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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.