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Michael Dunn, Class of 1983 is being inducted into the Hall of Fame for his achievements in high school and in his career, but most notably for his extensive volunteer work with several charities, athletic organizations and the school district.
In high school, Michael was a member, and captain of the award-winning basketball champion teams from 1981- 83. He was also part of the track team that won, and still holds the school record for, the 4X4 relay. He was a member of the cross-country team and played JV football and tennis his senior year. Michael was not only an athlete, but showed leadership skills as president of his class for the first two years of high school and student council representative for his class all four years. He belonged to the Varsity and Liberty Clubs, was staff to the yearbook and was on prom court his junior year.
After graduating, Michael earned his Associates in Arts, Science, and Technical Science from Hudson Valley Community College and his Bachelors of Arts degree from SUNY Albany. In 2008 he was appointed to the HVCC Faculty Advisory Board for construction technology. In 2013 he became managing partner of Dunn Materials Group, LLC and is now a President of Kubricky Construction Corp./D.A.Collins Companies.
Michael should have "Volunteer" as his middle name. He has served his greater community as a volunteer for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure for 2 years, and as a team leader for 13. He recently chaired the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation fund raiser. He has volunteered for the American Cancer Society, St. Francis Xavier Haitian Orphanage and has been a sponsor for the Franklin Co. Project Lift. He has coached for the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) and from 2005-present, the travel and Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) girls basketball teams. He has financially sponsored the transportation for Van Rensselaer's 8th grade trip to Gettysburg and the 6th grade's trip to 1000 Acres Dude Ranch when no funding was available.
Michael was nominated by his wife and classmate, the former Jaqueline Chesbro. The two were high school sweethearts. They have two girls and live in Loudonville.
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Ruth Tuttle Ackerman, Class of 1948, is being inducted posthumously into the Hall of Fame for her efforts, with her class, to start and maintain the Centennial Award, and her long service to the students of the district and community.
Ruth Tuttle Ackerman attended Rensselaer schools from kindergarten. She received top honors for the commercial program her senior year, which was also the 50th class to graduate from the district. Ruth especially enjoyed history class and was the recipient of the D.A.R. Award for Excellence in History.
After graduating from high school, Ruth married and worked in the library of Sterling-Winthrop, Inc. for a few years before staying home to raise her three children. From time to time, she would assist as a substitute librarian at the Rensselaer community library. Her love of reading and books somehow always directed her to libraries.
In 1965 she began her career with the Rensselaer City School District as assistant to the librarian at Van Rensselaer High School. At that time, the library also served as study hall. So besides helping students with selecting books and research projects, she also had the responsibility of making sure that the library remained a quiet place when it contained 35-40 students who were supposed to be studying. Some of her most memorable stories came from the antics of the students she was attempting to manage for 45 minutes in a non-classroom setting.
Ruth's children also attended Van Rensselaer, so she was always involved in assisting with school activities such as chaperoning cheerleaders, band members and class trips. She was the recipient of a lifetime membership to the Van Rensselaer PTO for her years of service.
After several years of working in the library Ruth secured a year-round position as administrative assistant in the Superintendent's office. Ruth found her true passion in this job since one of the tasks was to assist with the Committee on Special Education (CSE). She became a passionate advocate for students with special needs, assisting them in obtaining necessary accommodations for maximum learning. Her passion for advocacy was passed down to two of her grandchildren as one is a special education teacher and another a school psychologist.
In 1992 Ruth retired from the district after 32 years of service. In her retirement she was able to spend more time with her 11 grandchildren and find more time to read and travel. Ruth also was a very active member of the Van Rensselaer Star Chapter #256, Order of the Eastern Star, and held various offices within the charitable organization. Ruth also worked hard fund raising with her class to be able to start and maintain the Centennial Award, which became two $500 awards to graduating seniors meeting specific criteria. This award has continued with the help of the Alumni Association, and in particular, her son Robert, who is also being inducted tonight. Until her death in 2004, Ruth participated on the review committee to determine the two recipients of this award. Ruth was truly an advocate for excellence in education.
Ruth was nominated by her daughter, Nancy Ackerman Schroeder '68 who lives in Castleton with her husband Dave, also an alumnus of the class of 1966.
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Robert Ackerman, class of 1970 is being inducted into the Hall of Fame for his career achievements and for his generous support of the Alumni Association and student affairs.
Bob was very active in high school. He played three sports: basketball, football and track. He was captain of the varsity cross country team his junior year. In his sophomore year he was Section II, Class C Mile Champion. He was president of his class his senior year, Co-Editor of the Crest and Shield and treasurer of his class his junior year. Bob played in the full band and dance band all four years of school, and was its Vice President his junior year. As a member of band, he competed in the New York State School Music Association full band and ensemble competitions and All-County Music Festival.
Bob spent the next four years after high school at the College of St. Rose in Albany. After graduating with a BA degree, Bob held a variety of positions within New York State Government. In 1998 he left his job as a Deputy Commissioner with the N.Y.S. Division of Housing and Community Renewal to pursue a new career with a private start-up wireless infrastructure company, Crown Castle International. Shortly thereafter, the company went public and over the next 18 years has grown into the largest shared wireless infrastructure company in the US. Bob currently serves as a President of Crown Castle overseeing operations for the Western Area of the US.
In addition, Bob has investment interests in nine restaurants, primarily located in the Midwest and East Coast. He also is an investor and board member for a luxury sports car dealership in Scottsdale, AZ which helps feed his passion for collecting cars. He has been a guest lecturer for a variety of organizations on leadership and career development and has written a book, soon to be published, on the importance of decision making, entitled "Decision: A Measure of Success in Life and Leadership"
Once Bob found out about the Alumni Association, he joined as a member and has since donated generously to our fundraising efforts. Due to those gifts, the Association has been able to do so much more than it otherwise would have.
Bob was nominated by his classmate and friend, Beverly Finlay Ackerman (no relation). He is the son of Ruth Ackerman, who is also being inducted tonight. Bob, ,his wife Donna, and their 5 children currently reside in the Phoenix, AZ area and spend most of the summer in South Carolina.