---

---

Committee Interviews VP for Student Life Candidates

A search committee has begun interviewing candidates to fill the post of vice president for student life, said Don Millard, search committee chairman and director of the Center for Integrated Electronics and Electronic Manufacturing, and the Academy of Electronic Media.

Eddie Ade Knowles has been serving as interim vice president since Feb. 15, 2000.

A search committee has begun interviewing candidates to fill the post of vice president for student life. — Don Millard—

In February, the committee reviewed a large number of applications from qualified candidates. For the national search, advertisements were placed in several prominent publications: The New York Times, The Boston Globe, and The Chronicle of Higher Education.

"All of our prospective candidates are extremely impressed by both the quality and comprehensive nature of the Rensselaer Plan and Dr. Jackson's leadership," Millard said.

The committee expects to provide a list of suggested candidates to President Jackson by the end of this month.

In addition to Millard, other search committee members include: Isom Herron, professor of mathematical sciences; Kerry Quinn, associate director of athletics; Deborah Nazon, assistant provost for Institute diversity; Jules Jacquin '91, senior director for risk management and internal auditing; Michael Kalsher, professor and chair of philosophy, psychology, and cognitive science; Joe Greco '01, grand marshal and management student; Kerry Dutkus, president of the Graduate Council and graduate student in environmental engineering; and former grand marshal and management major Eric Schmidt '01.

---

---

Focus Center-NY Wins Redesignation for Microelectronics Research

The Focus Center-New York (FC-NY), which includes Rensselaer, has won
redesignation as part of the nationally distributed Interconnect Focus Center (IFC) headquartered at the Georgia Institute of Technology. The FC-NY, which was formed in 1998, conducts visionary research and development for future generations of integrated circuits.

The redesignation—bolstered by New York state's commitment to fund the Focus Center at $5 million annually—is a key step in the effort to attract semiconductor manufacturers and other high-tech companies.

The strategy of the FC-NY is to build scientific and technical research programs that will establish it as a dominant R&D center for microelectronics and opto-electronics.

Tim Cale, director of the FC-NY at Rensselaer, said the FC-NY and the IFC are making great strides toward meeting the needs of industry 10 years down the road. "The redesignation of the Focus Center-New York will allow us to continue cutting-edge microelectronics research that will have a tremendous impact on society as we move toward the next decade," Cale said.

---

---

Artistic Director for EMPAC Could Be In Place by This Summer

An artistic director to oversee the creative programming of the proposed Electronic Media and Performing Arts Center could be hired as early as July, according to John Tichy, chair of the EMPAC Task Force, and professor and chair of mechanical engineering, aeronautical engineering, and mechanics.

"Summer 2001 is not too early to have a director in place to begin developing a world-class program considering the building will be ready in fall 2003." — John Tichy—

In its final report recently submitted to President Shirley Ann Jackson, the EMPAC Task Force recommended hiring an artistic director before the construction of the new building, to help guide the design process.

"We are eager to hire a director in time to influence the latter stages of building design," Tichy said. "In addition, summer 2001 is not too early to have a director in place to begin developing a world-class program considering the building will be ready in fall 2003."

According to Tichy, the artistic director will have the responsibility to conceive, implement and manage the artistic programming of EMPAC, projected to include professional artist residencies and research programs. The director, expected to be knowledgeable in advanced technology and how it relates to the arts, will work with Rensselaer's artists in electronic media, as well as with researchers in traditional academic disciplines whose work may be enhanced by artistic vision.

Tichy is chair of the recently formed artistic director search committee. Other committee members are: Cynthia McIntyre, Institute chief of staff; Frances Bronet, associate professor of architecture; Larry Kagan, arts professor and associate dean of undergraduate programs in H&SS; Michael Brown, chemical engineering graduate student; Lucas Johnson, undergraduate student and president of the Rensselaer Union; Neil Rolnick, Department of Arts chair; Frances Scott, architecture librarian for Rensselaer's Libraries & Information Services; Paulina Shur, clinical assistant professor of arts.

---

---

New B.S. in Electronic Arts Begins This Fall

Beginning this fall, Rensselaer will offer a new B.S. in electronic arts.

The degree will provide an opportunity to pursue an arts degree with an emphasis on the use of today's technology for students who aspire to be artists and also are strong in math, science, and technology.

"The degree will integrate an intensive curriculum of studio and theory courses in electronic and traditional arts with Rensselaer's rigorous core requirements in math and science." — Erin Glasheen—

Offering an interdisciplinary approach to electronic arts, the program will include courses in computer music, video, computer imaging and animation, Web design, and multi-media installation and performance.

"What's unique about the degree is that it is a B.S., not a B.A.," says Erin Glasheen, director of undergraduate programs in arts and language, literature, and communication.

"As an art program situated within the context of a technological university, we will offer a unique creative environment in which to develop and realize cutting-edge electronic art," Glasheen says. "The degree will integrate an intensive curriculum of studio and theory courses in electronic and traditional arts with Rensselaer's rigorous core requirements in math and science."

Practical experiences in performing and exhibiting also will be built into the curriculum, which takes advantage of the Arts Department's Electronic Arts Performance Series and collaborations with the new art center in Troy, WMHT public television, and radio stations to provide participation in live professional productions.

You can read about Rensselaer's current electronic arts program which is featured in the March 2001 issue of the Rensselaer alumni magazine.

---

---

Experts to Discuss How Investors Can Plan Successfully For the Future

Today's stock market is so volatile and the economy so uncertain, how can investors plan successfully for the future?

A panel of financial experts at Rensselaer will pose this question, and offer their personal solutions in a free, public seminar and debate titled "The World's Most Valuable Companies in 2005: Where Should You Invest Now?"

"The World's Most Valuable Companies in 2005: Where Should You Invest Now?" Friday, April 6 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. 318 DCC

Hosted by the Lally School of Management and Technology, the event will be hed on Friday, April 6, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., 318 DCC.

Lally School Professor Pier Abetti will chair the seminar, and Rensselaer Provost G.P. "Bud" Peterson will serve as moderator. Abetti will speak on "The Rise and Fall of the World's Most Valuable Companies and Most Competitive Countries."

| Back to Top | Front Page | RPI Home |