The Bridge - May 2005

Winter is behind us, spring is in the air, and WPI's seniors are preparing to graduate. The university's 15th president is being inaugurated this week, the Goat's Head has been sighted on campus, and a new admissions and financial aid building is rising near the Quad. There is much excitement at WPI! In addition, Reunion is only a few weeks away; we hope you are planning to attend. On Saturday, June 11, the Alumni Association will honor 19 graduates and hold its annual meeting. We hope to see you there. Register online.

Fred Costello '59
President, WPI Alumni Association

Question of the Month

Congress recently passed the Real ID Act to standardize driver's licenses. Some say this is the first step toward a national ID card that will store personal information electronically but will be difficult to counterfeit and duplicate.

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 June Bridge.

Results of the April Question

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?

292 readers responded. Here are the results:

WPI News Alerts

Senator Kennedy Scheduled to Speak at Inauguration

U.S. Senator Edward M. Kennedy is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the inauguration of President Berkey on Friday, May 20. The ceremony begins at 2:30 p.m. on the Quadrangle (rain location, Harrington Auditorium). WPI will present Kennedy with the WPI Presidential Medal, which recognizes individuals who represent the ideal of the technological humanist that has been at the heart of WPI's approach to education since its founding. Read the news release or visit the Inauguration Web site.

WPI's 137th Commencement Set for Saturday

About 700 candidates will receive bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees at Commencement exercises starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 21, on the Quadrangle (rain location: Harrington Auditorium). Ray Kurzweil, futurist, inventor, and author, will be the speaker. He will receive an honorary doctorate, along with Robert Diamond '56, developer of Caller ID and founder of Xanboo, which makes Internet-enabled devices for remote monitoring of homes and businesses, and Henry Lee, world-renowned expert in forensic science. The ceremony will be broadcast over the Web. To learn more, or to view the Webcast on Saturday morning, visit the Commencement Web site.

Reunion Weekend 2005: June 10-12

In three weeks, WPI alumni will return to college. As usual, Reunion Weekend will be packed with receptions, tours, banquets, and more, along with a host of interesting and informative Alumni College sessions. Friday night will feature the annual 50-Year Associates reception and dinner. The Reunion luncheon and awards banquet is planned for Saturday afternoon. That evening has been set aside for class receptions and banquets. President Berkey, attending his first WPI Reunion, will deliver the keynote address at Alumni College on Friday at 9 a.m. in Olin Hall Room 107. All alumni are welcome to attend Reunion, whether they are "reuniting" or not. View the full Reunion schedule and register online at the Reunion Web site.

Grant to Help Build Links to South Africa

WPI will receive a $197,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education through its Business and International Education Program. The grant will fund a project aimed at improving understanding of South Africa and its economy by enabling WPI students to study there and by strengthening the involvement of New England companies in that nation. The grant was announced by Senators Edward Kennedy and John Kerry and Representative Jim McGovern. Read the news release.

Fire Protection Engineering Now an Academic Department

WPI's internationally recognized Fire Protection Engineering Program has been elevated to the status of a full academic department. FPE has been an academic program since 1979, when WPI began offering the nation's first master's degree program in the field through its Center for Firesafety Studies. Kathy Notarianni, former director of that center, has been appointed head of the new department. Read the news release.

Outstanding Faculty and Students Honored at Convocation

Each spring at the annual honors convocation, WPI honors the best of the best among its distinguished faculty with Board of Trustees' awards for excellence in teaching, research, advising, and service. The honorees also include a young faculty member recognized for innovation in undergraduate education, the most outstanding graduate teaching assistant of the year, and the winners of awards for the best undergraduate, graduate, and faculty research projects. Read about this year's winners.

Students Win First Strage Awards

The winners of the first Strage Innovation Awards were announced on April 19. Named for Henry Strage '54, former senior director of McKinsey & Company, the competition encourages students to gain knowledge of and practical experience in the translation of creative ideas into viable projects or ventures. First place ($1,500) went to William Tolli '05 and his ONE-WIRE wiring harness for custom motorcycles. Servprise International, a company recently founded by Cory Wallenstein '05 and Kevin Menard '04, won second place ($750). Catherine Darensbourg '02 and Alexandra Levshinwon '05 won third place ($250) for an environmentally friendly disposable cleansing mitt. Learn more...

Engineering Program for Girls Honored

WPI's Office of Diversity and Women's Programs received the National Engineers Week Award from WEPAN (Women in Engineering Programs and Advocates Network) for significant contributions to Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day. Girl Day, as it is commonly known, is a national program aimed at encouraging young girls in the pursuit of science, math, and engineering. WEPAN is a founding partner of Girl Day. Read more...

Project Lead the Way Names WPI Its Massachusetts Affiliate

Massachusetts middle and high school teachers looking to develop pre-engineering courses and curriculums have some new help. Project Lead the Way, a national program aimed at increasing the quality and quantity of engineers, has named WPI its Massachusetts affiliate to provide pre-engineering curriculum training modules for the first time in the Commonwealth, beginning this summer. Read the news release...

Some Impressive Results as Varsity Sports Season Ends

As spring drew to a close for varsity athletics at WPI, the men's crew lightweight 8 finished 5th at the ECAC's, the women's crew varsity 8 reached the semifinals; three men and four women (including the women's 4 x 800 relay team) achieved All-New England status in track & field; one baseball and one softball player were named First Team All-NEWMAC; and a few track team members were planning to compete at the ECAC's. Read the press release...

Alumni Events

View the complete listing of alumni events.

June 5: Graduates of the Last Decade invites members of the GOLD classes to join them at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, R.I., to see the Pawtucket Red Sox take on the Richmond Braves. Tickets ($22; children 2 and under free) include admission and an all-you-can-eat BBQ buffet. More information and registration...

Dec. 3: Disney's Broadway musical "The Lion King," at the Providence Performing Arts Center. A limited number of first dress balcony seats are available for $62.50 each. Tickets must be purchased by July 26, 2005. For more information, contact the Alumni Relations Office at 508-831-5600 or regional-events@wpi.edu.

Dec. 17: "Wicked," at the Bushnell Theatre in Hartford. A limited number of mezzanine seats are available for $57.50 each. Tickets must be purchased by October 14, 2005. For more information, contact the Alumni Relations Office at 508-831-5600 or regional-events@wpi.edu.

University Events

View the complete listing of campus events.

May 20: President's Inauguration, 2:30 p.m., the Quadrangle (rain location: Harrington Auditorium). Reception to follow in the Campus Center.

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

May 21: Commencement, 11 a.m., outside on the Quadrangle (rain location, Harrington Auditorium; tickets are required for an indoor ceremony).

May 29 to June 9: Metals Conservation Summer Institute. Sponsored by the Higgins Armory Museum and WPI's Metal Processing Institute. Brings the expertise of one of the world's most respected arms museum and the top research institute focusing on metals processing to bear on the conservation of ferrous and nonferrous metals preservation. Learn more...

June 16: "SciFinder for the Biologist," George C. Gordon Library, 2 p.m. Learn to use SciFinder, an online resource that covers a wide range of sciences, including such areas of biology as genetics, biochemistry, and biotechnology, in a one-hour session. For more information, e-mail library-instruction@wpi.edu or visit the library training Web site.

June 17-18: BattleCry@WPI 6. This FIRST robotics postseason competition will bring together more than 40 high school teams from New England, New York, Indiana, and Pennsylvania for a thrilling two-day competition. See a full schedule and list of competitors...

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 and Resident Construction Engineer: Otter Creek Engineering, a growing consulting engineering firm, seeks individuals for its Vermont offices who have a solid technical background, common sense, a can-do attitude, and a good sense of humor. Project exposure may include water treatment and distribution, wastewater treatment and collection, site development, stormwater treatment, and roadway design. Specific requirements:

Civil Engineer: Bachelor's degree and Professional Engineer license in civil engineering required. Must be able to manage projects, budgets, and client contact.

Resident Construction Engineer: Minimum of five years direct experience required. Must be able to work independently and problem solve on project sites under challenging conditions.

Competitive salary and benefits. Send resume and references to Otter Creek Engineering Inc., P.O. Box 712, 404 East Main Street, East Middlebury VT 05740, or HR@ottercrk.com. For more, visit their Web site.

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: Aug 11, 2006, 09:42 EDT