Alumni Association - January 2009

An Update From Bill Krein ’62, Alumni Association President

Dear Fellow Alumni,

A new year is upon us and with it comes opportunities for change. America recently inaugurated a new president, and regardless of your political affiliations, you have to admit we are presented with an opportunity unlike any that has ever existed to take the country in a new and more positive direction.

Change also is afoot at WPI in the form of innovative research. For example, the Institute is working on neuroprosthetic devices that will bring independence to amputees, and on another front, is seeking ways to produce fuel from sustainable biological sources that do not compete with food crops.

The university launched a multimedia research Web site late last year, and with it, a high-quality Research magazine. In a message, titled “Yes, you can change the world,” President Berkey states:

“If you have ever yearned to change the world, you are not alone … Ours is a university rich with possibility, ripe with innovation, and raring to find the cures, develop the resources and make the progress on with our world depends.”

The message of change is echoed as we welcome Jake Messier as the new executive director of alumni relations. Jake will manage a staff of four, and will provide general oversight for the direction of the Alumni Relations office, including volunteer recruitment, programs and special events, serve as secretary of the Alumni Association, and work to strengthen bonds among all stakeholders in the Association, not only alumni, but also students, faculty and administration, and staff.

Before joining WPI, Jake was a senior marketing and business development consultant at DoxStor, Inc. His business and marketing experience is multifaceted, with stints as marketing director at CAST Software in New York, Ounce Labs in Waltham, Mass., and as an assignment editor at WBZ news in Boston. Jake also served nearly a decade in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Jake’s hiring is part of a larger plan to revamp the Alumni Relations office. Alumni chapters and clubs are a renewed focus, as work is under way to increase their visibility and membership. Official Facebook groups are being established for each region, and for all alumni.

The alumni office and the Association Board of Directors are hard at work with plans for the Association’s Annual Meeting on May 2 and Reunion 2009 on June 4-7. This year, considerably more of the planning and notices regarding these two on-campus events will be handled electronically, so mark the dates and watch for more information as we move forward.

The Annual Meeting of the Association will include the election of officers, ratification of revision of the Constitution and By-laws, and insight into the new configuration of WPI’s academic community signaled by the creation of new deanships and school designations. This is your best opportunity to participate in the governance of your association. Concerning the election of officers and members of the Board of Directors, the Nominations Committee will be meeting in February and March. If you wish to be considered or have any nominations to suggest, please submit them as soon as possible.

At Reunion this year, the class of 1959 will celebrate its 50^th year, among several other classes to be honored, and many of the activities that you have come to expect will once again be held.

Along with the traditional receptions, conversation with Dr. Berkey, parade and alumni recognition ceremony, there will be a jazz brunch, robotics demonstration, and campus tours. New this year will be a campus fair and barbecue on the quad.

These on-campus events, together with the expanding schedule of regional events being planned by the alumni office, will offer plenty of opportunities for alumni to stay connected to WPI and involved in its success of WPI.

With best regards,

Bill

W. A. Krein ‘62

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Last modified: January 26, 2009 15:21:30