—Trustees Reaffirm and Mark Progress of The Rensselaer Plan at December Meeting —

TROY, N.Y. – National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) President Myles Brand ’64, and Capital Region business leader John Nigro were elected to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Board of Trustees at the December annual meeting, which also included a celebration of faculty achievement and a review of the accomplishments under The Rensselaer Plan.

“Rensselaer continues to grow as a world-class institution, and Myles Brand and John Nigro are world-class leaders who can assist us on that mission,” said President Shirley Ann Jackson.  “Their experience, leadership, and counsel will be invaluable.”

Brand, president of the National Collegiate Athletic Association since 2003, also served as president of Indiana University (IU). A former chair of the American Association of Universities, Brand entered academia as a professor, and held the position of chair of philosophy at the University of Illinois-Chicago, served as dean of arts and sciences at the University of Arizona, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Ohio State University, and president of the University of Oregon. Brand has degrees in philosophy from Rensselaer (’64) and the University of Rochester (Ph.D. ’67). 

“I am honored and humbled to be able to serve my alma mater.  I look forward to participating in The Rensselaer Plan under the extraordinary leadership of President Jackson," Brand said.

Nigro is president of Nigro Companies, an Albany-based commercial real estate development and management firm. He is a member of the Board of the Center for Economic Growth, and former chair of its Strategic Initiatives Committee. He is vice chairman of the Board of Siena College, and Board member of the St. Anne’s Institute Foundation, the New York Charitable Asset Foundation, the Albany Symphony Orchestra and the Capital Region Youth Tennis Foundation. He began his career in the Albany Public Market food chain, founded by the Nigro Family. 

“I am certainly honored with this appointment to serve such a world-class institution, and I look forward to my involvement in the continued splendid works of Dr. Jackson and the University,” Nigro said.

During the December meeting, Board members also honored the achievements of selected faculty at a celebratory dinner, participated in the dedication of the newly renovated Academy Hall, and toured several campus projects including the new labs in the Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies and the Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center construction site.

Board members unanimously adopted a resolution to “recognize and enthusiastically affirm that the development and progress of The Rensselaer Plan is exemplary; and the results being produced are consistent with the Board’s stated goal of moving Rensselaer into the ranks of world class universities as we enter into the 21st century.”  The Board applauded President Jackson and her leadership team for this “most important and transformational endeavor for Rensselaer.”

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