REMEMBERING TOM PHELAN ~ THE FUTURE OF ENERGY ~ RECREATING A CROSS-COUNTRY JOURNEY

Alumni Magazine~Spring 2006

REASON TO BELIEVE FAITH COMMUNITIES ADD SPIRITUAL DIMENSION TO CAMPUS LIFE THE WALKER CHEMICAL LABORATORY has housed the undergraduate chemistry program since its original completion in 1907. The building was renovated extensively in the 1990s, earning the 1996 Historical Education Building Award from the Preservation League of New York State. www.rpi.edu/magazine

INTERIM VICE PRESIDENT FOR STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS AND EXTERNAL RELATIONS Steve Naru

MANAGING EDITOR Tracey Leibach

ART DIRECTOR Diane Piester

ALUMNI NEWS EDITOR Meg Gallien

FEATURES EDITOR Clorinda Valenti

WEB DESIGNER Jeffrey Caron Architecture professor Michael Oatman created the MTA Bus Centennial poster. See page 11.

CONTRIBUTORS FEATURES Theresa Bourgeois Amber Cleveland Jason Gorss 16 Keeping the Faith Ellen Johnston Rensselaer students reflect a national trend in the number Nancy Kelly Tiffany Lohwater participating in religious observances and organizations. Jessica Otitigbe

PHOTOGRAPHERS & ILLUSTRATORS 22 The Future of Energy Stanley Blanchard Gary Gold As calls for energy independence increase, Lonny Kalfus Rensselaer alumni explore innovative solutions. Tom Killips Mark McCarty Kris Qua

ON THE COVER: 30 The Road From Rensselaer Father Ed Kacerguis. A father and son recreate a cross-country journey Photo by Mark McCarty. that began almost 70 years ago.

Rensselaer (ISSN 0898-1442) is pub- DEPARTMENTS lished in Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter by the Office of Communications, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, 4 President’s View 34 Staying Connected NY 12180-3590. Periodicals postage is paid at Troy, N.Y., and additional mailing offices. 5 Mail 35 Calendar Of Earthquakes and Explosions Postmaster: send address changes to Rensselaer, 110 Eighth Street, Troy, NY 36 Class Notes 12180-3590. Rensselaer Polytechnic 8 At Rensselaer In Memoriam 7, 55 Institute is an equal opportunity/affirma- Making a Difference 10 tive action institution. Rensselaer on the Move 11 Opinions expressed in these pages do not 56 One Last Thing necessarily reflect the views of the editors Hawk Talk 13 Forward Into the Past. or the policies of the Institute. ©2006 Focus On: Prabhat Hajela 14 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. M ARK

M Please let us know your new address. Update it electronically C

C on AlumServ, e-mail us at [email protected], or write to: ARTY Moving? Rensselaer Magazine, Office of Communications, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180 or fax to (518) 276-3715. SNAPSHOT

“These first nine months in graduate school have been quite a journey for me,” says Angela Seggio ’05, a graduate student in biomedical engi- neering who is researching the role that non-neural cells play in neurite guidance. “Ulti- mately,” Seggio says, “our lab’s long-term research goal is to find ways to treat people with permanent nerve damage. “Through the one-on-one time I’ve been able to spend with Dr. Thompson in the lab, I have learned so many tech- niques I had only read about in my classes, and never would have guessed were applicable to biomedical engineering. “These past two semesters she has worked hard to help me master these techniques, and start running my own experiments. I now feel that I’ve reached a milestone. I’m at the point where I realize the difference between successfully executing a technique, and understanding when and how to apply that technique to gain the information that will help propel my research. “When you reach that road- block when you find yourself asking, why am I doing this or what’s the point of it all, it’s comforting to know you have an adviser who’s ready to help you work through it. When I stop and think how far I’ve come in just a few months, I can only imagine what the next several years will bring.” ARTY C C M ARK M 2 RENSSELAER/SPRING 2006 RENSSELAER/SPRING 2006 3 PRESIDENT’S VIEW SHIRLEY ANN JACKSON, PH.D.

Mr. President, Spark a Legacy of Innovation The nation needs a renewed national focus on science and technology

n anticipation of the annual of what I call the “Qui- emerged at the local, State of the Union address in et Crisis”—a crisis made state, and federal levels. I January, I sent President Bush not by the shock of an For example, a bi-parti- an open letter urging him to make sci- attack, but by the quiet san group of U.S. Senators ence and innovation a key component convergence of eco- [in January] announced of his policy and budget proposals. I nomic and demograph- plans to introduce legis- also had the opportunity to dine at the ic factors. These factors lation aimed at helping White House recently, where I shared expose our nation’s America maintain its with the president my thoughts on growing shortage of tal- leading edge in science how the United States can regain its ent in the sciences and and technology… competitive edge and prepare the next technology, and the But we need to do K generation of those who will lead in waning commitment to, RIS more. To be fully effec- science and technology. and funding for, basic Q tive, the directive must UA The letter which follows also is a research. come from the highest call to all of us—alumni, students, The “Quiet Crisis” I As a follow-up to the State of the Union address, Rensselaer hosted a office in the land. It is a discussion on innovation with Sandy Baruah, U.S. Assistant Secretary parents, faculty, and friends of Rens- have spoken about for of Commerce for Economic Development. crisis that you, Mr. Pres- selaer—who have a stake in the future several years, as described ident, have the power to of science and technology. I urge you in Thomas Friedman’s best seller worldwide average, and further remedy. A galvanizing call to action to keep yourselves apprised of these The World is Flat, is already becom- behind China. during your State of the Union issues and to lend your voices, and ing “louder” as $100-per-barrel oil We are past the point of needing address will unite the growing cho- your perspectives, to this ongoing looms. It will be louder yet when to document that there is a problem. rus of voices. Outlining a national national dialogue. China graduates a million engi- I have been involved with a range science and technology agenda to neers this year as U.S. graduation of organizations that have done just spark new research, ignite educa- Dear Mr. President: rates decline. that. The facts and forecasts that tion, and entice our youth will pro- Forty-five years ago, President Mr. President, our science and have emerged from these efforts vide the leadership we need at this John F. Kennedy made an extraor- technology position is a looming moved me to urge a national con- critical moment. dinary appeal to Congress that cap- national crisis because it robs us of versation to generate a solution. I suggest such an agenda must be tured the nation’s imagination— our capacity for innovation—so The much-needed national con- built around meeting global ener- one that led to Neil Armstrong critical for our economic and nation- versation is beginning to take hold. gy needs to ensure our energy secu- stepping out of a lunar landing al security. Investing in our nation’s The American Association for the rity. We can no longer just drill our craft eight years later. capacity to innovate now will not Advancement of Science has had way to energy security; we must President Kennedy’s “man on only strengthen our economy, but the issue at the top of its agenda. It innovate our way there. This the moon” speech is so memorable may, by addressing global challenges is also a core platform for the Coun- requires innovative extractive and for the way it galvanized our nation, such as energy security, help to allay cil on Competitiveness—expressed transportation technologies for fos- launching a space and science race. geopolitical tensions that make for in its National Innovation Initia- sil fuels, innovative conservation I personally owe him a great debt. such alarming headlines today. tive, subtitled “Innovate or Abdi- technologies, and innovative alter- Had it not been for the new spirit But even beyond this, the link cate.” It is of deep concern to busi- native fuel technologies. of discovery he engendered and between innovation and produc- ness leaders, as the agendas of the Just as President Kennedy gal- for the new streams of science tivity is clear. Economists estimate National Association of Manufac- vanized the nation in response to funding to schools all over the that productivity gains fueled by turers and The Business Round- the Soviet launch of Sputnik, so country, I and many in my gener- innovation generated half of the table indicate. The National Acad- too could you galvanize the nation ation of scientists might never have growth in U.S. GDP over the last emies report, “Rising Above the around energy security—indeed, found our current path. 50 years. One-third of all jobs in the Gathering Storm: Energizing and energy security is the “space race” It is time for a similar galvanizing U.S. require competency in sci- Employing America for a Brighter of the 21st century… message to the American people ence or technology—yet only 17 Economic Future,” has garnered It is your turn now, Mr. Presi- because this nation is losing the percent of our college graduates national attention. dent. A newfound American innovation edge that Kennedy’s are earning degrees in technical As a result of the rising crescen- strength in science can be your vision gave us. We are in the thick fields. That is 10 points behind the do, legislative policy initiatives have legacy.

4 RENSSELAER/SPRING 2006 MAIL [email protected]

Of Earthquakes and Explosions

n your article “What Lies Seismic Activity at Troy your salary gets too high, we’ll Beneath” [Winter 2005-06], s I read the interest- dump you and send your job to I the author said that New York ing article “What India or China. If you want to state rarely experiences seismic ALies Beneath,” it amount to anything and get activity. I am from Massena, N.Y., brought back memories of anywhere, leave the technical and I remember half the plaster the “Logan Line.” In 1970 I track, get your MBA, and join falling down in the house and a was closely involved with us Art History majors in man- chimney of a two-story house the design and construction agement.” Is it any wonder that falling down. of the foundations for the technical people leave their On Sept. 4, 1944, an earthquake Modern Classroom Facility fields in droves? centered about midway between Building [Darrin Commu- It will not help to throw Massena, N.Y., and Cornwall, nications Center], located a money at a perceived shortage Ontario, Canada, caused an esti- short distance east of ’86 of students. The sad fact is mated $2 million damage in the Field. During our subsur- that there is not some great two cities. The shock destroyed or face investigation I learned pool of untapped talent out damaged about 90 percent of the about the Logan Line, a there. Very few people can chimneys at Massena (intensity gigantic overthrust fault think logically and rationally VIII), with similar effects at Corn- extending from the Albany enough to be a success in the wall. There was little damage due to area into Massachusetts. A technical world. Does anyone the location of the center between geologic reference indicated that to playing Russian roulette. remember the swarms of students Massena and Cornwall. Now the the fault occurred about 40 million As everyone knows, seismic in computer science programs in Saint Lawrence Seaway and Power years ago, when older beds of activity at Troy is now very small. the late ’90s? They’re gone now. Project, locks, and miles of dikes Shodack limestone shoved over However, 40 million years isn’t so Most should never have been let holding back Lake Saint Lawrence younger beds of Snake Hill shale for long in geologic time. If the cause of near a computer. are located between Massena and thousands of feet. the Logan Line is still cooking some- We may be losing some students Cornwall. An earthquake there Not a tectonic plate disruption where down there, perhaps the fault in grades K-12 by not having may cause flooding of Massena and but large enough to get my atten- isn’t extinct. Just taking a nap. enough good math and science especially Cornwall if there is a tion—especially since the fault line teachers, but no one should fool TOM BELLATTY ’51 break in the dams or dikes. near the ground surface passed themselves into thinking that a West Caldwell, N.J. A little sidelight: When they through the RPI campus and the huge increase in qualified math blew a cofferdam with 30 tons of northeast corner of the proposed and science teachers will act as explosives to open the Seaway and building. The geologic reference Quiet Crisis: Wrong Solution? some sort of magic catalyst to pro- make Lake Saint Lawrence on July stated that the fault had stopped ith all due respect to Dr. duce huge numbers of qualified 1, 1958, the shock wave was felt on moving 40 million years ago and it Jackson and her drawing engineering and science students! the RPI campus. My roommate, would not move again. I wondered Wattention to the “Quiet Another concern is that pushing a Laurie Freedman, a graduate stu- how the geologist could be so sure. Crisis,” I believe that she is attack- huge supply of technical people dent in chemistry at the summer I recommended to the archi- ing the problem from the wrong onto the market will merely give school, told me that the Geology tect/engineer that the building end. Although a shrinking supply of management an excuse to slash Department predicted that the location be moved a short distance technical people (scientists, engi- salaries (supply and demand). We shock wave would follow a fault to put the entire building beyond neers, programmers) is a problem, a would do far better to concentrate from the Saint Lawrence River Val- the fault line. The A/E agreed and far bigger one is the failure to retain on nurturing technical careers and ley south through the campus. moved the building. Some time these people once they enter the retaining good people in their fields, If you didn’t know it was coming, later, a Rensselaer administrator workforce. When a technical per- rather than embarking on some you’d think a large truck was going told the A/E to return the building son joins almost any American com- crash program to spike up the sup- by the chemistry building. to its original locations. The A/E pany, what do they constantly hear ply for a short time. agreed and moved the building from Day One? “We don’t value LAWRENCE NICHOLS ’58 PHIL PERRY ’80 back. Sometimes the practice of you for your technical skills. You’re Greenville, N.C. Woodstock, N.Y. geotechnical engineering is similar just another Dilbert to us. When

RENSSELAER/SPRING 2006 5 6 RENSSELAER/SPRING 2006 7 2006 PRING /S MEMORIAM IN ENSSELAER R Phelan’s contributions to the community contributions to Phelan’s on historical theol- He wrote extensively, through the years earned work Phelan’s ’58 Neal Barton As Rensselaer Trustee outstanding scholar who has contributed outstanding scholar who and understanding significantly to the study culture to the of the relationship of material Langdon of society. history and development professor of science and technology Winner, to the Phelan Chair studies, was appointed in July 2005. also are numerous. He outside of Rensselaer of the Hudson- was the founding president a nonprofit Mohawk Industrial Gateway, organization dedicated to fostering pride in the local communities that played a major role in the Industrial Revolution. He also served as chairman of WMHT Educational chair of the Architec- Telecommunications, ture and Building Commission of the presi- Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, dent of the Catholic Art Association, and leader or member of a host of other organi- zations. American material culture, and higher ogy, education. He is perhaps best known for his writings on the American Industrial Revolu- area as a model for tion, using the Troy understanding the implications of industrial- history. ization in U.S. him numerous honors. He was elected a fellow of the Society for the Arts, Religion and Contemporary Culture in 1972. He was awarded the Albany League of Arts for Distinguished Contributions to Award Demers Medal for the Arts, the Albert Fox distinguished service to Rensselaer in 1986, from the first Community Service Award the Hudson-Mohawk Consortium of Col- leges and Universities in 1987, and the from Citizens Laureate Award Academic Founda- the State University of New York tion at Albany in 1988. among us, in the history of has said, “Few this school, have so powerfully demonstrat- ed what it means to love and to serve with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” ARCH M HELAN DIED ON P HOMAS . T EV R “Dean Phelan was an extraordinary per- extraordinary “Dean Phelan was an Phelan began his long association with Phelan, who was named dean of the In 1983 he launched a five-year effort In 2005 the Institute honored his efforts HE Thomas Phelan (as seen in a photograph from the on historical theology, early ’90s), wrote extensively American material culture, and higher education. Rensselaer Loses a “Wise Counselor” a “Wise Loses Rensselaer T more than four 31. Phelan, who devoted as chaplain decades of his life to Rensselaer and social sciences, and dean of humanities Institute Dean, Insti- most recently was the Emeritus. tute Historian, and Professor Ann Jackson. son,” said President Shirley dean, historian, and “He was a professor, was a builder Above all, he wise counselor. of community who also realized the value of understanding and documenting our rich The legacy he has left behind is as history. grand as the life he lived.” Rensselaer in 1959, when he was named the legacy resident Catholic chaplain. Phelan’s to Rensselaer includes building the Chapel the Opened in 1968, + Cultural Center. award-winning Chapel + Cultural Center and performances, foreign hosts exhibitions student gatherings, weddings of every denomination, and is home to Christ Sun Phelan began of Justice University Parish. his tenure as pastor of the parish in 1971, and retired as pastor in 2001. School of Humanities and Social Sciences (H&SS) in 1972 and served in that capacity until 1994, is credited with overseeing the Sage Laboratory renovation of the Russell to bring H&SS onto the main campus, and developing a strong faculty focused on bridg- ing the humanities and technology. to revamp the H&SS Core Program, the courses required of all Rensselaer graduates. Unveiled in 1988, the new curriculum sought to “contribute to the realization of student potential as leaders in the profes- Ernest sions and in society at large.” Dr. of the Carnegie Foundation president Boyer, called it of Teaching, for the Advancement cur- “one of the most creative and exciting ricular reform efforts” he had seen. by creating the Thomas Phelan Endowed Chair in the Humanities and Social Sci- ences. The chair was created to recognize an THOMAS PHELAN

MARK MCCARTY ATRENSSELAER

BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING Analyzing Nerve Injury

DEANNA THOMPSON, ASSISTANT gies to help those who are para- many neurons in the PNS to repair nervous system. professor of biomedical engineer- lyzed due to nerve injuries. themselves. Unlike the PNS, the The James D. Watson Investi- ing at Rensselaer, has received one When an injury to a neuron neurons in the central nervous gator initiative is part of the $22.5 of six New York State Office of occurs, the growing part of the system lack the ability to mend million Generating Employment Science, Technology, and Academ- neuron must navigate past the themselves, in part because they through New York State Science ic Research (NYSTAR) James damaged site to its target to lack the support of Schwann cells. (Gen*NY*sis) program. D. Watson Investigator Program regain function. “Unfortunately, “Despite advances in surgical Thompson joined Rensselaer in Awards. The $200,000 grant will the cell often becomes misguided techniques, the outlook for a full September 2004, from the Center support Thompson’s research, due to the trauma, the formation functional recovery following for Engineering in Medicine at the which focuses on the repair mech- of scar tissue, and other reasons,” nerve injury remains dismal,” says Harvard Medical School. She is anisms of the nervous system. Thompson says. Thompson. “Our research seeks to part of an influx of new faculty in The NYSTAR support will Located in the peripheral nerv- discover the ways in which injured the past few years who are allow Thompson’s laboratory to ous system (PNS), which connects nerves can be repaired.” expanding Rensselaer’s research investigate the roles Schwann the central nervous system (spinal Thompson’s long-term research scope with their expertise in cellu- cells play in the successful repair cord and brain) to other parts of goal is to use Schwann cells to lar, biochemical, and biophysical and guidance of nerve networks. the body, Schwann cells provide develop a novel scaffold that will approaches to the life sciences. This work could one day provide insulation and other support to aid in nerve regeneration in both insight into new treatment strate- neurons. Their presence allows the peripheral and the central

8 RENSSELAER/SPRING 2006 NANOTECHNOLOGY Researchers Develop Flexible, Conducting “Nano Skins”

A TEAM OF RESEARCHERS HAS DEVEL- otubes embedded throughout. oped a new process to make “nano The skins can be bent, flexed, and UA

skins” for a variety of applications, from rolled up, all while maintaining their Q RIS

electronic paper to sensors for detecting ability to conduct electricity, which K chemical and biological agents. The makes them ideal materials for elec- New York State Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno joined Rensselaer materials combine the strength and tronic paper and other flexible elec- officials at the NMR unveiling in March. conductivity of carbon nanotubes with tronics, according to Ajayan. the flexibility of traditional polymers. “The general concept—growing BIOTECHNOLOGY “Researchers have long been interest- nanotubes on a stiff platform in various ed in making composites of nanotubes organizations, and then transferring Powerful Imaging and polymers, but it can be difficult to them to a flexible platform without engineer the interfaces between the two losing this organization—could have Tool Unveiled materials,” says Pulickel Ajayan, the many other applications, all the way Henry Burlage Professor of Materials from adhesive structures and Velcro- IN MARCH, RENSSELAER PRESIDENT SHIRLEY ANN Science and Engineering at Rensselaer. like materials to nanotube intercon- Jackson and New York Senate Majority Leader Joseph “We have found a way to get arrays of nects for electronics,” says Swastik Kar, Bruno joined biotechnology researchers and business nanotubes into a soft polymer matrix a postdoctoral researcher in materials leaders at the Center for Biotechnology and Interdisci- without disturbing the shape, size, or science and engineering at Rensselaer plinary Studies to unveil a powerful new tool—a nuclear alignment of the nanotubes.” and lead author of the paper. magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer—that aids in Typically, nanotube arrays don’t The researchers also envision using research on the cause and treatment of disease. maintain their shape when transferred the process to build miniature pressure “The addition of cutting-edge NMR technology is an because they are held together by sensors and gas detectors. “There are a important investment as we continue to build the infra- weak forces. The team has developed a lot of possibilities if you have an easy structure in this world-class research new procedure that allows them to way to transfer the nanotubes to any facility,” said President Jackson. grow an array of nanotubes on a sepa- platform, and that is what we have “This state-of-the-art equipment is rate platform and then fill the array developed,” Ajayan says. already attracting new researchers with a soft polymer. When the polymer Several other Rensselaer researchers to Rensselaer who are working at the hardens, it is essentially peeled back also collaborated on the project, along forefront of discovery in basic and from the platform, leaving a flexible with colleagues from New Mexico State applied health research.” skin with organized arrays of nan- University. “The Capital Region, particularly RPI, is a 21st-century leader in cut- ting-edge biotechnology and life sci- ences research, and today’s announcement certainly bolsters that reputation,” said Bruno. “The new nuclear magnetic resonance equipment will dramatical- ly improve the ability of doctors and researchers to bet- ter understand and treat diseases that affect the lives of thousands of people, giving us yet another tool in the battle to cure them once and for all.” The NMR spectrometer is a superconducting mag- net that uses strong magnetic fields to provide detailed information on the 3-D structure of biological mole- cules. This information can assist researchers who are seeking to better understand proteins that cause dis- ease and seeking new therapies to treat disease. Researchers are now using the high-field magnet to study health problems such as Alzheimer’s disease and to develop new methods for using NMR technology. The new Bruker Biospin 800 MHz is currently the most sensitive and powerful NMR spectrometer in

M upstate New York. It joins a 600 MHz unit obtained ARK last year for Rensselaer’s developing NMR facility.

M A flexible, conducting “nano skin” with organized arrays of nanotubes embedded throughout. C C ARTY

RENSSELAER/SPRING 2006 9 ATRENSSELAER

MAKING A DIFFERENCE Preparing Global Citizens R OTMAN

WITH THE UNDERGRADUATE PLAN, tized to this key point, you open your S

Rensselaer is turning renewed attention mind to learning how other cultures CHOOL to the undergraduate students it edu- react differently, and your own reaction cates to lead tomorrow’s global work- to other cultures takes on a new light.” OF M

force. Key to the plan are initiatives to Henck says that his children reaped ANA

expand their understanding of the world the benefit of attending an international GEMENT community they will inhabit. school with classmates from diverse Douglas Henck ’74 has a global per- countries and cultures, and of visiting spective that many countries today’s Rensselaer on trips. “The LALLY SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY students would do results are clear: well to emulate. our children are Well-prepared for ‘citizens of the Trading Floor Training an actuarial world,’ comfort- career after earn- able traveling or ing his undergrad- living almost EIGHT GRADUATE AND UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS FROM uate degree in anywhere.” Rensselaer’s Lally School of Management and Tech- mathematics, The Hencks’ nology tested their skills in trading, financial analy- Henck joined the next step will sis, and econometric modeling while participating new international add even further in the third annual Rotman International Trading Competition at the University of Toronto’s Rotman department of the to their cultural School of Management on Feb. 24-25. Aetna insurance experience. The competition—which drew 152 participants company in 1981, They are moving from 36 schools throughout Canada, the United spending the next to Haifa, Israel, States, and Europe—challenged students to apply several years trav- where they will their trading knowledge in real-time simulations eling the world volunteer at the and a realistic environment. P helping to set up HILLIP Bahai World “The trading floor competition is a wonderful new ventures. He Center. S illustration of experiential learning at its best,” C later joined Sun ALIA In addition to says David Gautschi, dean of the Lally School. Life Financial, contributions of “Our faculty leader, becoming the time over the Professor Stephanie president of the company’s Asian opera- years, the Hencks signaled their support Rauterkus, has tions and retiring from that position in of The Rensselaer Plan and the Renaissance worked with the August 2005. During his tenure he over- at Rensselaer campaign through their students to help them saw the building of a substantive region- commitment to establish the Suzanne understand the intri- al headquarters in Hong Kong, the open- and Douglas C. Henck ’74 Unrestricted cacies of how trades ing and growth of a successful life insur- Endowment. are really made under ance joint venture in India, and the Henck approves of The Rensselaer the pressures of a real opening and expansion of a joint ven- Plan’s emphasis on “global reach and glob- trading floor.” ture in mainland China. al impact,” and he applauds the intention A total of 38 teams Moving his family to Hong Kong in to expand exchange programs and other participated in the competition, including MIT’s 1987, Henck says, “put cultural differ- connections with international academic Sloan School of Management, Carnegie Mellon University, University of London, and Duke Universi- ences in our daily lives.” One of the first institutions. ty, among others. lessons they learned, and one he thinks “The most useful scientists and engi- “In the classroom, we explain theories and teach Rensselaer could try on campus, is “to neers in the world of business are those students to use technology to solve practical prob- learn what is ‘American’ about our own who can ‘bridge disciplines,’ ” Henck lems. This type of competition gives [them] an personality.” says. “Engineers with a sense of the con- opportunity to test what they’re learning in a new “There are many elements of our per- sumer or marketplace, and scientists environment against students from other institu- sonality—how we react to certain things, who can communicate effectively, are tions,” says Rauterkus, clinical assistant professor for example—that are distinctly Ameri- great assets.” in the Lally School. “This practical experience, can,” Henck says. “Once you are sensi- competing with their peers, better prepares them to compete in the marketplace.”

10 RENSSELAER/SPRING 2006 ATRENSSELAER

RENSSELAER ON THE MOVE Research Roundup

Studying Proteins Under Pressure The National Science Foundation has awarded Angel Garcia, senior constellation chaired profes- sor in biocomputation and bioinformatics, a five- year, $947,000 grant to study how proteins behave under pressure. The research, which involves creating molecular simulations of protein behavior through computations on the folding and unfolding of specific proteins, seeks to address gaps in scientific knowledge regarding the role of water pressure in protein structure and function that could aid in the understanding and treatment of disease.

State Funds River Research New York State Governor George Pataki announced plans to include $25 million in the 2006-07 Executive Budget for the construction of a Center for Advanced Environmental Technolo- gy at the Rivers and Estuaries Center on the Hud- son in Beacon, N.Y. Arthur Sanderson, professor of electrical, computer, and systems engineering Architecture professor Michael Oatman used Rensselaer students to help create the MTA Bus Centennial poster. at Rensselaer, is chair of the science advisory com- mittee for the Rivers and Estuaries Center. The ARCHITECTURE funding will foster research along the length of the Hudson River and Estuary, and will support the development of emerging technologies such as Celebrating History Through Art robotics, distributed sensors, and information tech- nology for networks. These advancements will be critical to the future of environmental research and SINCE JANUARY, A POSTER HANGING IN Holiday.” Using photos from the MTA monitoring. Rensselaer and its Darrin Fresh Water subway stations and bus terminals across archives, he worked to create a poster Institute are at the forefront of research on distrib- New York City has been reminding com- representative of a gallery wall, featuring uted sensor networks that enable real-time envi- muters of the city’s rich history of bus framed archive photos. ronmental monitoring of the Hudson River and transportation. Oatman photographed Rensselaer other rivers, lakes, and waterways. Rensselaer Clinical Assistant Professor architecture students Erin Cusker, of Architecture Michael Oatman was Matthew Fickett, and Jenna Beltram Harnessing the Power of the Sun commissioned by the Metropolitan Tran- (along with Cramer Silkworth) to create sit Authority (MTA) to create the poster the silhouettes in the foreground of the Rensselaer researchers have received a $300,000, in celebration of the Bus Centennial— poster. The silhouettes not only appear to three-year grant from the National Science Foun- dation (NSF) to develop a thin-film active building one hundred years of motorized bus serv- be viewing the photographs, but they are envelope (ABE), a solar-powered heating and cool- ice in New York City. also queuing in line to step through the ing system that could potentially render traditional Oatman enlisted the help of his Falling wall and board a historic bus. air conditioning and heating equipment obsolete. Anvil Studios, architecture students that “I wanted to create a ‘mini-museum’ Made up of photovoltaic cells that collect and con- he’s selected to work with on various art in one picture, and to bring the vert sunlight into electricity and thermoelectric projects that have been displayed and archives—which were squirreled away as heat-pumps that emit hot or cool temperatures exhibited nationally. According to Oat- archives oftentimes are—out to the peo- based on the direction of the electric current, the man, the students are “involved in all ple,” says Oatman. “I wanted to show ABE system could be applied like a glaze to a aspects of the projects, from conceptual- them the rich history of this place.” building’s walls and windows, giving them the abili- ization to the making of stuff.” The MTA printed more than 5,000 ty to regulate interior temperatures. Best known for his collage work, Oat- “Busman’s Holiday” posters, which are man drew on that experience for the still being posted in stations and termi- MTA poster, which he titled “Busman’s nals throughout New York City.

RENSSELAER/SPRING 2006 11 ATRENSSELAER

dents, seven faculty members who relocated from Rensselaer to Connecticut (including Warren Stoker ’33, who served as director and later dean), and adjunct professors from local industry. While it believed strongly in serving the individual student, the Hartford Graduate Center was committed to serving the business community as well. As a result, an additional campus was founded in Groton, Conn., to respond to the educational demands of Elec- tric Boat, a subsidiary of General Dynamics. In December 1996, trustees of both Rensse- laer and the Hartford Graduate Center voted to transfer Hartford’s assets into a corporation controlled by Rensselaer. Under the new arrangement, Hartford had its own board of trustees, named by the Rensselaer president while the former Hartford board and new Rensselaer has been educating working professionals in Hartford for 50 years. appointees assumed an advisory role. In 1997, to celebrate the newly restored connection to Rensselaer, the Hartford Grad- FROM THE ARCHIVES uate Center was given its current name— Rensselaer at Hartford. Celebrating 50 Years at Hartford “We are proud to be celebrating 50 years of continued excellence in educating the working professional,” says John Minasian, vice presi- IN 1955 H. MANSFIELD HORNER, THEN CHAIR- education in order to keep up with the latest dent and dean of Rensselaer at Hartford. man of the United Aircraft Corporation (now technological trends and breakthroughs. “Rensselaer at Hartford has a strong founda- United Technologies) approached Livingston To address those needs, a branch campus of tion on which to build a future Center for Houston, then president of Rensselaer, about Rensselaer was established in Hartford for stu- Technology Leadership, a learning laboratory the possibility of creating a graduate school. dents who needed to balance their profession- dedicated to shaping our next world leaders Technologies in the defense and aircraft indus- al, academic, and personal lives. Fittingly, it based on an intellectual core of innovation, tries were evolving quickly, and professionals was named the Hartford Graduate Center. business sustainability, global enterprise man- in Connecticut needed to pursue continued The Graduate Center began with 220 stu- agement, and systems engineering leadership.”

BIOCATALYSIS AND METABOLIC ENGINEERING treatments by engineering Researchers at MIT first pre- recently discovered heparin pared a synthetic heparin, but, in biosynthetic enzymes,” says amounts of less than 1 micro- Synthetic Heparin Robert Linhardt, the Ann and gram, it was insufficient to treat John H. Broadbent Jr. ’59 Senior humans, says Linhardt. One Constellation Professor of Bio- human dose of heparin is RESEARCHERS AT RENSSELAER researchers. catalysis and Metabolic Engi- approximately 100 milligrams. and the University of North Car- Heparin is a complex carbohy- neering. “These discoveries will Rensselaer and UNC-Chapel olina at Chapel Hill have discov- drate used to stop or prevent enable us to effectively replace a Hill researchers successfully ered an alternative way to pro- blood from clotting during med- variable raw material with a syn- synthesized hundreds of mil- duce heparin, a drug commonly ical procedures and treatments thetic material and have the ligrams of heparin by developing used to stop or prevent blood such as kidney dialysis, heart same therapeutic result.” a large-scale process involving from clotting. The findings could bypass surgery, stent implanta- engineered enzymes and co-fac- enable the current supply of the tion, and indwelling catheters, tor recycling. The new, scalable drug—now extracted from ani- among others. The annual world- process can be applied to syn- mal organ tissue—to be replaced wide sales of heparin are esti- thesize other heparin-based or supplemented by the synthetic mated at $3 billion. structures that regulate cell version. The new process also “We have synthetically pre- growth and may have applica- can be applied as a tool for drug pared heparin in quantities large tions in wound healing or cancer discovery, according to the enough for use in human medical treatment.

12 RENSSELAER/SPRING 2006

ATRENSSELAER

HAWK TALK Making Hoops History

IN A HOME GAME AGAINST HOBARTONFEB. 10, 2006, Rensselaer men’s basketball star Tom Schneider accomplished a feat only a handful of Red Hawks before him have achieved. In front of fans, friends, and family members who drove from his hometown in New Hampshire to watch, Schneider became the 12th player in Rensselaer history to score 1,000

M career points. ARK Needing to score only eight points versus Hobart M C

C to reach the 1,000 mark, Schneider put up a game- AR

TY high 27 points, leading Rensselaer to a 75-69 victo- ry over the Statesmen. He finished the game with A bright, colorful ambience welcomes visitors to the Union’s Rathskeller. 1,019 career points. “I’m proud of the accomplishment,” Schneider says, “but I never went into a game thinking it was RENSSELAER UNION my chance to score the 1,000 points—my team always came first.” Schneider wasn’t always Rensselaer’s star scorer. Revamped Rathskeller He began his college basketball career quietly, often as an essential backup player behind more experi- enced teammates. Last summer, Head Coach Mike DINING ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE outlets and Ethernet ports allow for Griffin mailed Schneider a box score from a game Rensselaer Union is an entirely new increased wired and wireless Internet he’d played during his own college career at Colum- experience thanks to extensive renova- access, and aesthetic upgrades such as bia, in which he put up 22 points and 20 rebounds. tions made to the Rathskeller, which new tiles, lighting, carpeting, and a rasp- “At the bottom [of the box score] it said, ‘Tom, were unveiled in a grand-opening cere- berry-painted ceiling complete the you’re the guy this year we need averaging 20 and mony on Feb. 13. Rathskeller’s makeover. 12,’” Schneider recalled during an interview with The revamped Rathskeller offers hun- An improved menu features original THE POLYTECHNIC. gry students, faculty, and staff a new vari- and new fare choices with combo-style The letter motivated Schneider to return to Troy ety of food items, increased areas for lap- offerings for beverages or side items, and and train hard. During what should’ve been a sum- top use, and a colorful atmosphere con- bimonthly specials. A variety of hot and mer vacation, he played basketball daily, and spent ducive for working individually and in cold submarines, globally inspired healthy three days a week lifting weights and running three- groups, or for relaxing and socializing wraps, grilled food items, and pizza, strom- mile circuits. His hard work paid off on the court. Schneider with colleagues. boli, and calzones can be found at four became the team’s main offensive threat this season, “The students wanted a radical food stations. and was named the Liberty League Player of the change in the ambience of the “I remember sitting on the business Year. He finished his college basketball career with a Rathskeller. [They needed] a place that operations committee, researching and total of 1,099 points and 808 rebounds, and is the was more laid-back to suit their needs,” discussing possible layouts and designs ninth highest career scorer in Rensselaer history. says John Fusco, resident district manag- for the Rathskeller,” says Peter Baldwin, er for Sodexho, Rensselaer’s hospitality president of the Rensselaer Union. provider. “The new space serves as a “Three years later, the space has been place for students to work or gather and transformed. The new seating, lighting, socialize in a comfortable environment.” and furniture in the Rathskeller extend Students’ input was taken into consid- the dining experience far beyond the eration during every phase of the project, confines of food.” even down to selecting the room’s furni- The Rathskeller renovation is among ture and color schemes, according to a series of recent upgrades and improve- Fusco. ments to Rensselaer’s campus dining The $475,000 renovation includes experience. Changes include the addi- new tables and chairs to accommodate tion of a new coffeehouse, expanded groups of four to eight individuals, bar- offerings at campus retail eateries, and style seating, and an open sitting area specialized menus and dishes in the din- with sofas and easy chairs. Additional ing halls. ILLIPS K OM T FOCUSON:

Prabhat Hajela: Elevating the Undergraduate Experience

PRABHAT HAJELA HAS SPENT HIS his office in the Walker Laboratory, activities with faculty and graduate that derive from the evolution entire career aiming high. Trained Hajela’s enthusiasm for the Under- students. “Our undergraduate stu- process or mimic the behavior of a as an aeronautical, aerospace, and graduate Plan—the next major ini- dents are remarkable, and it’s biological immune system. mechanical engineer, he’s spent tiative of THE RENSSELAER PLAN— important for us to engage them in In order to foster strong relation- time in Washington, working with is contagious. the research and discovery process ships between students and faculty, Congress to develop public policy Calling for a renewed focus on early. We should be getting them Hajela is working to develop living on aerospace issues like the com- the overall undergraduate experi- interested in independent inquiry and learning communities for mercialization of space travel. He’s ence, the initiative seeks to raise the now.” undergraduate students who share also conducted research at U.S. Air level of academics, research, and Hajela, who also has worked common intellectual interests. He Force labs and at two NASA cen- international study opportunities with government officials in Wash- hopes this will provide them with ters. As vice provost and dean of available to undergraduate stu- ington to regulate Internet privacy the opportunity to develop close undergraduate education at Rensse- dents, while boosting the student and the control of unsolicited e- mentoring relationships and lasting laer, Hajela has set his sights on life experience. mail, conducts research focused on contacts with faculty, staff, and giving undergraduate students the “What makes a university great the analysis and optimization of graduate students in their field. tools needed to reach for the stars. are its new discoveries,” says structural and multidisciplinary Working to expand undergradu- “Rensselaer will be defined by its Hajela, who is working toward the systems through the development of ate academic programs in each of level of exciting undergraduate edu- initiative’s five-year goal of tripling innovative computational tech- the five schools on campus, Hajela cation and by the undergraduate the number of undergraduate stu- niques. He has published extensive- says he is committed to increasing experience,” says Hajela. Sitting in dents actively involved in research ly in the area of design methods the number of courses that are taught in Rensselaer’s innovative studio format, and he encourages the development of new programs for undergraduate students. “The Foundations of Engineering program, the Product Design & Innovation program, and the Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences major are prime examples of new, exciting course offerings. Programs like these point to a new vibrancy in undergraduate educa- tion, and to the changing face of Rensselaer,” says Hajela. In the future Hajela would like to create an Honors College at Rensse- laer—a special approach to recog- nize and reward undergraduate stu- dents for their academic and research accomplishments. Stu- dents admitted to the Honors Col- lege would have the opportunity to participate in a multidisciplinary seminar series, develop a thesis derived from their individual research, and earn diplomas marked with a special distinction. The new opportunities on the horizon for Rensselaer’s undergrad- uate students are steps toward achieving Hajela’s overarching goal, “to revitalize and reposition undergraduate education.” “Rensselaer is up there in terms of top college choices for very bright young students,” says Hajela. “I want prospective stu- dents to look at all of the unique opportunities we offer undergradu- ate students, and get excited. I want them to have a ‘Wow, I could do that at Rensselaer’ moment.” MILESTONES

ALHUSSEIN ROBERT BLOCK, director of the emphasis on educational programs. Technological ABOUZEID, assis- Gaerttner Linear Accelerator Chernow is founder and president Entrepreneurship tant professor of Laboratory and professor emeritus of Educational Services for Entre- at the Lally electrical, com- of nuclear engineering, has been preneurship, a nonprofit organiza- School of Man- puter, and systems awarded the Seaborg Medal by the tion assisting universities in shap- agement and engineering, has American Nuclear Society. The ing their entrepreneurship initia- Technology. A been awarded a award recognizes an individual who tives. He earned a B.A. in econom- distinguished Faculty Early Career Development has made outstanding scientific or ics from Colgate University and an researcher in the area of venture Award from the National Science engineering research contributions M.P.H. in health care management capital, private equity, and IPOs, Foundation (NSF). Abouzeid will to the development of peaceful uses from the University of California, Cumming focuses his work on the use the projected five-year, of nuclear energy. Berkeley. law and finance of entrepreneurship $400,000 grant to investigate in the United States, Europe, North dynamic wireless networks with WILLIAM EDELSTEIN, visiting scientist ROBERT KRULL, professor of lan- America, and the Asia-Pacific applications in environmental sens- at Rensselaer, has been named the guage, literature, and communica- region. Prior to joining Rensselaer, ing, disaster response, and connect- winner of the 2005-2006 Ameri- tion, has been named associate Cumming was associate professor ing homes within a community. can Institute of Physics Industrial fellow of the Society for Technical of finance at the University of New Applications in Physics Prize. Edel- Communication (STC). The rank South Wales School of Banking GERALD FRIEDMAN, professor emeri- stein was chosen “for his pioneer- of associate fellow is conferred upon and Finance in Sydney, Australia, tus of earth and environmental ing developments leading to com- a senior member of STC who has and he has held visiting professor- sciences, was awarded the 2005 mercialization of high-resolution attained distinction in the field of ships at three universities in Europe Legendary Geoscientist Award by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technical communication. Krull will (Cambridge, Amsterdam, and the American Geological Institute for medical applications.” receive this award at the STC con- Frankfurt). Cumming is affiliated and the 2005 Mary C. Rabbit vention in Las Vegas, Nev., in May. with Venture Capital Experts, a Memorial Medal by the Geological JOE CHOW, profes- leading Web resource for venture Society of America. Friedman is sor of electrical, MICHAEL HANNA, capitalists, lawyers, and academics. best known for his work in carbon- computer, and associate profes- ate rocks and is also accomplished systems engineer- sor of biology, has HEIDI NEWBERG, in coastal geology and water geo- ing, has been been appointed associate profes- chemistry. appointed associ- associate dean for sor of physics, ate dean of engi- academic advis- applied physics, OMKARAM “OM” NALAMASU, vice neering for research and graduate ing, assessment, and astronomy, president for research, has been programs. In his new role, Chow and special programs at Rensselaer. received the Mar- honored with the Pride of India will be actively involved in prioritiz- He will also serve as the director of tin and Beate Gold award. Presented by the NRI ing the school’s resources to sup- the Institute’s Advising and Learn- Block Winter Fund Award at the Institute, the award recognizes port research and new initiatives, ing Assistance Center. Hanna will Aspen Center Winter Conference nonresident Indians (NRIs) for linking teaching and research more work with Rensselaer’s five schools, “Particle Physics at the Verge of outstanding achievements in their closely by integrating research into the Joint Student/Faculty Senate Discovery” Feb. 12-18, 2006. fields and for contributions toward the curriculum. Committee on Advising, and vari- the economic development of India ous campus constituents to further ACHILLE MESSAC, and the country of their adoption. BRUCE WATSON, Institute Professor develop advising and mentoring professor of of Earth and Environmental approaches to aid undergraduate mechanical, aero- LINDA LAYNE, Sciences, has been appointed students. He also will work with the space, and nuclear the Alma and scientific editor for ELEMENTS, an Office of Undergraduate Education engineering, has H. Erwin Hale international magazine covering in key areas and initiatives defined been appointed ’30 Professor of mineralogy, geochemisty, and in the Undergraduate Plan. the featured area Humanities and petrology research and news. He editor for “Mechanical Engineer- Social Sciences, will be the chief editor for the KIM FORTUN and MICHAEL FORTUN, ing” for the Springer journal OPTI- has won a Gracie October and December 2006 both associate professors of science MIZATION AND ENGINEERING. Messac Allen Award for her TV series, issues of the publication. and technology studies, will serve has served on the editorial board of MOTHERHOOD LOST: CONVERSATIONS. jointly as editors for four volumes this journal since 1999. Presented by American Women ROBERT CHERNOW (16 issues) of the journal CULTURAL in Radio & Television—a national has been appoint- ANTHROPOLOGY from 2007 through JOHN KOLLER, professor of philoso- organization dedicated to advanc- ed to the newly 2010. The journal, which is devoted phy, was named editor of THE ing the impact of women in the created position of to the study of culture as it is devel- AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL electronic media—the Gracie vice provost for oping in anthropology and all other NEWSLETTER for Asian and Asian- Awards strive to encourage the entrepreneurship relevant disciplines, is published American philosophers. He was realistic and faceted portrayal of at Rensselaer. quarterly by the Society for Cultur- also recently named to the list of women in entertainment, commer- Chernow will lead Rensselaer’s al Anthropology. Leading Philosophers of the World, cials, news, features, and other efforts to infuse the study, research, published by the World Philosophy programs. and practice of entrepreneurship DOUGLAS CUMMING has been named Congress. across the curriculum, with an director of the Severino Center for

RENSSELAER/SPRING 2006 15 When he came to Rensselaer, Muhammad Ihsan Mohd Nasir ’06 simply took for granted that there would be a Muslim presence. While the number of Muslims has not risen substantially, they are more likely to be undergraduates and more integrated into campus life than Muslim students of a decade ago. If you are Boris Dvinsky ’06 and it is Saturday morning you leave campus and walk down the hill to Beth Tephilah Synagogue and then lunch at Rabbi Morrison’s house. If you are Jenny Burton ’06 and it is late Sunday afternoon, you are at the Rensselaer Union taking part in a discussion on the New Tes- tament. If you are Ferheen Shaikh ’06 and it is midday on Thursday, even if you are taking an exam, you duck out of class for five minutes to perform salah. | “Ideally, you would be in a quiet place where you could set up your prayer rug and make sure it’s clean,” says Shaikh, a biology major. “But an empty classroom will do. With Islam the whole world is a mosque.”

These are students of faith at Rensselaer, for that are active at any time. The chaplains are not whom worship and study at a technological uni- Rensselaer employees and, like the religion clubs versity are complementary pursuits. Reflecting they serve, receive no Institute funds. But they a national trend, the Institute’s religious popu- do include students in their ministries and main- lation is larger, more active, and more diverse tain an office on campus, and pages on the Rens- than it was even a decade ago. selaer Web site. The students approach observance with the The groups and their eclectic programs tell the intensity they bring to the study of engineering story of both tradition and change on campus. or architecture. They build hours of worship, Participation among Catholics and Protes- community service, and organizational work into tants, for example, who have composed Rensse- their already busy academic and activities sched- laer’s traditional student base for decades, is ules as they explore the relationship between strong, and some students believe is growing. the subjects they study and their faith traditions. Interdenominational organizations are also “The world is telling you that science and faith active, among them the Rensselaer Christian don’t go together, that God couldn’t have done Association, an affiliate of a national Evangeli- all of that,” says Kristen Clark ’09, a physics cal network. major from Michigan who heads outreach for The Korean Christian Fellowship, Muslim the Rensselaer Newman Catholic Fellowship. Students Association, Hindu Students Associ- “Part of what is great about RPI is that you can ation, and Indian Christian Fellowship speak to learn that these things go together. It’s a struggle. Rensselaer’s growing religious and ethnic diver- Science can’t explain everything.” sity, involving students from the U.S. and abroad. Five chaplains counsel students and work with In fact, at least 19 faiths are represented in the about nine student-led religious organizations current freshman class. | BY JANE GOTTLIEB

Rensselaer students reflect a national trend in the growing number participating Keeping in religious observances Fthe and organizations. aithRENSSELAER/SPRING 2006 17 s the student body community so Muslim women can swim with- liferated, along with multi-faith chapels recog- has broadened, the out breaking religious rules requiring them to nizing the increasingly diverse student bodies. A number of campus clubs cover their bodies. At noon each Friday, 100 or (The Rensselaer Newman Foundation opened overall has jumped to 160— more Muslim students and local residents, wear- its Chapel + Cultural Center in 1968 to pro- and counting. Like all groups, ing everything from the loose-fitting tradition- vide worship space for Catholics. Today, stu- the religious organizations are al garb to jeans, stream into the basement of the dents of all faiths use the C+CC for quiet prone to fluctuations in membership. Hillel, the Alumni Sports & Recreation Center for Jumuah reflection and cultural programs.) Jewish organization, has seen its numbers lag services, signifying Sabbath. And five times Soon, presidential politics made “faith-based recently, and Rensselaer’s Brothers and Sisters every day Muslims find space to pray—though initiatives” a buzzword. The debate on evolu- in Christ is inactive right now. But in the range privacy is not always possible. tion vs. creationism was back. The Sept. 11, of faiths and their visibility on campus some “While I’m praying people have whole con- 2001, terrorist attacks found many Americans advisers perceive something deeper than demo- versations with me. They say ‘Rami, why aren’t seeking answers outside their day-to-day lives. graphics. you talking?’” laughs Rami Santrisi ’06, former “There is also a growing trend of students who “Since the mid-1990s we’ve had a resur- president of the Muslim organization. say ‘I’m spiritual but not religious,’” says the Rev. gence of interest, more students staying with Wayne Clark, a Methodist minister and presi- their religious heritage,’’ says the Rev. Ed Kac- Surge in Spiritualism dent of the National Association of College and erguis, Rensselaer’s coordinator of religious It was not always this way at secular colleges and University Chaplains. “At our national confer- affairs and one of two Catholic chaplains. “And universities. Once, students were expected to ence our conversation confirmed that, yes, there I’d argue it’s a contradiction in terms: our stu- study hard and meet their own religious and is an increase in spirituality across the board. It dents are bright, articulate, intellectual, and spiritual needs. is a concept colleges need to address.” innovators, but socially they tend to be very con- “It used to be that your religious beliefs were Observers see a number of reasons for the servative. Our kids were very quiet. Now they are private—except for Mass on Sunday mornings,” revival. Among them is the late 20th-century more open about worship, more comfortable says Rick Hartt ’70, director of the Union. “Now emphasis on self-discovery. Students are often exploring it. They’re a little more public.’’ we try to create an environment where they can aware of the ways in which family patterns and In fact, the people who gather as Catholics, feel comfortable exploring their faith. I’ve real- problems have had an impact on their lives. And Baptists, or Hindus are as active as those who ly seen interest grow in the last five years. These their parents might be the very people who gather as chess players or computer game enthu- students see the larger picture.” shook things up in the 1960s and 1970s. siasts. During the 1960s and 1970s many young “This is a generation that is very used to deal- Recently, for example, the Newman Catholic Americans had traded in their parents’ prac- ing with psychology and looking inward,” says Fellowship had an overflow crowd for its forum tices for political activism or study of Eastern the Rev. Illingsworth. “What you end up with on the ethics of cloning. More than 150 stu- philosophies, says Thomas Beaudoin, assistant are a great many people who are interested in dents attended a Mardi Gras party preceding professor of Christian theology at Santa Clara spiritual questions. They approach Christiani- Ash Wednesday services—an eye-opener for University. For the next few decades, he says, ty in a very different way.” What’s more, they Asian Catholics who had never before donned talk of God was largely absent from the intel- are less apt to reject their parents’ advice. masks or had beads tossed at them. African- lectual discourse. Professor Beaudoin, who studies the inter- American students joined members of local “In the 1950s you were required to partici- play between secular and religious life, says that churches in the Rensselaer Union for a Gospel pate in chapel worship and religious education baby boomers are generally friendlier and less Expo celebrated in prayer, music, and poetry. on campus, and then after that there wasn’t any authoritarian toward their children than their Christian groups convened the first-ever Praise requirement and it gradually fell away,” says the own parents were. “I see it all over the country. Night. Rensselaer Hillel’s calendar included Rev. Beth Illingsworth, Rensselaer’s Protestant Parents have tremendous access to their chil- Passover seders and an evening of matzoh ball- chaplain. “I’m a Presbyterian. I went to Lafayette dren,” says Beaudoin. “There’s the technolo- making. The Muslim Students Association held College, a Presbyterian college, but you would- gy—cell phones and e-mail bring them a community basketball event. n’t have known it in the 1980s. We had a tradi- constantly together. And, college is so expen- Regular gatherings on campus abound. The tional worship service and nobody came.” sive. When parents pay $40,000 a year for col- Rensselaer Christian Association holds prayer By the 21st century the dormant spiritual life lege they have bought access.” meetings three times a week at 5 p.m. For the in higher education was waking up. A two-year Students interviewed for this article consis- Korean Christians, it’s 8 p.m. Wednesdays. On study published by the Association of Ameri- tently referred to their mothers and fathers as Sunday afternoons, the Protestant chaplain can Colleges and Universities reported that close friends they are in frequent touch with. holds informal discussions on the Bible. Evangelical groups, which had built their base They say they were not anxious to abandon the “The Sunday meetings are a breath of fresh slowly, blossomed. For example, from 1995 to rituals they practiced at home. air,’’ says Jenny Burton, a lifelong Congrega- 2000, the study found, Campus Crusade for “I guess I just expect a Muslim community tionalist who is a fourth-year architecture stu- Christ doubled to 39,000 members. wherever I go,” says Muhammad Ihsan Mohd

dent. “RPI is obviously really intense. I get Just as significant, the report found there is a Nasir ’06, an information technology major who M stressed. The discussion is a real grounding renewed interest at non-denominational is, like a growing number of Muslims on cam- ARK M

thing. It reminds me that there is more to life schools. In 1998, 800 people attended a con- pus, American. He was born in Illinois and C C than my work.” ference Wellesley College held on religious raised both in the U.S. and in Malaysia. ARTY Periodically, the Robison Pool closes to the diversity. By then, religious studies courses pro- When he came to Rensselaer, Nasir said he

18 RENSSELAER/SPRING 2006 “The world is telling you that science and faith don’t go together, that God couldn’t have done all of that,” says Kristen Clark ’09, a member of Rensse- laer’s Newman Catholic Fellowship. “Part of what is great about RPI is that you can learn that these things go together. Science can’t explain everything.” Senior Boris Dvinsky ’06 knew that the Jewish community at Rensselaer was not large. But in Troy, he can walk to shul and spend long hours at the rabbi’s house for discussions over meals. “They had kosher food available here and a place to go on Shabbat,” he says. “I wanted a place where I’d feel accepted.” simply took for granted that there would be a a few Caucasians as well. It’s important to me discussions over Shabbat meals. Professors Muslim presence. While the number of Mus- to be with the group I grew up with.” understand when he misses class during holy lims has not risen substantially, they are more Rabbi Aryeh Wineman, Rensselaer’s Jewish days. “They had kosher food available here and likely than in the past to be undergraduates and chaplain, agrees that it is important to help stu- a place to go on Shabbat,” says Dvinsky, a com- more integrated into campus life than Muslim dents identify with others like themselves. He puter science major. “I wanted a place where I’d students of even a decade ago. Nasir, who is believes the school could be more welcoming feel accepted.” active in the Muslim Student Association, said to prospective Jewish students. Local recruit- Perhaps this supportive atmosphere explains the school environment has always been wel- ing events often take place Friday nights, he why Jacqueline Baldwin, an executive chef on coming. At the same time, the campus provides says, and Commencement is on Saturday morn- campus, is filling more requests lately for kosher an environment in which the students feel free ing, both out of reach for those who observe the meals. Rensselaer dining halls provide self-serv- to question one another in their spiritual lives. Jewish Sabbath. ice stations, equipped with a refrigerator and a It is not unusual, he said, to hear, “what’s that on ‘These are symbolic factors,” he says. “At RPI grill, for both kosher and halal foods. Fruits and your head?” the religious representatives take part in the vegetables and desserts are also provided to graduation. I don’t go.” meet Jewish and Muslim dietary laws. Baldwin Finding a Home at Rensselaer With such broad diversity on campus, accom- special-orders meat and packages it as kosher Imam Djafer Sebkhaoui ’86, the Muslim chap- modating all religious practices and beliefs can be or halal, as supervisors from both faiths look on. lain, came to Rensselaer from Algeria as a grad- challenging—and leave the Institute open to Traditional foods are also served during Lent uate student in psychology. He remained in the such criticism. Kenneth Durgans, Rensselaer’s and Passover. During Ramadan, campus food region and eventually helped open Al-Hidaya, vice provost for institute diversity, says that while services packs up small meals students can eat the first mosque in Troy. Imam Sebkhaoui, too, holding Commencement on Saturday was not before sunrise and after sunset. sees change in the composition of the Muslim intended as a slight, he could understand Rabbi “We started all of this within the past five community. Wineman’s reaction. The day was chosen to years and we did a lot of research,” says Bald- “In the 1980s more of the Muslims were for- make travel more convenient for parents, but win. “I think we give good service considering eign students. They probably did more among such decisions have other ramifications. we serve 30,000 meals a week just in our din- themselves,” he says. “Now they are much more “I’m not surprised to hear that people are ing halls.” apparent because they are undergraduates who saying what they’re saying,” says Durgans, who In residence halls, the Union, and all around grew up here, much like the rest of the groups. has no role in scheduling Commencement. campus, it is commonplace to hear questions They interact easily with the rest of the school.” “The beauty of the diversity issue is the com- being asked that are rarely brought up else- Having friends and roommates of other faiths plexity. We have to find ways to work through where. “Why do you wear a head scarf?” “Why has proved to be an important part of the Rens- it. Sometimes in that process you do the best can’t you drink?” “Why are you praying?” “Why selaer experience. “I knew I’d end up in a room you can, and it requires some give on the part can’t you go to a party on a Friday?” “Why can’t with a person who never saw a Muslim person of diversity.” you wear shorts?” before,’’ says Ferheen Shaikh, who also read Boris Dvinsky, a senior, doubts that the Sat- Sometimes students negotiate a fine line about the Muslim group and met with mem- urday Commencement will disrupt worship for between living their faith and blending with the bers before coming to Rensselaer. “They are like many people. Technically, as an Orthodox Jew secular community. For instance, Wan, a bio- my family,” she says. he could attend without breaking Sabbath laws medical engineering and economics major, is Religious groups, like Rensselaer cultural because Commencement is not a work com- uneasy in biology class when the topic of evo- organizations, bring together people of the same mitment. But, regrettably, Dvinsky will proba- lution is raised. While he is happy to consider heritage. Muhammed Mohd Rafie Mohamad bly not receive his diploma alongside his the scientific theories, his Christianity compels ’06, who is from Malaysia, is grateful for the sup- classmates, he says, because doing so on Satur- him to also look to God for answers. Wan is port he gets on campus. More than once, he has day breaks the spirit of the day. Missing Com- unclear about when, or even whether, it is experienced a less than welcoming reaction off mencement is “not a major problem for me,” he appropriate to raise his questions. campus. Recently, airport security took him into says. “The most important part for me and my Joe Reynolds ’06, who has been a leader in a room and questioned him for three hours. parents is of course actually receiving the degree, the Rensselaer Christian Association, has occa- “Once you’re on campus you don’t feel the not the ceremony.” sionally felt uncomfortable around peers whom difference,” says Mohamad, a member of the His baseball cap and sideburns hardly distin- he fears will assume he is out to convert them. Muslim Students Association. “I just mix with guish him from other students but his groom- Even so, like many other students he also wel- everybody else. If they go to the bar, I follow, ing reflects his adherence to Orthodox Judaism. comes their questions. although I don’t drink. I drink something else.” A head covering shows reverence to God and “If I’m reading my Bible in public I’ve had Students also can find diversity within the sideburns are a modern interpretation of Jew- someone ask, ‘Why do you read it all the time? groups themselves. Jeffrey Wan ’07, for exam- ish laws. Reared in Hanover, N.H., where the Can’t you read it once and know it?’” says ple, is a member of the Korean Christian Fel- population of observant Jews is small, Dvinsky Reynolds, a chemical engineering major. “I was lowship, even though he was born in Hong and his family practiced largely at home. He able to explain that a lot of the Bible you can M

ARK Kong and grew up in New Jersey. “I am not knew that the Jewish community at Rensselaer pull out and talk about in groups and individu-

M Korean,” Wan says. “There are a lot of mem- was not large. ally. We should be able to talk about these C

C bers of the Korean Christian Fellowship that are But in Troy, he can walk to shul and spend things. We’re in college. We did not come here ARTY not Korean. But we do have mostly Asians and long hours at Rabbi Leible Morrison’s house for to be spoon-fed.”

RENSSELAER/SPRING 2006 21 As calls for energy independence increase, Rensselaer alumni explore innovative solutions. THE FUTURE OF ENERGY WITH RISING OIL AND GAS PRICES making front- say that technology is part of the problem, and I page news and stretching the budgets of many would say that it’s got to be the solution. It’s about Americans, and as evidence for global warming how we can continue to improve our living stan- mounts, a national debate on the future of ener- dards with less environmental impact.” gy has been ignited in the United States, re-ener- And, no energy source alone will be able to solve gizing the search for viable alternatives and “green” all our energy needs, Percy and other energy solutions. experts say. “There’s no silver bullet. We’re going In his State of the Union address at the end of to need help just about everywhere we can find January, President Bush called for cleaner, cheap- it,” he says. er, and more reliable alternative energy sources, Percy is one of a number of Rensselaer alumni saying that “America is addicted to oil,” and that who have been at the forefront of energy innova- the best way to break this addiction is through tion, developing and promoting new technologies technology. and research, shaping policy, and establishing Steve Percy ’68, former chairman and CEO of BP successful businesses in the renewable energy America, agrees. market. “Coming up with new technologies will be key At the same time, Rensselaer has re-energized to the acceptability and access of new energy its research commitment to energy security, hiring sources,” says Percy, who also served as the head faculty and administrators who are visionaries at of Phillips Petroleum’s Refining, Marketing and the top of their fields and establishing new centers Transportation Company. “A lot of people would and programs. BY JODI ACKERMAN F RANK

22 RENSSELAER/SPRING 2006 In the past 35 to 40 years, worldwide energy con- sumption has nearly doubled, driven by population growth, rising living standards, invention of energy- dependent technologies, and consumerism. Electricity use has nearly tripled. If these trends continue, global energy consumption will double again by mid-century. Compounding the threat of global warming are the RISING CONCERNS OF WORLD ENERGY SHORTAGES fueled by grow- ing demand, AN INCREASINGLY VOLATILE POLITICAL WORLD, the succession of hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico in 2005 that knocked out oil production for months, and evidence of a global depletion of petroleum resources.

CHANGE IN THE WEATHER It is for business,” he says. “The threat is obvi- 2010. The world is experiencing ously of potential regulation or making A an increasingly volatile climate it difficult to obtain raw materials. But with disastrous consequences. While on the other hand, those who have new temperatures in Africa and Asia exceed technology to help solve some of these 90 degrees for days at a time, blistering problems will have great opportunity.” cold weather plagues much of Europe, North America, and Canada. Violent HE POWER OF WIND Although hurricanes are commonplace in Central renewable energy sources are a America and the Caribbean. Drought T tiny fraction of the world’s power persists in agricultural regions in Europe supply, providing about 2 percent of the and in eastern North America. primary energy used, they are increas- The abrupt climate changes take their ingly becoming an important solution to toll as famine, disease, and weather-related dis- crunch sometime in the next 15 or 20 years,” clean and affordable energy. Wind, in particular, asters destabilize the geopolitical environment, says Percy. has become the world’s fastest-growing power eventually leading to armed conflict over food, Economic prosperity depends upon energy. source, according to DOE. General Electric, clean water, and energy supplies. Power is essential to producing food and a vari- which bought bankrupt Enron’s wind assets in A far-fetched scenario? Perhaps. But Peter ety of everyday products, and to running auto- 2002, expects to sell $8 billion worth of wind tur- Schwartz ’68 points out that recent scientific mobiles, mass transit systems, homes, industries, bines in 2006 and 2007 globally. findings on global warming and its effects on cli- offices, hospitals, stores, and the many other “We’re sold out,” says Victor Abate ’86, vice mate change suggest that the world could be on building blocks of a vibrant economy. In gen- president for renewables at GE. “We’re going the cusp of such a cataclysmic event. eral, fossil fuels—coal, oil, and natural gas— to ship more than 2,100 wind turbines this year “There is an urgent need to make a huge provide more than 85 percent of all the energy alone.” change [in our energy strategy],” says Schwartz, consumed in the United States, according to Today’s highly efficient industrial-grade wind an internationally renowned futurist and busi- the Department of Energy (DOE). But oil is turbines are a far cry from the old-fashioned ness strategist who formerly headed scenario really the lifeblood of America’s economy, sup- windmills that once pumped water for farms. planning at Royal Dutch/Shell Group. plying more than 40 percent of the U.S. total Some farms use the big industrial-grade wind Schwartz was co-author of the Pentagon- energy demands and nearly 100 percent of fuel turbines that Abate talks about. Each turbine sponsored report released in late 2003 that posit- for transportation. has a generator the size of a mobile home that sits ed this scenario. Built on the research of leading Still, Percy says we’re not in an oil crisis just on top of a tower, which typically reaches 240 climate experts, the report revitalized the glob- yet. “Obviously, the world economies have been feet high. The generator is driven by a set of al warming debate in Congress. able to absorb the much higher prices and seem three blades that spans 100 meters in diameter, “The findings raised the sense of urgency of to be growing fine,” he says. the length of a football field. Built mostly on the climate-change issue. Our research, spon- Percy also shares Schwartz’s sense of urgency farmland, coastal areas, and in the ocean, each sored by the Pew Center on Climate Change, in addressing global warming by cutting the use turbine produces from 1.5 megawatts up to 3.6 concluded that the main leverage is in reduc- of fossil fuels, which release heat-trapping car- megawatts of energy, enough to power about ing fossil-fuel burning, especially coal,” Schwartz bon dioxide and other pollutants. Percy, who 2,000 homes. says. co-chaired the Climate Change Task Force “The world wants this,” Abate says. “For every Compounding the threat of global warming under President Bill Clinton’s Council on Sus- wind turbine you install, you offset natural gas, oil, are the rising concerns of world energy shortages tainable Development, was an author in a and coal. There are no carbon emissions. Wind fueled by growing demand, an increasingly recently published United Nations report on energy is clean.” volatile political world, the succession of hurri- the state of the world’s ecosystems. The report, The global installed base for wind is expand- canes in the Gulf of Mexico in 2005 that called the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, ing at a rate of about 17 percent a year, accord- knocked out oil production for months, and evi- involved nearly 1,500 scientists worldwide. ing to Abate, and rapid worldwide growth is dence of a global depletion of petroleum “It was really about assessing the state of the projected to continue as more countries turn to resources. Some energy experts suggest that tra- planet. The bottom line was that the global wind. ditional oil production will reach its peak with- ecosystems are under tremendous pressure and In the U.S., some 28 states now have wind in the next two decades and then plummet in as the world economy continues to expand— farms that feed electricity into the local grid. an irreversible decline. as we hope it does because there are so many Many of these states have incorporated renew- “I think the [oil production] system is start- impoverished people—that stress will grow and able portfolio standards (RPS), which require a ing to show that there is going to be a resource that stress is both a threat and an opportunity certain amount of electricity to come from

24 RENSSELAER/SPRING 2006 Although renewable energy sources are a tiny fraction of the world’s power supply, providing about 2 percent of the primary energy used, they are increas- ingly becoming an important solution to clean and affordable energy. While coal usage has decreased marginally, consumption of every other major energy source has increased markedly.

RENSSELAER/SPRING 2006 25 “We look for the benefits of living on a day-to-day basis. We look for com- fort, good health, physical security. We look for a stable society, and we want all that science and technology can give us. To do all that, society takes a risk. If you’re not a society that’s will- ing to stick its neck out and try new things, you’re not going to progress. Nuclear power represents a living example of that.” Chauncey Starr ’32

26 RENSSELAER/SPRING 2006 In general, fossil fuels—coal, oil, natural gas—provide more than 85 percent of all the energy consumed in the United States. But OIL IS REALLY THE LIFEBLOOD OF AMERICA’S ECONOMY, supplying more than 40 percent of the U.S. total energy demands and NEARLY 100 PERCENT OF FUEL FOR TRANSPORTATION.

renewable sources. New York’s RPS Shugar’s integral role in pushing net calls for 24 percent of the state’s elec- metering requirements in some states, tricity to come from renewable sources including California, has spurred a boom by 2013. In Arizona, that figure is 15 in consumer investment in solar and percent by 2025, and in California it’s other renewable energy sources. 20 percent by 2010. “If you look at the RPSs in place WASTE-FULL APPROACH Bio- today, they’re driving about 22 mass—plant matter and gigawatts of renewable investment over A byproducts including crops, the next several years. Each gigawatt is wood waste, and animal manure—is about $1 billion worth of business,” says another promising renewable energy Abate. “That’s driving a lot of these source. The gasoline supplement wind farms, and a lot of investment in renew- grated solar solutions for homebuilders. ethanol, derived from corn, is probably the most ables in general.” The cost to buy and install solar panels is a familiar biofuel. tenth of the price it was 25 years ago. And, Many more biomass technologies are on the OAK UP THE SUN Solar power also is with new thin films and other technologies, verge of being developed that turn everything sparking new hope as a reliable green the panels provide twice as much energy as from rice to aquatic plants into energy. One Senergy source. This year, it is expected to they did a decade ago, from 10 percent to 20 endless source of power that researchers have be a $9 billion industry, according to Dan percent efficiency. had their eye on is literally dumped down the Shugar ’86. “That doesn’t sound like a lot, but let me give toilet everyday. Shugar has turned the sun’s rays into a com- you some context. The gasoline in your car Bruce Logan ’79, the Kappe Professor of mercially viable energy source, with his compa- operates at only about 15 percent efficiency,” Environmental Engineering at Penn State Uni- ny, PowerLight, a designer, manufacturer, and Shugar says. versity, is leading a research team that has devel- installer of large-scale solar electric systems, At this point, solar generation doesn’t elimi- oped a microbial fuel cell that uses bacteria to based in Berkeley, Calif. nate the need for the power utility and proba- break down organic matter in sewage to gener- Shugar is a Californian whose day-to-day life bly won’t be the top energy source to replace oil ate electricity. The process cleans up wastewater is all about soaking up the rays. He drives an anytime soon, Shugar says. at the same time. electric car, powered exclusively by the sun. But, it is sure to bring much-needed relief Logan is working to make the device com- When he gets to work, he’ll plug it into his com- to the overworked electric grid to prevent mercially available within the next three to five pany’s commercial building, which also is solar- rolling blackouts like those experienced in years. The immediate application is to use the powered. southern California during the warmest times fuel cells in conjunction with wastewater treat- “By midmorning, my car will be fully of year when farmers are drawing extra power ment plants to offset the costs of running the charged,” Shugar says on a recent morning as to irrigate their fields and utility customers are facilities. But, wastewater alone will not solve he made the 25-mile trip from home to work. cranking air conditioners, constraining already- the energy crisis, Logan says. “I have 46,000 miles on this car and I haven’t overloaded lines. “It is hoped that, as these technologies evolve, put a drop of gas in this thing. That’s cool, don’t With its compatibility with the electric grid they will become useful techniques for produc- you think?” and its modularity—you can put a few panels ing energy from a variety of organic matter For the last five years, PowerLight has been on a rooftop or add thousands to service whole sources,” he says. ranked as one of the fastest-growing private cor- communities—solar power generation is an Hydrogen, the most abundant element in the porations in the country by Inc. magazine. As a ideal source of distributed energy, which is universe, also has its promoters as the next great result, PowerLight recently was listed in the Inc. essentially supplementing electricity to a main energy revolution. But the gas must be extract- 500 Hall of Fame, a distinction shared with com- power district. ed using other energy sources. Currently, hydro- panies such as Microsoft and Oracle. Solar panels can be placed alongside power gen is commercially produced primarily from In 2004, Shugar’s company completed the line transformers, where the sun-generated ener- fossil fuels, a situation that will have to change, world’s largest solar power system in Germany. gy can be fed into the grid. The electricity from says Logan, for it to be a truly green and sus- Ground-mounted solar panels cover an area the same panels on your roof can also supply tainable energy source. the size of 45 football fields, providing power power to the local grid. Logan has found a way to use bacteria to to three nearby towns. PowerLight also spe- Shugar has been a leader in promoting the extract hydrogen from wastes. The hydrogen cializes in installing solar panels on flat com- concept of net metering, which allows customers can then be used in conventional fuel cells to mercial rooftops. The company has expanded to sell excess energy back to the utility company make electricity. into the residential market, providing inte- at retail value. By modifying the microbial fuel cells so that

RENSSELAER/SPRING 2006 27 ECONOMIC PROSPERITY depends upon energy. POWER IS ESSENTIAL to producing food and a variety of everyday products, and to running automobiles, mass transit systems, homes, industries, offices, hospitals, stores, and the many other BUILDING BLOCKS OF A VIBRANT ECONOMY.

they do not use oxygen, his team has deal with issues of nuclear waste,” says developed the first process that enables Jackson, former chairman of the Nuclear bacteria to coax four times as much Regulatory Commission. Some Ameri- hydrogen directly out of biomass than can companies are planning for this can be generated by fermentation alone. nuclear future. “Several U.S. utility com- To allow the bacteria to extract the extra panies already are identifying potential hydrogen, Logan assists the microorgan- new plant sites and testing new federal isms with a power boost, which is a frac- licensing processes for advanced-design tion of the voltage needed to electrolyze nuclear power plants. The industry water in producing hydropower. anticipates building 12 to 15 new nuclear Logan has won a number of awards for plants by 2015,” she adds. his research. Recently, he was named a winner huge amount of energy, if it’s recycled,” Starr says. of the Popular Mechanics 2005 Breakthrough Over the years, accidents, waste storage, and LEAN COAL Out of all the fossil fuels, coal Award. concerns of weapon proliferation have kept can be the dirtiest. It also is the cheapest nuclear power from playing a greater role. But, Cand the most plentiful. The U.S. alone has UCLEAR—A VIABLE OPTION With acci- Starr notes, great strides have been made in enough coal to last more than 200 years at today’s dents at Three-Mile Island and Cher- developing more efficient reactor designs as well level of energy use, according to DOE. Nnobyl a part of recent history, nuclear as improved regulations for both plant safety and “Those of us who can figure out how to burn power remains controversial, but with global to prevent weapons proliferation. coal with minimal pollution will be part of the awareness of the dangers of fossil fuels, enthusi- As far as where to dispose of the radioactive ‘energy-environment economic’ solution,” says asm for nuclear fission as an abundant, emission- waste, Starr says storing it deep underground is a Robert Hanfling ’59, a clean-coal proponent and free power source is reviving. safe solution, adding that the amount of waste is an energy policy expert who has served under “Around the world nuclear power has been a small fraction of what is produced by fossil fuels three U.S. presidents. steadily growing,” says Chauncey Starr ’32, the and that the radioactive activity eventually The Brooklyn native remembers what it was Rensselaer Alumni Hall of Fame member who becomes negligible. like living in the midst of dirty and inefficient introduced the world to nuclear power for “If condensed into a pill, the ashes that would power plants 50 years ago. “You’ve heard the peaceful purposes. After working on the Man- be left of the nuclear power it takes to service a commercial, ‘ring around the collar?’ Well, when hattan Project, Starr founded the first nuclear single individual in his or her lifetime in our I was growing up in the ’40s and ’50s, if you wore power companies in the U.S., France, and Ger- society would represent two aspirins. So, you’re a white shirt, by the time you came home you many. In 1990, he received the National Medal dealing with an extremely small amount of had ring around the collar,” Hanfling recalls. of Technology from President George Bush for waste,” he says. “The incinerators and the furnaces in apartment his contributions to nuclear power, including Nuclear energy is one of the most viable buildings were burning coal or burning trash, and his seminal work in risk analysis. options for clean energy, says Starr, who wrote the soot was all over the place.” Nuclear fission is the second largest source of a landmark paper in 1969 on how to weigh the Hanfling is much more optimistic about coal electricity in the U.S., supplying about 20 per- risks and social benefits of various technologies. power these days. He heads KFx Inc., a compa- cent of the nation’s electric use each year. In “We look for the benefits of living on a day- ny in Denver, Colo., that has developed a way to other countries, that number is much higher. to-day basis. We look for comfort, good health, process coal into a cleaner, more energy efficient For example, nuclear provides more than 75 per- physical security. We look for a stable society, product called “K-Fuel.” cent of the electricity in France. In addition, and we want all that science and technology can “It is the unleaded gasoline equivalent for the China, Japan, and other countries are building give us,” he says. “To do all that, society takes a coal-fired industry,” Hanfling says. new reactors. risk. If you’re not a society that’s willing to stick The process uses temperature and pressure to In particular, there is renewed interest in “recy- its neck out and try new things, you’re not going reduce the water content of low-grade coal and cling” the spent fuel in which the recovered plu- to progress. Nuclear power represents a living lignite, thereby increasing the energy content in tonium and uranium can be used to generate example of that.” Powder River Basin coal by about 30 percent. In more energy. When fuel assemblies are removed Rensselaer President Shirley Ann Jackson removing the water, Hanfling adds, the process from the reactor for the first time, this “spent also believes nuclear power is having a resur- also reduces the mercury content by 70 percent fuel” contains over 95 percent of its original ener- gence. “This is being achieved through safer and upon combustion reduces sulfur and nitro- gy potential. and more economical performance of nuclear gen oxide emissions by 30 percent. “When we talk about nuclear power being power plants, and by technological innovations The company plans to construct facilities with good for thousands of years, it’s because it takes in new designs—which address safety and prof- a total capacity of 50 million tons per year of K- very little of the original uranium to produce a itability concerns, and which are targeted to Fuel product within the next five years.

28 RENSSELAER/SPRING 2006 Energy Initiatives at Rensselaer

In the past 35 to 40 years, worldwide energy consumption has nearly doubled, driven by population growth, rising living standards, invention of energy- dependent technologies, and consumerism. While coal usage has decreased marginally, consumption of every other major energy source has increased markedly. Electricity use has nearly tripled. If these trends continue, global energy consumption will double again by mid-century. OWARD A NEW ENERGY SYSTEM The “As the global demand for energy increases, it is crucial that we develop federal government has been called upon alternative and renewable energy sources,” says Omkaram “Om” Nalamasu, Tby many in the field to play a greater role vice president for research. “Rensselaer’s combination of research, education, in pushing the frontiers of a greener energy sys- and entrepreneurship provides novel opportunities to move new energy tech- tem. Public incentives such as tax credits for using nologies from the lab to the market.” Here’s a look at what Rensselaer is doing: more efficient vehicles, regulation, and support- ing industry with funding in developing alterna- tive strategies are important first steps, Hanfling and others say. Center for Future Energy Systems Foundation Engineering Research Centers. Its vision is to provide the nation with the “Energy is a key part of our national security. This $20 million research We pour billions of dollars into our defense capabilities to become a world leader in center, in partnership with department, yet we put relatively little money power electronics. Cornell University and into energy security,” Hanfling says. Brookhaven National Labo- Hanfling also believes that raising prices, par- Future Chips Constellation ratory, seeks to meet the ticularly at the pump because vehicles consume The Future Chips Constella- nearly half of all crude oil, will shift consumer energy challenges of the 21st century by tion focuses on innovations behavior toward conservation and more energy- focusing on innovation in and commercial- efficient alternatives. ization of energy conservation and renew- in materials and devices, Percy says higher energy prices, particularly able energy systems. in solid-state and smart in the form of taxation, and regulations such as lighting, and will extend to a cap-and-trade policy on carbon emissions will Center for Fuel Cell applications such as sensing, communica- spur the technological innovation necessary to and Hydrogen Research tions, and biotechnology. make a dependable energy transition. Rensselaer’s Center for The trend of higher energy costs is not likely to New York State Center Fuel Cell and Hydrogen for Polymer Synthesis reverse anytime soon, Schwartz says. In the best- Research focuses on fuel case scenario, the world makes a fairly smooth cell development, hydrogen Researchers are designing transition to a cleaner, more efficient energy sys- generation and storage, new polymers that could tem, which entails higher energy prices. “By the electrochemistry, solid state and polymer revolutionize or create middle of the century, energy will be cleaner, science, and the application of nano-mate- entirely new industries. greener, but more expensive,” he says. The future implications of While Schwartz says he generally is not a sup- rials in fuel cell and hydrogen research. this research are limitless, from achieving porter of the President’s energy policy, “I find myself in near total agreement with the new ini- Fuel Cell Research Education plug-in power for fuel cells, to biomedical applications that could help diagnose and tiatives he announced in his State of the Union, Rensselaer has initiated a treat many diseases. particularly recognizing the diversity of energy $4.8 million novel interdis- resources we need, from renewables to nuclear ciplinary program to train Lighting Research Center to clean coal,” he says. “The major criticism I doctoral students in fuel have is the failure to address the demand for cell science and engineer- Rensselaer’s Lighting transport fuels either with higher mileage stan- ing. The program is supported by a $3.2 Research Center (LRC) is dards or a much higher gasoline/carbon tax. In million, first-of-its-kind fuel cell research the leading university-based the absence of such measures, we are unlikely to education grant from the National Science research center devoted reduce demand by much.” Foundation combined with a $1.6 million to lighting. The center pro- Still, Schwartz is optimistic that America and investment by Rensselaer. grams cover a range of activities including the rest of the world are beginning to look toward both laboratory testing of lighting products the greener side. Center for Power Electronics Systems and real-world demonstration and evalua- Abate shares that optimism and also the deep- tion of lighting products and designs. The ening concern of what it may mean if we take a Established in August 1998, the Center for LRC conducts research into energy efficien- wrong turn. “The industry is changing. It’s around Power Electronics Systems is one of the cy, new products and technologies, lighting sustainability. If you don’t get your energy policy nation’s relatively few National Science right, your great-grandkids are going to live worse design, and human factors issues. than you did.”

RENSSELAER/SPRING 2006 29 A FATHER AND SON RECREATE A CROSS-COUNTRY MOTORCYCLE JOURNEY THAT BEGAN ALMOST 70 YEARS AGO.

BY AMBER CLEVELAND

THE ROAD FROM RENSSELAER

Dressed in a cotton helmet, worn leather boots, and an oversized pair of goggles, John B. “Jack” Newkirk ’41 departed from the Rensselaer campus one hot summer day, headed on a trip across the country to see both the New York and the San Francisco World’s Fairs. He rode a worn and temperamental Harley-Davidson and carried no more than a few army blankets, a State Farm road atlas, and $45 in cash. Little did he know they were all the tools he’d need to start a family—and a Rensselaer-related—legacy.

30 RENSSELAER/SPRING 2006

he year was 1939. Early that spring semester, Jack, a 19-year-old sophomore Tmetallurgical engineering student, bought a battered 1930 Harley VL Big Twin for $40 from Eustace Hetzel ’39, then president of the Rens- selaer Student Union. With a decade’s worth of mileage, the bike required major attention before it would be ready for the open road. The Harley’s first stop: the Ricketts Laboratory. 1939 The bike was in need of serious metal repair. When the welding was finished, Jack stuck a “I’VE OFTEN ASKED 4-inch decal of the RPI surveyor’s logo on the MYSELF WHY I WANTED bike’s gas tank to show his appreciation for the use of Rensselaer’s welding tools (and to cover up a TO MAKE THAT TRIP.” large dent that he couldn’t pound out). He called the bike the “Raspberry”—not for its red color, but for the sputtering sound it made when it ran. Swerving up and down Burdett Avenue, Jack learned to ride the newly renovated Raspberry; as his confidence behind the handlebars grew, so too did his craving for the open road and wide horizons. The possibility of seeing two World’s Fairs in one summer was just the adventure Jack had been looking for. To jump-start the economy after the Great Depression, President Franklin Roosevelt called for two World’s Fairs, one in Flushing Meadows, N.Y., and one on Treasure Island in San Francisco. Jack was convinced that the Raspberry was up to the task of taking him to both. national Exhibition and enjoyed just one day at Scarsdale Jack graduated from Rensselaer with “I’ve often asked myself why I wanted to make the site in San Francisco, celebrating Treasure an aeronautical engineering degree in 1936, and that trip,” Jack says from his home in Evergreen, Island—the world’s first man-made island. later resigned a Navy commission to serve as Colo. At 85, he’s energetic as he talks about the That summer Jack traveled 10,371 miles over squadron leader for the American Volunteer cross-country trip he took 67 years ago. “Just the course of 51 days. The Raspberry, which Group’s “Flying Tigers.” When he was 28 his the lure of adventure for a 19-year-old with the shuddered violently while in operation, broke plane was gunned down during combat. The two World’s Fairs as an excuse, I guess. It’s still a down every day of the trip but four. Jack credits Jack Newkirk AAS branch of Rensselaer’s Air wonder to me that my Dad [Burt Newkirk, who the engineering and problem-solving training Force ROTC detachment is named in his honor. was a professor of aeronautical engineering at he received at Rensselaer with saving the day on Shortly after Scarsdale’s death, Jack Newkirk Rensselaer] let me go.” more than one occasion. Even when the Rasp- also joined the Navy. By that time motorcycles had Leaving from the Rensselaer campus, Jack eas- berry was running, the bike leaked oil, bolts and become favorable means of transportation since ily made it to “The World of Tomorrow” at the wires loosened and fell out of the machine’s body, resources like gasoline and rubber were scarce, and New York fair, where he saw a display of new- and the Raspberry shook nearly out of control Jack was able to sell the irritable Raspberry for $125. fangled inventions, including the world’s first at speeds higher than 43 miles per hour. Turning the profit into a plane ticket, Jack headed microwave oven, computer, and photocopier. As By September 1939 Jack was back in New back to San Francisco where he reported for duty. crowds of fairgoers gathered to see President York, and he returned to Rensselaer with a sum- By 1946, after three years of service in the South Roosevelt’s image being transmitted on the mer vacation story that couldn’t be matched. Pacific, Jack was relieved of his military duties, and world’s first television, Jack was already heading “When I got back it was still summer and it five years later he married his wife, Carolyn. for the Raspberry. The fair was exciting, but miles didn’t register to me that I did anything out of In 1965, Jack became chair of the physical of open road lay before him. Pointing his bike west the ordinary [by taking this trip], I was just happy metallurgy department at the University of Den- he waved goodbye to the World of Tomorrow. to have made it back unharmed,” Jack says. “But ver in Colorado. He and Carolyn raised four chil- Squeezing every penny out of the $45 his par- when I got back to RPI, I was elated to tell peo- dren in Colorado, and occasionally Jack shared ents lent him for the trip, Jack bought 15-cent ple that I had pulled the trip off —I was full of stories of his cross-country trip with them. meals for himself and 50-cent meals for the Rasp- stories, and boring people with the details of berry. At night he slept in fields or under trees. my trip.” egardless of how many times he’d heard During the day he bathed in rivers and streams. In 1941 Jack received a bachelor’s degree in the stories, Jack’s second oldest son, As he made his way to San Francisco, he stopped metallurgical engineering. As America entered RJohn Newkirk ’83, found them entirely and spoke with passersby who were always World War II, he paid close attention to the fascinating. fascinated to hear stories of his excursion. adventures of John “Scarsdale Jack” Newkirk Like his father, John also attended Rensselaer. In mid-July he reached the Golden Gate Inter- ’36, a cousin who also attended Rensselaer. In 1983, after receiving a degree in electrical,

32 RENSSELAER/SPRING 2006 drove right by unknowingly. This time there were nearly 600,000 bikers gathered in the city.” Stopping at a Sturgis motorcycle museum, the pair stumbled upon a restored 1930 Harley VL— a bike identical to the one Jack rode in 1939. While John went to ask if he could take its pic- ture, a crowd of bikers gathered around Jack, prodding him for details about his trip. According to John his dad got “instant respect and was treated like royalty by all the bikers who crossed [their] path.” After 1,200 miles together, Jack flew back to “JUST THE LURE OF Colorado, leaving John to complete the remain- ADVENTURE FOR A 19-YEAR-OLD WITH THE ing two-thirds of the trip on his own. John arrived at the site of the1939 World’s TWO WORLD’S FAIRS AS AN EXCUSE, I GUESS.”2005 Fair in Flushing Meadows on Sept. 15. The place was desolate and dirty, and John was shocked at what he’d traveled so far to see. “The place was abandoned,” John says. “Relics from the 1964 fair were rusted and over- grown; papers blew around in the wind. There were no people. There was only me. “I felt a strong sense of sadness, wondering what happened to this place,” John says. “Was this the World of Tomorrow my father’s genera- tion had been promised?” John began to recall what he’d seen across the country. “By this time Katrina had hit and all along my trip I saw folks helping fellow Americans. There computer, and systems engineering, he returned He feared for his father’s safety riding solo for was pride and patriotism evident from California home to Colorado, founded a thriving comput- such a long distance, so the pair agreed that Jack to New York, and I saw extreme freedom. er systems engineering business, and started a would meet his son on the road and would ride Suddenly my sadness turned to fierce pride and family with his wife, Melissa. on the back of John’s bike for a third of the trip. I felt great respect for my father’s generation who The passing of one of his father’s fellow On the morning of July 12, 2005, John depart- provided me with the freedom to take this trip.” World War II veterans in 2004 sparked a real- ed for day one of the long-anticipated trip. Con- John is currently writing a book, titled ization in the younger Newkirk that his father, sistent with his father’s journey, John stayed on The Old Man and the Harley, which recounts who was now 84, was growing older and would two-lane highways whenever possible—there his father’s solo trip across the country in 1939, someday be gone. was no interstate highway system when his comparing it to his own journey during the John was eager to connect with his father as father made the original trip— summer of 2005. It is tentatively a friend and as a mentor. He decided there was and kept his speed at 43 miles per scheduled for release on June 18 only one way to get to do this: They would hour, the point at which his (Father’s Day). recreate the cross-country trip of 1939, riding father’s Raspberry became dan- Nearly 70 years later, Jack’s trip together on a Harley. gerously unsteady. across the country on a cantan- Jack says he felt “flattered that [John] would Arriving first in San Francisco, kerous motorcycle has become a take enough interest in what I did to want to John found no trace of Treasure lasting family legacy. John says he’s recreate the trip. I was happy to ride on the back Island’s former glory. The site of considering recreating the trip in of his bike.” the 1939 fair had little left to offer 2039, 100 years after his father’s Once his father agreed to the trip, John start- beyond a collection of military original journey, and hopes his two ed a year of intense preparation for the trip, buildings from World War II. Fol- daughters will accompany him. intending to make his journey as authentic as lowing his dad’s route in reverse, Inheritance is defined as a val- possible. He bought a 1939 State Farm road atlas he headed toward the heartland. ued possession passed down in a he found on eBay and used it to map out a mod- In August Jack met John in Montana and the family through succeeding generations. The ern-day replica of Jack’s route. two headed for Sturgis, S.D. Although he was Newkirk family inheritance is not a single Since a restored 1930 Harley VL was more crossing the territory for a second time, Jack possession any of them can hold in their hands. expensive than a new motorcycle and would found the land transformed and unrecognizable. It’s an experience. It’s 10,371 miles. probably be unreliable, John purchased a 2003 “I didn’t remember anything, really. Every- Jack and John are returning to Rensselaer 100th Anniversary Edition black and silver thing had changed,” says Jack. “The last time I in June for Reunion 2006—this will be Jack’s Harley-Davidson Road King Classic motorcy- went through [Sturgis] it was just a crossroads. 65th. No word yet on whether they’ll travel cle, which he dubbed the “Blackberry.” There was a small bike rally happening but I by motorcycle.

RENSSELAER/SPRING 2006 33 STAYINGCONNECTED

RAA WORLDWIDE TRAVEL PROGRAM: 2006 TOURS Visit some of the most exciting and beautiful destinations on Earth with people who share your inter- ests—fellow Rensse- laer alumni. Contact the Alumni Office at [email protected] or (518) 276-6205 for more information on the following trips: Greek Islands (April 10-21); Treasures of Southern Africa (April 17- 30); Tahiti and the Society Islands (June The Rensselaer alumni Web site features improved ease of navigation, upgraded content, and a new consistent look. 3); Cruise Through the Islands of Antiquity (June 7-17); two-week Alaska Discovery Alumni Web Site Revamped Cruise (June 22); one week in Italy’s magnificent Lake District (July 11-19); Eastern Europe & the Black Sea: Budapest to Bucharest (July 26); AFTER A YEAR-LONG COLLABORATION BETWEEN RAA and members of the Rensselaer staff,” the Office of Alumni Relations and the market- says Schultz. “Together we were able to fine- Romance of the Blue Danube (Sept. 6-19); ing and communications committee of the tune messages, create a clear structure to China & the Yangtze River (Oct. 15); Rensselaer Alumni Association (RAA), Rensse- deliver the messages, and provide a means for From the Outback to the Glaciers (Oct. laer’s alumni Web site—www.alumni.rpi.edu— continuing input and improvement to the site.” 17); Splendors of South America: Chile, has debuted a new look. Visitors to the site will The result of this teamwork is a site with a Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil (Nov. 6); find that the ease of site navigation has been cleaner look, more exciting graphics, and better Budapest & Prague (Nov. 9-17). significantly improved, the content has been organized and more useful content. upgraded, and the look Visit the site at ELECTRONIC ARTS: and feel now match the www.alumni.rpi.edu for ALL IN THE RENSSELAER FAMILY main Rensselaer site. information on career “Everything alumni services, alumni news In December 2005, Electronic Media, would want to know and events, Reunion and Arts, and Communications graduates Kyle about Rensselaer is class information, volun- Doris ’03 and Jim Fisher ’02 won “Best here,” says Jeff Schanz, teer involvement oppor- Comedy Feature” in the Hollywood DV director of alumni rela- tunities, and a link to the Film Festival with their film MINIMUM tions. “The latest news alumni Web community, WAGER. (View the trailer for the film at about research and @RPInet, located at www.downeffect.com/mw.html.) The festi- things happening on arpinet.rpi.edu. Exclu- val focuses on creative works shot in digi- campus; quick links to sively for Rensselaer tal, video, and high-definition formats. everything from sports alumni, the site provides Assisting and appearing in the film was schedules to products a searchable alumni Jeff Briggs ’02; Karl Sandbo ’03 “reverse and services; upcoming events; and lots of database, online event registration, and E-mail engineered” and fabricated a lens assem- ways to connect with Rensselaer and with their for Life. Access that site by clicking on the icon bly for the camera used in filming. fellow alumni are all found on this site.” at the top right-hand corner of the alumni page. Doris’s introduction to the EMAC pro- Members of the RAA committee, led by Use the ID number printed on the mailing label gram came via RENSSELAER magazine— Nancy Schultz, EMBA ’98, provided direction of this issue of Rensselaer to sign in. his dad is Kenneth Doris ’67, who has on what would work best from an alumni “We hope alumni who want to stay connect- applied his own engineering degree to the perspective. Their straw model for the site was ed with their alma mater will make the new video gaming field, as vice president of the foundation upon which the new structure alumni site their home page,” says Schanz. If Applied Visions Inc. Their successes illus- was built. you have suggestions on how to improve the trate how useful a technological degree “The success of this project was the result new site, contact the alumni office at alumni@ may be to a career in film—and enhances of collaboration between the members of the rpi.edu or (518) 276-6205. Rensselaer’s growing reputation for excel- lence in the electronic arts. Rensselaer’s commitment to a culture of creativity has DO YOU HAVE A SUCCESS STORY TO SHARE? Write to [email protected] and tell us about it! paid off for these enterprising graduates.

34 RENSSELAER/SPRING 2006 EVENTSCALENDAR

APRIL 200th Commencement. Rensselaer AUGUST will honor its graduates at the Com- “Rensselaer on the Road,” Detroit, 20 Navigating Rensselaer & Beyond. mencement ceremony. Guest speaker Gener- Mich. Engineering Dean Alan Cramb Weeklong program for all first-year 25 al Wesley K. Clark will receive an honorary 20 will discuss highlights of the ongoing students, including freshmen, transfers, and degree. Architect Peter Bohlin ’58, archi- Renaissance at Rensselaer with Detroit-area graduate students, to help with the transition tect, artist, and engineer Santiago Calatra- alumni. The evening will include a cocktail to Rensselaer. Additional activities include a va, and FedEx Corporation chairman, presi- and hors d’oeuvres reception and will end welcome barbecue, Freshman Convocation, dent, and CEO Frederick W. Smith also will with dessert and networking. General Motors and offerings from clubs and departments be awarded honorary degrees. 9:30 a.m., Heritage Center, Sterling Heights, Mich. across campus. www.fye.rpi.edu Contact Susan Haight at [email protected] Harkness Field. www.rpi.edu/academics/ commencement or (518) 276-6042. OCTOBER

JUNE MAY FallFest. It’s going to be a busy Solid-State Lighting Short Course. 13 weekend on the Troy campus Oct. Boston Venture Forum. Whether you 13-15! Homecoming, Family Weekend, the are an investor seeking new deals or an 7Alumni returning for Reunion are invited 9 to enroll in this two-day course, taught by RAA Board meeting, a Legacy reception, a alum looking for business contacts, come to gathering of music alumni, and the 75th the World Trade Center West in Boston for E. Fred Schubert, the Wellfleet Senior Constellation Professor, Future Chips, at anniversary of the Phi Iota Alpha fraternity an evening of networking and presentations are rolled into one exciting weekend. For from early-stage and emerging-growth Rensselaer. The course presents the history, operating principles, fabrication process, and more information, contact Peter Pedone at companies from RPI’s Incubator Center. [email protected] or (518) 276-6061. Visit arpinet.rpi.edu/events for details and applications of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to register. with particular emphasis on solid-state light- ing applications. For overview, cost, and Alumni MusicFest. Former members of other details, contact Laurie Gillespie-Allen Rensselaer’s music groups are invited back “Rensselaer on the Road,” Atlanta, at [email protected] or (518) 276-6431. for FallFest weekend. Contact Howard 10 Ga. Lally School Dean David www.rpi.edu/academics/summer Henze ’69 at [email protected] or Gautschi will discuss highlights of the Peter Pedone at [email protected] with your ongoing Renaissance at Rensselaer with Reunion. For class years ending in name, class year, and the music group(s) Atlanta-area alumni. The evening will 1 or 6, June 8-11. Come back to the you participated in. You will receive an include a cocktail and hors d’oeuvres 8 Troy campus to see all that’s happening! invitation when details are finalized. reception and will end with dessert and www.alumni.rpi.edu/involved/reunion networking. The Buckhead Club, Atlanta, 75th Anniversary of Phi Iota Alpha Frater- Ga. Contact Susan Haight at haighs@ nity. As part of FallFest weekend, Phi Iota rpi.edu or (518) 276-6042. JULY Alpha will celebrate 75 years at Rensselaer. Freshman Student Orientation. For details, contact Hansel Baez ’06 at ROTC Commissioning Ceremony. 13 Incoming freshmen will have the [email protected] or Victor Marrero at 19 Contact (518) 276-8011. opportunity to learn more about life at [email protected]. www.phiota.net Rensselaer. www.fye.rpi.edu

RENSSELAER/SPRING 2006 35 WRITE TO US! ONELAST THING… We welcome contributions to “One Last Thing.” Send personal essays of 750 words or less to [email protected].

Forward Into the Past

A visit to the archives brings history to life | BY ANDREW TIBBETTS ’06

OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, I Benjamin Franklin you find the answers to have had the opportunity to expe- Greene’s 1855 The whatever questions you rience something that I am sure very Rensselaer Polytechnic have. few students do during their tenure Institute, and all refer- I often encourage my here at RPI. No, I am not talking ence Amos Eaton’s fellow students to find about staying up until 7 a.m. finish- 1824 The Rensselaere- out more about the his- ing The Poly; I am talking about an Plan. tory of RPI through the doing research on the history of RPI Consider these ob- resources available in in the archives room of the Folsom jectives: A larger facul- the archives. In many Library. ty, more research cases, it’s the only op- Now, I know that many people money, more students portunity they’ll have to on this campus cringe at the thought from around the coun- learn more about this of reading anything that could be try and the world, bet- rich and, often, enter- described as “history,” but the ter relationships with taining history—an op- archives offer a lot of fascinating ma- the City of Troy, new portunity not to be terial dating back to 1824 from athletics facilities, and missed. many different areas of the Institute. an emphasis on com- Alumni, professors There are old school publications, munications and the Documents such as Amos Eaton’s geological survey of the emeriti, and others who histories of student and faculty gov- performing arts. What Erie Canal are preserved in the Institute’s archives. have been associated ernments, planning documents and do all these have in with RPI’s history also memos, histories of various clubs, common? Many would say that name the school to something more can help to preserve as much infor- and many other things extending these are all parts of The Rensselaer fitting: the Rensselaer University of mation as possible. I have noticed back decades. Plan. Some would be surprised to Technology—good old RUT. This that RPI has an extremely short in- These materials show the evolu- learn, though, that this list of goals is something that could very well stitutional memory, but the Institute tion of the campus throughout the is taken from Rensselaer 2000. appear in the pages of The Poly has one of the longest and most sto- years—the changes that have been Richard Folsom’s 1968 Goals for today, as debate continues over the ried university histories in the coun- made or the things that have stayed Rensselaer is yet another example. direction of the school under the try—or even the world. Efforts the same. It can be pretty funny, The plan called for more research, new plan. should be made toward educating too. I remember sitting and laugh- more humanities and “liberal learn- Almost all of this, and more, is the new generation, and re-educat- ing at the documents from the ing,” more student life buildings for open to anyone looking to read ing the older ones, of the parts of our 1960s predicting that due to out- athletics and performing arts, more through it out of idle curiosity or for history that extend past the Alum- of-control tuition hikes, the cost of interdisciplinary programs, and more research purposes. One day while I ni Hall of Fame or the display case a year’s education at RPI might ac- links with the community—goals was in the archives, a fraternity in the Jonsson Engineering Center. tually top $14,000 by 2000. One of echoed in The Rensselaer Plan. One brother was trying to find out what More displays—or even a real the most hilarious items I found was of the essays used in planning the had happened to some relic from his museum—on campus would bring a line in a School of Architecture Goals calls for supporting “several house that had disappeared in the this past alive. Alumni can also take planning document from 1968 areas which are not at all scientific mid-1980s. The archivists were able the time to drop by their old clubs pointing out that “consistent stu- or technological,” explaining that, to help him track down some doc- and departments to tell current stu- dent unhappiness” is one of the “We have been an excellent engi- umentation on it within a few min- dents about their RPI experiences. greatest traditions at RPI. neering school, but we haven’t been utes. While he was not able to fig- If everyone tells a part of their sto- One of the major things I have a very good university.” ure out exactly what had happened, ries, then the campus—and the stu- learned in my trips to the archives John Hawley ’70, in a 1968 edi- he found a lot more information that dents of tomorrow—will gain a lot. is that for decades the Institute has torial in The Poly, wrote that RPI re- he did not have when he walked in. been fond of generating master quired sudden, quick, and drastic This is exactly like what my ex- Andrew Tibbetts ’06 is the news plans. The current Rensselaer Plan, change, some of these very changes, perience has been with the archives. editor and the former editor-in-chief for example, is reminiscent of in order to succeed in the future. If The staff members are some of the of The Polytechnic. He is a com- George Low’s 1977 Rensselaer 2000, it did not embrace these changes, most helpful people on campus, and puter science, and computer and sys- which had drawn inspiration from he wrote, then we might as well re- they are really dedicated to helping tems engineering major.

56 RENSSELAER/SPRING 2006 Expanding Horizons

More than ever, the world needs leaders who know how to communicate, to seek answers beyond traditional academic boundaries, and to understand the social and ethical consequences of their work. Rensselaer rises to the challenge by providing a breadth of experiences that encompass everything from attractive housing to a rich mix of extracurricular and athletic opportunities.

> Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center—Scheduled to open in 2008, EMPAC sits at the nexus of the arts, science, technology, and culture, offering both students and faculty a broader, richer view of the world and its possibilities. > Athletic Programs and Facilities— Rensselaer will upgrade playing fields and build new facilities, including a new gym, pool, and indoor track in the new East Campus Athletic Village. Our student athletes deserve the best arena in which to excel. > Student Life Programs —In everything from recreation and residence halls to coffeehouses and clubs, Rensselaer is committed to student success by creating a culture where students interact in the larger university community.

Join us on this remarkable journey. Call (518) 276-2566 to visit the campus and see for yourself, or visit us online at rpi.edu/campaign to learn more about Renaissance at Rensselaer: The Campaign for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. ONE WORD TO ILLUMINATE INNOVATION

why not change the world?sm

One university is fostering photonics research, LED breakthroughs, and ”smart lighting” to change the way we light the world. Saving energy. Broadening our focus. Shining a bright light on discovery. At Rensselaer. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | www.rpi.edu 110 8th St., Troy, NY USA 12180-3590