The Bridge - April 2005

Update On Your Bridge Building

In March we noted that about 3,500 people receive The Bridge each month, and we asked for your help in getting the word out to other potential readers. Your efforts are paying off. Learn how you can help promote the Bridge.

Watch Your Mailbox For The Spring Transformations

A Worcester dentist who is watching out for the oral health of the region's children. An entrepreneur who is transforming lives by bringing solar power to rural areas in Central America. An executive who is helping the world's largest retailer of specialty coffees thrive and grow. These are just a few examples of alumni who are using their WPI degrees to make a world of difference. Read their stories and much more in the April 2005 issue of Transformations, which will be in the mail shortly. View a sneak peak of the next issue.

Question Of The Month

No nuclear power plants have been built in the United States since the late 1970s, but a number of policy makers are promoting the return of nuclear power as a clean and lower-cost alternative to electricity made with fossil fuels.

What is your view on this issue?

To register your opinion, visit the WPI Alumni home page. Look for the results and a new question in the May Bridge.

Results of the March Question

As NASA prepares to return the space shuttle to service, debate swirls around the future of the U.S. space program.
What do you think NASA’s primary focus should be?

120 readers responded:

WPI News Alerts

1. Reminder: President Berkey's Inauguration on May 20

You and your family are invited to join the WPI community for the inauguration of Dennis D. Berkey as WPI’s 15th President on Friday, May 20th, at 2:30 p.m., on the Quadrangle (rain location: Harrington Auditorium). A general reception will follow in the Campus Center. For more information and to register to attend, visit www.wpi.edu/+inauguration.

2. News About WPI's 137th Commencement Exercises:

Inventor and Futurist Ray Kurzweil to Speak

Ray Kurzweil, author of "The Singularity is Near: When Humans Transcend Biology" (September 2005) and the best-selling "The Age of Spiritual Machines: When Computers Exceed Human Intelligence," will be the speaker at Commencement on Saturday, May 21, at 11 a.m., on the Quadrangle. Kurzweil invented the first print- to-speech reading machine for the blind, the first CCD flatbed scanner, and the first commercially marketed large-vocabulary speech recognition system, among many other notable firsts. Read the full news release.

Honorary Degrees For Entrepreneur, Forensics Expert

Honorary doctorates will be presented to

Read more about the recipients and Commencement

3. Work Starts on Admissions and Financial Aid Building

As the last remnants of a snowy winter melted in the March sunshine, the process of transforming the parking area at the east end of the Quadrangle into the Bartlett Center, a new home for the Offices of Admissions and Financial Aid, began in earnest. Expected to be completed by May 2006, the new building, made possible by a generous gift from Shirley and James Bartlett Jr.'39, will be the centerpiece for an expanded and revitalized Quad. Learn more and see live images of the construction site.

4. New Director Named for Bioengineering Institute

W. Grant McGimpsey, professor of chemical engineering and a leading nanoscience researcher, has been named the new director of the WPI Bioengineering Institute (BEI). McGimpsey, previously BEI’s associate director of business development, will continue as director of BEI's Center for Molecular Engineering. Former BEI director Timothy Gerrity has moved on to head a company developed through BEI that will facilitate technology transfer. Read the full news release.

5. Gateway Park Receives $2.5 Million Grant

Gateway Research Park at WPI, an 11-acre mixed-use, life sciences-based campus being developed jointly by WPI and the Worcester Business Development Corporation, recently received a $2.5 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration that will help provide parking and other site improvements. Gateway Park is expected to play an important role in the development of the city and the region. Read the full news release.

6. One More Goldwater Scholar for WPI

Molly L. Conforte '06, a biomedical engineering major, has been named a 2005 Barry M. Goldwater Scholar. Goldwater scholarships are awarded to sophomores and juniors who have records of outstanding academic performance and who have demonstrated potential for and commitment to a career in research in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering. For more information on Conforte and the other eight WPI students who have received Goldwater Scholarship over the past five years Read the full news release.

7. Two WPI Undergraduates Among "Best in Class"

A recent issue of "Mass High Tech," the weekly journal of New England technology, included two WPI students (Matthew J. Black '05 and Ryan M. Carey '05) among its "Best in Class" annual list of top 10 engineering and science graduates. The list is designed to showcase New England colleges and universities that educate some of the world's most talented students-- men and women who have passions beyond math and science. Learn more about the students.

8. WPI's First Women of Strength Awards

Four students, a faculty member, and an administrator each received WPI’s inaugural Women of Strength Award on March 31. They are Emily Anesta ‘05 (ECE); Terri Camesano, assistant professor of chemical engineering; Naomi Carton, assistant director of residential life; Marcella Cocoran ‘06 (BE); Laura Handler ‘05 (CEE); and Gissel Morales ‘06 (ECE). The award, co-sponsored by Pratt & Whitney, recognizes WPI women who demonstrate strength of character, community spirit, and leadership, who serve as role models, and who are committed to improving the quality of life for women at WPI.

9. Swimmer Achieves All-America Status

Sophomore Joel Rousseau recently became only the second male WPI swimmer to achieve All-America status; the first, George Bliss Emerson '32, was recognized in 1931 when he finished eighth nationally in the breast stroke. Rousseau finished third in his specialty, the 100-yard butterfly, at the NCAA Division III Nationals at Hope College in Michigan. The third-place finish is believed to be the best by a WPI swimmer in school history. Mary Jane Hall Stimson '81, Anne Marie Kruglewicz '80, and Suzanne Call Margerum '81 achieved All-America status in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Read about Rousseau's accomplishment.

10. Grebinar Retires as Head Wrestling Coach

Phil Grebinar, head wrestling coach at WPI for the past 33 years, announced this week that he has retired from his coaching duties; he will continue as associate professor of physical education. Sean Nelligan '02, an assistant wrestling coach for the past three years, is the new head coach. "Few coaches have as loyal a following [as Grebinar]," noted Dana Harmon, director of physical education, recreation, and athletics. "While we will miss his coaching leadership, we are pleased that Phil will remain with the athletic department." Read about Grebinar's retirement.

11. Four-Year Hiatus Ends for the Goat's Head

The bronze Goat's Head trophy, the coveted prize for the class that wins the annual Freshman- Sophomore Rivalry, was spotted this week for the first time in four years. The trophy was held aloft by a masked individual outside the windows of Forkey Commons during a WPI Jeopardy contest. Read about the sighting. Also, read this Transformations story about the statue's disappearance.

12. Take a Summer Trip with Friends from WPI

Do a Duck Tour of Boston, by land and by river. See James Taylor perform at Tanglewood. Watch the Red Sox take on the Orioles and Nationals in Baltimore and Washington, D.C., Enjoy a cruise along the Maine coast. WPI's Campus Center Office has organized these trips for members of the greater WPI community. To learn more and sign up, visit the Summer Trip Program events page.

Reunion Countdown

19 Alumni and One Friend To Be Honored

Alumni can think of many good reasons to return to WPI to celebrate a major Reunion, but here's one more. Each year during Reunion Weekend the Alumni Association celebrates the career achievements and service of notable alumni and friends by presenting them with distinguished alumni awards. This year, 19 individuals will receive the Alumni Association's four alumni awards. In addition, the William R. Grogan Award will be presented to Bernie Brown, the late vice president for student affairs. The Grogan Award honors contributions by non-alumni. Learn about the classmates who will be recognized.

Get the rundown on Reunion 2005, including the schedule for Alumni College.

Alumni Events

View the complete listing of alumni events

May 11: Ladies Day at TOT, a special luncheon to honor the wives and guests of the Tech Old Timers. The program includes a presentation by Patrick Quinn, head of WPI's Humanities and Arts Department. Campus Center, 9:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. For more information, contact alumni-office@wpi.edu or call 508-831-5600.

June 5: Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLD) invites members of the GOLD classes to see the Pawtucket Red Sox take on the Richmond Braves at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, R.I. Tickets are $22 (children 2 and under free); an all-you-can-eat BBQ buffet is included. For more information and to register, visit the GOLD Web site.

University Events

View the complete listing of campus events

April 19: Project Presentation Day, when students present the results of their Major Projects to faculty advisors and sponsors. View the schedule.

April 20: Chemistry and Biochemistry Colloquium: "Arsenic Phytoremediation: New Hopes for Old Problem," Om Parkash, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Goddard Hall 227, noon.

April 27: Chemistry and Biochemistry Colloquium: "Arabidopsis Stress Responses to the Environmental Pollutants Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons," Adan Colon-Carmona, UMass Boston, Goddard Hall, 227, noon.

April 27: International Association of Jazz Educators Choir and Jazz Combo Festival, Alden Memorial, 3 p.m.

April 27: Humanities and Arts Colloquium on "Ethics and Public Policy." Speakers are James F. Keenan, Boston College, "Political Prudence and Embryonic Stem Cell Research," and Kenneth Himes, Boston College, "Ethics of Exiting from Iraq." Higgins House, 7 p.m. A farewell reception for Professor Thomas A. Shannon, who is retiring, follows.

May 1: Men's and Women's Crew, New England Championships, Lake Quinsigamond, 8 a.m. to noon.

May 7-8: Men's and Women's Crew, ECAC Invitational, Lake Quinsigamond, 8 a.m.

May 11-12: WPI Graduate Information Sessions: May 11, Campus Center, Hagglund Room, 6 p.m.; May 12, Waltham Campus, 6 p.m. For more information: info-session@wpi.edu or Register for a Session.

May 20: Baccalaureate Ceremony, 5 to 6 p.m., Alden Memorial.

May 21: Commencement, 11 a.m., the Quadrangle (rain location, Harrington Auditorium--by ticket only).

Careers

The WPI Alumni Association's Career/Employment Program assists alumni in the search for new employment or with making a career change and provides counseling and mentoring on a private, one-to-one basis. For more information, e-mail alumni-office@wpi.edu or call 508-831-5600.

Here is recent job information:

CIVIL ENGINEER: Small, but growing, fast-paced, innovative, civil engineering, surveying, and land-planning firm in southern Worcester County seeks a licensed civil engineer with a minimum of five years of experience. Project engineers will perform design tasks related to residential subdivision, condo, and commercial site plans. Experience in roadway/utility design, site engineering, grading, and drainage calculations is necessary. Proficiency with AUTOCAD and Land Development Desktop is required. Permitting with local and state experience preferred. Firm offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits package including Health, Dental, 401K, vacation, and holidays. Send resume to Heritage Design Group, 1 Main Street, Whitinsville, MA 01588 or hr@heritage-dg.com.

K-12 JOBS: WPI is a member of the Massachusetts Educational Recruiting Consortium, which holds its job fair on April 21 at the Bayside Expo and Conference Center in Boston. Advance registration is required. For information, contact Jeanette Doyle in the WPI Career Development Center, jmdoyle@wpi.edu, 508-831-5260, or visit the MERC Website.

EMPLOYERS: Send open position listings to thebridge@wpi.edu. Deadline is the first week of the month for posting in that month's issue.

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Last modified: May 25, 2006, 14:17 EDT