The Bridge - May 2003

1. Welcome

See You at Reunion!

Three more weeks and WPI alumni return to college... the all-new ALUMNI COLLEGE. During Reunion Weekend, return to the classroom for discussions led by star faculty, alumni and members of the WPI community. Sessions are offered in Science and Technology (bioengineering, fuel cells and intellectual property) and "And Life" (antiquing, Wine Tasting 101, and more). All alumni are welcome -- whether you are "reuniting" or not!

View the full Reunion schedule and register online.

2. News

Holden Teacher Wins First Technological Humanist Award

WPI presented its inaugural Technological Humanist Awards to seven outstanding Massachusetts high school teachers May 1, 2003. P. Brady Townsend, who teaches math at Wachusett Regional High School in Holden, received the First-Place Award, which included $5,000 to be used for equipment purchases, professional development or other activities that enhance education at his school.

Learn more about the award.

Lecturer Unfazed by Die-in

In late April two student protesters (one from Clark, the other from WPI) interrupted a WPI lecture on military aircraft. The students, smeared with ketchup and cherry Kool-Aid, barely distracted Stephen N. Finger, executive vice-president of Pratt & Whitney Aircraft. Incredulous that the die-in hadn't caused much of a disruption, the Clark student commented, "We have better things to do than just lie there."

Read the full story.

Marketing Milestones: New Campus Signage; TV ad runs in Hartford

The Hill is alive with the sound of...construction. Another initiative of WPI's marketing plan comes to fruition with the installation of new campus signs. They feature WPI's new logo in black and crimson with brushed aluminum accents, mounted on granite bases. Also, the university's television commercial, "WPI Was There," airs through May 25 in Boston -- and, for the first time, in the Hartford/New Haven market.

See the new signs.
Watch and find out more about the TV commercial.

Kennedy and McGovern Herald Launch of Bioengineering Institute

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy and Rep. James P. McGovern helped WPI celebrate the opening of its Bioengineering Institute at a ceremony on April 24. During a presentation to central Massachusetts business leaders, Kennedy and McGovern laid out the vision of BEI as a catalyst for economic growth by facilitating the conversion of research discoveries into new products and new companies in the region.

Read the full story.

Business Program Wins Seal of Approval

The bachelor's and master's degree programs in business at WPI achieved accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Fewer than 21 percent of all business programs nationwide are accredited. In granting its seal of approval, the AACSB board cited WPI's identification of a unique mission and an interdisciplinary and project-based curriculum that includes capstone experiences.

Read the full news release.

Show Your Pride! Did you share the latest issue of Transformations with your colleagues? Have you worn your WPI sweatshirt on Casual Day? Tell us stories about how you've been showing your school pride: thebridge@wpi.edu

3. Commencement

First Latina Astronaut Salutes Grads

Ellen Ochoa of La Mesa, Calif., made history a decade ago when she became an astronaut. At WPI's commencement ceremonies on May 17, Ochoa described how her passion for learning propelled her into space.

Read the full story.
Visit the Commencement Web site

4. Save the Date

Homecoming, October 10-11

Mark your calendars now for this year's festivities: cookouts, homecoming parade, varsity football vs. Norwich, and much more! Also, the Classes of 1988, 1993, 1998 and 2003 have reunions this weekend. If you are a member of one of these classes and would like to help plan your Reunion, contact Jennifer Riddell, assistant director of alumni relations, at jriddell@wpi.edu.

Learn more...

5. Events:

Alumni

May 19: WPI Dinner in Dallas. For those attending the National Fire Protection Association's annual meeting, all WPI students, alumni, faculty and friends are invited. The Hoffbrau, 311 North Market Street; 6:30 p.m. For information contact Tom Izbicki at: tizbick@mail.ci.dallas.tx.us, or 214-670-7015.

Read the formal invitation.

June-Aug.: WPI Summer Getaways. Tangelwood, Newport, Nova Scotia, and the Maine Coast. Join fellow alumni and members of the WPI community for some fun-filled summer trips. For more information or to sign-up, please contact Donna DeChiaro, WPI Campus Center, 508-831-6806, or email donnad@wpi.edu.

Read descriptions of the trips.

EVENTS: WPI Campus

May 22: Test Tube to Factory Floor: Implementing Technical Innovations. A daylong symposium at WPI's Metal Processing Institute. WPI campus; 7:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Learn more and register online.

June 6: "Environments," a painting exhibition by Worcester artist and poet Judith Ferrara. George C. Gordon Library, 2nd + 3rd floor galleries; free. Opening reception June 7, 1-4 p.m., on exhibit through Sept. 12.

For more information, please call 508-831-6612 or visit The Social Web.

June 14: BattleCry@WPI 4. A high-energy tournament that pits 130-pound robotic creations from more than 50 high schools against each other. The hometown team (students from Mass Academy of Math and Science, mentored by WPI students) has won this tournament two out of three years. Harrington Auditorium, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; free.

For more information, contact Ken Stafford at 508-831-6122, or stafford@wpi.edu.

Learn more about BattleCry.

View the full calendar of Campus Events.

HOT LINK

Corporate Education

Please view the ALL-NEW Corporate Education Web Site, featuring new graduate certificates for businesses and professionals. Apply now for exciting new programs starting in June, featuring a variety of timely topics such as Information Security, Impact Engineering, International Business, and more!

6. SPORTS

WPI Men's Crew Wins at New England Championships

WPI novice men won the New England Championships over Williams College (the first time we have won this event) and the second varsity men earned a bronze. Overall, the WPI men placed third in New England Cup Points Trophy.

WPI Summer Sports Camps Rock!

Staffed by many of the best college and high school coaches in New England, WPI summer sports camps provide opportunities to play on some of the finest athletic facilities in the Northeast, including WPI's OmniTurf field. Campers at WPI Sports Camps will learn new skills, meet new friends, and also be a little tuckered out when you pick them up at the end of the day. WPI offers daily instruction in the fundamentals of baseball, basketball, rowing, field hockey and soccer to boys and girls ages 8-17. New for 2003: a weekend rowing camp for adults 18 and older.

Visit the Summer Sports Camps Web site.

7. DID YOU KNOW

Students pick favorites

As the academic year drew to a close, Tech News polled students on their likes and dislikes. Some highlights:

Best Worcester Pizza: Tech Pizza
Best Worcester Restaurant: 111 Chop House
Favorite Police Log Entry: Car stuck in fountain
Best Thing About Living on Campus: The Network
Favorite Public Rest Room: Campus Center 3rd Floor
Favorite Class: ME 1800 (Materials)

8. Bookmarks

Class Notes
Got something exciting to announce? Tell us about it!

Alumni Café
Keep in touch with other alums on our message boards!

Alumni Web Site
Your source for alumni information and events!

Alliance of International Students and Alumni at WPI

Transformations
Read the Spring '03 issue with Web-only features!

We'd love to hear your suggestions or comments. Please send them to us at thebridge@wpi.edu.

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Last modified: Aug 11, 2006, 10:03 EDT