Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) recently held an Investiture ceremony to formally recognize Shekhar Garde, Ph.D., as the Thomas R. Farino, Jr. ’67 and Patricia E. Farino Dean of the School of Engineering, a significant moment for the Institute that will strengthen engineering at RPI across education, research, and the student experience. The ceremony officially marked the first endowed deanship in RPI’s 200-year history, a milestone that underscores the growing impact of philanthropy on higher education.

The endowed deanship was established through a $5 million gift from RPI alum Thomas R. Farino, Jr. ’67 and his wife Patricia E. Farino. Their generosity will provide Dean Garde and future deans with the flexible resources needed to support innovative ideas in emerging fields such as energy, health, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and quantum technologies.

“This endowment will ensure that RPI remains a beacon of innovation and leadership in engineering education and research, and empower the dean to be agile and forward-looking, launching new initiatives that help produce graduates who are not only capable engineers, but also global leaders who will shape the next century of progress,” Tom said.

“The Farinos’ vision represents the very best of RPI, a belief that education, hard work, and perseverance can change lives and shape the future,” said RPI President Martin A. Schmidt ’81. “Their extraordinary generosity not only honors the impact RPI had on their own lives, but also ensures that future generations of engineers will have the tools, mentorship, and inspiration to reach their full potential.”

During the ceremony, attended by students, faculty, alumni, and Institute leaders, the Farinos were honored alongside Dean Garde for their transformative philanthropy and lifelong connection to RPI. For Tom Farino, the occasion was deeply personal, as it was a return to the campus where his path began nearly six decades ago.

As a freshman, Tom faced significant academic challenges. Six weeks into his first semester, he realized he was not passing any of his engineering courses. Determined to succeed, he developed discipline and study habits that would carry him through his RPI career and beyond. By sophomore year, he was excelling in one of RPI’s toughest courses, thermodynamics, eventually earning an “A,” something so rare that his professor excused him from the final exam. There now hangs a plaque outside the classroom to commemorate the grade and to remind new generations of students the importance of perseverance.  

“My engineering degree from RPI is my single greatest accomplishment,” Tom said. “The discipline and work ethic I developed here changed my perspective and enabled me to get through the challenges of life. Pat and I wanted to create something lasting that helps others experience that same transformation.”

After graduating in 1967 with a degree in industrial engineering, Tom built a successful career as a lawyer. His and Pat’s gift reflects their enduring gratitude to the university that helped shape his future.

For Dean Garde, the honor of being the first endowed dean in RPI’s history is both a recognition and an opportunity, a chance to continue and expand his efforts to ensure that every engineering student has the tools, support, and confidence they need to succeed.

“I am deeply honored to be the first to hold the Thomas R. Farino, Jr. and Patricia E. Farino Deanship,” Garde said. “The Farinos’ gift recognizes the School of Engineering’s long tradition of excellence and investments in its future. It will help us continue creating an environment where every student can thrive, where they feel seen, supported, and empowered to turn their ideas into impact.”

At RPI, Garde is known for his deep personal commitment to students. He gets personally involved in the students’ lives, sometimes even before they arrive at RPI. He’s renowned for always going the extra mile, advocating for his students, and doing whatever needs to be done to ensure they thrive. His approach to leadership is rooted in mentorship, empathy, and a belief that education transforms lives when students feel supported and inspired.

This approach has shaped his priorities as dean. Under Garde’s leadership, the School of Engineering has strengthened experiential learning, expanded student-led projects, and advanced initiatives that connect engineering to real-world impact.

“Working with Shekhar was both tremendously fun and profoundly life-changing at the same time,” said Amish Patel, a former postdoctoral researcher in Garde’s lab and now a professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering at University of Pennsylvania. “His positivity, creativity and intellect made it a lot of fun to work with him, and I remember walking away excited and energized after our conversations. His empathy, generosity and wisdom left a much deeper mark, and has influenced the way I mentor my own students and postdocs.”

Garde’s work as a chemical and biological engineer has also earned him many prestigious awards, including the NSF CAREER Award and the 2011 Robert W. Vaughan Lecturer-ship at CalTech. He is also an elected fellow of the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineers and of American Association for Advancement of Science.

“The world is changing faster than ever,” Garde said. “Our students are eager to take on the newest challenges of our time, from clean energy to intelligent systems, and this endowment gives us the flexibility to invest in their ideas and help them become the next generation of innovators and leaders.”

President Schmidt noted that the endowment represents a milestone for RPI as it enters its third century. “Endowed positions are vital to our mission,” he said. “They ensure that RPI can attract and support exceptional faculty and leaders, sustain excellence in education, and continue to innovate at the intersection of science, technology, and society.”

The Farinos’ gift will enable that vision for decades to come.

“Every time a student walks past that thermodynamics plaque, I hope they’re reminded that challenges are opportunities in disguise,” Tom said. “RPI gave me the chance to change my life. We hope this deanship helps others do the same."