By Marilyn Posner (HSS鈥68)

Mix a bit of nostalgia, some youthful enthusiasm, good friends and a desire for learning, and then set that on the Carnegie Mellon campus.

The result is Homecoming 2004.

Things have changed quite a bit on the Pittsburgh campus, and the best time to experience them is at Homecoming, Oct. 15-17, 2004.

Whether taking campus tours, attending the Tartans football game, or visiting with classmates at reunion dinners or department and college receptions, this will be an exciting weekend.

A highlight will be the annual Alumni Awards Ceremony on Friday, Oct. 15, which honors graduates for their professional achievements and service to the university.

Distinguished Achievement Award winners are selected for distinguished service and accomplishments in any field of human endeavor. This year鈥檚 winners are:
Sylvester Damianos (A鈥56), president of Damianos and Anthony Architects who has led three national architecture organizations, the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the American Architectural Foundation and the AIA College of Fellows; and W.J. O鈥橠onnell (E鈥57), president and CEO of O鈥橠onnell Consulting Engineers Inc., who has been active in the development of national consensus standards for the design, fabrication and inspection of equipment and components.

The Distinguished Service Award will be presented to:
Erroll B. Davis (E鈥65), chairman, president and CEO of Alliant Energy and immediate past chairman of the Carnegie Mellon Board of Trustees. The honor is presented to a previous Service Award recipient who has given prolonged, outstanding service or substance to Carnegie Mellon or any of its alumni organizations.

Merit Awards will be presented for exceptional professional accomplishments. This year鈥檚 Merit winners are:
Keith A. Lockhart (A鈥83), conductor of the Boston Pops since 1995; Francois Clemmons (A鈥69), founder/director of the Harlem Spiritual Ensemble and also known as Officer Clemmons from 鈥淢r. Rogers鈥 Neighborhood鈥; Anthony M. DiGioia Jr., M.D. (E鈥56, E鈥57, E鈥60), chairman of the Board of Directors of GAI Consultants Inc., a top national engineering and environmental firm; and Barbara Samardzich (E鈥85), executive director of small front- and rear-wheel drive vehicles for Ford Motor Company and winner of the 2004 Women in Engineering Achievement Award from Design News.

Marilyn (Ackerman) Posner (HSS鈥68), immediate past president of the Andrew Carnegie Society, will receive this year鈥檚 Service Award, which is presented for meritorious service to Carnegie Mellon or any of its alumni organizations. She is an award-winning journalist and public relations consultant, and a past president of the Education Writers Association based in Washington, D.C.

Manu Kumar (E鈥95, CS鈥97, IA 鈥99), a Ph.D. student in the Computer Science Department at Stanford University and founder of iMeet, Inc., a national firm specializing in technology for Web-based meetings and conferences, will receive the Young Alumni Award. This recognition is bestowed upon a graduate who has attained exceptional accomplishment or for distinguished service during the first decade after receiving a bachelor鈥檚 degree.

Student Service Award winners are Nancy E. Adler (S鈥05), Laurie Chan (B鈥05), Allison Lin (IA鈥05), Mistina Muscatel (IA鈥05), Laura Sperduto (E鈥05), Sinduja Srinivasan (S鈥05) and Taras Zyla (B鈥05).

Also on the weekend schedule is the Class of 1954 Medallion Ceremony, followed by the Golden and Platinum Anniversary Luncheon honoring those in the classes of 1954, 鈥49, 鈥44, 鈥39, 鈥34, 鈥29.

The Margaret Morrison Carnegie College Alumnae Tea and the CIT Homecoming Reception will be held for those classmates Friday afternoon.

In addition to faculty seminars, specific reunion classes will offer seminars open to everyone attending Homecoming, including the Class of 鈥79 Green Building discussion and tour.

To check the Homecoming schedule for events and to register, visit www.cmu.edu/alumnievents.



Related Link:
Homecoming 2004