2003 Recipient
James G. McKernan '48
Jim Mckernan, you have been a loyal and stalwart supporter of your alma mater since you were named president of your class more than 55 years ago. Though you have pursued your career far from the WPI campus, you have managed to be an active and effective volunteer, one who has made a significant difference for this university.
After attending Hobart College and Columbia University, then serving in the Navy in the Pacific Theater, you transferred to WPI as part of the U.S. Navy's wartime V-12 program and became an active presence on campus, winning accolades for your achievements as an athlete and earning the respect and admiration of your classmates.
After receiving your degree in chemical engineering, you joined E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, where you would spend the next 34 years, working in six different states, in a variety of increasingly responsible positions in sales and sales management. In 1982, you left DuPont to start your own company, J.G. Chempac Inc. in Charlotte, North Carolina. Throughout this time, WPI was never far from your mind.
As class president, and more recently, chair of the Class of 1948's Board of Directors, you have proven yourself a tireless and devoted leader. A long series of memorable Reunions and the associated gift campaigns owe their success, in no small part, to your dedication and hard work. Your caring and compassionate leadership style has kept your class together because you included everyone at every opportunity. A continuous and generous contributor yourself, you rallied the support of your classmates, serving at various times as a class agent, anniversary gift steering committee member, and solicitor for the President's Advisory Council.
Jim McKernan, for your dedication and effective leadership, it is an honor to present you with the Herbert F. Taylor Alumni Award for Distinguished Service to WPI.
Francis W. Madigan, Jr. '53
Francis "Bud" Madigan, you have literally helped build your alma mater. Your volunteer service to your fellow alumni and your professional services as a contractor have helped make WPI what it is today.
For decades you have taken a leadership role on the governing bodies of the Alumni Association. As a member of the Alumni Fund Board, you sought new ways to engage younger alumni-so vital to the future of WPI. As chair of the President's Advisory Council, you blazed a trail for WPI's most committed supporters. You have served faithfully on your Class Board of Directors, chaired your Class Reunion, and solicited donations for an impressive class gift.
As founder and head of F.W. Madigan Company, you have left your mark on the WPI campus, through the construction and renovation of numerous buildings. From the Washburn Shops, to the Stoddard Residence Complex, to the athletics field house, the facilities most vital to WPI's mission have benefited from your skill. Throughout Worcester County, schools, hospitals, churches, cultural attractions and municipal buildings stand as testament to your workmanship.
Your donations of time and financial resources have been extremely generous, but your most precious legacy, perhaps, is your family. Your sons Fran and Jim and your daughters Meg and Ellen have followed in your footsteps and earned WPI degrees, while your other children have also embraced the engineering profession. Your wife, Mary, has become a valued member of the WPI community.
Bud Madigan, it is with great pride that we present you with the Herbert F. Taylor Alumni Award for Distinguished Service to WPI.
Robert E. Maynard, Jr. '63
Bob Maynard, few alumni have given as much of themselves to their alma mater as you. Your leadership skills were acquired early, and you demonstrated them during your undergraduate years through various athletic activities, such as football and track, through your fraternity, Phi Kappa Theta, and as a member of Skull.
Following graduation, you transferred those skills to your work at R.H. White Construction Co., and to your alma mater through your volunteer efforts. For example, you are the only individual to serve in the two top leadership positions of the Alumni Association-as president of the alumni body and as chair of the Alumni Funds Board. You were selected for those important roles because of your vision, wisdom and unwavering commitment to an institution you love.
During your tenure as Alumni Association president, you presided over the formation of a new organizational structure and the implementation of the Alumni Gateway-an electronic network for alumni on the WPI Web site. As chair of the Alumni Funds Board, you oversaw the second major alumni fund-raising master plan, setting the stage for WPI's current $150 million campaign. You also have been an active member of your class, chairing your class reunion twice, chairing your Class Board of Directors, serving as a head agent and, for forty years, serving as class secretary. Throughout your lifetime you have been a generous donor; at WPI, you are a member of the President's Advisory Council.
Bob Maynard, for your unstinting loyalty, leadership and largesse, we are proud to present to you the Herbert F. Taylor Alumni Award for Distinguished Service to WPI.
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