The Bridge - January 2006

Question of the Month

New Year’s Resolutions: Making or Breaking?

On January 1, some 100 million Americans made New Year’s resolutions. Were you among them? How are you doing so far? In the February issue, we'll let you know how you stack up against your fellow WPI alumni. Share your best intentions at the Alumni home page.

Results of the December 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?

Of the 217 readers who responded, 68% said better, 16% said worse, 12% said the same, and 4% checked "don't know."

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 Cafe. You might just get a good conversation started. Visit the Cafe and select General Forums.

To All Alumni: Resolve To Get Involved!

It’s a new year and time to work toward your New Year’s resolutions. We hope that one of those resolutions expands your current involvement with WPI. There are many different ways to become active in the WPI alumni organization. To help you plan your level of support, the Alumni Association Cabinet will provide details on specific tasks and time commitments. To get started, check out the list of volunteer opportunities and complete the online volunteer form. We will work quickly to get you on board. You may also contact the Office of Alumni Relations at alumni-office@wpi.edu or 508-831-5600 for more information.

Morgan Rees '61
Alumni Association President

SAS Seeks "Stories From the Hill"

For nearly 150 years, WPI has stood atop the hill, and thousands of students have passed through its doors. In an effort to gain a better understanding of what WPI once was and what it has become, the Student Alumni Society (SAS) is working with the Office of Alumni Relations on a project to span the decades and bring all alumni of WPI closer together. This project can only work with help from you, the students who have preceded us at WPI. We seek stories from alumni of every decade, and from the faculty who once called WPI home.

For those of us attending WPI in 2006, it is nearly impossible to imagine life without the Campus Center or the computer network, but these are actually very recent additions to campus. We want to know what life was like without these modern conveniences. Where did students go on Friday nights for a little fun? Where did you study? Where did you live? What activities did you enjoy? These are just a few of the questions this project aims to answer. Tell us about the Rope Pull in 1958, or watching the first moon walk with your classmates in 1969, or surviving the Blizzard of ’78, which brought New England life to a stop. Share your stories by e-mailing WhenIWas@wpi.edu, or send them to SAS c/o Alumni Relations, WPI, 100 Institute Road, Worcester, MA 01609. SAS looks forward to hearing from you.

Liz Kinnal ’08
SAS Historian

WPI News

WPI To Host ASEE Conference

Engineering educators from across the nation will visit WPI on March 17 and 18, as the university hosts the 2006 American Society for Engineering Education's New England Section Conference. This year's theme is "Engineering Education and Practice for the Global Community," focusing on global marketing strategies, and preparing engineers for a global workplace. Case studies of world community service projects developed at WPI will be presented. WPI Provost Carol Simpson will welcome attendees, followed by a keynote address from Rep. James P. McGovern (D., Mass.). Get more information on registration and call for papers...

WPI Introduces Girls to Engineering

On Feb. 3, the Office of Women's Programs will host Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day, an annual event that encourages female high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors to pursue careers in engineering. The program includes a robotics demonstration; biomedical, fire protection, and civil engineering lab tours; and interactive, hands-on engineering projects. View other upcoming programs for girls...

Alumni Events

View the complete listing of alumni events.

Feb. 7: Florida Reception: Join Joan and Bob Adams '48 and President Dennis Berkey and his wife, Cathy, alumni, parents, and friends for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Ritz-Carleton Golf Club and Spa, Jupiter, Fla. RSVP by Jan. 27 to Barbara Ziff at brziff@wpi.edu, or call 508-831-5608.

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 Dennis D. Berkey, alumni, parents, and friends for a reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Registry Resort and Club, 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. 29: Concert: Percussion Recital by Pieter Struyk, percussion instructor at WPI. Selections will include music for flute and percussion featuring Susan Jackson on flute and Douglas Weeks on trombone and percussion. Spaulding Recital Hall, Alden Memorial, 3 p.m.

Jan. 30: Colloquium: "How to Find Splice Junctions in mRNA," Daniel Aalberts, Williams College, Olin Hall 107, 4 p.m. Sponsored by the Physics Department. 508-831-5258.

Feb. 1: Roots: WPI's Black History Month Dinner, 5:30 p.m., Campus Center Odeum. Ticket, $3. Sponsored by General Electric and the Diversity Programs Office.

Feb. 4: "The Spoken Word": Artist Omekongo will share his passion for poetry and self-expression, Campus Center, Odeum, 7 p.m.

Feb. 6: Speaker Series: "New Forms of Quantum Matter Near Absolute Zero Temperature," Wolfgang Ketterle, MIT. Olin Hall 107, 4 p.m. Sponsored by the Physics Department. 508-831-5258.

Feb. 9: "The Congo in Transition." Mathe Pierre Syvialeghana, a former medical doctor in the Congo, will discuss the history and current direction of the Congo, WPI OASIS Cultural Center, 20 Schussler Rd., 4 p.m.

Feb. 10: Music Performance: Medwin Honors String Quartet, Spaulding Recital Hall, Alden Memorial, 3 p.m.

Feb. 12: Concert: WPI and Dartmouth College Concert Bands, Alden Memorial, 3 p.m.

Feb. 14: WPI Venture Forum: "All’s Fair in Love and War: Negotiating Tips from a Pro." Tom Finneran, former Massachusetts House Speaker and now president of the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council, shares his thoughts and experience on the art of negotiation. Registration, 6 p.m.; program 6:30, Campus Center, Odeum. $10, members, $20, non-members; WPI faculty and staff free with ID. For more information: 508-831-5075.

Feb. 15: Speaker: Bernard Lafayette, former Civil Rights leader and national authority on nonviolent social change and nonviolence education, Higgins House, Great Hall, 4 p.m.

Feb. 16: Concert: Worcester Trombone Consort, Douglas Weeks, director, Worcester Art Museum, 6 p.m.

Feb. 16 through Feb. 18: M.W. Repertory Theatre Company, Etc. presents "I Hate Hamlet" by Paul Rudnick, directed by Sara Strecker and produced by Cate Carrigan, Little Theatre, 8 p.m.

Feb. 19: Concert: WPI Orchestra and Brass Ensemble, Cathedral of St. Paul, Worcester, 4 p.m.

Feb. 21: "History of Hazing and Its Social Implications on the Black Community," David Montague, assistant professor of Criminal Justice, University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Olin Hall 223, 5 p.m.

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 Listings

Quality Assurance Engineer: Spirol International Corporation, a global supplier of engineered metal fasteners, seeks an individual with knowledge of statistical techniques and quality assurance tools. Engineering degree, and training in quality assurance tools and statistical techniques required. Apply in person or by mail, fax, or e-mail.

Spirol International Corporation
30 Rock Avenue
Danielson, CT 06239
Fax: 860-779-3110
jjwhite@spirol.com

EOE/AA/M/F/H/V
Drug-free Workplace

Cardiac Field Engineer (Position po466): Burlington, Mass., firm seeks candidate with BS in biomedical engineering or nursing and two or more years of EP experience assisting in ICD implants, EPS studies, mapping/ablation studies, etc. Support launch and sales of tachyarrhythmia products by leading the educating process and serving as the field technical resource. Play leadership role in providing training to sales reps and clinical specialists on tachyarrhythmia diseases. Assist and serve as consultant to reps with troubleshooting, programming, and reprogramming of cardiac rhythm products. Serve as technical resource to customers and sales staff. Must have strong verbal skills and a demonstrated ability to educate. Salary: $65,000-85,000/year.

Contact: Pervis Greene
E-mail: scihp@northstate.net
Tel: 877-805-1588, Ext. 225

Bookmarks

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Last modified: Jun 29, 2006, 14:33 EDT