Michael J. Cherbak '76​

Michael J. Cherbak has fond memories and continues to be influenced by his college days and the time he spent as a brother of the Rho Phi chapter of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. He pledged as a freshman and was initiated in 1973. Upon initiation he lived in the house for all four years as an undergraduate.

During those years he recalls doing auto maintenance for the brothers for beer money, and is proud that he was able to maintain a GPA good enough to graduate. He was also the fraternity’s rush chairman, and later served as their president as well. He credits Rho Phi not only for giving him some of the most fun years of his life, but also with teaching him to “give without having gotten first.”

This is a lesson Mike has put to action in his every day. He has dedicated much time to the fraternity, serving as president of both the Rho Phi House Corporation, and the Rho Phi Board of Chapter Advisors. He also enjoys helping brothers obtain internships and permanent career positions. Mike says, “the greatest joy is giving and the most satisfying work is helping others.”

In Bloomington, Indiana, where Mike currently resides with his wife Rhonda, whom he has been married to for 28 years, he finds satisfaction in serving his community also. He started an ASA softball league. He works closely with the Edgewood Choral Department and started the Edgewood Choral Foundation.

Mike is the father of two daughters, Christian Ann, and Susan Bryne who has been a Colt’s cheerleader for five years. In his free time, Mike enjoys doing electronic repairs, and is also interested in videography and sound reinforcement.

Currently, Mike is employed by Harman/Becker Automotive Systems where he serves as their facilities manager. Previously, he put the BSEE, which he received from Rose Hulman Institute of Technology in 1976, into action working for the consumer electronics company RCA/GE/Thomson. He was with the company for many years serving in various roles, including, quality engineer, production support manager, and process engineering manager.

In his various positions he has lead several presentations and seminars and has received numerous awards for specialized equipment designs at RCA/GE/Thomson. In addition, he has been published many times and is a senior member of IEEE.

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