The Bridge - February 2007
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ALUMNI NEWS
Imagine and Achieve: The Future of WPI
Alumni joined President Dennis Berkey last week in Providence and Boston for town hall-style events called "Imagine and Achieve." The next event will take place in Worcester's Mechanics Hall on Feb 19. Berkey gave alumni an update on the current state of the university and a glimpse into the future, with such exciting building projects as Gateway Park, a new residence hall, and a new sports and recreation facility. The program ended with an opportunity for alumni to ask questions and offer comments.Watch the videocast.
The WPI-Bobby Knight Connection
Recent newspaper stories on basketball coach Bobby Knight recalled the historic 1965 game between WPI and Army that launched Knight's record-setting career. WPI's Sports Information Office and the Alumni Office helped reporters reach members of the 1965-66 basketball team. The Worcester Telegram & Gazette interviewed team manager Steve Hebert '66, and quoted several team members. Coverage also appeared in USA Today. Read more.
California Chapters Seek Input
Focus groups were held recently in Northern and Southern California to discuss ideas for strengthening the alumni networks in the region. If you have ideas about the focus, capacities, and activities for these chapters, please contact Rick Mellor '74 (Northern California); Michael Aghajanian '80 or Curt Duffy '87 (LA area); or Mary Zoeller '73 (San Diego).
WPI "Blogger" from 1901 Goes Online
WPI has received a grant to digitize the diaries of Theo Brown, Class of 1901. From 1893 to 1971, Brown wrote a daily log, sketched ideas, and pasted in news clippings and other memorabilia in his diary. The 65 volumes form an intriguing chronicle of an engineer's life, as well a rich portrait of his historical era. The grant will enable the Archives and Special Collections of Gordon Library to make all of the diaries available and searchable via the Internet. Read more.
Teachers for Camp Reach
Do you know an excellent middle school math or science teacher in Massachusetts? Each year WPI selects three middle school teachers to serve on the staff of Camp Reach. If you know any Massachusetts teachers who might be a good fit for the program, direct them to link below, where they'll find more information and application materials. Alternatively, contact Camp Reach Co-Director Chrys Demetry at cdemetry@wpi.edu or 508-831-5195 with information on potential candidates. Download the application.
WPI NEWS
WPI Plans New Project Center in Hull
WPI plans to launch a new project center in Hull, Mass., where students can explore environmental issues affecting a small New England community. IGSD dean Rick Vaz and the WPI team recently toured several sites, including the Hull wind turbines and the Nantasket Beach seawall. To provide student teams with needed equipment and facilities, WPI is seeking project sponsors from among local businesses and state and local government agencies, Vaz said. In addition to financial support, resources such as office space, Internet access, and inexpensive accommodations for student groups are needed. Contact Declan De Paor, WPI research professor of geophysics, at declan@wpi.edu. Learn more.
Skull Taps New Members
Skull, WPI’s senior honorary society, recently tapped 17 new members. The Class of 2008 includes Mary Kate Toomey, Timothy Lontz, Joseph Frascotti, Andrea Hevey, Marty Maccaferri, Charles Gammal, Kathleen Nehmer, Martha Addorio, Lynn Worobey, Beth Covey, Andrea Kadilak, Michael Richard, Justin Pelkowski, Marcus Lewis, and Louis Grillon. Also chosen for their outstanding contributions to WPI were Debra Dexter, ATC software applications instructor, and Bill Baller, adjunct assistant humanities professor.
In Memoriam
WPI mourns the deaths of trustee emeritus John C. Metzger ’46 and recent graduate Brandon M. Kilgore '06. Read their obituaries.
President's IQP Awards Presented
Student projects on flood control in the African country of Namibia and generating wind power for a Worcester high school garnered top honors in WPI's annual President’s IQP Awards. Both projects were deemed worthy of first place, based on their scientific and technological impact, and the quality of the student teams’ presentations on campus on Jan. 31. Read the press release.
WPI IN THE NEWS
- Channel 4 Boston news anchors Jack Williams and Lisa Hughes interviewed WPI junior Antoine Coleman on Project Mass, a special town meeting webcast on Jan. 15. (Antoine appears in the first quarter of the program, in a maroon WPI shirt). Watch the Webcast.
- WPI was the only technological university singled out by the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) for innovative practices that could serve as models for other institutions across the nation. Read the Greater Expectations report.
- WPI ranked seventh among small research universities focusing on applied science in the recently released 2005 Faculty Scholarly Productivity (FSP) Index. The management department's industrial engineering program ranked fourth. Read more.
- The Worcester Telegram & Gazette ran a moving story about Patrick Spencer '05's quest to help homeless people. Spencer is the son of one of the firefighters killed in the 1999 Worcester Cold Storage warehouse fire, started by two homeless people who had taken shelter there. Read the story.
CAREERS & LIFELONG LEARNING
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.
- Feb. 16: WPI in Your Neighborhood-Rockville, MD, 7:30 a.m., Papa's Cafe, Doubletree Hotel. Breakfast with Donna Stock.
- Feb. 17: Alden Voices and the Medwin Honors String Quartet, 4 p.m., St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Rock Creek Parish, Rock Creek Church Rd., Washington, D.C. Reception follows at St.Paul’s Center.
- Feb.19: Imagine and Achieve: The Future of WPI: 6-9 p.m., Mechanics Hall, Worcester. Space is limited; reservations are required. Contact the Alumni Office at 508-831-5600 or alumni-office@wpi.edu. More information.
- Feb. 28: WPI in Your Neighborhood-Arlington, VA. Dinner hosted by ECE professor John McNeill for Arlington-area alumni and friends, 6-8 p.m., Asahi Kaiten Sushi Bar, 671 N. Glebe Road, Unit 1248.
- March 2: WPI in Your Neighborhood-Silicon Valley, Breakfast with Michael Gennert, Department Head and Professor of Computer Science, 7:30-9:30 a.m., Stanford Park Hotel, The Duck Club Restaurant, 100 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, CA.
- March 7: GOLD Committee Meeting, 6:30-8 p.m., Campus Center, Mid-Century Room. Sponsored by WPI Graduates of the Last Decade. For more information, e-mail gold@wpi.edu or call 508-831-5600.
- March 14: Tech Old Timers: Russian Icons: "Windows to Heaven," 9:45 a.m.-1 p.m., Campus Center, Odeum.
- March 24: Alumni Leadership Council, 8 a.m.-noon, Olin Hall.
UNIVERSITY EVENTS
- Feb. 20: BEI Seminar: "New Developments in Biomanufacturing." Full schedule.
- March 1: WPI Venture Forum: Networking & Tour of MBI, Massachusetts Biotechnology Research Park, One Innovation Drive, Building Three, Worcester, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Register online
- March 2: Peak Pitch '07--Wachusett Mt., 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Present your business idea to potential investors on a shared chairlift ride, and compete in a "pitch off." Free; advance registration required. Call Long River Ventures at 508-366-8973 or visit: wpi.edu/+CEI.
- March 14: Women's Lunch Series: "Women's Rights, Past, Present and Future," noon, Campus Center, Hagglund Room.
- March 31: Track & Field Worcester City Meet, Alumni Field.
- March 27: Design Squad: An Opportunity to Improve the Public Perception of Engineering Through Popular Media, 4 p.m., Olin 107. MIT Professor Dan Frey will discuss WGBH's plans for new children's programming and projects.
- March 28: WPI Partnership Opportunities Breakfast, 7:30-10 a.m., Campus Center, Mid-Century Room. Learn how WPI can enhance your organization's efforts in recruiting, diversity, employee education, and research and development. RSVP to tadams@wpi.edu or 508-831-5198.
- April 17: Project Presentation Day. Schedule TBA.
Bookmarks
- Class Notes - Share news with classmates
- Alumni Job Opportunities
- Career Development Center
- Alumni Web Site - Your source for alumni information and events!
- Alumni Events
- Transformations: WPI's Alumni Magazine
- Athletics: Weekly Roundup
- Athletics: Schedule
- Campus Events
Your questions and comments are always welcome at thebridge@wpi.edu.
Maintained by webmaster@wpi.eduLast modified: Feb 16, 2007, 13:36 EST