Features: June 3, 2002

RAA Fellows Awards

Rensselaer Alumni Association (RAA) honored several individuals with the RAA Fellows Award in May. The award honors those alumni or non-alumni of Rensselaer who, by their achievements in a chosen profession or endeavor or by their service to the Institute, have set an example for Rensselaer men and women to emulate.

Anthony Tether '64 was honored by the Office of Government and Community Relations. Tether is director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the central research and development organization for the Department of Defense. Tether received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Rensselaer in 1964 and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University in 1965 and 1969, respectively.

David Haviland '64 was honored by the School of Architecture. Haviland is vice president for Institute Advancement at Rensselaer. He received a bachelor’s in building science in 1964, a bachelor’s in architecture in 1965, and a master’s in architecture in 1967, all from Rensselaer. He is a member of the Rensselaer Newman Foundation Board, and served on the RAA Board of Trustees and as a member of the Rensselaer Alumni Hall of Fame Steering, Selection, and Balloting Committees.
James Tien ’66 was honored by the Department of Decision Sciences and Engineering Systems, where he is professor and founding chair. Tien received a B.S. in electrical engineering from Rensselaer in 1966, and an S.M. in electrical and systems engineering, an E.E. in electrical and systems engineering, and a Ph.D. in systems engineering and operations research, all from MIT. Tien was inducted into the National Academy of Engineering in recognition of his contributions to the development and application of systems engineering concepts and methodologies to improve public service and engineering education. He is a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the recipient of the IEEE Joseph G. Wohl Outstanding Career Award and the IEEE Major Educational Innovation Award. He is a member of the IEEE, the Institute of Industrial Engineers, and the American Society for Engineering Education.

J. Charles Tracy '64 was honored by the Department of Physics, Applied Physics and Astronomy. Tracy received a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Rensselaer in 1964 and a Ph.D. in applied physics from Cornell University in 1968. Tracy’s 32-year career in industry included research and development positions with Rockwell, Bell Laboratories, and General Motors. He served as chief engineer for Delco Electronics integrated circuit and audio systems businesses. He later joined United Technologies where he was president of the Components Group of Carrier Corporation. Prior to his retirement in 2000, he was director of the United Technologies Research Center. Tracy is a fellow of the American Physical Society. He has authored more than 30 publications in refereed journals and is the recipient of four patents.

The Rensselaer Alumni Association Fellows Award was created in the fall of 1987. To date, 113 RAA Fellows Awards have been presented.