On October 25, 2025, the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute community gathered for the annual Honors Convocation to celebrate the remarkable achievements of students and faculty who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and creativity.
Among this year’s honorees, several outstanding students from the Lally School of Management were recognized with the prestigious Founders Award of Excellence, one of Rensselaer’s highest distinctions.
2025 Founders Award of Excellence Recipients from Lally
- Sushmitha Chittani
- Ishita Pandey
- Grace Peckham
- Arielle Revis
- Shoshana Sugerman
- Peter De Smidt
- Naomi Gaylor
The Founders Award of Excellence recognizes Rensselaer students who embody the Institute’s core values of discovery, innovation, and leadership. Recipients are selected for their dedication to academic success, integrity, and meaningful contributions to both the campus and the broader community.
Each of these Lally students has made a lasting impact through research, entrepreneurship, mentorship, and leadership. Their achievements reflect the school’s mission to prepare students to become innovative business leaders who create positive change in the world.
Honoring Achievement Across Rensselaer
The 2025 Honors Convocation highlighted excellence throughout Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, celebrating both student and faculty accomplishments in research, teaching, and service. The event reaffirmed the Institute’s commitment to intellectual curiosity, creativity, and ethical leadership.
Recognizing Teaching Innovation at Lally
The Lally School of Management is also proud to recognize two outstanding faculty members named as Dean R. Wellington ’83, ’84 Teaching Professors in Management (Wellington Developmental Teaching Chairs). This distinction honors faculty who demonstrate exceptional teaching innovation and a deep commitment to student learning.
- Lydia Manikonda, Assistant Professor of Business Analytics and Web Science
- Kevin Fletcher, Director of Undergraduate Programs and Professor of Practice in Organizational Theory and Change Management
Professors Manikonda and Fletcher have advanced the Lally learning experience through creative course design, applied learning opportunities, and a dedication to fostering student success. Their recognition reflects Lally’s strong culture of teaching excellence and innovation in management education.
A Tradition of Leadership and Innovation at Lally
At the RPI Lally School of Management, students are encouraged to lead with purpose by combining analytical thinking, creativity, and a strong sense of ethical responsibility. The success of the 2025 Founders Award recipients demonstrates the lasting impact of a Lally education and the Institute’s dedication to developing future leaders in business and society.
Join Us in Celebration
Congratulations to all honorees recognized during Rensselaer’s 2025 Honors Convocation. The Lally School of Management celebrates your achievements and your commitment to excellence, innovation, and leadership.
