A Lifetime of Service

Glenn Brown '54 has long been one of the Institute's most energetic and enthusiastic supporters. His tradition of involvement began as a student (he was Grand Marshal from 1953-54) and continues today. Reunion '99 will mark the end of Brown's term as the Rensselaer Alumni Association's first two-year president. During his tenure, Brown worked with the Institute and its Board to ensure that the RAA was recognized as a partner in the Institute priority process and that the alumni body continues to be recognized as a vital part of the Rensselaer community. Brown has served the Institute in many capacities, including as Reunion chair, class president, national Patroon gift chair, DSES Advisory Board member, Rochester chapter president, and Rensselaer Alumni Hall of Fame steering committee member. Brown is a loyal contributor to and advancement volunteer for Rensselaer. Most recently, he and his wife, Lynn, have been sponsoring a Patroon scholar from their hometown of Rochester.

Ellis (Ted) Chingos '37 Leaves a Lasting Legacy

Rensselaer is the beneficiary of a major bequest of real estate from the estate of Ellis C. (Ted) Chingos '37, who received a B.S. in civil engineering from Rensselaer and was a successful real estate developer in Florida. Chingos was an active volunteer and member of the Rensselaer Council in the 1980s. As one of Rensselaer's most generous benefactors, he was a member of the Stephen Van Rensselaer Society of Patroons. The funds resulting from the sale of the property will be directed toward fellowships in the School of Engineering. He is survived by his brother, John, a director of the Chingos Foundation.

Union Renovation Off to a Great Start!

An anonymous donor has helped kick off the effort to renovate the Rensselaer Union. The planned renovation will result in a new home for student leadership and enterprise — a Union that students and alumni can look upon with pride. The work, scheduled to begin this summer, will result in a new campus hearth with upgraded lighting, technology, and space reorganization to allow for more meeting and program opportunities.

Computer Science Prize to Honor a Teacher

An anonymous donor has agreed to establish an endowed prize fund for Rensselaer's computer science department. Once fully endowed, the fund's income will be directed toward the existing Paul A. McGloin Prize and the Stanley I. Landgraf Prize, and will establish a new prize to honor Jack Hollingsworth. Hollingsworth was professor of mathematics 1957 to 1979 and was the founding director of computing. The donor wrote: "I particularly remember Jack Hollings-worth's contributions as a teacher, and would like the prize to acknowledge a student's extraordinary contribution to the Computer Science Department."

Anniversary Gift

Theodore (Ted) Singer '48 has provided a significant gift to Rensselaer to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his graduation. He has enjoyed a successful career in mechanical construction and reports that he has retired two or three times and finally seems to mean it. Singer's gift is in the form of a charitable remainder unitrust. Such trusts provide income to donors during their lifetimes, after which the principal is distributed to charity. It also exempts a portion of the donor's estate from income and estate taxes. As a result of his gift, Singer will be inducted this year into the Stephen Van Rensselaer Society, which recognizes Rensselaer's most generous donors.