April 21, 2005
Around Campus
Log in and Watch the Bartlett Center Rise
A new Web site offers bird's-eye views like this one of the construction of the Bartlett Center, which will be the new home for WPI's Admissions and Financial Aid offices starting next spring. The site also has details about the building's design, information about plans for a revitalized Quadrangle, the construction schedule, and the story of James Bartlett Jr. '39 and his wife, Shirley, whose generosity made the new structure possible. Visit www.wpi.edu/about/Bartlett/.
Undergraduates Among "Best in Class"
Two WPI students, Matthew J. Black '05 and Ryan M. Carey '05, were among the of top 10 engineering and science graduates in the 2005 "Best in Class" list published by Mass High Tech, the weekly journal of New England technology. The list showcases New England colleges and universities that educate some of the world's most talented students: men and women who have passions beyond math and science. Read about Black and Carey and find links to other recent news coverage of WPI at the new "WPI in the News" site, www.wpi.edu/News/Flash/.
WPI Grand Challenge Team Advances
Atlas Off-Road, a team of WPI students developing an autonomous vehicle they hope to race in the DARPA Grand Challenge, will be one of 118 teams (out of 195 entrants) to receive site visits from the federal Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. Based on the results of the visits, DARPA will select 40 teams to compete in a national qualifying event in California in the fall. Half of those teams will be selected to compete in the Grand Challenge in October. The $2 million prize will go to the team whose vehicle completed a treacherous course in the Southwest the fastest within 10 hours. There were no winners in the 2004 challenge. The WPI team consists of Dan Baggett, Brian Barnhill, Alex Cunningham, Conn Dickson, David Eger, Neal Orman, Nathan Rosenblad, Patrick Shields, Eric Twark, Eric Van Dyke, and Eric Wallhagan.
Campus Center Offers Summer Trips
The following summer trips are being sponsored by the Campus Center Office. For more information, or to make reservations, contact Donna DeChiaro at ext. 6806 or donnad@wpi.edu.
- Boston Duck Tours, Saturday, June 18. Tickets (45 available) include bus transportation, sightseeing tour, lunch at the famous No Name Restaurant, and a short cruise on the Charles River. The bus leaves the library parking lot at 9 a.m. and returns at 5 p.m.
- James Taylor at Tanglewood, Tuesday, July 5. Lawn tickets are $35; bring a blanket and cooler. Bus departs at 2 p.m. for the 7 p.m. concert and returns after the event.
- Red Sox vs. Orioles, and Washington, D.C., Friday, July 8, to Sunday, July 10. Per-person costs are $289, one adult; $199, two adults; and $195, three adults. The additional cost for a child traveling with two adults is $159. Prices include bus transportation, lodging at the McLean (Va.) Hilton Hotel, ticket to a Red Sox-Orioles game at Camden Yards, and a tour of Washington, D.C. Bus departs library lot at 7 a.m. and returns about 5 p.m.
- Maine Cruise, Saturday, July 30. Tickets ($50) include bus transportation, narrated ferry cruise of Casco Bay, and lunch at Cook's Lobster House. Bus leaves Library parking lot at 7 a.m.
Asian Culture Showcased at Dragon Night
The WPI Chinese Student Association (CSA) will hold it annual cultural event, Dragon Night 2005, on Friday, April 22, at 6:30 p.m. in Alden Memorial. The event will feature Chinese food, performances by the Asian Cultural Dance Group, the traditional lion dance, kung fu demonstrations by WPI's Society of Martial Arts, music performed by a CSA member on a rare ancient Chinese instrument, and a fashion show featuring traditional Asian attire. Purchase tickets ($8) in the Campus Center between 9 a.m and 4 p.m. each day or e-mail csaofficers@wpi.edu for reservations.
Summer is a Busy Time at WPI
After the graduates have received their diplomas and the residence halls have emptied, things get pretty quiet around the WPI campus, right? Hardly! Summer is a busy time at the university, with more than 70 undergraduate and graduate classes, a host of sports camps, programs for teachers, and professional development seminars and certificate programs for working professionals.
In addition, programs like Camp Reach, Frontiers, Strive, and GEMS (Girls in Engineering, Science and Mathematics) provide opportunities for middle and high school students to get hands-on experience in engineering and science and explore college life.
This year's Summer Session offers more variety, convenience, and flexibility than ever before. The number of classes has increased, classes have been scheduled at more convenient times (both day and evening), more distance-learning opportunities have been added, and the start date for undergraduate and graduate classes has been moved to the week of May 16. Some classes will end by June 16, while most others will finish by June 30. Summer Session is also a great opportunity to work on an IQP or Sufficiency. To learn more, visit www.wpi.edu/+Summer.
People
Grebinar Retires as Head Wrestling Coach
Phil Grebinar, head wrestling coach at WPI for the past 33 years and three-time NEWMAC Coach of the Year, announced last week that he has decided to retire from his coaching duties; he will continue as associate professor of physical education. Sean Nelligan '02, an assistant wrestling coach for the past three years, has assumed the duties of head coach.
"I know I will miss the great competition, the work ethic of WPI wrestling teams, and the relationships that are built through a total team environment," Grebinar said in a news release posted on the WPI Web site. "However, I feel the timing is right." Noted Dana Harmon, director of physical education, recreation, and athletics. "Few coaches have as loyal a following [as Grebinar]. While we will miss his coaching leadership, we are pleased that Phil will remain with the athletic department." Read more at www.wpi.edu/+athletics/Releases/.
Administrator Receives Travel Award
Entela Baolli, proposal services administrator, in the Research Administration Office, recently received a Bernard McLane Memorial Travel Award to offset the costs of attending the National Council of University Research Administrators' annual regional meeting in May. The award, which is made available to two individuals from the New England region, is based on financial need and professional benefit to the applicant.
WPI Honors Outstanding Undergraduates
Listed below are all of the undergraduate student prizes and honors awarded by @WPI to date:
- The Two Towers Prize: This prestigious award is given each year to a student who, through academic achievement, campus leadership, course work, research, and projects, best exemplifies the heart of the WPI educational experience, has been awarded to Martin Driggs, a junior majoring in biology and biotechnology.
- Salisbury Prize: This honor is bestowed each year on WPI's most meritorious seniors. The recipients are Andrea Hafner, biology and biotechnology; Nina Mallozzi, biology and biotechnology; Andrew DuFresne, biochemistry; Ryan Carey, biomedical engineering; Matthew Black, chemical engineering; Hunter Bennett-Daggett, civil engineering; Brian Ellis, computer science; Paul Messier, electrical and computer engineering, and humanities and arts; Antonio Sangermano, electrical and computer engineering; Stefan Leonidovich Slonevskiy, electrical and computer engineering; Bandar Turkmani, electrical and computer engineering; James Lescoe, mathematical sciences; Adam Bryant, mechanical engineering; David LeRay, mechanical engineering and mathematical sciences; and Warren Schudy, physics and computer science.
- The Class of 1879 Prize: This is the university's humanities and arts award, given each spring for the most outstanding Sufficiency projects. The winners are Laura Baldassari for "Flute Music of the Classical Period," Pat Hogan for "Dying By Inches: Imperialism and Asian Famines," and Steven Tufo for "Considering the Absurd, Judgment, and Love: Albert Camus' Revolt Against Death."
- Kranich Prize: Honoing students majoring in engineering or science who best exemplify excellence in the humanities and arts and the integration of technical and non-technical disciplines, the prize was presented this year to Katrina Hildebrand '05.
- Carl F. Meyer Award: Honoring a senior in civil and environmental engineering (CEE) who has demonstrated the most improvement in academic and professional attitude since entering the department, the awards went this year to Julie Bradley '05.
- Andrew Holt Award: Presented to a CEE senior who has consistently earned academic honors and shows excellent promise for success, the award was presented this year to Michael Tranquillo '05.
- Frank DeFalco Award: The awards is given to a junior CEE major interested in going into professional practice in the area of constructed facilities. This year's recipients are Travis Alexander '06 and Jessica Farrell '06.
- Robert H. Goddard Award: Endowed by the Classes of 1908 and 1909 in memory of rocketry pioneer Robert H. Goddard '08, the award recognizes outstanding achievement, scholarship, consistent effort, and dedication of purpose in theoretical and experimental areas of physics. The 2005 recipient is Thomas T. Howard '05.
- Undergraduate Leadership Award: Rachel H. Nasto '05 received this award, given in recognition of leadership of the Student Physics Society and outstanding service to the physics students at WPI.
Recent Grants
Biology and Biotechnology
- Weathers, P., and M. Sharaf-Eldin*, for "Scale-up of Artemisinin Production in Hairy Roots Grown in a Mist Bioreactor," from the Binational Fulbright Commission, $22,000.
Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Pahlavan, K., for "Innovative Indoor Geolocation Using RF Multipath Diversity," from Draper Labs (DARPA), $185,560.
Mathematical Sciences
- Feribach, J., for "One Year in WPI Chemical Engineering," from the National Science Foundation, $100,000.
Mechanical Engineering
- Apelian, D., for "Copper-Based Casting Technology," from the Advanced Technology Institute, $27,160.
- Apelian, D., for "Materials and Process Design for High-Temperature Carburizing Integrating Processing and Performance," from the Department of Energy, $258,248.
- Blandino, J., for "Advanced Lithium-Fed Applied-Field Mangnetoplasmadynamic Thruster," from Princeton University (NASA), $17,157
- Durgin, W. W., for "Innovative Airworthiness Certification Concepts and Quality Assurance Processes for the PAV," from Nextechnologies (NASA), $30,344.
- Gatsonis, N., for "Compact Induced Current Hall Thruster," from Busek, $108,810.
- Hoffman, A., for "National Dissemination of the National Engineering Projects in Community Service Program," from Purdue University (NSF), $28,909.
- Johari, H., for "Interaction of an Inflated Parachute Canopy with Upstream Vortices," from the Army Research Office, $61,022.
- Rong, Y., and R. Sisson*, for "An Energy Savings Model for the Heat Treatment of Castings," from the Department of Energy, $157,896.
- Tryggvason, G., for "Droplets Impacting Liquid Films: Coalescence or Splash," from NASA, $42,207.
Diversity and Women's Programs
Blaisdell, S., for "4 Schools for WIE (Women In Engineering)," from Northeastern University (NSF), $58,000.
*Co-principal Investigator
Total March grants and contracts: $1,097,313.
Correcting Our Facts
In an article in the March 24 issue about the appointment of Umberto Mosco as the Harold J. Gay Professor, it was incorrectly stated that the Gay Chair is a two-year professorship. The two-year team applied to a former honorary professorship for younger faculty members. Dr. Umberto's appointment as the Harold J. Gay Professor carries no term.
The Return of the Goat's Head
The bronze Goat's Head trophy, the coveted prize for the class that wins the annual Freshman-Sophomore Rivalry, was spotted April 14 for the first time in four years. The trophy was held aloft by a masked individual outside the windows of Forkey Commons during a WPI Jeopardy contest. Read more about the goat history, the rivalry, and the sighting at the Goat's Head Web site: www.wpi.edu/~goat.
Maintained by webmaster@wpi.eduLast modified: July 12, 2010 10:28:41