Troy, N.Y. — East Schodack resident Lynn Hopwood has been named this year’s Pillar of Rensselaer Award, the highest honor Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute gives to its staff members.

The honor was shared with Rebecca Danchak, director of admissions for Rensselaer at Hartford.

Hopwood, who joined the Rensselaer staff in 1986, has been the assistant director of development communications for eight years. As head of the Stewardship program, she assists donors who give to endowed funds, such as scholarships, fellowships, chairs, prizes, and departmental funds.

For the last 13 years, Hopwood has organized the annual scholarship luncheon that provides an opportunity for donors to meet the students who have taken advantage of their scholarship funds. Hopwood also launched a holiday card project in which students send personal thank-you notes and cards to the donors who support their education.

“Lynn has exemplified what it means to be a pillar of Rensselaer,” said Rensselaer President Shirley Ann Jackson. “She has respect and deep appreciation for the individuals who fund scholarships and academic chairs, and has built lifelong relationships with those donors and students on behalf of the university.”

Hopwood earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology at Russell Sage College. She received her master’s in sociology at the University at Albany.

The Rensselaer County native has lived in East Schodack for more than 40 years. Her father, Harvey “Pete” Manclow, graduated from Rensselaer in 1938 with a degree in architecture. Hopwood lives with her husband, David, and son, Todd.

In 1993, Carl Westerdahl provided the funding to establish the Pillars of Rensselaer Award to honor long-term staff members. The annual award consists of a gift of $500 and a sterling silver pin by Tiffany & Co. The winner’s name is inscribed on the base of the Tiffany crystal award and is permanently displayed in the President’s Suite in the Troy Building.

For a print-quality photo of Hopwood go to: http://www.rpi.edu/web/News/Pressimgs/hopwood.jpg

Contact: Jodi Ackerman
Phone: (518) 276-6531
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