Please consider making a gift to support this initiative.
In conjunction with ROTC, a memorial plaque has been commissioned to serve as a tribute to the bravery, service, and sacrifice of the veterans, prisoners-of-war, and service members killed and wounded in action from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute since World War II. The plaque will be mounted on the Approach, adjacent to memorials for RPI alumni who died in service during the first and second world wars.
To date, 18 members of the RPI family have been identified to be included on the plaque. These individuals answered our nation’s call, and their commitment to service embodies the Rensselaer motto of “knowledge and thoroughness.” This plaque will honor their courage and carry forward their legacy.
Charles L. Bifolci ’65
William J. Torpie ’65
Stephen M. Martone ’80
Stephen S. Sirkin ’83
Miroslav S. Zilberman ’03
Jeffrey R. Calero ’96
Carmen Lucci ’75
Bob Flesch ’60
John Jay Janoska, Jr ’68
Harold J. Greene ’80
Richard A. Kibbey ’57
Jared N. Van Aalst ’97
Moses Alves ’66
La Grange Lance ’66
Jay Cook ’86
Loft Tom ’63
Ian T. McVey ’07
How You Can Help
Funds are being raised to pay for the construction and installation of the plaque, which is going to be unveiled at the Approach on Veterans Day – November 11, 2026. More event information and registration to come, check back soon!
For more information and to donate, please contact: Lt. Col. Jake Miller, 518-276-8025.
Project Team
This project is led by a team of current RPI ROTC cadets, in conjunction with Lt. Col. Jake Miller and Approach and Beyond, LLC.
- Cadet Jack Gandolfini ’26, Mechanical Engineering
- Cadet Eyenain Misgar ’27, Biomedical Engineering
- Cadet Eric Wu ’28, Engineering
- Cadet Aaron Verkleeren ’26, Computer Science
- Cadet Jake Hascup ’28, ITWS
- Lander Linen, DotCIO, Ph.D. Student, C.A.S.E
About ROTC at RPI
RPI hosts Army, Air Force/Space Force, and Navy/Marine Corps Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) programs for students desiring to commission as officers in the armed forces following graduation. For more information about each program, visit rotc.rpi.edu.
Stop by to see us during Reunion & Homecoming 2025 – October 10-12th– to see the mock-up plaque and learn more about how you can help!
- Affinity and Club Connection Hub on Friday, 10 September from 3:30 – 5:30pm outside the Rensselaer Union
- The Alumni Fan Festival on Saturday, 11 October from 3:30 – 5:30pm on the Georgian Terrace