The Bridge - June 2006

Reunion 2006 Recap

Hundreds of alumni, family, and friends enjoyed a return to campus for Reunion Weekend, June 9-11. The Class of 1956 was inducted into the Fifty Year Associates. They also won the Class of 1917 attendance cup. The Class of 1951 won the Reunion Hospitality Award, and the Hebert Golf Trophy went to John "Wheels" Wheeler '59. The Alumni Association presented its 2006 Distinguished Alumni Awards. Read the award citations...

If you did attend Reunion 2006, be sure to fill out the evaluation form.

Stay tuned! Reunion photos will be posted on the Alumni Home page. And watch for details on Homecoming 2006, Oct. 6-7.

Last Chance to Boost the Annual Fund

The WPI Annual Fund closes June 30. This has been a stellar year for the Annual Fund, with gifts and pledges received totaling close to $2 million. There is still time to make a gift or fulfill your pledge!

Give online or Call toll free at +1-888-974-3863 (Please note that the office will close at 4:30pm EST on Friday, June 30th.)

You may also send a check to:

WPI Office of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving
100 Institute Road
Worcester, MA 01609-2280

Your check must be dated June 30, 2006
We appreciate your support!

Two Towers to Go: WPI History on Your iPod

In June, WPI's Gordon Library launched a special project to bring Two Towers: The Story of Worcester Tech 1865-1965, authored by Mildred McClary Tymeson, to listeners worldwide, via a podcast read aloud by WPI faculty, staff, alumni, and students. The complete text will be made available in installments during the summer months. Subscribe and listen to the audio version.

Read the full text online.

Commencement Celebrates the Class of 2006

On May 20, under sunny skies, 641 undergraduates received their diplomas, joined by 267 master's degree recipients, and 30 PhDs. Among the graduates was the first student to receive a bachelor's degree from WPI's innovative new program in Interactive Media and Game Development. Even if you missed the ceremony, you can watch or read addresses by the honorary degree recipients, President Dennis Berkey, and Senior Class President Kristofer Carlson '06 on the Commencement Web site.

Senior Class Gift Boosts Sports and Recreation

Recognizing the importance of giving back, the Class of 2006 has designated a portion of WPI Annual Fund gift for WPI's future Sports and Recreation Complex, which is still in the planning stages. Rising to a $10,000 challenge presented by Trustee Win Priem '59, the Class raised close to $10,000, resulting in a total gift of almost $21,000 with match donations. More than 25 percent of the class contributed. Read more...

WPI News

BattleCry Robots Storm Campus

The 7th annual BattleCry@WPI robotics tournament on June 23 and 24 brought more than 700 team members to campus with their 130-pound robots, from high schools as far away as Wisconsin. A special appearance by FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) national advisor Woodie Flowers added to the excitement. BattleCry is described as a celebration of engineering innovation, teamwork, and spirit, rolled into an event with NBA-type action and rock concert ambience. The 2006 competition featured robot "alliances" shooting nerf basketballs by means of sophisticated vision-enabled autonomous and remote-controlled operations. Read more and see video coverage...

CS Team Receives Federal Education Award

Four computer science faculty members have received Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) awards from the U.S. Department of Education. The fiscal year 2006 grant of $211,000, renewable for three years, will provide five annual graduate fellowships at the university for students in computer science. Assistant Professors Neil Heffernan and Emmanuel Agu, Associate Professor George Heineman, and Professor Matthew Ward are the recipients. Read the press release.

NSF Grant Funds Atherosclerotic Plaque Research

A research team led by Dalin Tang, professor of mathematical sciences and biomedical engineering, has received a five-year, $1.8 million award from the National Science Foundation to conduct a comprehensive study of the growth, progression, and rupture of human atherosclerotic plaque, a medical condition that is closely related to most cardiovascular diseases, including stroke and heart attack. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the developed world. Read more...

First Kalenian Award funds Muscular Dystrophy Prosthesis

Professor Allen Hoffman and a team of graduate students received WPI's first Kalenian Award for Entrepreneurship. The award provides $25,000 in seed funding, which will support further development of a motorized brace that grew out of a series of student projects. The brace, called an arm orthosis, will provide more independence to people with muscular dystrophy by enabling them to perform simple tasks with their hand. The award was established by the family of the late entrepreneur Aram Kalenian '33. Learn more...

Deutschklub hosts "Fussball-Weltmeisterschaft"

The WPI German Club welcomed the WPI community to gather and enjoy broadcasts of the FIFA World Cup together on the big screen during the months of June and July. Check out the viewing schedule and locations and Deutschklub Home page.

ALUMNI EVENTS

July 22: Brew Trip to Portland, Maine, sponsored by GOLD (Graduates of the Last Decade).

Tour the Shipyard Brewery, visit Gritty's brewpub and Sebago Brewing Company. Contact gold@wpi.edu or call +1-508-831-5600 for details.

Aug. 2: Red Sox vs. Indians (SOLD OUT!)

WPI alumni and friends gather at Fenway Park to watch the Boston Red Sox take on the Cleveland Indians. Sponsored by: WPI Office of Alumni Relations For more information, e-mail alumni-office@wpi.edu or call +1-508-831-5600.

Sept. 6: GOLD Committee Meeting

6:30-8 p.m., Mid-Century Room, Campus Center. Sponsored by: WPI Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLD). Call +1-508-831-5600 or e-mail gold@wpi.edu.

Sept. 13: Tech Old Timers

9:45 a.m. to 1 p.m., Campus Center, Odeum. Meeting begins at 10:30, Coffee Hour begins at 9:45 a.m. Lunch is available immediately following the meeting. For more information, e-mail alumni-office@wpi.edu or call +1-508-831-5600.

University Events

July 6-31: Art Exhibit

"Wachusett Greenways in Four Seasons," 3rd Floor Gallery, George C. Gordon Library

June 9-19: FIFA World Cup Broadcasts

Sponsored by the WPI German Club. Schedule and locations.

July 9-21: WPI Frontiers Program

A two-week summer residential program for soon-to-be juniors and seniors interested in science, mathematics, and engineering. Information and registration.

July 11: Finding Full Text @ WPI

11 a.m., Anderson Lab A, George C. Gordon Library. Registration

July 11: WorldCat Demystified: Reaching Beyond the Gordon Library

11 a.m., Anderson Lab A, George C. Gordon Library. Registration

July 12: Campus Center Lunch Hour Concert Series

Presents "Ed Zaloom," noon, Campus Center, Patio

July 19: Campus Center Lunch Hour Concert Series

Presents "Woodvale String Quartet," noon, Campus Center, Patio

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 +1-508-831-5600.

New Job Listings

(Click to read full job descriptions)

WPI Career Services/Volunteer Manager Assistant (part time) for the Office of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving

Summer Intern, Windham Capital Management, Cambridge, MA

Manufacturing Engineer, RJS Associates Inc., Stamford, CT

Mechanical Engineer, RJS Associates Inc., Stamford, CT

Senior Quality Systems Engineer, RJS Associates Inc., Stamford, CT

Director, System Protection, and Control Protection Engineer (2 positions) SMECO (Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative), Washington, DC area

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

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: Jun 29, 2006, 14:36 EDT