The Bridge - January 2008
Alumni Association News
Higgins House News
Assistant Vice President for Alumni Relations Beth Howland has announced her resignation from her position effective January 31, 2008. She has decided to dedicate her time and talents to fulfilling the goal building a successful family business along with her husband. "Beth has been a solid advocate for WPI for more than nine years," says Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations Dexter Bailey. "She has also been a loyal and focused champion for the goals of the WPI Alumni Association. It will be difficult, to say the least, to replace her. WPI will keep you posted as we work our way through this transition."
New Alumni Directory Under Way
The Alumni Association has contracted with PCI (Publishing Concepts Inc.) to produce the 2008 edition of the WPI Alumni directory. We are in the beginning stages of collecting information that is critical in helping WPI establish benchmarks for our career development center, apply for government grants, and provide accurate data to national organizations for a variety of rankings and evaluations. PCI, in collaboration with the Alumni Association, will be contacting alumni to update their information. Thank you in advance for verifying your alumni data. We sincerely appreciate your assistance.
Alumni Association Awards
Since 1961, the Alumni Association has annually honored individuals who have demonstrated exceptional professional achievement and extraordinary personal commitment and service to WPI. Now is the time to nominate a classmate. View award descriptions and nomination forms. Award Nomination Form
Regional Chapter Survey Results
Thank you to everyone who responded to our survey on regional chapter activities. A summary of the survey results is now available online. Survey Summary
WPI Winter Social
The Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLD) Committee is pleased to invite you to attend our annual winter social being held THIS SATURDAY for GOLD classes (1997 - 2007) and their guests at Boston Billiards Club in Worcester.
Where: Boston Billiard Club, 454 Grove Street, Worcester
When: Jan.19, 7-10 p.m.
Why: Because it's fun!
How much: $7 in advance (refundable if rescheduled)/$10 at the door per person (includes appetizers and private pool tables)
We hope you will join us for an evening of pool, great food and socializing! Boston Billiards has a great night scheduled; they have the Worcester Sharks Team serving as celebrity bartenders! As of right now, our numbers are low and we are considering re-scheduling to a different day. If you plan to attend, please register by the link below or if you would like to pay at the door, please send an email to alumni-office@wpi.edu by Friday, January 18th so we will know if you are coming. Click here for more information and to register in advance: January Winter Social.
Transformations Needs You
Do you remember urinals in the women's dorm? Or, what it was like to be the only woman in a class full of male students? Transformations wants to hear from you. The next issue of the magazine will celebrate the 40th anniversary of WPI's becoming a coeducational university, and we'd like to hear about campus life in the late '60s and early '70s. Please consider sharing with us your anecdotes, memories, laughs, and tears.
Contact Transformations editor Charna Westervelt at transformations@wpi.edu or post a message at WPI's online alumni community. We hope to hear from you soon.
You spoke. We listened. Stay connected.
Visit Alumni --the new online community for alumni.
Contact the Office of Alumni Relations at alumni-office@wpi.edu if you have misplaced your constituent ID.
Campus News
WPI Receives $1.5 Million NSF Award to Develop Intelligent Tutoring System
New methodology is being developed by WPI researchers to help middle school students develop a deep understanding of scientific concepts by teaching them to "think like scientists." A five-year, $1.5 million award from the National Science Foundation will support a team of WPI professors in the development of a computerized tutoring system that uses simulations of scientific experiments and a sophisticated logging system for systematically tracking how students tackle experiments to both guide students' learning and assess their progress. More information regarding the tutoring system is available online. News Releases
In Memoriam: Professor Emeritus Ken Scott
Kenneth E. Scott '48, professor emeritus of mechanical engineering and founder of the Instructional Media Center at WPI, died Jan. 3, 2008, at his home in Ft. Myers, Fla. He was 81. An active member of the Alumni Association, he served as the first faculty representative to the association's Executive Committee and was a member and chair of its Citations Committee. He was the 1998 recipient of the William R. Grogan Award for Support of the Mission of WPI. Read full obituary. In Memoriam
2008 Chairman's Exemplary Prize
The nomination deadline for this year's Chairman's Exemplary Faculty Prize is Jan. 25. The award was established in 2007 through to personal philanthropy of Donald K. Peterson '71, current chair of the WPI Board of Trustees, to recognize and reward members of the faculty who excel in all relevant areas of faculty performance. Continuing the practice initiated in 2007 when professors John McNeill and Richard Sisson received these awards, two prizes, each in the amount of $10,000, will be awarded at WPI's 2008 Commencement Ceremony. For complete rules and application procedures, contact Debbie Graves at djgraves@wpi.edu or in the Provost's office at 508-831-5222.
Careers Services and Lifelong Learning
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. The Career Planner 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 posting positions as an Alumni Employer, please go here: Information for Employers.
More information about specific Alumni Services... Information for Alumni
Corporate and Professional Education
WPI's Corporate and Professional Education Division has expanded considerably over the last two years and we are pleased with this opportunity to bring monthly updates to WPI alumni. An area of growing demand for CPE has been in Graduate & Undergraduate Credit Programs that are delivered by WPI faculty, at your company site, and in convenient and flexible formats. Sample Graduate programs include Systems Engineering at Textron and Raytheon and Manufacturing Engineering at UTC. We also offer online graduate programs such as Materials Process Engineering and Advanced Digital Design and Test, and an Operations Leadership open enrollment program starting this February in Manchester, NH. For more information please contact us at cpe@wpi.edu, 508-831-5517 or CPE.
Connect to WPI's Networking Webinar
The CDC, alumni office, and GOLD Chapter of the Alumni Association recently launched a series of interactive Webinars for WPI alumni. The first session, "Building Your Network in the New Year," focused on sources for networking, and strategies for approaching individuals once you have their names. Moderators were Connie Horwitz, Assistant Director of the CDC and Peter Caputa, '99 whose professional expertise includes managing networking events. If you missed this first webinar, you may listen online. Webinar Audio.
We welcome suggestions for future webinars at cdcalumni@wpi.Watch for details on the next session in March.
New CDC Assistant Director
The CDC welcomes Maggie Becker as its new assistant director. Her role includes providing students and alumni with counseling and services on career-related issues including major selection, administration of assessment tools, internships and cooperative education, full-time employment, and graduate school opportunities. She can be reached at 508-831-5260 or 508-831-5879, or at mrbecker@wpi.edu.
Upcoming Events
Jan. 17: Portland Club Event has been CANCELLED
Jan 19: Boston Chapter Science Museum Day
Science Park, Boston
A day at the Museum of Science-back by popular demand.
Jan. 22: WPI in Your Neighborhood - New York City
Hosted by Glenn Gaudette, Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering. Gabriel's Bar and Restaurant, 11 W 60th Street, NY, NY. 6PM. Please RSVP to alumni-office@wpi.edu
Jan. 23: Class of '78 Reunion Conference Call
8 p.m. For calling instructions, contact alumni-office@wpi.edu
Feb. 6: WPI in Your Neighborhood-San Francisco
Featuring John McNeill, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering.
Details will be mailed to Bay Area alumni.
Feb. 12: Venture Forum: "Valuation, Funding, Scaling Up, and Exit"
6:30 - 9 p.m. Campus Center, Odeum. Cost: $15 members, $25. Details and registration.
Feb. 13: Tech Old Timers
Student Experiences with IQPs and MQPs
Feb. 18: Class of '63 Reunion Conference Call
3 p.m. For calling instructions, contact alumni-office@wpi.edu
March 4: Chicago Club Event
6 p.m. Save the date to join fellow alumni for a reception at the Goose Island Brew Pub. Details to come.
March 6: Denver Alumni Club Event
6 p.m. Save the date to join fellow alumni at a reception at the Wynkoop Brewing Company. Stay tuned for more details!
March 12: Tech Old Timers
Single Stream Recycling-State of the Art
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. Info...
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 the bridge@wpi.edu.
Maintained by webmaster@wpi.eduLast modified: March 14, 2008 10:40:34