VOLUME 13, NO. 3     June 2001

Alumni ambassador helps educators learn about WPI

"Wow, sign me up, what a great place to get an education!"

So concluded one of the 50 math and science educators and guidance counselors who attended an event last October at the Country Club of Fairfax (Va.), sponsored by WPI and Barrie Peterson ’68. The program was designed to reach educators in a county that is home to some of the nation’s highest-ranking secondary school science and math programs.

Titled "Science Education for the New Millennium," the event introduced the educators to WPI and focused on the future of their own fields. Sheila Tobias, noted author and science and math education consultant, was the featured speaker. Her topic was titled "The Science-Trained Professional: A New Breed for the New Century."

Bogdan Vernescu, director of WPI’s Center for Industrial Mathematics and Statistics, and President Parrish also made presentations. A video highlighting WPI’s unique approach to education rounded out the evening.

Several students who were completing their Major Qualifying Projects at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., were on hand for the event.

"No one is more effective than a committed and enthusiastic alumnus in finding ways to communicate the value of the WPI educational experience," says Barbara Ziff, executive director of development operations and research.

"Most of these Fairfax educators had little or no knowledge of WPI prior to that evening," Ziff says. "Barrie suggested a way that WPI could reach them and leave a lasting favorable impression. He has offered to host two more such events in the Fairfax area."

"Our hope is that all our graduates will consider serving as WPI ambassadors wherever their lives take them," says Parrish, who notes that WPI plans to hold more events like these throughout the country. One of them, also featuring Sheila Tobias, was held April 4 in Menlo Park, Calif., for Silicon Valley educators and guidance counselors.