Two Rensselaer Alumni Awarded
Donor Medal

Rensselaer President Shirley Ann Jackson shown on the left with Howard Blitman '50 and on the right with Edward Zander '68 and his wife, Mona.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has honored alumni Howard Blitman ’50 and his wife, Maureen, and Edward Zander ’68 and his wife, Mona, with the Alis Aquilae medal in recognition of their outstanding philanthropy to Rensselaer. 

The medal, which translates to “on the wings of eagles,” recognizes donors who have given a singular gift of $1 million or more to the Institute’s $1.4 billion capital campaign, Renaissance at Rensselaer. The Blitmans and Zanders were honored during the Patroons of Rensselaer Reception and Dinner attended by more than 150 at Gotham Hall in New York City on Friday, Nov. 9.

“I applaud Ed and Mona Zander and Howard and Maureen Blitman for their unwavering support of the Institute,” said Rensselaer President Shirley Ann Jackson. “Their gifts and enthusiasm for the Rensselaer community support our students, our faculty, and our transformation as we continue to evolve as a world-class university with global reach and global impact.”

During the dinner, President Jackson announced an additional gift from the Blitmans of $300,000 to support the new East Campus Athletic Village.

Annual and Lifetime Patroons of Rensselaer are recognized as the most generous donors, whose leadership gifts helped propel Rensselaer onto the world stage in the 21st Century.

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Watch our Thank You to Patroons, a special flash presentation (w/audio).