Samuel Wait Jr. '53 was honored with the Rensselaer Alumni Association (RAA) Distinguished Service Award at the Reunion 2005 RAA Awards dinner June 10. The award recognizes "service of the highest order to Rensselaer, to a profession, to the nation, and to humanity."

Photo by Stanley Blanchard

"Sam is the heart and soul of the School of Science," President Jackson said in presenting the award. "His long tenure as professor of chemistry and associate dean has been marked by dedication to his profession, enthusiasm for his students, and respect for his university. He has a famously giving spirit and a deep concern for everyone and everything in the educational enterprise to which he has devoted much of his life."

During his acceptance remarks, Professor Wait surprised the audience by announcing a pledge by him and his wife, Carol, to the Renaissance at Rensselaer Campaign in support of undergraduate research.

Professor Wait came to Rensselaer as an undergraduate student, and stayed to earn his master's and doctoral degrees in physical chemistry. After studying in London as a Fulbright Scholar and teaching and working elsewhere, he returned to Rensselaer in 1961 and has remained. He has received numerous honors including the Outstanding Faculty Award in 1988, the Alumni Admissions Recognition of Excellence Award in 1993, the Alumni Key in 1994, the Demers Medal in 1997, and the RAA Fellows Award in 2003.

Published June 13, 2005