Alexander D. Condron (TPR 1989)
President: 2000-2002
"The fact that ACS has lasted and blossomed over 50 years is a testament to the good that benevolent people who are dedicated to a university can do."

Alexander’s first (and fondest) ACS memory: "I worked for the CMU Alumni Association for a few summers, and that exposed me to the entire alumni experience while I was just a student. As part of my job, I helped the director of development promote theater weekends in New York City for alumni and ACS members, and when I joined the board, I was able to participate in those weekends as an ACS member."

Marilyn A. Posner (DC 1968)
President: 2002-2004
"In some small way, I feel that my involvement with the ACS has helped me to pay back the school that has done so much for me. My time as a student at CMU was exciting, difficult and demanding, but it was also a wonderful experience even if I didn’t know it at the time."

Marilyn’s favorite ACS memory: "When I was a new ACS board member and editor of the ACS newsletter, I interviewed all the surviving ACS founders. Each had a unique perspective on being a student at Carnegie Institute of Technology, and a clear vision of how philanthropy for the institution would increase its standing for students, faculty, alumni, friends and even the world."

Deborah C. Kelly (HNZ 1994)
President: 2004-2006
"The 50th anniversary of ACS shows me the longevity of the program, the success of it and the growth of it, and I want that to continue far into the future."

Deborah’s proudest ACS legacy: "As part of the philanthropic component of the ACS Scholars program, the scholars have to work together as a cohesive unit to donate funds to a need at Carnegie Mellon. What made it so exciting for me was a few years after we added this component, one of the scholars told me, ‘I want you to know that I was so excited about this because it took me outside of myself. Before I only worried about my needs, but because of this program, it made me realize that I have to worry about others’ needs, too.’ I walked away elated."

Marilyn Taft Thomas (CFA 1964, 1965)
President: 2008-2010
"The scholars were remarkable, and they continue to be as they have an impact on the world. I don’t think there’s any question that Carnegie Mellon has and continues to make a huge difference with our research and with our graduates, who just are amazing and affect each of the professions that they represent."

Marilyn’s trip to CMU-Q: "When I was president of ACS, I was also a member of the Board of Trustees, and I happened to get the lucky chip. The board decided to send us to Qatar for the first graduation of students from that campus, and it was just wonderful."

Kristen S. Kurland
President: 2014-2016
"ACS allows me to pay it forward. I had to work four jobs in college, and so I said, ‘If I can help a student not have to do that, I’m going to try and do as much as possible.’ It’s all about the students for me."

Kristen’s favorite ACS memory: "My first ACS Legacy Scholar was one of our top students in the School of Architecture, so I was proud that we were fairly close when he was on campus; he even took one of my classes! When he graduated his parents told me that my legacy scholarship put the final touches on his ability to come to Carnegie Mellon. He and his family were truly grateful, and for that, I’m very happy."

Bryon Krug (ENG 1998)
President: 2018-2020
"ACS is about each of us working together to have a larger impact than we could have on our own. We’re all giving a little bit, and it’s all contributing to help accomplish something big."

Bryon’s journey from scholar to supporter: "My first interaction with the ACS was as a student. As an ACS Scholar, I got to attend an annual dinner event. It seemed like, ‘Holy cow, these are incredibly successful people who are so passionate about giving back to the university.’ It felt beyond me at the time, but I set a goal to be a part of something like it. Now, it’s my community."

John Watts (TPR 1985, 1988)
President: 2022-2024
"We’ve transformed from a small and strong, self-organized group of donors to an expansive group of supporters who are making a difference throughout the entire CMU community. ACS is a primary channel to keep Andrew Carnegie’s spirit of philanthropy alive!"

John’s goal for the next 50 years: "We’re helping make the university more affordable to some very incredible students through ACS Scholars and by extension, impacting CMU, our students and the world. We can continue to grow this impact by connecting more and more ACS members around the globe and spreading our message even further."

Katherine Kohatsu (ENG 1997; TPR 2005)
President-Elect: 2024-2026
"ACS has a strong sense of purpose and mission behind it. For 50 years, we have had a passion for the university, for the students and for wanting to continue a legacy of giving as well as the experiences many of us had on campus."

Katherine’s first ACS meeting: "My first meeting for ACS was one of the last meetings before the COVID-19 pandemic. We went virtual for two years, and now, we’re starting to get back together in person. It’s an incredible feeling to come together and work with these people, who I had gotten so close to online, to accomplish ACS’s goals and mission."