Class Notes

Winter 2023-2024 Highlights

A Message From Meghan Lenihan Moulder '10

In Memoriam

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Two alumns pose under giant polar bear ice sculpture

The 1950s and ’60s featured a Winter Weekend hosted by the junior class, which included all sorts of winter fun.

1949

Nancy Deloye Fitzroy
Engineering At a ceremony on campus May 16, the Admissions Building was named in honor of Nancy (Deloye) Fitzroy ’49 — the first woman to graduate from the Institute with a degree in chemical engineering — and her husband and fellow engineer, the late Roland V. Fitzroy Jr.

“Dr. Nancy Fitzroy is a world-class engineer, a pioneer, and a remarkable leader,” said President Shirley Ann Jackson. “Her technical contributions to the fields of heat transfer and fluid flow have been fundamental to a range of technologies, from satellites, to toasters, to nuclear reactor cores."

An internationally recognized expert in the field of mechanical engineering, Fitzroy spent her career at General Electric, from 1950 until her retirement in 1987.

In 1986, Fitzroy became the first woman in the United States to head a major professional engineering society, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). She is a fellow of Britain’s Institution of Mechanical Engineers, a member of the National Academy of Engineering, and a member of the Rensselaer Alumni Hall of Fame. In 2008, ASME awarded her with honorary membership to recognize “her tireless efforts and lasting influence as an advocate of the mechanical engineering profession.

Fitzroy has established a fellowship at Rensselaer to support graduate study for women in engineering. In her remarks, she commended the Institute for its excellent reputation and progressiveness in admitting women. “Women today have an excellent opportunity to have a fruitful and rewarding career.” Posted 2019-10-01
Four couples gather at the Crooked Lake Hotel on RPI Graduation Night, June 1949
The Class of ’49 celebrated graduation night, June 10, 1949, at the Crooked Lake House. Do you recognize George Johns, Jack Buckley, Ed MacDuff, and Bob Jaros?
Architecture Fred Grob received a letter and photo from George Johns. George’s architectural practice grew to 50 architects in six offices plus five other successful companies (in interiors, development projects, etc.). Two of his standout projects include (1) winning the ASHRAE national competition for the most energy-efficient school in America, and (2) sharing a contract with Nigeria’s largest architectural firm to design the country’s first pentagon for the entire military, and a national education technology center that included all TV, radio, media, and a national library. George also had a distinguished military career, serving in WWII and the Korean War. A USMC captain and fighter pilot, he flew over 250 combat missions in four combat tours and is the recipient of four Distinguished Flying Crosses and seven Air Medals. During the Korean War his plane crashed in the mountains and his squadron assumed he had perished. However, he was rescued, and spent four months in the hospital and was listed as Missing in Action. In 2003 he was recognized by the Naval Aviation Commandery with the John Henry Towers award for “his courage and love of our country.” He was the only USMC Reserve officer to have received this honor. George was close friends with Bob Jaros, and they, along with their wives, enjoyed a dinner a few years ago where they shared many laughs reviewing past escapades. He sent a photo of four couples enjoying the graduation ball at the Crooked Lake Hotel, June 10, 1949. Posted 2018-10-03
Class of 49 at the Crooked Lake House
The Class of ’49 celebrated graduation night, June 10, 1949, at the Crooked Lake House. Do you recognize George Johns, Jack Buckley, Ed MacDuff, and Bob Jaros? Posted 2018-03-15