Troy, N.Y.- “Hope boldly, think huge, and pursue your passion,” civilian space traveler and Rensselaer alumnus Dennis Tito told about 1,129 graduates at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute today.

“Despite the headlines, despite the reality of evil, despite all that you and your classmates around the world have been through-this world is more democratic, more free, and more safe than ever before,” said Tito, who addressed Rensselaer’s Class of 2002 during the university’s 196th Commencement at the Field House on campus.

“Don’t just pursue a career,” he continued, “pursue your passion. From that moment in 1957, when I first heard the seductive beeps of Russia’s Sputnik, my passion was space.”

Tito closed by urging graduates to do more than believe in the future. “Believe the future in,” said Tito. “Will a new tomorrow. Make it happen.”

In dark times, graduates must turn on the light, for themselves and others, said Tito.

“In the face of suffering, turn on the light of generosity that asks ’What can I give?’ In the face of wrong, turn on the light of courage that overcomes evil with good. In the face of gloom turn on the light of endurance that says ’This too, shall pass,’ ” Tito said.

On April 18, 2001, Tito made history by becoming the first civilian to travel to the International Space station. Tito, who was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Engineering from Rensselaer, is founder and chief executive of Wilshire Associates, one of the largest investment management consulting firms in the U.S.

He received his bachelor’s degree in astronautics and aeronautics from New York University College of Engineering in 1962, and a master’s degree in engineering science from Rensselaer at Hartford in 1964. Prior to founding Wilshire Associates, Tito was an aeronautical engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

In her introductions, Rensselaer President Shirley Ann Jackson honored Tito for “embodying the entrepreneurial spirit and lifelong quest for adventure that are the spirit of Rensselaer.”

“A generous contributor to many charitable and civic causes, including the construction of a new cancer research center at UCLA, Dennis Tito exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit, the love of challenge and discovery, and the commitment to creating a better world, which we all admire and deeply respect,” Jackson said.

Rensselaer also conferred an Honorary Doctorate in Arts and Humane Letters on Bobby Farrelly ’81; an Honorary Doctorate of Science on Claire Fraser ’77; and an Honorary Doctorate of Engineering on Ruth Simmons.

With his brother, Bobby Farrelly has directed and produced in recent years some of the most successful comedy films, such as box-office megahit Dumb and Dumber, There’s Something About Mary, and Shallow Hal.

Fraser, president of The Institute for Genomic Research, is a leader in the genome sequencing of several microbial organisms.

Simmons, president of Brown University, made history when she assumed the presidency of Smith College in 1995, becoming the first African-American woman to head a top-ranked college in the United States. At Smith, she established the nation’s first engineering program at a woman’s college.

Contact: Bruce Adams
Phone: (518) 276-6531
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