VOLUME 11, NO. 1     MAY 1997

Elegance, eloquence, education pervade Thai Embassy reception

It was a reception fit for a king. More than 150 WPI alumni, administrators, faculty, students and friends joined Thai government officials at the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington, D.C., in December in a celebration of the university's Global Perspective Program and the connection between WPI and Thailand through the Bangkok Project Center.

Although King Bhumibol Adulyadej did not attend, President and Mrs. Edward Parrish acknowledged his leadership with a commemorative crystal cube they presented to Nitya Pibulsonggram, Thailand's ambassador to the U.S., in honor of the 50th anniversary of the king's reign. The ambassador and the Parrishes hosted the gala evening, which was sponsored by WPI and the Washington, D.C., Alumni Club.

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"We go to Thailand because we are treated with such kindness and generosity by the Thai people. Those of us who have been the objects of Thai hospitality will never forget it."
- Prof. Steven Weininger

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Chemistry Professor Stephen Weininger, director of the Bangkok Project Center, spoke about the uniqueness and value of WPI's off-campus project program. Weininger, who was one of the on-site advisors at the Washington, D.C., Project Center when it was established 25 years ago, served as advisor to project teams in Bangkok in 1993 and 1996.

Since its establishment in 1988, more than 80 students and their advisors have traveled to Bangkok to work for industry, government agencies, charities and universities. Projects have focused on discovering solutions for such issues as the industrialization (and concomitant westernization) of Thailand and Thai society; the environmental problems that have resulted from rapid industrialization; and helping to improve safety or life for segments of the population - from those who work and study at Chulalongkorn University to the people of Klong Toey, a slum area near the port of Bangkok.

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Guests view the WPI video shown at the event.

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While acknowledging the quality and value of the projects (which won the President's IQP Awards competitions in 1994 and 1996), Weininger stated firmly, "We take a great deal more away from our encounters with Thailand than we leave behind.

"We go to Thailand because we are treated with such kindness and generosity by the Thai people. Those of us who have been the objects of Thai hospitality will never forget it. And those who have not should do all they can to avail themselves of it."

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Thailand's U.S. ambassador and President Parrish. (In the background is a portrait of Thailand's King.)

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Susan Vernon-Gerstenfeld, director of the Washington, D.C., Project Center, concluded the program with a review of projects completed at the center during Term B. David DiBiasio, associate professor of chemical engineering, who served as on-site advisor for these teams, also met with the guests, as did several of the students' family members.

"We were delighted to see so many people with ties to WPI at the reception," said Special Projects Director Linda Looft, who coordinated the event. "We were warmly received by embassy officials and I believe that everyone gained a greater knowledge and understanding of our superb Global Perspective Program."

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