Troy, N.Y. - New York State Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno received an honorary doctor of laws degree at Rensselaer's 10th annual Honors Convocation on Sunday, October 26, in the Alumni Sports and Recreation Center (Armory).

"Honors Convocation is a time for the entire Rensselaer community to applaud the achievements of Rensselaer faculty, students and others who have distinguished themselves in their fields of endeavor," said President Shirley Ann Jackson. "We are particularly pleased to honor Senator Joe Bruno. He is a biotechnology visionary who has worked tirelessly to bring the economic benefits of technological innovation to New York State."

"RPI is one of the finest schools in the entire nation and it has been my privilege to work with President Jackson over the years to obtain support for projects and programs important to this campus and our community," said Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno. "Accepting this degree has truly been an honor, as was the opportunity to behold the accomplishments of the extraordinary students of this institution 18 Nov 2003 - together we will continue to achieve success."

The 2003 Founders Award, the ceremony's highest honor, was given to 68 students who have been chosen for "creativity, leadership, discovery, and the values of pride and responsibility." Other students honored include 34 students with a 4.0 GPA, 26 graduate student fellowship awardees.

The 310 Rensselaer Medalists were also honored. This year, Class of 2007 Rensselaer Medalists attended a pre-ceremony breakfast where they were presented with the Rensselaer Medal, which is awarded to the top math and science juniors at almost 3,000 high schools around the world. Those who choose to attend Rensselaer receive a $15,000-per-year Rensselaer Medal Scholarship.

Faculty honored included Georges Belfort, the Russell Sage Professor of Chemical Engineering, for his induction into the National Academy of Engineering; Igor Vamos, assistant professor of arts, for winning a Guggenheim Fellowship award; and new chair holders Robert Linhardt, the Ann and John H. Broadbent Jr. '59 Senior Constellation Chair in Biocatalysis and Metabolic Engineering, and Jong-Shi Pang, the Margaret A. Darrin Distinguished Professor in Applied Mathematics.

Contact: Theresa Bourgeois
Phone: (518) 276-2840
E-mail: bourgt@rpi.edu