The Bridge - September 2003
Contents
- Welcome: Focus on Regional Events and Volunteers
- News: President Parrish Announces Retirement
- Calling All Alums: Got a Nontraditional Job? Let Us Know
- Job Postings
- Events: Faculty/Staff Art Show Sept. 19; Homecoming Oct. 10-11
- Sports: Tech Crushes Endicott in Season Opener
- Did You Know: WPI Acronyms
- Bookmarks
1. Welcome: Focus on Regional Events and Volunteering
This year the Alumni Association is adding additional locations for regional events and sponsoring service opportunities. Another focus this year is training and recognition for Association volunteers.
A letter from Fred Costello '59, Alumni Association President
2. News
President Parrish to Retire from WPI
Ed Parrish has announced that he will retire at the end of this academic year, allowing time for a successful presidential search. Since assuming WPI's presidency in August of 1995, he oversaw one of the most productive periods of the university's history, despite difficult economic times.
WPI Hydrogen Fuel Study Funded by Shell
Chemical engineering professor Ed Ma received $1.5 million from Shell International Exploration and Production Inc. to study ways to refine hydrogen for fuel cells. He says he believes the best way to do this is by using membranes made from the precious metal palladium. With the funding from Shell, Ma is engaged in a three-year study.
Recent press on the grant:
WPI Mourns Loss of Professor, Librarian
Herbert Beall, professor of chemistry at WPI, died on Sunday, August 31, 2003. Herb joined the faculty in the Chemistry Department in 1968. Carmen Brown, who retired from the Gordon Library Staff in June passed away on September 3,. Carmen was a valuable part of the library since it was completed in 1967. Carmen was the first female academic advisor at WPI.
Alumnus Appears on Discovery Channel Car Show
In July Ed Sandoz '03 traveled to California to be on the reality television show, "Monster Garage." His "build team" modified a Mercedes SUV so that it could be driven by someone in a wheelchair. Sandoz has been a quadriplegic since 1997 when a motorcycle accident left him paralyzed. This month Sandoz takes a job with Honda Research and Development in Ohio. The program runs on September 29 at 9 p.m. on the Discovery Channel.
All-New Undergrad Admissions Web Site Launched
The catch phrase "You are different -- and being different allows you to make a difference" sets the tone for the new undergraduate admissions Web site that now features live chats, links to videos of WPI's global project program, and plenty of cross-referencing so visitors don't lose access to information once they've clicked down a particular path. WPI worked with the internationally acclaimed New York-based design firm EuroRSCG Circle to revamp the portal to be more student- friendly. The August launch of the Web site dovetailed with a new admissions viewbook published earlier this summer.
3. Seeking Alumni With Surprising Jobs
Has your WPI degree taken you on a road less traveled? Are you working in a profession that may not even be remotely related to your field of study? The Office of Alumni Relations is looking for alumni with surprising jobs to participate in a brown bag lunch series for students, demonstrating the breadth of professional possibility that a WPI degree holds. To find our more, contact Beth Howland, director, Alumni Relations at 508-831-5600 or ehowland@wpi.edu.
4. Jobs
Cambridge Firm Seeks Chemical Engineers
EBI Consultants, an environmental management and engineering service located in Cambridge, Mass., is in search of chemical engineers with 5-10 years experience in design and a P.E. For more information contact Stephen J. Kmiotek '80 (M.S. '82, Ph.D. '86), vice president, manager of industrial services at 617-715-1815 or skmiotek@ebiconsultants.com.
Mass. DoD Research Firm Seeks Software Engineers
Alphatech, a growing Department of Defense research firm in Burlinton, Mass., was founded in 1979 by MIT graduates and professors. Projects include research, modeling, simulation, algorithm development, software development, software testing, technical consulting and systems integration. All employees must be U.S. citizens. For information, contact human resources consultant Hank Vezina at hank_44@hotmail.com or visit http://www.alphatech.com/secondary/employment/jobopps.html.
5. Events: Alumni
Oct. 10-11: Homecoming!
Football and soccer games, BBQ, fly-in at Worcester Airport, road race, class reunions ('88, '93, '98, '03), rope pull, family carnival and more. For more information, contact 508-831-6222 or visit the Homecoming Web site.
Oct. 11: Class Boards of Directors Meeting
Odeum, Campus Center, 8:30 a.m., with continental breakfast. Contact 508-831-5600 or alumni-office@wpi.edu.
Nov. 1: Reunion Workshop
Planning and information session for classes celebrating reunions in the spring of 2004. For information, contact 508-831-5600 or alumni-office@wpi.edu.
Nov. 19: New Jersey Alumni Reception
Marriott Hotel, Newark Liberty International Airport, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Contact 508-831-5600 or regional-events@wpi.edu.
Nov. 20: Happy Anniversary, NYC Project Center
Area alums meet to network, socialize and celebrate the fifth anniversary of WPI's New York Project Center. The Lotos Club, 5 East 66th St. $20 per person (send no later than Nov. 10). Contact 508-831-5600 or regional-events@wpi.edu.
Events: Campus
Sept. 19: Faculty & Staff Art Exhibition
An exhibit of works by eight WPI faculty and staff members: Joanne Beller, Lora Brueck, Roger Gottlieb, Carolyn Kelly, Dave Lucht, Bonnie McCrea, Pam Weathers and Kevin Wynn. Through Oct. 20, George C. Gordon Library, second and third floor galleries; free. For more information, contact 508-831-6612 or archives@wpi.edu.
Sept. 24: Hull Lecture
Dr. Laurie Marker, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Cheetah Conservation Fund, speaks on "Interdisciplinary Programs for Sustainable Conservation and Development." Lecture: Olin Hall 107, 7 p.m., free. Wine and cheese reception: Great Hall, Higgins House, 8 p.m., $35 per person.
Oct. 22-23: Targeted IT Training Info Sessions
Learn about WPI's IT short course and certificate programs at Worcester, Waltham and Southborough campuses. Course topics include Information Security, Server/Networks Operating Systems, Database Integration, Web/E-Commerce Technologies, and Development Tools and Languages. Oct. 22: 6:30 p.m.; Waltham Campus, 60 Hickory Drive, Waltham, 5th floor. Oct. 23: 6:30 p.m.; MetroWest Campus in Southborough 225 Turnpike Road, 2nd floor. For more information, contact WPI's Continuing and Professional Education Office at 800-WPI-9717 or visit their web site.
View the calendar of campus events
6. GO TECH! WPI Trounces Endicott in Season Opener
Miguel Concepcion '04 returned two kickoffs for touchdowns in the first quarter and Kevin Moore '05 rushed for 110 yards and scored two touchdowns, leading WPI to a 55-14 victory over Endicott Sept. 6 at Endicott Stadium, spoiling Endicott's first game as a varsity program. It was the opener for both teams.
7. Did You Know... WPI in the Age of Acronyms
A few entries in the WPI Acronym Dictionary, compiled by William L. Herbert '05:
- GAEA: "guy-uh" - Global Awareness of Environmental Activity
- GNO: plural possessive, (Girls' not Girl's) Girls' Night Out
- MASH: "mash," written as M*A*S*H, Math And Science Help
- NOC: "the knock," the central office for NetOps, Network Operations Center
- WM: "whoa-mag," Worcester Magazine
8. Bookmarks
- Class Notes - Share news with classmates
- Alumni Job Opportunities
- Career Development Center
- Alumni Web Site - Your source for alumni information and events!
- Alumni Events
- Transformations: WPI's Alumni Magazine
- Athletics: Weekly Roundup
- Athletics: Schedule
- Campus Events
We'd love to hear your suggestions or comments. Please send them to us at thebridge@wpi.edu.
Maintained by webmaster@wpi.eduLast modified: May 25, 2006, 13:30 EDT