The Bridge - November 2006

Welcome New Readers

WPI is delighted to expand the circulation of The Bridge to all alumni who have provided the university with a valid e-mail address. We hope that The Bridge will be a welcome addition to your mailbox, bringing you a monthly summary of news and events from your alma mater. If you do not wish to receive The Bridge, you may unsubscribe by visiting our website.

If there is an alternate e-mail address at which you would prefer to receive the Bridge, please send your name, class year, and alternate e-mail address to alumni-office@wpi.edu.

In the next few months, we will be introducing additional ways in which you can stay connected to WPI electronically.

Your questions and comments are always welcome at thebridge@wpi.edu.

Alumni News

President Berkey Discusses WPI’s Aspirations, Opportunities

At the Nov. 16 dinner for the 2006 Presidential Founders, President Berkey shared his observations on many of the exciting developments taking place at WPI today, including the new undergraduate program in robotics and engineering, the launch of a BA degree in engineering and liberal arts, progress on Gateway Park, plans for a new sports and recreation complex, and opportunities for investing in teaching and learning across the university. "The type of education we offer here is the type of education that really makes a profound difference in young people’s lives," Berkey said.

A Webcast of the address will be available on the Web site of the President's Office.

WPI in Your Neighborhood: Milwaukee

Come watch the WPI basketball team take on Case Western Reserve in the MSOE Engineering Classic on Dec. 9. Join us for a pre-game lunch where you will have the opportunity to meet head coach Chris Bartley and the entire men's team. The pre-game reception begins at 11:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn City Centre, 611 West Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee. Game time is 2 p.m. at the Kern Center, Milwaukee School of Engineering, 1245 North Broadway. Please let us know if you plan to attend by contacting alumni-office@wpi.edu. or 508-831-5600. Remember to wear your WPI colors!

New Hampshire Alumni Chapter to Launch

On Saturday, Jan. 6, the New Hampshire Chapter of the Alumni Association will hold its inaugural event at the Christa McAuliffe Planetarium, 2 Institute Drive, Concord, from 6 to 9 p.m. This event will include a private reception and planetarium show. Cost is $15 per person. Please respond no later than December 22nd. For more information, contact 508-831-5600 or regional-events@wpi.edu.

A New York Experience

The New York Chapter of the Alumni Association invites you to an exclusive NBC studio tour and reception on Dec. 2. Cost in $25 per person. For more information, contact 508-831-5600 or regional-events@wpi.edu.

Reunion 2007 is on its Way!

Mark your calendar now for Reunion 2007: June 8-10. The classes of 1947, 1952, 1957, 1962, 1967, 1972, 1977, and 1982 will celebrate reunions on campus. The Alumni Association seeks nominations for the Distinguished Alumni Awards, which will be presented at Reunion. For nomination forms and a description of each award, visit the Distinguished Alumni Awards Web site.

Alumni of Distinction

Periodically, the Office of Alumni Relations highlights noteworthy alumni on the home page. Take a moment to read about Joseph Gammal '86, whose contributions to marketing and management earned him the 2006 Ichabod Washburn Young Alumni Award for Professional Achievement.

WPI News

President Dennis Berkey Stresses Global Studies

President Berkey highlighted WPI's commitment to global studies in the Boston Globe recently, in response to an article about study abroad initiatives. His letter to the editor makes a compelling case for WPI's global approach to undergraduate education. Read his response. View the original article.

Take the Four-Star Tour

WPI's virtual admissions tour has received the November 2006 Four Star Tour Award from CampusTours, a leader in college virtual tours and multimedia. "Nearly every college offers a virtual tour today - it’s a fairly standard Web site feature," says Tara Myers, WPI’s marketing director. "We broke with the traditional virtual tour because we knew that students wanted more than just to look at the buildings on campus. They wanted to know what the students were like, whether they would fit in, and what it was like to go to school here." Learn more. Take the tour.

WPI Students Help Launch Worcester's First Wind Turbine

A WPI student project has enabled design and construction of a 600-kilowatt wind turbine on the campus of Holy Name Central Catholic Jr.-Sr. High School. Four undergraduates researched the feasibility and construction of a wind turbine, and applied to federal agencies on behalf of Holy Name, resulting in a $575,000 grant. The project is the result of a partnership between Holy Name, Congressman James P. McGovern, WPI, state and local officials, and the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC). Read the press release.

The Sound of One Hand Clapping

Internationally known feminist and activist Gloria Steinem spoke in Alden Memorial on Nov. 14, in a lecture titled "The Sound of One Hand Clapping." She addressed issues of gender, race, and equality, and fielded questions. Tickets to the event, sponsored by WPI’s Office of Women’s Programs, Office of Residence Life, and Office of Student Activities, sold out within a day of being offered to the WPI community. Watch the video archive.

Men's Crew Takes 8th at Head of the Charles

The Men’s crew team came in 8th of 58 boats at the 42nd Head of the Charles Regatta on Oct. 22. The WPI boat finished with a time of 15:44:579--within 5 percent of the winning boat--earning an automatic berth in next year’s race.

WPI in the News

Careers & Lifelong Learning

New Job Listings

Noyce Scholarships for Teaching Interns

Financial support from the NSF is available for math and science teaching interns through The Teacher Education Program (TEP) at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Noyce Scholars receive a $10,000 stipend during the 11-month program, which includes a teaching internship in a Boston middle or high school. In return, the scholars will commit to teach for at least two years in Boston upon successful completion of their teacher certification through TEP. See more information.

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.

Job listings are posted on an "as received" basis for the convenience of WPI alumni. Job-seekers are responsible for contacting employers and/or recruitment firms to verify particulars and request further information.

Alumni Events

Contact alumni-office@wpi.edu or 508-831-5600 for details. Full Alumni Calendar.

Dec. 2: New York Chapter: A New York Experience: NBC Studio tour and reception.

Dec. 9: WPI Basketball in Your Neighborhood - Milwaukee, WI.

Dec. 9: Worcester Chapter: Holiday Reception & Concert, Mechanics Hall, Worcester. $15

Dec. 13: Tech Old Timers: Holiday Music Performance, 9:45 a.m.-1 p.m., Campus Center Odeum

Jan. 3: GOLD Committee Meeting

Jan. 6: Greater New Hampshire Chapter: Christa McAuliffe Planetarium, Concord, NH.

January 8-10: West Coast events in East Bay, San Francisco, and Silicon Valley

Jan. 13: GOLD Winter Social, London Billiards, Worcester

Jan. 22: Electric Boat Corporate Alumni Event, hosted by John Casey '76

Jan. 14: Orlando, FL, Event, hosted by Mac Banks, Management Dept.

Jan. 17: Boston Chapter: MIT vs. WPI Men's Basketball

Jan. 31: Worcester Chapter: Clark vs. WPI Men's Basketball

Feb. 3: Boston Chapter: Museum of Science

March 10: "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels," 2 p.m. matinee, Opera House, Boston. Mezzanine seats $68.00; must purchase by Feb. 9, 2007.

University Events

Full Events Calendar

Nov. 30: Dickens and the 19th Century Book: Challenges to Preservation and Access, 1 p.m., George C. Gordon Library, Conference Room 303.

Dec. 7: Men's Basketball: WPI vs. Endicott, 7 p.m., Harrington Aud.

Dec: 9: Women's Basketball: WPI vs. Emerson, 2 p.m., Harrington Aud.

Dec. 12: Venture Forum: "Finding YOUR Leadership Style," 6 p.m., Campus Center, Odeum.

Dec. 16: Boar's Head Festival, 4-6 p.m., Alden Memorial. Cost: $18 General,$15 Seniors and Students Sponsored by Master Singers of Worcester. Info: info@mswma.org or 508-842-1349.

Jan.7: FIRST Robotics Competition Workshops, 8 a.m., FIRST Headquarters, SNHU-Manchester.

Bookmarks

Your questions and comments are always welcome at thebridge@wpi.edu.

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Last modified: Dec 05, 2006, 10:41 EST