Three Sundays ago we saw Rensselaer’s best getting tapped into Phalanx Honor Society—a right of passage for Rensselaer leaders since 1912. In addition to the student stars, several campus leaders were tapped for their contribution to Rensselaer and recognized for their extraordinary efforts. This year Cameron McLean, the Director of Student Activities for the Union, was publicly recognized for the work she has done with the Union.
I have always said that it is those that we do not see within the Union and the greater Rensselaer campus that truly contribute the most—this has never held more truth than within the walls of the Union. McLean has spent over 14 years of her life making sure that each and every club, organization, and student has every opportunity to expand their perspectives and express their interests. She is not alone. Martha McElligott and Cathy Ruff take the tangled maze of financial networks and transactions and create clarity for student after uninformed student with the same smile and patience with every transaction after mind-numbing transaction. Every year Jean Purtell vies to spend the most hours in the office as she balances the upkeep and use of our facilities, the ones that carry the highest demand of any building on campus. Maureen Brower juggles student inquires, ticket purchases, telephones—all while making sure the office runs smoothly from day to day. Steve Allard and his staff over at the Mueller Center have created an unparalleled fitness, recreation, and weight training operation that continually services over 4,000 annually. They maintain the same quality of service and experience in spite of the fact that they tailor their programs to over two-thirds of the campus population, with participants ranging from a first time weight trainer to the All-American Athlete.
Mike McDermott and his bookstore staff continue year after year to post the most substantial revenue contribution that we have to the Union budget, even though they continue to face mounting competition from online booksellers and changing technologies. They have adapted their business, so that the activity does not have to.
With that said, no man on this campus better symbolizes Rensselaer or the ideals with which it stands for more so than Rick Hartt. Rick has dedicated the better part of his life to making our pursuits and interests his passion. In addition to his leadership within the Union, Hartt has been one of the most ardent supporters of student activities for almost three decades. Ask anyone involved with the Players and they will give you an idea of how one person can make the performing arts at a leading technical school a very big deal. The impact of Hartt’s life will not only be felt in his contribution to Rensselaer—but in a larger part through the impacts of those who he has mentored and guided here. The accomplishments of the Mathew Ezovskis and the Max Yates of this world—and the transformations of the Peter Baldwins and the Suzanne Pelusos can be credited to this man’s care for others and interest in the lives of students. Nobody sacrifices more time, takes more interest, or puts more effort into the development of Rensselaer students.
Hartt is always the first to point out the efforts of others and push the spot light on another—when in reality nobody deserves more credit than himself. He has been the driving force behind every great improvement in the Union, the dealer of every great compromise that has generated progress, and the reason we enjoy the experiences as much as we do during our time at Rensselaer. Personally, I owe him not just a debt of gratitude, but a part of who I am. He has essentially taught me something every day since freshman year, and continually challenged me to simply become a better person.
People have always been our greatest asset, with the Union’s true gem existing within our staff. It is through these people’s lives that we begin to emulate and follow. It is through their integrity that we begin to mold our own and through their sense of accountability that we begin to follow suit. They were here long before I came, and will continue well after my departure. The lives they touch will dot the landscape of Rensselaer’s greatest accomplishments through their efforts in the lives of those who matter most on campus: students.
