I'd like to introduce myself to all of you. As I will be the club president for the next year, I thought you should know what you've gotten into.

I'm a New Jersey native, public school graduate, proud Davenport resident, engineering degree holder from Yale who went west seeking my fortune (grad school at Caltech) and landed in a faculty position at NCSU lo those many years ago (where many > 20). I currently live with my musically-talented wife Elizabeth and two dogs. I am an avid basketball and bridge player, and my lifelong dream is to bring the 1968 Fiat Spider sitting in my garage back to life.

I have devoted my life to public service, as a teacher, researcher, coach and parent. Helping raise four children of my own and a step-daughter, all of whom are marvelously accomplished, is the contribution of which I am most proud. I could wax poetic (and ad nauseum) about my children, but instead I will give you a peek into a typical week in our family. Monday - full employment, all children productive. Tuesday - I fly to Cornell in anticipation of daughter Kate's (UPenn '02) PhD defense. Wednesday - successful PhD defense, youngest son John (Yale '07) flies to NC to prepare for his role as best man in brother Marc's (Princeton '05) wedding.

Thursday - Chris (Duke '01, Emory Law '08) flies down from DC internship in public defender's office for prenuptial activities. I return from Cornell with Kate and her family. Friday - Loren (GW '06) flies down from her polling/public policy job in NYC, misses rehearsal dinner but does begin reading final Harry Potter book with her mother. Saturday - Marc wed's Allison (Duke '05, UNC med) with attendant siblings and much reception cheer.

If you have not figured out by now that I am a devoted dad, give back your diploma...

I have an active research interest in alternative fuels (biodiesel, bioethanol) and products from biomass. I was around for the first Earth Day and remember what things were like before the EPA existed. Environmental stewardship is why I became an engineer in the first place.

Why did I agree to be the club president? Because almost everything I have managed to accomplish can be traced back to something I learned at Yale. Those four years influenced every aspect of my life - person and professional, and being active in this club is a way, albeit a small one, that I can repay a part of the debt I owe to my Yale experience.

I hope I can be of service to the club and to all of you. I am open to any and all suggestions for improvements to the offerings and operation of TYC. Please feel free to contact me directly at steven.peretti@gmail,com with your thoughts and suggestions!