54.
In tribute to their exceptional commitment to the Institute and their fellow alumni, an outstanding group of volunteers has been recognized by the Rensselaer Alumni Association (RAA) and the Office of Alumni Relations with the 2016 RAA Awards.
The awards were presented at the annual RAA Awards Dinner on Oct. 6 during Reunion & Homecoming weekend.
Rensselaer Trustee Nancy S. Mueller was honored with the Distinguished Service Award (DSA), the highest award presented by the RAA. The DSA recognizes “truly distinguished service to a profession, to the nation, or to humanity.”
Mueller was not able to attend the ceremony, so Jeffrey Schanz, assistant vice president for alumni relations, read a citation in her honor: “Rensselaer is privileged to have a friend as dedicated and generous as Nancy S. Mueller. A longtime member of the Rensselaer Board of Trustees, a tireless volunteer, and a dedicated supporter of the Institute, Nancy has generously shared her expertise, wise guidance, and warm hospitality to help guide Rensselaer to becoming the extraordinary university we are today.”
Mueller sent the following remarks about receiving the award: “My late husband, Glenn Mueller, Class of 1964, was a very passionate trustee of RPI. For many years we gave a luncheon for RPI alumni to allow for connection in the far-away San Francisco Bay area. I have continued this tradition and expanded it to include, as guests, incoming students and their parents. We also invite current students. I feel this brings together all stakeholders and gives the new RPI family solid connections even before heading to Troy. I am passionate about RPI as a trustee and do what I can to further this fine educational institution for our future generations. Thank you for this very distinguished award.”
“The RAA Awards program allows us to publicly recognize our most valuable alumni partners—our outstanding volunteers,” said RAA President Teri Kozikowski ’85. “This year’s group of honorees is truly amazing.”
For more information on the RAA Awards program, and to see a full list of all the winners, visit the alumni website.