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    The Bridge


     
    Alumni NewsWPI Campus NewsCareer Development Center

    News from the WPI Alumni Association


    Welcome to 2010!

    For me, the New Year has always been a time for reflection, a time to look back on the year’s accomplishments as well as to look ahead and consider what should be accomplished. I hope that you will look at 2010 as a year to rekindle or start your relationship with WPI. Below are a few ways you can become involved:

    STAR Mentoring
    Launched in October 2009 as a collaboration between the Career Development Center (CDC) and the Office of Alumni Relations, STAR Mentoring is a great opportunity to share your experiences with students. To date, more than 60 students have signed up, and approximately 40 mentoring relationships have been established. Response from alumni has been great! However, there is still time to sign up and share your expertise with students. Mentors are needed with all types of backgrounds, but students are keenly interested in alumni who have expertise in automation, game design, robotics, and life internationally.

    Reconnect with Tech
    On Saturday May 1, we welcome all alumni back to campus to “Reconnect with Tech.” Highlights from the day include campus tours, and update on the new Sports an Recreation Center from Athletics Director Dana Harmon, student MQP/IQP Presentations, and a guest speaker. We hope that you will join us starting at noon eastern time. More details will follow shortly. If you are interested in helping with planning for this event, please reach out to Jake Messier, executive director of alumni relations, at jmessier@wpi.edu.

    There are many exciting things happening on campus and with the Alumni Association. I hope that you will make a point to get involved in 2010! Please feel free to reach out to me at joyce.kline@alum.wpi.edu if you would like to discuss how you can get involved.

    Regards,
    Joyce Kline ’87
    President, WPI Alumni Association

    Welcome to California BBQ: Jan. 24


    Join alumni and friends in welcoming current WPI students to Northern California for their C Term work at the Silicon Valley Project Center. This free event is from 5 to 8 pm at Oakwood Apartments, 555 West Middlefield Rd. in Mount View, Calif. Please register in advance here. If you'd like to bring a dish to the BBQ please feel free to do so!

    WPI Venture Forum, Worcester: Feb. 9


    The next WPI Venture Forum will explore how to "Innovate to Survive and Thrive." How are today’s traditional businesses innovating to sustain and grow their business? In the face of increasing competition worldwide, how are manufacturers adapting, and what do they see moving forward?

    A panel of speakers will address these questions at the Feb. 9 WPI Venture Forum, followed by a moderated discussion with audience questions. The Venture Forum will be held in the Campus Center Odeum. Doors open for networking at 5:30 pm, followed by the forum from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. WPI alumni receive a discounted admission rate of $15. Admission is free with a $125 annual membership to the WPI Venture Forum. To register for the program, visit www.wpiventureforum.org/registration.html. For more information about the program and speakers, visit www.wpiventureforum.org.

    Reunion 2010 just around the corner: June 3-6


    Save the date for Reunion Weekend, June 3-6. The festivities start with our Annual Golf Tournament on June 3 at Stowe Acres Country Club. Activities are open to all alumni. Registration will be available online in mid-March.

    Boston Red Sox events in 2010


    WPI is going to Fenway Park to cheer on the Red Sox in 2010. Stay tuned to upcoming issues of The Bridge for more information on how to purchase tickets to these popular WPI alumni outings.

      

    Recent alumni events: Sunday River and GOLD


    Skiing at Sunday River, Maine
    On Jan. 9, more than 70 alumni, parents, and students gathered at Sunday River to support the WPI Ski Team, enjoy the slopes, and share a meal. Plans are already underway to make this an annual event. We hope you can join us in January 2011.

    GOLD kick-off
    Seventy-three WPI Graduates of the Last Decade and their guests gathered to officially relaunch the GOLD program at Boston’s iconic Harpoon Brewery on Jan. 15. Attendees from the classes of 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 – and even members of 1993 and 1994 – reconnected with each other, heard a little bit about what’s happening at WPI today, and learned the “correct” way to drink Harpoon beers from the brewery’s experts.

    The GOLD program was created to help keep WPI’s youngest alumni connected to each other and the University through events and programs that are relevant to exactly where these graduates are in their lives. To learn more about GOLD or to help out please visit http://wpi.imodules.com/s/648/index.aspx?sid=648&gid=1&pgid=661.

    Think our cameras may have caught you at the event? Check out the photos on the WPI alumni website and on Facebook, and don’t forget to tag yourself!

    Centennial Walkway Commemorative Brick


    The Centennial Walkway on the Quad was dedicated in 1991 and a new tradition was established. Become part of WPI’s history by having an engraved brick placed in the walkway. Your name will inspire future generations to support WPI. To assure placement in the Walkway by Commencement in May, brick orders must be received by Feb. 15, 2010. For additional information, please call the Office of Alumni Relations at 508-831-5600 or visit the Centennial Walkway web page.

    Take the Dolan Challenge and support WPI


    Trustee Mike Dolan ’75 has once again challenged alumni from classes within the last 20 years (1990-2009) to make a gift of $100 or more, and he’ll match that gift 50 cents on the dollar. For more information about Mike Dolan and the Dolan Challenge, check out the Dolan Challenge web site.

    If you would like to participate in the Challenge by making a gift using monthly deductions or a one-time payment, please use WPI’s secure gift page.

    Reunion Giving Challenge


    Alumni whose class year ends in 0 or 5 are supporting their class gifts this year in honor of their Reunion in June. The classes with the highest percentage of participation and the most dollars raised will be recognized at Reunion 2010, June 3-6, by having their class added to the plaque on the Reunion Giving Participation Cup. If you are celebrating at Reunion 2010, look for more information to come at the start of the new year.

    Meanwhile, track your class’s progress and help your class be recognized for participation this year by making your Reunion Class gift online here.

    Inventors wanted: Kalenian Award


    Do you have a novel idea with commercial potential? Can you demonstrate a viable, emerging business plan? Is the likelihood of success high? Consider applying for the 2010 Kalenian Award. The prize is $25,000 toward the winning idea's commercialization. The application deadline is Wednesday, March 31, by 5 pm EST. For more information about how to enter, visit http://www.wpi.edu/academics/Depts/MGT/CEI/Competitions/kalenian.html

    Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube


    You can find all the latest WPI university and alumni news on your favorite social networking sites. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, and always have your finger on the pulse of WPI. And don't miss out on the give-aways (usually on Facebook). You never know when the next chance for free WPI gear might pop up.
      

    WPI wrestling mourns the passing of Ray Cherenzia ’73


    The WPI wrestling program, athletic department, and community mourns the passing of Ray Cherenzia ’73. Ray lost his three-year battle with brain cancer on Saturday, Jan. 9. Cherenzia was a captain on head coach Phil Grebinar’s first team in 1972-1973 and placed at 142 pounds in the New England Championships in 1973. Read more.

    Check out the Sports and Recreation Center website


    If you haven’t already, take some time to explore the Sports and Recreation Center website at www.wpi.edu/sportsandrecreation. You’ll find information about the new facility, photos, videos, giving opportunities and more. Be sure to check out the page where you can share your WPI story: http://sportsandrecreation.wpi.edu/why.

      

    Career Development

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    Webinar: Smart Strategies for Social Networking, Jan. 29


    With the continued growth of Linked In, Facebook, and now Twitter as tools to use in conducting a job search and building career contacts, savvy users are identifying smart strategies in their application of each site. Please join Pete Caputa ’98, an expert in how to build contacts using social networking sites, on Jan. 29 from 1 to 2 pm EST as he returns to our Webinar program. Your next job may well be on one of these sites! Please register by emailing cdcalumni@wpi.edu.

      

    Corporate and Professional Education

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    NEW! WPI Technical Short Courses


    WPI has a long history of understanding and meeting the changing demands of the technological landscape. In keeping with this tradition, WPI Corporate and Professional Education is now offering a new program series designed for individuals and companies who need to maintain and improve their understanding of technology. The Technical Short Course (TSC) series of programs is designed to provide focused updates on specific technologies, in formats paced to match the quickly changing needs of today’s business climate.

    From introductory topics aimed at non-technical professionals, to advanced engineering tools and techniques for life-long engineering professionals, to technology overviews for senior executives, the constantly evolving TSC portfolio has something for everyone. Individuals and companies can choose the topics that are most timely and relevant to their immediate success.

    Corporate Delivery
    As with all of our offerings, our technical short courses can be customized for your company. If there is an area of science and/or technology that you wish to have addressed, please contact WPI for a time to discuss those specific needs.

    The following are some of the areas for which technical short courses have been or are being designed:

    Systems Engineering 
    Electrical Engineering
    Information and Cyber-Security

    Power Systems 
    Sustainable Construction
    Fire Protection Engineering
    Application of Technical Computing to Complex Problems
    Process Analytical Technology for Biotech

    To learn more, call Lindy Lewandowski, associate director of business development, Corporate and Professional Education, at 508-831-6792; or email lindy@wpi.edu.
      

    Athletic News

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    Hannmann and Kuhn key women’s basketball in win over MHC


    Lauren Hannmann ’12 scored seven points during a 9-0 WPI run sandwiched between both halves to spark the host Engineers to a hard-fought 59-51 victory over Mount Holyoke in a NEWMAC women’s basketball matchup on Wednesday, Jan. 13. With the victory, WPI ups its record to 9-5 overall and 5-2 in conference play. Read more.

    Anderson, Gilman and Howe post wins as wrestling falls at RIC


    Seniors Joe Manley and Ray Moore notched back-to-back pins to help secure a 31-9 win for the Rhode Island College wrestling team over WPI on Wednesday, Jan. 13 at The Murray Center. The Engineers picked up two early wins as Carl Anderson ’10 and Dan Gilman ’13 each earned three-point decisions at 125 and 133. Tyler Howe ’11 also won for WPI at 157. Read more.

    Men’s basketball defeated on the road by NEWMAC foe MIT


    Four players in double figures, led by sophomore Billy Bender with 17 points, helped MIT secure a 76-53 win over visiting WPI in NEWMAC men’s basketball action on Wednesday, Jan. 13. MIT improves to 14-1 and 2-0 in NEWMAC play. WPI falls to 11-3 (0-2 NEWMAC). Fernando Perez ’12 was the only WPI player to score in double-figures, finishing with 10. Read more.

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