Among the nominations for this year’s Poly Person of the Year is Peter Pedone. Pedone is the assistant director of Alumni Relations. His work affects students both past and present. From helping students become ambassadors to alumni to arranging reunions, Pedone’s work touches on nearly all aspects of alumni relations at RPI.
Pedone first came to RPI 15 years ago from Siena College. Pedone attended both Schenectady County Community College and Siena College. While a college student, Pedone was involved in the SCC Activities Board and student government. After graduating with a B.S. in Psychology, Pedone spent seven years working at Siena before coming to RPI. Originally working in the student union, Pedone soon became assistant director of Alummni Relations.
When asked what his job entails, Pedone revealed the true diversity of his job. With activities for new and old alumni alike, Pedone has the unique opportunity to interact with the many generations of RPI’s past. Among the many alumni programs he oversees, the more notable include the Alumni Association awards, held during reunion weekend, the Fellows Award Program which recognizes the accomplishments of alumni in their work in conjunction with campus academic departments, and the Hall of Fame Program.
One project that Pedone is currently working on is the induction of the fourth hall of fame class. Each class is comprised of alumni who have done “something that affects humankind.” The class will be inducted in the fall and past winners can be seen on the windows of the Great Hall in the DCC. Past honorees include Asa Fitch, Amos Eaton, and Alan Vorhees.
While much of Pedone’s work focuses on alumni, he also oversees a variety of activities affecting current students, including Red and White, which, with about 60 members, serves as a connection between students and alumni at high profile events. For graduating seniors, Pedone organizes regional open-houses which give seniors the opportunity to network with people in the areas in which they will be living after graduation. Also for graduating seniors, Pedone organizes the Zero Year Reunion, a brunch which serves to officially welcome soon-to-be graduates to the ranks of RPI alumni.
Pedone also oversees several activities and services relating to RPI athletics. Foremost among these is the satellite broadcasting of hockey games which is done in cooperation with Clarkson University. Through this program RPI hockey games are broadcast to alumni sites across America. This service allows alumni and their families the opportunity to watch those hockey games which are not widely televised. Other hock-ey related services include the Pre-Freak-Out dinner and after game reception with the hockey team. Among the events currently under his wing is the re-introduction of homecoming as a major RPI event.
Perhaps the most satisfying thing about talking to Pedone was that you could tell how much he enjoys his work, which he describes as being fun. Among the qualities of his job that he enjoys the most are its diversity and the ability to meet with RPI students both past and present. Overall, the scope of Pedone’s job is immense. With the many different aspects of alumni relations, Pedone truly is the man behind the scenes. Pedone’s dedication to RPI students and the Institute’s history can be felt in the pride with which he speaks of his job.
