Current Class of Loyal Sons and Daughters
The Rutgers Alumni Association is pleased to announce the Loyal Sons & Daughters 2012 Awardees:
John C. Baker, RC '69, RBSG '81
John Baker's devotion to Rutgers began as an undergrad in 1966, serving as announcer for the Rutgers University Marching One-Hundred. After graduating, he has been a leader as Reunion Chair, Class Vice-president, and a charter member and fundraiser for the committee which established the Class of 1969 Endowed Scholarship, which now generates over $14,000 in aid annually. Recognized for his work with the Mason Gross School of the Arts as lead audio engineer, he recorded musical masterpieces of the Rutgers Brass and Mason Gross Ensembles, as well as arranged for their broadcasts on WWFM radio. At his 25th & 40th Reunions, he entertained classmates with historic recordings of news events during their college days, including Rutgers songs, and presented each of them with CDs. He has remained active with the Rutgers Marching Band, and from 2000 to 2009, made "guest appearances" as pre-game and half-time announcer, including 4 Bowl games and a trip to Notre Dame. More than 40 years later, he has never stopped marching to the beat of Rutgers' drums.
Carl W. Burns – RC '64, RBSG '73
Carl has been an active member of the Class of '64 Reunion Committee since his return from active duty in Vietnam, where as a decorated Army Captain and Huey helicopter aircraft commander he earned a Purple Heart and 16 Air Medals. In addition to his class reunion committee, Carl also served on the overall RAA Reunion Committee. Throughout his experiences, Carl's leadership and devotion to Rutgers has never wavered. He remains an active participant in the Rutgers Oral History Archives, who has contributed greatly to its extension into the Vietnam Era. Carl interacts with current Rutgers history students -- serving as a speaker and guest lecturer for members of the faculty. He has devoted himself to assisting other veterans at Rutgers by volunteering to facilitate a counseling group at the Graduate School of Applied Psychology, and is viewed as a valuable asset to the Office of Student Veterans Services. Currently, Carl is Vice President for Membership Development of the Rutgers Living History Society.
Mary Zimmerman Chyb, DC '71 and GSE '73
Mary J. Chyb earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in Mathematics Education, which have served her well as a Project Manager for more than 37 years. That work has never deterred her from making valuable contributions of her time and talents to Douglass College (originally the New Jersey College for Women) and Rutgers University. Mary has demonstrated her commitment as: a Mentor, providing 23 AT&T internships to Douglass & Rutgers students; as the Past President and Treasurer of the Associate Alumnae of Douglass; as Past President of the former Rutgers University Alumni Federation (RUAF), which renewed the awards for Homecoming, Regional Clubs and Alumni and launched the Hall of Distinguished Alumni Award. A 1989 Meritorious Service Award recipient, she played an integral part in the establishment of the Douglass Project for Women in Mathematics, Science and Engineering, which received an award from President Bill Clinton. Her service continues, from 2000 to the present, she is now in her 2nd term as a member of the Rutgers Board of Trustees and has chaired and/or served on numerous Trustee Learning Groups, Trustee Committees and Board of Governors Committees.
Erin Clarke – RC '03
Beginning more than six years ago as a member of the RAA's Young Alumni Committee, Erin has spearheaded numerous activities designed to attract young alumni back to Rutgers. Her efforts have included planning and carrying out wine tastings, happy hours, a trip to Boston, and support for Homecoming, Alumni Family Day, and undergraduate Speed Networking. Erin became a chair of the Committee, and helped to successfully transition the Young Alumni Bar A Beach Party to an all-alumni event sponsored by Rutgers University Alumni Association, while maintaining an RAA presence and role in the festivities. Since 2005, Erin has served as an Associate Director of the American Studies Department's New Jersey Folk Festival, a student run event that attracts approximately 15,000 people to the Douglas Campus every year. In that capacity, she has guided the Folk Festival's transition into an important part of the University's Rutgers Day celebrations. She is currently serving as the Vice President & Corresponding Secretary of the RAA.
Stuart J. Freedman, Esq., RC '62
Stu Freedman's love for Rutgers has resonated throughout his life, starting with his student years, when he was named a Henry Rutgers Scholar and continuing to this day, with his service as the president of the Class of 1962 and recent mentorship of students interested in management positions through the "Beyond The Banks" executive mentorship program. He has also counseled Rutgers students who are interested in entering the legal profession via his on-campus visits, as well as through invitations to sit in on courtroom proceedings. As a Vietnam War Veteran, Stu participated in the Rutgers Oral History Project. Stu has been a driving force at all class reunions on both the social and fundraising fronts, and his devotion to Rutgers embodies the true spirit of a Loyal Son.
Juanita Lewis, RC ’88 UCN'94
Juanita has been one of the most dedicated of the alumni volunteers who formed the Rutgers African-American Alumni Alliance (RAAA). She served multiple terms as its President; and in 2007, she spoke out in defense of the Rutgers Women's Basketball Team after they had been publicly maligned on the radio by a radio host. Under her leadership, the RAAA exhibited an increased presence on campus including participation in Homecoming and fundraising for the Paul Robeson Scholarship. In 2009, Juanita was awarded the "Block R Award" for her commitment to the university and to promoting diversity among its alumni. A shining example of Rutgers leadership in her home community, Juanita became a volunteer with the Red Bank Education and Development Initiative; she went on to be elected, twice, to the Red Bank Board of Education. She currently serves as a Red Bank Councilwoman and proudly proclaims her Rutgers credentials.
Iris Martinez-Campbell, LC '75, SSW '81
Iris Martinez-Campbell has been a tireless advocate for Rutgers. In spite of the demands of her job with the Perth Amboy Public School district, Iris has always found time to give back to her alma mater in so many ways, ranging from service as an officer on the boards of the Livingston Alumni Association and Rutgers Graduate School of Social Work Alumni Association to serving as a mentor to Rutgers students in the Latino and social work fields. Her involvement on the Rutgers Center for Latino Arts and Culture advisory board, and Rutgers University Board of Trustees and Rutgers University Alumni Federation have all been additional examples of Iris's leadership in action. A member of the Board of Trustees since 2002, Iris has served on the Nominating and Executive Committees in addition to a number of other committees and has also been a member of several Board of Governors committees. Iris spreads the word about Rutgers throughout all of her activities and is a Loyal Daughter of Rutgers at heart and in all of her actions.
Lee D. Schneider, CAES '70, GSNB '71, GSED '88
Dr. Lee Schneider is the holder of three Rutgers degrees. For forty-five years he has lived out his calling as a Scarlet Knight. In 1992, Dr. Schneider was inducted into the Rutgers University Football Hall of Fame. He is currently the Vice President of the Rutgers Football Letter Winners Association, which he helped to found. Although employed by the University for more than thirty-six years, nineteen of which as the Cook College Dean of Students, Lee's devotion to his Alma Mater has carried him far beyond the obligations and accomplishments of his employment. Lee served as the initial Executive Director of the Rutgers Parents Association, a 36,000 member and growing organization providing scholarships to students and information to parents. He personally helps to recruit students to attend Rutgers, and helps to place them when they graduate.
Kate Sweeney, CC '79
Tireless, Passionate and Involved: three words that describe Kate Sweeney's involvement with Rutgers alumni activities. From cheering on the Scarlet Knights sports teams to providing Rutgers students of various backgrounds and academic disciplines with mentoring on leadership and financial skills to providing internship opportunities, Kate is always there to support the Rutgers community. Kate has been involved with many Rutgers organizations as a volunteer and leader, most notably as a co-founder of the Bisexual Gay Lesbian and Transgender Alumni Association and member of the Rutgers University Alumni Association's board and chair of its awards and recognition committee. For her love of and service to our alma mater, she is truly deserving of the title of Loyal Daughter of Rutgers.
Charles L. Zukaukas, M.D., RC '43
Charles Zukaukas's aptitude for learning and athletic prowess in high school, earned him a scholarship to attend Rutgers. A member of Cap & Skull, the Scarlet Guard and Crown & Scroll, it was only natural, after graduation, to continue as a leader of his class. His classmates entered Rutgers in September of 1939, at the height of the Great Depression and many would not have attended had it not been for scholarship aid. At their 65th Reunion in 2008, his Class established a fund as "Pay Back", with a goal of raising $100K by 2013. To date they have raised over $77K. The passing of his friend, classmate and Loyal Son, Fred R. Baser, resulted in his assuming the role of Class President. With Charles' involvement, the Class has raised in excess of $30K for the Rutgers Oral History Society. Due to their work with the Rutgers University Foundation, adjacent to the RAC is a gift to the University of "the Class of 1943's Grove of Remembrance", a monument, 3 granite benches and 31 flowering cherry trees, to honor each of their fallen classmates killed in World War II.
