Rutgers Announces 2016 Hall of Distinguished Alumni Honorees
Inductees to include leaders from oil exploration, investments, professional sports and cancer research
The Rutgers University Alumni Association will induct five extraordinary graduates into the Rutgers Hall of Distinguished Alumni on Saturday, May 7, 2016. The 29th annual awards ceremony will commemorate these Rutgers graduates for their varied and remarkable accomplishments. Nationally and internationally recognized in such areas as oil and gas exploration and production, finance, professional sports, and cancer research, this year’s honorees include:
Rutgers College 1968
Stephen I. Chazen is the chief executive officer of Occidental Petroleum Corporation, a Houston-based oil and gas exploration and production company with international reach. His philanthropic work helps protect California’s beaches and promotes aquatic life education. He is a member of the board of the American Petroleum Institute and a member of the National Petroleum Council.
Douglass College 1993
Phuti Mahanyele is the executive chair of Sigma Capital, an investment holding company in South Africa. Named one of the Wall Street Journal’s 50 Women to Watch, she is also a celebrated philanthropist known for her work with youth.
University College-New Brunswick 2010 and 2009
Devin and Jason McCourty are twin brothers and NFL standouts. Devin, a safety and team captain for the New England Patriots, and Jason, a cornerback and team captain for the Tennessee Titans, have also worked tirelessly to raise awareness and funds in support of families affected by sickle cell disease.
College of Nursing 1989, 1992 and 2000
Sung Poblete has made it her life’s work to fight cancer from all angles: galvanizing awareness, improving patient outcomes, and enabling cutting-edge research. Today, she is president and chief executive officer of Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C).
"The Rutgers Hall of Distinguished Alumni commemorates the history and tradition of the university community. During the year-long celebration of Rutgers’ 250, this year’s revolutionary honorees are an inspiration to strive for excellence,” said Donna Thornton, Vice President for Alumni Relations, Annual Giving and Communications.
The black-tie awards will be hosted at the George Street Playhouse, followed by an after-party at the Heldrich Hotel in downtown New Brunswick. More information about the event and the inductees can be found on the event website.
About the Rutgers Hall of Distinguished Alumni
Created in 1987, the Rutgers Hall of Distinguished Alumni recognizes alumni who, through their superlative achievements in professional and civic life, have brought honor to themselves and to the university. Only 223 graduates have been inducted into the Hall of Distinguished Alumni in Rutgers’ history. Notable members include late actor James Gandolfini, author Janet Evanovich, NBC news anchor Natalie Morales, late actor and humanitarian Paul Robeson, Nobel Prize winners Selman Waksman and Milton Friedman, and five former New Jersey governors.
About the Rutgers University Alumni Association
The Rutgers University Alumni Association (RUAA) was founded on July 1, 2008, as the first all-inclusive alumni association at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. Formed after an extensive process to bring 19 separate alumni organizations together under one strong union, the united alumni association now includes more than 470,000 living alumni and 130 diverse charter groups. The purpose of the RUAA is to advance the best interests and well-being of Rutgers University by engaging all alumni in the life of the institution. Membership is free for life and includes exclusive access to a vast array of Rutgers-only benefits and perks.