Troy, N.Y. — Each year, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute recognizes graduates who strive to maximize their potential through high-ranking achievements in academics, athletics, community service, and leadership.

Following are three examples of students who have worked to better the standing of Rensselaer both on and off campus, through their contributions and service to Rensselaer and the local community.

Joanna “Jody” Coonradt of Middleburgh, N.Y., received the Willie Stanton Award, which was established in 1981, in memory of Willie Stanton, an employee of the Rensselaer Union who was renowned for his service to students. The award is presented to the senior who is judged to have contributed the most in service to the student body. Coonradt is a senior majoring in biology. She is a founding member of TriBeta National Honor society, and was inducted into the Rensselaer Phalanx Honor Society. In addition, she received the Glenn O. Brown Class of ’54 award in recognition of significant contributions to student life. Coonradt is the historian of the Class of 2005, served as co-chair of Senior Week, and held several leadership positions in student organizations.

Allie Cooper of Wolfeboro, N.H., received the Livingston W. Houston Citizenship Award, which was established in 1964 to honor a student who, in the opinion of the selection committee, is considered the “first citizen of the college.” The award is presented to a student who ranks high in character, leadership, scholarship, and athletic ability.  Cooper is a senior majoring in management. She wrote the student position or “white paper” on Proposition 65 that was distributed at the 2004 NCAA convention. In addition, Cooper received the Women’s Ice Hockey Willie Stanton Award. For the past four years, she has been a member of the women’s varsity ice hockey team, and she served as the team captain. She has been a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee for three years, and is currently serving as president.  In 2003, she was a member of the student government marketing committee. This past year, she has served as a student representative to the Rensselaer Alumni Association.

Joseph Rutkowski of Newington, Conn., received the Leopold I. Balleisen Prize, which was established in 1976 to honor a senior who has won a varsity letter in at least one sport during two of their undergraduate years, and of those thus qualified, stands highest academically in the senior class.  Rutkowski is a senior majoring in information technology. For the past four years, Rutkowski has been a varsity swimmer while maintaining a 4.0 GPA each semester. He has been designated as a Liberty League Scholar Athlete for the past three years, and has been a member of the Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association All-Academic Team for the past four years.  He is a recipient of the Rensselaer Founders Award of Excellence, and the Rensselaer Medal for Excellence in Math and Science, and serves as a member of Gamma Nu Eta, the Information Technology Honor Society.  Rutkowski has received recognition as a multiple top 24 finalist in individual events, and a multiple top 8 finalist on the relay team at the Upstate New York State Swimming Championships. While at Rensselaer, he served as a volunteer with the Capital Region Special Olympics swim meets, and he is also an Eagle Scout. Rutkowski is a trained mediator and workshop facilitator for the “Help to Keep the Peace Program,” and he also serves as a youth peer minister.

Coonradt, Cooper, and Rutkowski will join their fellow classmates at Rensselaer’s 199th Commencement on Saturday, May 21, 2005, at 9:30 a.m., at the Harkness Field, in Troy, N.Y. United States Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) will deliver the 2005 Commencement address.

Contact: Jessica Otitigbe
Phone: (518) 276-6050
E-mail: otitij@rpi.edu