The Bridge - December 2005

Question of the Month

Results of the November Question

This is the time of year to give thanks. When you think about the skills or attributes your WPI education helped instill in you, which one are you most thankful for?

129 readers responded. Here is how they ranked the choices we offered:

A few readers e-mailed in other answers. Here's a sample. Read the complete text of these responses...

This Month's Question

From stem cell research (which could help cure diseases), to nanotechnology (which could transform manufacturing), to new Web technologies (which may forever alter how we find and use information), science and technology are advancing at breakneck speed. As you think about the developments that may occur in the next five years, do you think they will make your life better or worse, overall, than it is today? Register your vote at the Alumni Home Page.

We welcome your feedback on the Question of the Month. If you have a comment on this month's question, the feature itself, or anything about The Bridge, why not post it in The Bridge forum in the Alumni Café. You might just get a good conversation started. (Visit the Alumni Café and select General Forums.)

A Message From the Alumni Fund Board Chair

As we approach the end of 2005, our minds turn toward the exciting challenges and opportunities that 2006 will offer. However, it is worthwhile to take the time to think back over the last 12 months. We are fortunate to live in an environment where success is often tied to effort. This may not be a perfect correlation, but we know that being prepared for opportunities will often yield success.

We were all well prepared by the foundation we received here at WPI. We graduated with not only a superior technical education, but an excellent foundation in social skills, project management, and team building. As I think back over my own career, I realize that my stay at WPI played an important role in shaping the success I enjoy today.

The WPI administration believes in providing quality education to today’s young people. More than 83 percent of the incoming freshmen class received scholarship support. Society’s most important obligation is to educate its future generations. Our children are the nation’s most critical resource. WPI is doing its part with excellent faculty, staff, and facilities, but it needs your help.

As 2005 comes to an end, please take a moment to make a donation to WPI to support the university and our future generations. You can make your gift online.

Happy Holidays,
Stuart Kazin ’61

WPI News Alerts

Life Sciences and Bioengineering Center Takes Shape

The first building in Worcester's Gateway Park, the WPI Life Sciences and Bioengineering Center, has progressed significantly since its June 27 ground-breaking. The four-story facility, which is scheduled to open in early 2007, will house state-of-the-art laboratories and support facilities, enrich WPI's educational and research efforts, and attract potential academic and corporate collaborators. Read more...

Babson College Dean Tapped to Head Extended Education

Stephen P. Flavin, currently associate dean of Babson College’s School of Executive Education, has been named associate provost and dean of extended education at WPI. He earned a BS in European history at Suffolk University and a JD at Suffolk University Law School. He previously held the positions of operations and business development manager at Digital Equipment Corporation’s Division of Learning Services and director of encapsulated knowledge business at Global Knowledge Network. Read more...

William Shipman, Plan Author, Dies at 81

C. William "Bill" Shipman, former professor of chemical engineering at WPI, died on Nov. 24. He joined the WPI faculty in 1958 and in the late 1960s was chosen by President Harry Storke to chair the Faculty Planning Committee that spent two years crafting a bold new approach to learning that became known as the WPI Plan. Learn more about Shipman's life and contributions to WPI...

ME Head Honored for Computational Mechanics Work

Professor Gretar Tryggvason, head of the Mechanical Engineering Department, received the 2005 Computational Mechanics Award from the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers on Nov. 20 at the 18th JSME Computational Mechanics Conference in Tsukuba, Japan, where he gave an invited lecture. Well-known for his research in computational methods and multiphase flow, he was also elected fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers in 2005. Learn more about Professor Tryggvason...

WPI Featured in BBC Series on Dickens

British television viewers recently had another chance to learn about WPI's Fellman Dickens Collection and hear from Dickens experts Joel Brattin, professor of English, and Michael Sokal, professor emeritus of history. The documentary series Dickens in America, which aired originally on BBC Four, aired in recent weeks on BBC Two, which reaches a much wider audience. Brattin served as a consultant for the series, and he and Sokal were interviewed for the program with series star Miriam Margoyles, best known to American audiences as the voice of Fly, the female sheepdog in the film Babe, and as Professor Sprout in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Learn more about the Fellman Collection...

Mello Elected Regional Chair of NAFSA

Natalie A. Mello, director of global operations in WPI's Interdisciplinary and Global Studies Division, was recently elected to a three-year term as Region XI chair of NAFSA: Association of International Educators. She will assume the post in 2006. NAFSA promotes international education and provides professional development opportunities to its members. Learn more about WPI’s global programs...

President’s IQP Award Winners Announced

The following student project teams recently received the 2005 President’s IQP Awards. The awards recognize the year’s best projects that examine the intersection of science, technology, and society. The winners are chosen by President Berkey and a panel of distinguished judges.

First Place (tie)

Second Place (tie)

Third Place

Review Course for Fundamentals of Engineering Exam

The Continuing and Professional Education Office will offer a review course for the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam. Classes will be held at WPI on Mondays from 6 to 9 p.m. for 11 weeks beginning Jan. 16. The fee is $275 for full-time WPI undergraduates and graduate students, and $425 for others (the review course cost does not include exam or service fees). For more information, call 508-831-5517 or visit the Continuing and Professional Education FEE Web site.

Men's Basketball Off to an Undefeated Start

The WPI men’s basketball team has won nine games in a row to get its 2005-06 season off to a perfect start. Senior guard Ryan Flynn drilled a 16-foot jumper at the buzzer to keep WPI unbeaten with a dramatic, 61-60, come-from-behind victory over Endicott College on Dec. 8. Sophomore Antoine Coleman finished with a game best 24 points and nine rebounds, while junior Ryan Cain added 13. The 9-0 record ties the team's all-time best start, set last year. WPI returns to action on Jan. 3 against Babson College. Tip-off is at 8 p.m. See all the latest varsity sports news...

Alumni Events

View the complete listing of alumni events...

Jan. 4: GOLD Committee Meeting: all graduates of the last decade (1996-2005) are welcome and encouraged to attend the quarterly planning meeting in the Campus Center, Mid-Century Room, at 6:30 p.m. Sponsored by WPI Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLD). For more information, e-mail gold@wpi.edu or call 508-831-5600.

Jan. 11: California Reception: The WPI Alumni Association invites you to join fellow alumni and WPI representatives for a special reception from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Stanford Park Hotel in Menlo Park. Cost is $15 per person. Register and send payment to the Alumni Relations Office no later than Monday, Jan. 2. For more information: 508-831-5600 or regional-events@wpi.edu.

Jan. 18: Tech Old Timers: "Worcester: City of Invention and Enterprise," by William Wallace, director of the Worcester Historical Museum, Campus Center, Odeum. Coffee hour at 9:45 a.m.; meeting at 10:30. For more information: alumni-office@wpi.edu or 508-831-5600.

Feb. 7: New York Knicks vs. L.A. Clippers at Madison Square Garden. A limited number of tickets are available for $25 each. For more information: 508-831-5600 or regional-events@wpi.edu.

Feb. 8: Tech Old Timers: "Experiences at WPI's Newest Project Center in Windhoek, Namibia," by WPI students and project center co-directors Arthur Gerstenfeld and Creighton Peet, Campus Center, Odeum. Coffee hour at 9:45 a.m.; meeting at 10:30. For more information: alumni-office@wpi.edu or 508-831-5600.

Feb. 9: Florida Reception: Join President Berkey, alumni, parents, and friends for a reception from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Registry Resort and Club in Naples, Fla. Cost is $20 per person. Register and send payment to the Alumni Relations Office no later than Monday, Jan. 27. For more information: 508-831-5600 or regional-events@wpi.edu.

March 20: New York Rangers vs. Boston Bruins at Madison Square Garden. Limited number of tickets available for $20 each. For more information: 508-831-5600 or regional-events@wpi.edu.

University Events

View the complete listing of campus events...

Jan. 10: Venture Forum: "Financing the Dream," $10 members, $20 non-members, faculty/staff/students free with ID, Campus Center, Odeum, 6:30 p.m. (registration, at 6 p.m.). For more information: 508-831-5075.

Jan. 11: WPI Graduate Program Information Session, Campus Center, Hagglund Room, 6 p.m.

Jan. 13: "The Free Software Movement and the GNU/Linux Operating System," by Richard Stallman, founder of the GNU Project, which was launched in 1984 to develop the free software operating system GNU, Campus Center, Odeum, 11 a.m. For more information: csevents@cs.wpi.edu

Jan. 13-March 3: "Phantom Among Phantoms," photographic works by David Machado, a California photographer whose images show people in public and private places, from airports to family portraits, Gordon Library, 3rd floor gallery. Get more information and upcoming exhibits...

Jan. 16: Open House, Undergraduate Admissions. For more information: 508-831-5286 or admissions@wpi.edu.

Careers

The Alumni Association's Career/Employment Program helps 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.

New Job Listing

Senior and Principal Electrical Engineers: A power supply prototype manufacturer in New Jersey seeks to hire 2-3 engineers who will create designs for high-reliability, harsh-environment power supply and system applications, design to meet the environment, reliability and cost objectives, document and release to production, and serve as a mentor to junior colleagues. Requirements: minimum of bachelor's degree in electrical engineering (master’s preferred); minimum five years military and/or industrial experience; proficiency with CAD/CAE tools; and proven expertise in high-frequency PWM DC-DC converters, high- frequency DC-AC conversion or motor drive electronics, solid-state UPS systems and applications, magnetic design, and EMI/RMI reduction techniques. Candidates must be U.S. citizens or have permanent residency. E-mail resume and salary history to Robert Y. Cunningham at ryc@profiledistillers.com, or call 646-842-2585 or 914-241-2450.

Bookmarks

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, 09:41 EDT