A Publication for West Coast Alumni and Friends
Vol. 1, No. 1 / January 2001 - California Connection: Making a Difference Where Technology Meets Real Life

Greetings, enthusiastic... curious

Welcome to the inaugural issue of WPI West, a publication focused on WPI's West Coast alumni and friends. The theme of this publication is "making a difference." A WPI education empowers you to do what you aim to do. It enables you to act professionally at the intersection of technology and society, where an individual can truly make a difference.

Today's WPI students are taking their turn in the Two Towers Tradition through our innovative undergraduate curriculum. They may complete the projects that are the core of that program at sites around the globe--including Silicon Valley, where one of out newest project programs was launched a year ago.

The Silicon Valley Project Center grew out of suggestions from several distinguished West Coast alumni. Thanks to their ideas, we now have a practical means for bringing enthusiastic undergraduates to the home of high technology, where they will find real problems needing solutions.

A foundation of global proportions, the WPI education readies graduates for many diverse paths, which the profiles of three West Coast alumni in this issue make clear. In future issues, we'll highlight more of the amazing careers and personalities that first took shape at WPI.

We want to keep in touch, and we want to know what is happening in your life. Please send us an e-mail at wpiwest@wpi.edu with your comments and suggestions, and your own news.

With best wishes,

Edward Alton Parrish
President