1991 – 1992

Amazing American Adventure

by Willem Gijsels

Dear Rensselaer, Happy 200 year anniversary! As a proud alumnus I have stayed in touch, after more than 30 years. I joined graduate school in the fall of 1991 for a master in mechanical engineering with dr. deVries and dr. Craig, after graduating in engineering from KU Leuven in Belgium. I enjoyed a Fulbright scholarschip, was a honorary fellow of the Belgian American Educational Foundation (BAEF), and held a teaching assistantship. Many fond memories I have retained from this American adventure, both academically and socially, and I made many friends from the Engineering and Math departments! Also I enjoyed a warm welcome by the C+CC to international students, through which I got to know my host family Kuchenbecker in Poestenkill. I also knew the host family Green of my father Leo Gijsels (alumnus of RPI '64 in Aeronautical engineering with dr Foa) who lived on Tibbits Ave. We surely spent a lot of time on campus and in the lab, but also enjoyed trips with the outing club to Lake George and the Catskills. We visited Boston, NY and more places. We won the basketball intramurals and were at the Big Red Freakout, we went to see major league basketball and baseball games. Author of The hunt for Red October Tom Clancy spoke at our commencement in May 1992, after which I returned to Europe for my engineering career. My transatlantic connection proved of great value many times! I even stumbled upon another RPI alumnus once in The Hague, The Netherlands. Over the years I revisited Rensselaer a number of times and also joined Homecoming. I wish you a great anniversary, and hope to visit Rensselaer campus soon :-)