Supporters Like You

“We had no money,” Richard recalled. “I’d decided I wanted to go to RPI, but when I went to the admissions office, they told me I was too poor!”

Determined not to let finances stand in his way, Richard pressed on. “I said, ‘What can you do for me?’” The answer: a tuition-only scholarship that opened the door to a college education.

Richard worked hard to cover the remaining expenses, and his academic excellence soon earned him a General Motors scholarship for his sophomore year — this time covering both tuition and living expenses. He went on to graduate with a B.S. in 1960, followed by a Ph.D. in 1963. Along the way, he even co-authored a textbook on plasma physics.

Richard went on to follow his passion for education. He helped launch the School of Engineering at Oakland University in Michigan, where he dedicated more than 40 years to teaching and mentoring students. A sabbatical at NASA even gave him the rare opportunity to witness the final moon mission, an experience that deepened his appreciation for the power of science and discovery.

“I always had a knack for explaining things,” he said of his teaching career.

Richard never forgot the opportunity RPI gave him to succeed. To ensure future students can access the same kind of life-changing education, he established the Edith and Richard Haskell ’60 Scholarship at RPI in 2014 — an endowed scholarship fund that is now fully funded, a milestone made possible through the Haskells’ generosity.

“All the things I’ve done in my career have been made possible by my education at RPI,” he said. “I wanted to make sure that opportunity is available to others. It just felt like the natural thing to do.”

Have you ever been part of an event that impacted 30 million people? Or had your life been shaped by a letter from President Lyndon Johnson?

It was November 9, 1965, when Richard Felak ’66, ’67G was a student at RPI, studying at his Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity house, when suddenly the lights went out.

The Great Northeast Blackout had just occurred, plunging much of the region into darkness. Shortly after, President Johnson issued a letter that would change the course of Rich’s life. In it, he directed the Federal Power Commission to investigate the blackout and prevent such failures in the future, calling on the nation’s top experts to help.

At the time, the tools and expertise to tackle the challenges of a large, interconnected power grid were still developing. That’s where Rich’s professors at RPI came in. They played a significant role in inspiring him to dive into the world of electric power systems, computing, and electronics – knowledge that proved invaluable in understanding and addressing complex problems in the field.

The blackout in 1965 created a surge in demand for power systems engineers. Companies flocked to RPI, eager to recruit graduates with advanced technical expertise, and Rich was fortunate to receive several lucrative job offers after graduating. Soon, he was earning more in a day than his parents did in a week.

But his journey to RPI wasn’t an easy one. Back in 1962, his parents’ income wasn’t enough to send him to college. Through the scholarships and fellowships that RPI offered him, however, Rich was able to attend RPI and receive a life-changing education. Without that support, earning both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in power systems engineering wouldn’t have been a reality.

Felak’s career, at General Electric and later as the founder of his own consulting business, was built on the foundation of his RPI education. Throughout his working career, colleagues and clients continued to emphasize how much his RPI degrees in power engineering contributed to his well-established reputation and success in a highly competitive field.

It’s not just about funding the next generation of engineers to solve future blackouts or prevent them entirely. It’s about investing in their potential to change the world, just as RPI invested in Rich.

He has shared with us the fact that RPI gave him more than just an education: it gave him lifelong friendships, a successful career, and even the good fortune of meeting his wife nearby!

Rich is inspired to give back to RPI as a way of expressing gratitude to the faculty and students shaping the future. This is his way of saying thank you to RPI and his professors for their profound impact on his life. He remains committed to giving so that future students can enjoy the same opportunities that shaped his own journey.

During his college years at RPI, Jonathan Kessler, a double alumnus from the Classes of 1979 and 1982, made a profound commitment to the place he called a second home: the Rensselaer Student Union. With a remarkable $1 million pledge in 2023, Kessler aimed to ensure that future generations of students could enjoy the same vibrant community and personal growth that defined his time on campus.

For Kessler, the Union wasn’t just a building but rather a hub of creativity, connection, and discovery. As a freshman in 1975, he found himself drawn into the world of student publications among other Union activities. From his first day at The Polytechnic, RPI’s student newspaper, to his years as editor-in-chief during graduate school, Kessler played a pivotal role in shaping campus discourse. Under his leadership, the paper reached what he fondly remembers as one of its peak years of editorial depth and widespread readership. Beyond the newsroom, he was a force in other organizations, from the Union Programs and Activities Committee (UPAC) to the creation of the first comprehensive student handbook, the “Megabook.” His dedication earned him a place in Phalanx, RPI’s student honor society.

Kessler’s connection to the Union ran deep, not just through his various roles, but also in the countless hours spent exploring every nook and cranny of the building as a student employee. “I know the building intimately, from top to bottom,” he once said.

After retiring in 2020 as a senior information architect at Computing System Innovations, where he helped develop artificial intelligence solutions for government offices, Kessler reflected on his journey. His professional life had been varied and successful, with stints at companies like Imagesoft, Newtrend LLC, and Computer Associates International. Yet, it was the lessons learned and friendships formed at the Union that he credited for much of his growth.

Kessler’s pledge will establish a permanent fund over five years, supplemented by a bequest gift, to enhance the Union’s offerings. Once fulfilled, the Union directorship will be named in his honor: Jonathan Kessler ’79, ’82G Director of the Rensselaer Union.

From its lively meeting rooms to its fitness facilities, dining spaces, and performance venues, the Union remains a cornerstone of student life. Kessler’s gift ensures its legacy as a place where students can not only study but also build lifelong friendships, explore their passions, and expand their horizons.

“Jon’s gift is a wonderful endorsement of our Rensselaer Union and its enduring student-staff partnership,” said Charlie Potts, director of the Union. “As a former Poly editor and student building manager, he knows and loves the Union. Truly, he’s one of us!”

As Kessler himself put it, “the Student Union is the crown jewel of RPI – a place where minds and outlooks can grow beyond the Institute’s well-deserved educational foundation. The Union provides something for everyone, and that is why I am funding this endowment, to provide enrichment opportunities as I myself enjoyed.” He hopes that the Rensselaer Student Union will continue to inspire students for generations to come.

“It was my senior year at RPI, and I had taken the most challenging course of my career: Nonlinear Vibrations. Learning about Routh-Hurwitz stability criteria made my eyes spin, but I needed to pass.”

Paul showed up early and stayed late and even did extra credit, but going into his final exam, he only had an F+ average.

Needing to pass the final exam to pass the class, he just barely made it!

“I remember getting that news from the professor. He was tough, but he appreciated my hard work and effort, and willingness to try.”

That class opened the door to Paul working at Eastman Kodak, a job he believes he only got because he passed ‘Nonlinear Vibrations’ and listed it on his resume.

While at Eastman Kodak, Paul worked on several special projects: “They had satellite space cameras that were taking pictures in space, but the major problem they had was transporting the cameras on the ground in trucks without damaging them. Our project was to design a system that protected these delicate cameras as they were being driven up and down the east coast. And my coursework at RPI had directly trained me for this challenge.”

Throughout Paul’s time at RPI and in his engineering career at Mobil Chemical that spanned the globe, Paul had no concept about where he was going next – only that he needed to be prepared and ready and willing to take risks and accept new challenges.

“RPI helped give me the knowledge, people skills, and relationships to be successful. Once I reached a degree of success, I felt the responsibility to give back and take a risk on the next generation of students.”

So in 2008, Paul did the math and, with the help of Exxon Mobil’s matching gift program, he realized he could fund a Patroon Scholarship – a four-year, $10,000/year scholarship designated to one student. That day, Paul signed his Patroon Scholars agreement and sent in his check. Nine gifts later, he has supported two students through college and just begun his third, set to graduate in 2021.

“I choose to give back to RPI because I believe the Institute opened all kinds of doors for me, and I want those same doors opened for today’s students.”

Paul just celebrated his 50th Reunion from RPI in 2017, along with his fraternity brothers and lifelong friends. He still continues to work, as well as support his church and youth-focused organizations in his home in Connecticut. And he still doesn’t know where he’ll end up next. But he has no second thoughts on supporting scholarships at his alma mater.

“RPI’s motto is ‘Why not Change the World,’ and that’s what I am doing. Why not?