The University of Vermont Alumni Association and UVM Foundation honored outstanding graduates and philanthropists at its annual Alumni Weekend celebration on Saturday, September 24, 2016.
The “Celebrating Excellence” event featured remarks by UVM president Tom Sullivan, with award citations presented by Alumni Association President Penrose Jackson ’70 and UVM Foundation President and CEO Richard Bundy, to the following honorees:
2016 University of Vermont Alumni Association Achievement Award
to David Blittersdorf ’81, Charlotte, Vt.
David is an entrepreneur and trained engineer with more than three decades of experience in the renewable energy industry, seeking to help prepare humanity for future energy constraints. He earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Vermont in 1981. The following year, he founded NRG Systems (since renamed Renewable NRG Systems), and over the next 23 years developed the business into a global leader in wind measurement technology. He stepped down as CEO of NRG Systems in 2004 to establish AllEarth Renewables of Williston, VT, which designs and manufactures grid-tied solar photovoltaic tracking systems for residential, commercial and utility-scale applications across the U.S., through a network of trained dealer-installers. (A quarter-size version of the AllEarth Solar Tracker currently is installed in front of the Aiken Center on UVM’s campus, and 17 full-size trackers located on Spear Street provide about 23% of the electricity required by the building.) Within the past five years, David has led three separate partnerships in building two utility-scale solar farms, as well as a 10 MW, four-turbine wind farm that helps power the city of Burlington, VT.
In addition to running AllEarth Renewables, David volunteers his time to organizations connected with renewable energy, energy education, and preparing for a post-peak-oil world. He served as treasurer of the American Wind Energy Association for 16 years until the spring of 2010, and subsequently was a founding member and treasurer of the Distributed Wind Energy Association. He is a board member for both the Post Carbon Institute and Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility, and is a current board member, founding member and past chair of Renewable Energy Vermont. David chairs the board of advisors for the University of Vermont’s Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, and is also on the national board of advisors for the Union of Concerned Scientists. He is widely regarded as ranking among the most strategic and visionary leaders in renewable energy.
2016 University of Vermont Alumni Association Distinguished Service Award
to Samuel E. Bain, Jr. ’68, Boston, Mass.
In his varying roles as an outstanding alumni volunteer, Sam Bain has given tirelessly to the University of Vermont. Most notably Sam helped guide the University’s Board of Trustees during tough global financial times as chair of the Investment Sub-Committee. A native Vermonter, Sam has been described as humble, an unconditional supporter, a remarkable explainer, a devoted coach and a gifted teacher. His actions exemplify gratitude and commitment to the institution that molded him to be an outstanding humanitarian for which his family has a longtime legacy.
Sam Bain founded Bainco in 1987 as a wealth management firm focused on holistic and objective asset management at a time when transaction-based investing was the norm. As CEO and Managing Member, Sam shaped the direction of the firm’s business strategy while maintaining close relationships with its clients. Sam applies his business acumen to a host of unique client situations and enjoys the intellectual challenge of identifying and developing solutions to otherwise complicated problems.
He is a member of the Board of Overseers for Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; a past Trustee of St. Johnsbury Academy; a Trustee Emeritus of the University of Vermont; an Advisory Board Member for The Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation and a Board Member of The Addario Lung Cancer Medical Institute.
2016 University of Vermont Alumni Association Distinguished Service Award
to Edward E. Madden, Jr. ’92, Wellesley Hills, Mass.
Having served on nearly two dozen committees for the University of Vermont, Ted is a dedicated volunteer who is driven to make his alma mater a stronger place. Ted’s leadership started as a student, where he played as a walk-on defenseman for the men’s hockey team and as a member of the Boulder Society, which recognizes senior men who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, scholarship and service to the University and surrounding community.
After graduation Ted’s relationship with UVM evolved through various leadership roles with Admissions and the Career Center as well as the Boston Regional Board. He was given the Alumni Association’s Outstanding Young Alumni Award in 1997 and ultimately served as president of the UVM Alumni Association from 2010-2013. During his tenure as president, Ted was instrumental in defining the role and relationship of the UVM Alumni Association with the UVM Foundation, including serving as a lead advocate for the UVM Alumni House project.
Ted is Senior Vice President of Workplace Investing at Fidelity Investments. He lives in Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts with his wife, Amy Bridges Madden ’91, and their four children.
2016 University of Vermont Alumni Association Outstanding Young Alumni Award to Matthew Mues ’08, Chestnut Hill, Mass.
A Massachusetts native, Matt attended the Brooks School prior to enrolling at UVM. As an undergraduate Matt fostered his passions for biology, which was instilled in him by his grandfather and mentor Marvin Zelen, and for hockey, serving as captain of UVM’s club hockey team. In the relatively short time since his graduation, Matt has served on seven committees and has attended more than 60 activities on behalf of the University. He has been active as an Admissions volunteer, a Career Networking volunteer and a Catamount Mentor. He currently serves as the Vice Chair of the Boston Regional Alumni Board and is always ready to assist the UVM Alumni Association in any way necessary to help his alma mater.
Matt is senior finance manager for the Center for Systems Biology at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.
2016 University of Vermont Foundation Lifetime Achievement in Philanthropy Award to Richard E. and Deborah L. Tarrant, Hillsboro Beach, Fla.
Since 2005, the Richard E. and Deborah L. Tarrant Foundation has been one of the most active private foundations in Vermont. The Foundation uses its resources to ease hardship, help people overcome barriers to success, and drive innovative change.
The Tarrant Foundation has partnered with schools and educators to reshape learning in ways that better meet the needs of today’s youth. Moving far beyond simple technology access, the Foundation supports teaching and learning that is engaging and effective for students, empowering for educators, and relevant to the modern world.
Nearly $12 million has been invested to date in these partnerships, and the Foundation has helped to secure millions of additional dollars to fuel innovation in Vermont schools. The Tarrant Foundation believes that leadership, focused investment, and strong partnerships will result in dramatic and necessary evolution in Vermont schools by the year 2020.
In 2010, the Foundation was recognized for its thoughtful strategy and effective partnerships with the AFP-NNE National Philanthropy Day Outstanding Foundation of the Year Award. Foundation initiatives have been featured in national publications including EdWeek: Technology Counts and the Middle School Journal.
About the Awards
The Alumni Distinguished Service Award has been awarded since 1958 to volunteer alumni leaders whose service to the University of Vermont and the Alumni Association has enhanced the reputation and furthered the mission of the university. The Alumni Achievement Award has been awarded to alumni since 1985 for outstanding achievement that has been recognized at the local, state, and/or national level. The Young Alumni Award has been awarded since 1979 to alumni who graduated within the past ten years for volunteer service to the University of Vermont and to the Alumni Association, and for commitment to furthering the mission of the University. The Lifetime Achievement in Philanthropy Award is given by the University of Vermont Foundation to deserving individuals or couples who have demonstrated a passionate commitment to furthering the efforts of philanthropy at UVM through their leadership, vision, volunteerism, and personal philanthropy. Recipients of this award must be lifetime members of the Ira Allen Society with demonstrated impact in promoting and expanding philanthropy that supports the University of Vermont.
About The University of Vermont Foundation
The University of Vermont Foundation is a nonprofit corporation established to secure and manage private support for the benefit of the University of Vermont. The Foundation is currently engaged in a comprehensive campaign with four strategic priorities: student access and scholarship; faculty research and support; student-centered programs; and long-term investments in the physical campus. Move Mountains: The Campaign for The University of Vermont seeks to raise $500 million in private support and assert UVM's position as one of the nation's best public research universities. For further information about giving to UVM, contact the University of Vermont Foundation, 411 Grasse Mount, Burlington VT 05401; 802-656-2010, www.uvmfoundation.org, email foundation@uvm.edu.