MACK HONORED FOR SESQUI WORK

Joe Mack '55, a longtime top advertising executive, knows a selling point when he sees one, and he was sold early on the Sesquicentennial of the University.

Mack, retired chairman and CEO of Saatchi and Saatchi Advertising, was named to act as chairman of the Sesquicentennial celebration nearly three years ago, well before most alumni realized the importance of 2000 in their alma mater's history.

A member of the University's Board of Trustees, Mack spearheaded plans for Rochester's celebration that culminated with the on-campus Sesquicentennial Weekend on October 12-15, 2000. In between, he attended many Regional Sesquicentennial Celebrations and met with alumni throughout the country to drum up support for the October weekend.

To recognize his contributions, Mack received the James S. Armstrong Alumni Award for Service to the University at a special ceremony during the weekend.

In presenting the award, Nathaniel Wisch '55, president of the Trustees' Council of the College, cited Mack's lifetime of service to the University.

Mack, a former president of the Trustees' Council of the College, has served on the Trustees' Visiting Committees for the College and the School of Nursing. He's been a longtime volunteer, reunion leader, and campaigner for the University.

"Joe is the perfect example of the kind of volunteer that Jim Armstrong loved," Wisch said.

Mary Jo Ferr, director of Sesquicentennial, says Mack's leadership was vital to the success of the celebration.

"Very early on, he saw that this was a chance to recognize, to celebrate, and to publicize the extraordinary accomplishments of the University while also recommitting to a strong alumni relations program," she says.

Mack's skill as a facilitator was key to organizing a working crew of alumni representing every region of the country and more than 65 different class years. "He was able to work so well, so smoothly, so effectively with so many different people," Ferr says.

The Armstrong Award recognizes outstanding service to the University and honors the University's former director of alumni relations, a member of the Class of '54.

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