Rensselaer Commencement Speaker and Honorands Announced for 2013

Renowned Human Rights and Civil Liberties Pioneer Congressman John Lewis To Address Rensselaer Graduates at 207th Commencement

Retired Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen, Xerox Chairman and CEO Ursula M. Burns, and Microsoft and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Pioneer Patty Stonesifer Also Will Receive Honorary Degrees May 25

U.S. Representative John Lewis (D-GA) — one of the nation’s most dedicated and courageous civil rights leaders — will address Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduates at the 207th Commencement May 25, 2013. He will join a group of high-level business, military, and nonprofit foundation leaders who will participate in the graduation ceremonies.

Lewis will receive an honorary degree, along with Retired Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen, Xerox Chairman and CEO Ursula M. Burns, and Microsoft and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation pioneer Patty Stonesifer.

“Congressman Lewis is indeed a ‘profile in courage,’ an extraordinary example of the power of an individual to change the world,” President Shirley Ann Jackson said. “At about the same age as our students, he stood up for what was right by sitting down at lunch counters, walking across a bridge in Selma, and marching on Washington. In doing so, with a persistent commitment to non-violence, he helped lead our nation through the civil rights era to a new day. Long considered the ‘conscience of the U.S. Congress,’ for more than a half century he has remained steadfast in his pursuit of equality, justice, and fairness for all. We are honored to have this Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient and true American hero address the graduates at Rensselaer.

 “We also look forward to honoring and hearing from three other influential leaders in corporate America, the military, and the foundation and nonprofit sectors,” President Jackson added. “As chairman and CEO of Xerox, Ursula Burns has led the transformation of a Fortune 500 company, and the conversation on the importance of inviting young people to pursue math and science careers. As former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen guided the U. S. armed services through a shift in mission and in culture. As Chair of the White House Council on Community Solutions, and a pioneer in Microsoft and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Patty Stonesifer has remained focused on creating access, reducing inequities, and expanding opportunities for others. Each has been global in reach and profound in impact, and we are honored by their participation in our Commencement.”

Process Improvements in Behavioral Health Workshop

The Connecticut Health Council and Founding Partner Rensselaer at Hartford will debut a new series of workshops focusing on process improvements in the health sector. The first workshop in this series, April 3 at Rensselaer's Hartford campus, will explore process improvements in behavioral health. Chief Executive Officer of InterCommunity, Kim Beauregard, and Chief Operating Officer Tyler Booth, will present on how new efficiencies are leading to improved outcomes.

Increased demand for health care services coupled with changes in health care funding has led to a greater focus on process improvements. These monthly workshops will feature experts from the health care field who will share innovative processes that have led to improved outcomes and expanded care.

Rensselaer's own Paul Hine, Lecturer, will moderate the workshop. Registration and networking begins at 7:30 a.m. and the program runs from 8 to 9 a.m.

Learn more and register at: http://www.cthealthcouncil.com/programs-events/event-calendar/2013/03/05/process-improvements-in-behavioral-health-workshop

The Connecticut Health Council’s primary activity is to host programs focused on health sector topics and that feature speakers of regional, national, and international renown. The series provides a forum for a robust network of experts, professionals, and other parties interested in leveraging and promoting Connecticut’s considerable health sector assets as a primary driver of economic and employment growth in Connecticut.

Rensselaer's Graduate Engineering Programs Climb in "U.S. News & World Report" Rankings for 2014

The School of Engineering and several of its programs at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute made gains on this year’s list of Best Graduate Engineering Programs by U.S. News & World Report. The School of Engineering ranked 38^th in the nation, up from 42^nd a year ago. Within the school, mechanical engineering moved up three spots to 24. Overall, six engineering graduate programs were ranked among the top 25 in their field, while nine programs ranked within the top 30 in their field.

View the 2014 rankings at: http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-engineering-schools/rensselaer-polytechnic-institute-02121

 “The School of Engineering at Rensselaer is known around the world for excellence in education and research, and the success of its graduates. The latest graduate program rankings by U.S. News & World Report highlight our upward trajectory and further affirm the high quality and impact of a Rensselaer engineering education. We are pleased to see many of our most popular graduate programs ranked among the top 25 in their field, and to be recognized as among the nation’s top 40 engineering graduate schools,” said David Rosowsky, Dean of the School of Engineering at Rensselaer.

Rensselaer's Hartford Campus and its Groton Site offer several engineering program options. Learn more at: http://www.ewp.rpi.edu/academics/does/index.html

Rensselaer Professors Peteros and Maleyeff have Paper Published in the "International Journal of Management"

Randall G. Peteros, J.D., Professor of Practice, and John Maleyeff, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Practice, had their paper entitled, “Application of Behavioural Finance Concepts to Investment Decision-Making: Suggestions for Improving Investment Education Courses,” published in the Vol. 30, No. 1, 2013 issue of the International Journal of Management. The authors suggest that, “In practice, investment decision makers do not always behave in ways that are consistent with the assumptions made in courses that teach investment decision making in business schools.” To read the abstract, please visit: http://www.internationaljournalofmanagement.co.uk/2013/2013-2.html

Spring Seminar Series 2013 -- Free Live Events!

All Rensselaer students, alumni, and community members are cordially invited to take part in the Spring Seminar Series 2013. We encourage you to invite friends, family, and coworkers to participate in the series. Admission is free and light refreshments will be served.

All events will be held at 5:30 p.m. in Seminar Hall at Rensselaer's Hartford Campus.
Wednesday, March 13 -- "Renewable Energy Storage: From Technology to Practical Markets and Products," presented by Robert J. Friedland ('94 MBA), President and CEO, Proton Energy Systems d/b/a Proton OnSite.

Hydrogen generated using electrolysis has a unique role in storing excess renewable energy for a variety of present and emerging energy markets. As countries buy more and more renewable technology on their grids, the inherent intermittent nature of the sun and the wind causes many problems for utilities faced with a base load demand for power. This problem is exacerbated with many countries shuttering their traditional base load stalwarts like coal and nuclear. Beyond the grid there are exciting markets emerging in fuel cell vehicle transportation and also in enhanced biogas production. This talk will explore these market demands and the potential for electrolysis to serve them in the future.

Thursday, March 28 -- Topic TBA, presented by David L. Rainey, Ph.D., Acting Dean, Rensselaer at Hartford, and Professor of Practice in the Lally School of Management and Technology.

Monday, April 15 -- TBA

For more information and to register, please visit: http://www.ewp.rpi.edu/news_and_events/events/spring_seminars2013/index.html

Rensselaer Alumnus and First Space Tourist Working on Mars Project

Rensselaer Alumni in Space

Dennis A. Tito ('64 M.S. Engineering Science), founder and CEO of Wilshire Associates, Inc., became the world's first space tourist, traveling aboard a Soyuz spacecraft with a Russian crew to the International Space Station (ISS) in April 2001. Tito paid close to $20 million for a seat on the spacecraft. He spent two weeks in space during late April and early May, including a stay on the ISS. As a graduate student, Tito worked at United Aircraft in Windsor Locks while studying in the aerospace program.

Tito has founded a new nonprofit called the Inspiration Mars Foundation, with a plan to launch a manned Mars flyby mission in 2018. The announcement has generated a lot of excitement. Read more about it and watch interviews with Tito at:

http://www.space.com/19981-private-mars-mission-married-2018.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feedutm_campaign=Feed%3A+spaceheadlines+%28SPACE.com+Headline+Feed%29

http://www.space.com/19983-private-mars-mission-dennis-tito-interview.html

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/inspiration-mars-dennis-tito-millionaire-space-tourist-announces/story?id=18610223

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/video/inspiration-mars-sending-married-couple-red-planet-18609841

Birthday Wishes to Rensselaer Alum George Ferris, a Google Doodle, and an Interesting Article about the Inventor

Happy Birthday to Rensselaer alumnus and Hall of Fame member, George W.G. Ferris, who designed the original Ferris wheel! Learn more about his induction into RPI's Alumni Hall of Fame: http://www.rpi.edu/about/alumni/inductees/ferris.html.

Google celebrates with a two-in-one doodle today. Read more about Google's homage to the inventor in this fascinating article: http://www.csmonitor.com/Innovation/2013/0214/George-Ferris-How-a-farmer-s-son-invented-the-best-ride-on-Earth