Alumni Awards

2005 Golden Knight Award recipients [L-R]:
Maria A. Davison '80; Bennett L. Rechler '70;
Karen M. St. Hilaire '75, '98;
and Elmer D. Gates '50.

Golden Knight Winners

The Golden Knight Award, Clarkson's most prestigious honor, recognizes graduates who have distinguished themselves either by service to Clarkson through Alumni Association activities or have demonstrated outstanding career achievement, bringing distinction to themselves and Clarkson. This year's winners:

Maria A. Davison '80 (ECE) is manager of Avaya Service's indirect channel and business partner relationships for implementation and professional services in the U.S. Maria began her career at IBM and then joined AT&T as a network engineer. During her 20 years at AT&T, she held leadership positions in sales and service. Maria has served on the Clarkson Alumni Council and with her husband, Robert, founded the Clarkson Alumni Latino Scholarship (CALS) Fund, which was established under the Clarkson Direct Scholarship Program.

Elmer D. Gates '50 (ME) was employed in increasingly responsible positions with General Electric for more than 30 years until retiring as general manager of GE's Large Motor Department in 1982. Elmer then became president and chief operating officer of Fuller Company, a manufacturer of large equipment for the cement industry. Under his direction, the Fuller Company flourished to become a world leader in the industry. Elmer was instrumental in establishing Clarkson's 2002 landmark partnership with Good Shepherd rehabilitation network, based in Allentown, Penn.

Bennett L. Rechler '70 (CEE) is executive vice president of We're Associates Inc. and is responsible for the management of 3.5 million square feet of commercial real estate with annual revenue in excess of $60 million. He is also director of the Rechler Family Foundation Inc., a charitable foundation established by his parents in 1986. In 1999, the Foundation bestowed a generous gift to the Clarkson Fund for Clarkson's Hill consolidation project and the construction of Bertrand H. Snell Hall. The School of Business Dean's Suite now carries the Rechler name.

Karen M. St. Hilaire '75 (SS), '98 (MS, MgSy) is the executive director and CEO of the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce. Karen led the successful development of the Northern Adirondack Trading Company that links regional businesses, eBay, Hewlett-Packard, and Clarkson University. The project was launched in 2004 with the support of U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton. Karen has been a longtime member of the Clarkson Roundtable and is also a member of the Holcroft Society. She was inducted into the Phalanx Honorary Society in 1995.

Woodstock Winners

The Woodstock Award honors young alumni who have demonstrated outstanding loyalty and service to Clarkson and the Alumni Association, and who have used their Clarkson experience to make a notable contribution to their careers. This year's winners:

Anthony B. Bouchard '85 (CEE) is senior vice president for Consoer Townsend Envirodyne Engineers Inc., a consulting engineering firm in Chicago, Ill. The firm has engineering projects that generate revenues of $30 million annually. His continuous support of Clarkson has recently culminated in the establishment of a Share Clarkson Direct Scholarship.

2005 Woodstock Award recipients [L-R]:
Craig Conroy '95; Anthony B. Bouchard
'85; Heather E. Young Preuss '00;
and Dianna M. Jones Herrmann '85.

Dianna M. Jones Herrmann '85 (CEE) worked as a project engineer for New England Telephone Company and later accepted a position at McKinsey & Company where she was promoted to vice president, providing consulting services as an electronics manufacturing specialist. A regular member of the Clarkson Roundtable, Dianna has also served as a class reunion activity chair and gift chair and has assisted the Office of Admission, among other activities.

Craig Conroy '95 (BA), a member of the NHL's Los Angeles Kings, studied business administration at Clarkson. Conroy wore the Golden Knights jersey No. 7 in 140 games and scored 63 goals and 101 assists for a total of 164 points. He was drafted into the NHL in 1990. In 2004, he played in the Stanley Cup Finals and was named to Team USA for the World Cup of Hockey. Craig has generously given to the Clarkson Hockey program and has also served the University as a goodwill ambassador.

Heather E. Young Preuss '00 (ChE), went to work for IBM at their semiconductor fabrication line in Essex Junction, Vt., following graduation from Clarkson. She now holds the position of staff process engineer in manufacturing engineering and has received several individual and team performance awards.

Heather has been active in recruiting for Clarkson and has served as a Project Lead the Way volunteer. She has been a regular donor to the Clarkson Fund and leader of class reunion activities.