A Message from
President Shirley Ann Jackson
Dear Parents, Family Members, and Friends:
The beginning of the academic year brings with it great anticipation, excitement,
and enthusiasm which carries through the semester. For the class of 2010, this
semester marks the beginning of their Rensselaer journey, a journey which we know will
challenge them, and will shape their future.
The world has been changing in extraordinary and unprecedented ways. Rensselaer is changing as well, to meet the ever-more-complex demands of globalization, energy security, health and safety, and homeland security, among many challenges. The Rensselaer Plan, launched six years ago, was prescient in outlining the challenges the 21st century would bring. Little did we know, six years ago, that those challenges would be so immediate, and, in some cases, so dire. The dot.com bust, September 11, economic downturn and recovery, soaring energy prices, climate change, war, and terrorism all have altered our understanding of the world-and our relationship to it.
As a national-and, as an increasingly global-university, Rensselaer is inextricably bound with this world-and with its new realities. As it has throughout its history, Rensselaer is rising to the challenge. Staking our claim in biotechnology, nanotechnology, information technology, and, increasingly, in the intersection of the arts and technology, the course we have charted has propelled Rensselaer to the world stage. Rensselaer is taking its place as one of a handful of universities which are shaping this century and the individuals who will assume its future leadership. Indeed, the need for a top-tier technological education, for which the Institute has been renowned for 182 years, never has been more critical for our country, and for the world.
I invite you to stay tuned and remain connected to all that is happening. We invite you to come to Family Weekend 2006, October 13-15, which is a grand opportunity for you to experience the excitement on campus, and of course, to spend quality time with your student.
I look forward to meeting and speaking with you personally throughout the year to come.
Sincerely,
Shirley Ann Jackson, Ph.D.
President, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
FallFest 2006 - Family Weekend
October 13-15
Remember, FallFest 2006 - Family Weekend is October 13-15! Don't forget to send in your registration form to OFYE by Monday, October 2.
Festivities planned for this exciting weekend includes the International Festival, FallFest, academic open houses, activities, food, fun, and more!
Schedule and registration information will be mailed in September. In the meantime, visit the Family Weekend Web site at www.rpi.edu/fye/famweek for updated information. Please call (518) 276-6864 or e-mail us with any questions.
Hope to see you there!
