Features: March 25, 2002

Space Traveler Dennis Tito To Speak at Commencement

Rensselaer alumnus Dennis Tito, the first tourist to go to International Space Station, will be the featured speaker at Rensselaer's 196th Commencement ceremonies on May 18.

Tito, founder and chief executive of Wilshire Associates, will be awarded an honorary doctorate of engineering from Rensselaer.

"We are delighted that Dennis Tito has accepted our invitation to speak at Commencement," said Rensselaer President Shirley Ann Jackson. "Through his business successes, Mr. Tito was able to realize a lifelong dream of visiting outer space. His immense achievements as an entrepreneur and as the the first tourist to go to International Space Station are an inspiration to Rensselaer graduates and especially to the Class of 2002."

Tito earned a master's degree in engineering science from Rensselaer at Hartford in 1964.

Rensselaer also will bestow honorary doctoral degrees on Bobby Farrelly '81, Claire Fraser '77, and Ruth Simmons.

Farrelly, a successful moviemaker with a string of comedy hits such as Shallow Hal, will receive an honorary doctorate in arts and humane letters. Farrelly, along with his brother, Peter, has directed and produced some of the biggest comedies in recent years, including box-office megahit Dumb and Dumber and There's Something About Mary.

Fraser, president of The Institute for Genomic Research, will receive an honorary doctorate of science. As a leader in the sequencing of the genomes of several microbial organisms, Fraser has helped initiate the era of comparative genomics. She was recognized by Newsweek magazine this year as "one of seven players to watch in the coming year and beyond."

Simmons, president of Brown University, will receive an honorary doctorate of engineering. Simmons made history when she assumed the presidency of Smith College in 1995, becoming the first African-American woman to head a top-ranked college in the United States. Simmons is a gifted academic leader with impressive accomplishments in research, teaching, institutional diversity, minority recruitment, and faculty support.

Commencement 2002 marks the return of the graduation ceremonies to the Rensselaer campus. The ceremony will begin at 9:30 a.m. on the Harkness Field. A festive Celebration Picnic immediately following the ceremony will be held at various sites around the main campus. For more information, contact the Office of University Events at ext. 6846 or commencement@rpi.edu.