Rensselaer Magazine: Winter 2006-07: Staying Connected

Reunion: Experience the Renaissance!

New programs for families with college-bound students

Photo by Kris Qua

What does Reunion mean to you? Reconnecting with classmates? Time to visit familiar places? That’s part of it. But this year, Reunion also will be a chance for you and for the potential engineer or scientist in your family to explore the wonders of technology. New programs will be bringing Renaissance at Rensselaer: The Campaign for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to life for returning alumni.

“Those who don’t come back will really be missing out,” says Jeff Schanz, director of alumni relations and annual giving. “Seeing old friends is fun, but there’s so much more to Reunion than that. Rensselaer has changed so much, and it will be exciting for our alumni to experience new facilities and technology firsthand.”

On Friday, enjoy “Breakfast with the Deans,” and learn what’s new inside Rensselaer’s labs and classrooms. “Technology and Innovation Tours” and the “Technology Fair” will showcase facilities and research made possible by the historic $1.4 billion capital campaign now under way, such as the O.T. Swanson Multidisciplinary Design Laboratory and the Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center.

On Saturday, President Shirley Ann Jackson’s “State of the Institute Address” will detail the progress the Institute has made toward the goal of becoming a top-tier, world-class research university with global reach and global impact. Later, alumni, families, and children from pre-K through middle school will learn science, technology, engineering, and math concepts with the LEGO® Robotics Program.

Old favorites will still be part of the program: tours, a golf outing, a dinner cruise, the Parade of Classes, and the picnic. New events have been added, such as a luau followed by fireworks, the Red & White Reunion Bash (games! movies! non-cash Alumni Casino!), an admissions program for families with college-bound students, a pool party, and plenty of time to enjoy friends and to explore dear old RPI.

For more information on Reunion, visit www.alumni.rpi.edu/reunion, or contact Kathy Kinsey at kinsek@rpi.edu, (518) 276-2832.

RAA Nominations

Do you want to have an impact on campus? Do you have ideas about alumni programs and services? Then get involved with the Rensselaer Alumni Association (RAA). The RAA board, working in conjunction with the Alumni Relations Office, meets three times per year in Troy and serves as the voice of alumni to the campus. Nominations to serve on next year’s board and committees are now being accepted. To nominate yourself or another alumnus/a, send a brief statement of support to Joyce Kelly Martin at martij@rpi.edu by March 15, or call (518) 276-6208 with questions.

Regional Alumni Chapters

The relationship that Rensselaer has with its graduates extends far beyond the campus. Currently there are 24 regional alumni chapters across the United States and Puerto Rico and seven international chapters. To see if there’s a chapter near you, go to www.alumni.rpi.edu/involved/ chapters or contact Susan Haight at haighs@rpi.edu or Suzanne Turcotte at turcos2@rpi.edu.

Alumni Downloads on Demand

Visit the “Downloads on Demand” Web page to see videos of recent Rensselaer programs such as President Jackson’s Reunion 2006 “State of the Institute” address or the RAA’s Mars Rover program, to hear audio clips of various presentations, or to download RPI images to use as backgrounds for your computer. Available at www.alumni.rpi.edu/ondemand/.

RAA Visa® Credit Card and Financial Services

The RAA Visa Card, issued by U.S. Bank, provides competitive rates while at the same time supporting the programs of the RAA. Apply online at www.alumni.rpi.edu/service/visa.html.

Rensselaer (ISSN 0898-1442) is published in Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.	Opinions expressed in these pages do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors or the policies of the Institute.
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