February 5, 2018

Dear members of the Hajim School community,

Thanks to a generous gift from the family of the late Edwin L. Carstensen, founder of the Rochester Center for Biomedical Ultrasound, the center will be able to invite a leading expert from the field to our University each year to present a seminar, interact with faculty, and deliver a lecture. Diane Dalecki, current director of the center and chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, says the goal is to grow the fund, so it could support an annual symposium and, eventually, student scholarships. Read more here.

Geomechanics, offered jointly by the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, is one of three interdisciplinary engineering majors available to students. Though often overshadowed by our traditional engineering degrees, these interdisciplinary majors give students the flexibility to do engineering in a non-traditional way, to design their own major, or, in the case of Juliana Conley ’20, to learn the skills she’ll need to better understand forest fires and, hopefully, alleviate the devastation they cause. Click here to read how Juliana, starting afresh after an accident interrupted her undergraduate studies seven years ago, arrived here with a very clear idea of what she wants from her college experience.

You will also want to read this story about Ivan Suminski ’18, who is completing a particularly challenging dual degree combination: mechanical engineering from the Hajim School and violin performance from the Eastman School. Ivan, you may recall, is a recipient of this year’s Wells Award, given to Hajim School students who excel in both engineering and the humanities. Normally students are allowed five years to complete the Dual Degree with Eastman program, but Ivan is doing it in four — and weighing a lot of options as graduation nears.

A reminder for students interested in qualifying to become Grand Challenges Scholars. You are invited to information sessions at 3:30 p.m. today and February 22 in Lattimore 306A. Sponsored by the National Academy of Engineering, the program recognizes students who successfully combine research, community engaged learning, interdisciplinary experiences, entrepreneurship, and global experiences to address one of 14 Grand Challenges for Engineering in the 21st Century. This is a great opportunity for students to proactively take ownership of their learning experience here, and receive recognition that will help them find jobs and fellowships.

Students interested in becoming an International Student Mentor can attend an information session from 5 to 6 p.m. February 14 in the Gowen Room. The ISM Program at the University of Rochester fosters meaningful interactions between current students and incoming international first-year students. This year’s mentors include Nola Yang ’18 of chemical engineering, Sylvester Benson-Sesay ’20 of biomedical engineering, Petar Dinev ’19 of computer science and mathematics, Gregoire Lier ’20 of optics, and Anthony Pericolo ’20 of electrical and computer engineering.

The Ain Center for Entrepreneurship continues its Entrepreneurs-in-Residence program this spring. Andrew Scheinman, entrepreneur and principal of Scheinman Law, will hold office hours noon to 4 p.m., tomorrow, February 6. Robert Arnold, president and principal of RHA Results, LLC, will hold office hours 2 to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, February 15. Book an appointment online or call 585-276-3500.

The Kauffman Entrepreneurial Year (KEY) program is now the e5 program, offering selected students a fifth, tuition-free year of college to launch a project and engage in an experiential pursuit. Contact e5 program administrator Angela Buchiere to learn more or attend an information session February 8, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., Lattimore 306A. The spring application deadline is Thursday, March 22. The e5 application is now available as an online form.

Have a great week,

Your dean,
Wendi Heinzelman