TROY, N.Y. — When Grant Cochran crosses the stage during Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s 200th Commencement this May, he’ll have completed more than just his undergraduate education. As the final of six brothers to attend the school, Cochran’s graduation marks the end of a 15-year family dynasty at Rensselaer.

Following in the footsteps of older brothers Andy ’95, Chris ’98, Dan ’99, Evan ’02, and Flynn ’04, the Kent, Wash., native enrolled at Rensselaer in 2000.

“In the fine Cochran tradition, Grant has been committed to excellence both academically and athletically,” says Rensselaer President Shirley Ann Jackson. “The Cochran brothers have each distinguished themselves as stand-out students during their time at Rensselaer, succeeding in multiple endeavors inside and outside of the classroom — it is an honor to have the Cochran family as part of the Rensselaer family.”

A scholar-athlete and joint service commanding officer of Rensselaer’s Naval Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), the 24-year-old biomedical engineering major’s 3.71 grade point average has earned him numerous academic accolades, including two National Academic All-American honors and two ESPN the Magazine’s Academic All-American awards.

All the King’s Men
Each of the six Cochran brothers played football under the direction of Rensselaer’s 17-year head coach Joe King, with at least one of them listed on the team’s roster since 1990. Alike in their academic and athletic choices, they were individuals on the football field.

Andy was a linebacker.

Chris, a defensive lineman, led the Engineers with five sacks during his junior year.

Dan played for a year on the junior varsity team.

Two of Rensselaer’s best wide receivers, Evan and Flynn, are both team record holders. Evan scored a team-high 15 receiving touchdowns in 2001. Flynn holds multiple records including single-season and career records in both receptions and yards.

Plagued by continuous injuries, the first year of football was a challenge for the youngest Cochran. Following the season’s conclusion he embarked on a Mormon Mission — a two-year spiritual journey that brought him back to campus in 2003 “a mature and focused young man,” according to King.

Returning to the football field a stronger and more determined player, Cochran spent the next three years of his football career as a leader on the field, according to assistant coach Pat Del Monaco.

“The most valuable thing about Grant was his ability to lead,” Del Monaco says. “He understood what we asked of him, and he understood how to relate to the team. He knew how to get things done on the field.”

Cochran finished his career as a two-time captain, ranking second on the team in terms of tackles. His efforts on the field played a vital role in the Rensselaer Engineers making it to the NCAA Division III National Semi-Final game during his sophomore season, and in a come-from-behind victory in the ECAC Northwest Bowl in 2005.

“Grant’s graduation really marks the end of an era. I’ve had practically the whole Cochran family on my team for the last fifteen years and we’ve had a lot of success, due mainly in part to their efforts,” said King. “Grant was always a tough, competitive, versatile player — but beyond that, he was a positive force on the team. There’s no question that he will be sorely missed.”

Last summer Cochran married his wife, Alene. Making Rensselaer a permanent part of his family history, he held the wedding reception on the football field. 

“My brother Andy suggested it, and there isn’t anywhere on the East Coast that means more to me. Rensselaer is a place where my family and I have had a lot of fun,” says Cochran.

A Willingness to Serve
In addition to his academic and athletic commitments, Cochran — like four of the five brothers before him, including one who is currently a gunnery officer on the USS McCampbell stationed in the Persian Gulf – is active in Rensselaer’s Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). As a joint service commanding officer in the Naval ROTC, he will enter the Navy following a commissioning ceremony this summer.

Cochran’s endeavors will lead him back to the classroom. This August he’ll enter medical school at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Md., where he’ll study medicine with the goal of serving his country in the medical field.

“College has taught me that if I want to be happy and successful, I need to commit to meaningful things,” Cochran said. “I think people are afraid of obligations, but I only feel satisfied by making and keeping commitments. Whether it is to my God, on the football field, in the classroom, or to the military, commitment is a necessary component for happiness.”

Contact: Amber Cleveland
Phone: (518) 276-2146
E-mail: clevea@rpi.edu