Jerry Nelson SVP SVP '69, BS '74 believes in challenging the status quo in constructive ways–a talent he developed during his years at RIT/NTID while earning a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering technology. Along with helping lead the effort that created the NTID student congress and being elected its first president, Nelson was editor of The Transcript, an underground NTID student newspaper. He represented the college at the first NTID-Gallaudet debate and even worked as a Zamboni driver at RIT's Ritter Arena. After graduation, he was elected to the first NTID Alumni Board, served as an alumni member of the NTID National Advisory Group and participated in numerous alumni functions across the country. Nelson currently is involved in alumni fundraising efforts for construction of Sebastian and Lenore Rosica Hall. He is the director of large accounts for Purple VRS, a video relay service company. He handles accounts for national corporate and deaf-owned businesses and RIT/NTID.