It seems like just yesterday that I got the phone call telling me I was the new GM. It’s amazing how time really has flown. Although I entered my position with little experience and plenty of opposition, I believe that the year on whole has been a positive one for the Senate and RPI. A successful year, however, is not something that any GM could pull off on his own. The people I owe the most thanks to are my senate officers and committee chairs. To Brian Zaik ’09, Matt Everett ’08, August Fietkau ’08, Dan Horvath ’08, Tim Sprock ’09, Nick Wood ’07, Julia Leusner ’08, Sadra Azizi ’09, Chris D’Angelo ’08, Mark Andrews ’06, Cody Powers ’06, Chris Gearns ’08, and Jason Rokeach ’07, I could not have had a better group of folks backing me up. Thank you to the rest of the Senate as well, you all are amazing. When I dropped the ball, it never hit the ground—someone was always there to catch it. I cannot say enough about the amazing leaders RPI has in their Student Senate.
Together, the Senate has reached so many goals this year. The shuttle tracking project saw it’s completion last month. Thanks to the hard work of the Senate FFA Committee, Carol Wagar, Mary Alice O’Brien, and the administration, you don’t have to wonder when the next shuttle is coming. The Senate started visiting the students in their own habitat this year, got an off-campus RAD program off the ground, investigated the upcoming study-abroad program, and started the winter festival. It really has been a year full of success.
I am forever indebted to the Senate for their contributions this year, but there were others that helped as well. I’d like to say thank you to Vice President for Student Life Eddie Knowles for his undying support of the student body. Whether he’s wearing his Red Army shirt and cheering on our athletic teams, or working tirelessly in his office to make sure our students have the best experience possible, one thing is certain: Knowles is all about student life. I’d like to thank Josh Coyne ’08 and Charlotte Kaplan ’07 for showing me what a great organization our greek system is. Thank you to Jim Nondorf, the “new” vice president for Enrollment, for all of your help along the way. Of course, I will never forget Rick Hartt ’70, Martha McElligott, Cameron McLean, and the rest of the Administration Office’s help and support. Rick answered each and every question about the Union I’ve ever had. Additionally, Jeff Schanz, Laura O’Donnell, Geoff Seeber, and all of the alumni house staff have been amazing. I’d also like to thank the entire Alumni Association Board for its interest in the students that are here now. President Shirley Ann Jackson has certainly been a great help as well. Whether she was attending “Pizza with the President,” supporting the Red Army, or doing anything else, I can honestly say that I know Jackson was doing it with the best interest for the students at heart. I sincerely apologize if I have left anyone out, but this was quite the hefty list of helpers. Regardless, thank you to those I’ve forgotten; you know who you are.
Even though the year was tough, I made it through. I’d like to thank my personal support team for always being there. Mom and Dad’s undying love was my best crutch in the tough times. Thank you to all of my friends who kept me from forgetting to eat, to sleep, or to stop drinking. A special thanks to Matt Weed ’08, the best friend anyone could ever ask for. And lastly, I’d like to thank all of you. I could not have asked for a better student body to represent. There is no period of time in my life that I am more proud of. Thank you for everything RPI; I wish you all the best in the future.
