The Bridge - November 2007
We hope that The Bridge is a welcome addition to your mailbox, bringing you a monthly summary of news and events from your alma mater.
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Alumni Association News
We Need Your Input
Regional chapters and clubs around the country are offering ways for WPI alumni to reconnect with one another and their alma mater. Please take a moment to complete a short survey that will help us identify additional programs you would like to see in your area. Your participation is appreciated. The deadline to compete survey is Dec 1.
Introducing "The Hill"
WPI's newest publication, "The Hill," was created to celebrate the generosity of WPI's contributors and to share important news about the university as it continues to advance its leadership position in science and engineering-based education. The inaugural issue features highlights from President Berkey's "Imagine and Achieve" gatherings, a look at the FY08 budget, a breakdown of who gave in 2006-2007, plus marvelous examples of the generosity of WPI's students, alumni, and friends. Download Fall 2007 issue: The Hill: Fall 2007
Alumni Insurance Program
The WPI Alumni Association is pleased to sponsor an Alumni Insurance Program as a service to alumni. The program offers a variety of attractively priced insurance products, most of which are available to alumni, students, faculty, and staff, as well as their spouses, domestic parents, children, and siblings:
- Auto, Home & Renters Insurance Special rates are available to alumni and family members living in the same household.
- Life InsuranceLong-term protection with great rates and fantastic features. Coverage is available to $1 million.
- Medical Insurance For those temporarily without coverage, such as the unemployed and recent graduates, and for special situations, including travelers and students.
For more information visit Alumni Insurance Program or contact the program administrator at 800-635-7801.
Alumni Connect During California Wildfires
The Office of Alumni Relations reached out to alumni in areas of Southern California affected by devastating wild fires in Southern California last month to express concern and check on their welfare. Many alumni took the time to let WPI know they were safe. Some were standing by to hear how friends and family had fared; others were joining volunteer efforts to assist victims, or just "staying out of the smoky air and staying glued to the news." You can continue the conversation on the AlumniConnect Message Board (login required): Alumni Connect Message Board (login required).
A Spooky Look for Higgins House
Photos from the 2007 Haunted Higgins House Halloween event are now online. The Student Alumni Association and the Worcester Alumni Chapter thank all of the alumni, family, friends, and students who attended this highly successful event. We had a fantastic turnout again this year. View photos: View photos.
Attention '63, '73, '78: Gear Up for Your Class Reunion
Reunion planning for the Classes of 1963, 1973, and 1978 is just getting started. You don't have to be local to help; there are many important tasks that can be completed from wherever you live. If you would like to have a hand in making your Reunion weekend the best in can be, email the Office of Alumni Relations at alumni-office@wpi.edu. Information on future meetings and conference calls will be posted online and in The Bridge.
Class of 1983: 25th Reunion Conference Call
It's hard to believe but it's true... the Class of 1983 will be celebrating its 25th reunion in June 2008. Join your classmates in planning this exciting milestone. A reunion planning conference call will be held on Nov. 27, at 8 p.m. To participate, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at alumni-office@wpi.edu. There's plenty to do, and spouses are welcome to join in the fun.
You spoke. We listened. Stay connected.
Visit Alumni Connect-- the new online community for alumni.
Contact the Office of Alumni Relations at alumni-office@wpi.edu if you have misplaced your constituent
Campus News
Management Program #1 in the Northeast
Business Week's ranking for part-time MBA programs put WPI at #9 in the U.S. and #1 in the Northeast. WPI also ranked fifth in student satisfaction and fourth in academic quality. Under the heading "Students Say" the consensus was, "Flexible combination of in-class/online courses, relevant curriculum, and top-notch faculty win raves." Read more.
View Business Week rankings.
University Lecture
Ronald Prinn, TEPCO Professor of Atmospheric Science at MIT, will deliver the 2007 University Lecture on Dec. 10, at 5 p.m., in Alden Memorial. Prinn's talk is titled "Climate Change: Science, Economics and Policy." Learn more.
Entrepreneurs at Heart: WPI Alumni Reflect on the Paths They've Taken
How does one become an entrepreneur? There is no one right path, and every entrepreneur's journey is unique. Still there are useful lessons an aspiring business owner can take away from any entrepreneur's story, as one learns from the tales of four successful WPI alumni-a boat builder, a consultant, a medical device maker, and a venture capitalist-told in the pages of WPI's magazine, Transformations.
In Memoriam: Roger R. Borden, Professor Emeritus, Mechanical Engineering
WPI mourns the loss of Professor Emeritus Roger R. Borden, who died Monday, Oct. 29, 2007, at his home in Worcester, Mass. Borden joined the WPI faculty in 1959. His area of expertise included internal combustion engines, exhaust emissions, and electric vehicles. He served as a faculty advisor for students designing cars for the National Clean Air Race in the 1970s. Full obituary.
Careers Services
The WPI Career Development Center provides a comprehensive full-service environment for students and alumni seeking jobs, and employers seeking to hire candidates from the WPI community. Our Job Finder@WPI web-based system features a range of opportunities, from highly experienced through entry-level, summer internship, and volunteer positions. The system is active year-round, with no charge for registration or job postings. To register for an account as a candidate, please complete the Alumni Registration Form (PDF) and return it to the CDC by mail, by fax (508-831-5827), or by email to cdc@wpi.edu. If you are interested in posting positions as an Alumni Employer, please see information for employers.
For more information about specific Alumni Services, go to the CDC website.
Jan. 9: Alumni Career Seminar
The Worcester Chapter of the Alumni Association and GOLD invite you to participate with the Career Development Center in a series of interactive career discussions. We want to hear from you: What are some hot topics affecting your career? Are you looking for advice on upward mobility, negotiating salaries, or how to land your dream job? Contact Connie Horwitz in the Career Development Center at chorwitz@wpi.edu with your program suggestions. Registration materials for the seminar will be forthcoming.
Career Search: A Database Gem at the CDC
If you no longer live near Worcester, or even in New England, you may wonder how the WPI CDC could possibly assist you in a job search. Career Search is a treasured gem of a resource that can be accessed online via the CDC's Job Finder@WPI website. Career Search enables you to identify companies in any industry or technology with great specificity and then perform searches that specify your ideal location in the U.S., Canada, or internationally. Your location can be as selective as a particular zip code, or a preferred commuting distance from your current home.
For example, a biomedical engineer living in California searching for West Coast companies that manufacture orthopedic products specifically for joints might discover four California-based companies that specialize in that product area, as well as 32 other companies around the country. The Career Search database displays a company profile with descriptions of each company's primary business, its products, and markets served, as well as SIC and NAICS classification codes. Although the Career Search does not list job postings, it does provide a list of key contacts in the organization, along with a direct link to the company's website, where you might discover the perfect career opportunity.
With the power to target a list of organizations using the Career Search database, the doors of possibility to conducting a fruitful job search or networking initiative open much wider. Career Search is equipped with an excellent self-help tutorial, and we on the CDC staff are delighted to help you use it. To access Career Search, all you have to do is obtain a user name and password on the Job Finder@WPI system. Just fill in the alumni registration on the CDC site and you're on your way. Dowload form (PDF)
I hope this will spark some curiosity among you to use Career Search for a variety of research needs. And best of all, it's a free service for WPI alumni and students!
Connie Horwitz
Constance H. Horwitz, Assistant Director
Career Development Center, WPI
Phone: +1-508-831-5937
Fax: +1-508-831-5827
Email: chorwitz@wpi.edu
Upcoming University and Alumni Events
December 7: GOLD Holiday Bowl
Enjoy a night of bowling and socializing on campus with other young alumni in the area. Start out the evening at Gompei's Gutters for laser bowling from 7 to 9 pm. End the evening in the new Goat's Head Restaurant from 9 to 11 pm. Cost per person is $7.00 in advance/$10 at the door. Register.
Dec. 8: Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra Holiday Pops
8 p.m., Mechanics Hall
321 Main Street, Worcester
Mass Symphony Orchestra and the WPI Choral Group, with other choral groups of the Worcester Consortium.
Ticket information TBA: More Information
Dec. 11: Venture Forum Meeting: "Building on Networking"
Details: WPI Venture Forum Calendar
Dec. 12: Tech Old Timers: Holiday Concert
Contact rngrady@wpi.edu
Dec. 15: Boston Pops Holiday Concert
7:30 p.m., Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, N.H.
Pre-concert reception for alumni and guests at 6 p.m. Purchase tickets.
Jan. 9: Tech Old Timers
"Laughing All the Way," with Worcester Telegram & Gazette columnist Dianne Williamson.
Jan. 12: Providence Chapter Skating Night
Bank of America City Center, 6-8 p.m. Details TBA.
Jan 19: Boston Chapter Science Museum Day
A day at the Museum of Science-back by popular demand. Details TBA
March 19: GRAD 2008
1-4:30 p.m., Campus Center, Odeum.
Poster-style symposium featuring research of WPI master's and PhD students. Online registration begins Feb. 1. For more information visit the GRAD 2008 page.
April 27: WPI Chorus in Concert with Worcester Consortium Choirs
3 p.m., Mechanics Hall, 321 Main Street, Worcester
WPI choral groups plus other Worcester Consortium choirs. Ticket information TBA.
Bookmarks
Alumni website - Your source for alumni information and events!
Class Notes - Post online or email to Transformations alumni-editor@wpi.edu
Transformations: WPI's Alumni Magazine
Your questions and comments are always welcome at thebridge@wpi.edu.
Maintained by webmaster@wpi.eduLast modified: August 07, 2008 12:40:06