Over the years of Commencement Exercises held at Rensselaer at Hartford, the overwhelming emotion that pours forth from all in attendance is sheer joy. Nothing can dampen the happiness that fills the air as we celebrate all things Rensselaer during the ceremony and picnic. This year’s graduation was no exception. The rain held off for everyone to enjoy the special day on Saturday, May 31, 2003. Feelings of pride permeated throughout the crowd, as the tremendous efforts and sacrifices of the graduates and their family and friends were recognized and applauded. As the leader in Education for Working Professionals (EWP), Rensselaer at Hartford understands the difficulty our students endure in juggling their academic, personal, and professional lives. Therefore, faculty, staff, and alumni, relate to the momentous occasion that Commencement embodies. Congratulations to the graduating class of 2002-2003!

Rensselaer at Hartford’s Forty-Sixth Commencement Exercises continued several traditions that are unique to the Hartford campus. The graduates forego caps and gowns for business attire, representing the working professionals that they are, and family and friends are an integral part of the ceremony as their close proximity in seating allows for a warm, receptive atmosphere. The academic processional was escorted by a solo bagpiper, followed by the presentation of the Colors, and the singing of the National Anthem led by Nashville musician, Andy May. The Honorable Shirley Ann Jackson, Ph.D., President, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, presided over the ceremony. Dr. Alan C. Eckbreth (’76 M.S. Administrative Sciences), Vice President and Dean, Rensselaer at Hartford, offered warm greetings to all in attendance, while Worth Loomis, Professor of Faith and Public Life and Director of Development for the Macdonald Center, Hartford Seminary, and President Emeritus, The Hartford Graduate Center, provided the invocation and the benediction.

Dr. Jackson welcomed the graduates, the faculty and staff, family, friends, and distinguished guests to Commencement. She recognized the achievements of the graduates, as working professionals, stating, "By succeeding – simultaneously – on the personal, professional, and academic levels, you have demonstrated one of the most important traits of leadership – the ability to see beyond specific roles or interests or fields of study, the ability to integrate all of life’s myriad challenges and rewards into a whole that is far larger than its individual parts." Her remarks drew strong applause from the audience. To the graduates, she implored, "This is a time that demands unprecedented skill, knowledge, fortitude, ingenuity, courage, and compassion in our leaders. These qualities, which, obviously, you have displayed to get to this point, will enable you to lead and flourish."

Following the presentation of awards (please click HERE for a full review), Leland B. Bishop II (’60 B.S. Mechanical Engineering, ’80 M.S. Management), President, Rensselaer Alumni Association (RAA), welcomed the graduates as Rensselaer alumni joining a global network over 85,000 strong – an association of energetic alumni from both the Hartford and Troy campuses who professionally network, learn, and share knowledge through seminars, panels, and regional events. In addition, each graduate was presented with a cherry wood paperweight, engraved with the logo of the RAA.

Rensselaer at Hartford was honored to have Vice Admiral Thad W. Allen, Chief of Staff, United States Coast Guard, deliver the Commencement Address. VADM Allen is third in command of the Coast Guard and is responsible for all planning, budget, and personnel functions of the service. Every year, Rensselaer at Hartford invites a recognized leader from the field of education, or government, the military, or business to speak at Commencement. The criteria for choice always includes someone who is visionary in leading his or her enterprise. VADM Allen was a perfect choice with his distinguished career and numerous accomplishments. (Please click HERE for VADM Allen’s biography.)

His message to the graduates highlighted the speed at which the world is changing and the challenges that our country is facing. VADM Allen stated, "Today, graduates, you will receive degrees in management, engineering, or computer science. Your technical skills, professional competencies, and imagination must be brought to bear in this effort." He went on to give a specific charge to the graduates in the three academic disciplines at Rensselaer at Hartford. In his summation he noted, "So, regardless of the degree you receive today, you are moving into a new professional, social, and cultural environment where our collective goal is to ensure that the basic components of our democracy – our freedoms, quality of life, justice, and liberty – are sustained but with proper safeguards. This presents a paradox to us as individuals, as a Nation, as a global community. We must accept and manage increased levels of risk – yet, not become so risk adverse that security itself becomes the end." For the full text of the VADM’s remarks, please click HERE.

The climax of the ceremony arrived when G.P. "Bud" Peterson, Ph.D., Provost, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute presented the candidates for the master’s degree. Dr. Jackson then stepped up to the podium and said, "By virtue of the authority of the laws of the state of New York and the State of Connecticut, on the recommendation of the faculty, and with the approval of the Board of Trustees, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute proudly admits each of you to the master’s degree with all the rights and privileges thereunto pertaining. Congratulations and best wishes."

Among the members of the outstanding Class of 2002-2003 were fifteen students receiving their second advanced degrees from Rensselaer; two students, Christopher Edward Paul and Randall Lee Greenberg, receiving their third advanced degree from Rensselaer; and one student, Timothy William McHenry, receiving his fourth advanced degree from Rensselaer. In addition, four students received dual master’s degrees: Eric Ming-Hong Chen, Matthew Dean LaPreay, Brian William Ring, and Robert Valcich. Also receiving degrees from Rensselaer were two married couples: Shane Michael and Natalie Ann Hegarty, and Michael S. and Lisa L. Pavano; and one pair of siblings, brothers, Hoang H. and Thuong H. Phung. Members of the EWP staff in Hartford and in Troy who were also a part of the graduating class were: Brian J. Clement, Chief Information Officer, Technical and Information Services; Christopher J. Galligan, Director, Special Programs, Hartford Department of the Lally School of Management and Technology; Steven Tytko, Production Coordinator for Media Archive Operations, Professional and Distance Education (PDE); and Betty J. Wetmiller, Assistant Director of Financial Operations, PDE.

Following the ceremony, a fun-filled picnic was held on the grounds of the campus, with plenty of food and drink, live music by Andy May, colorful Rensselaer balloons, children playing on the grass, and take-away flowers brightening the tables. Many graduates and their loved ones took the opportunity to shop for Rensselaer-imprinted merchandise, special graduate and alumni gifts, and the ever-popular diploma frames at the Rensselaer Bookstore. Happy smiles were abundant as the afternoon drew to a close, and plenty of photos captured the day for the commencement scrapbook.

To read the Hartford Courant article on our Commencement Exercises, please click HERE.