April 6, 2020
Kate Korslund ’20 of mechanical engineering.
Dear members of the Hajim School community,
In challenging times like these, it is important — as one of my colleagues suggests — to re-energize ourselves by taking note of “uplifting news that can provide you an oasis of positivity when it is desperately needed”!
With that in mind, I would like to inaugurate something I was contemplating even before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted our lives: a monthly feature highlighting one of our outstanding Hajim students.
Kate Korslund ’20 of mechanical engineering is a perfect example. A consistent Dean’s List student and former president of Tau Beta Pi, Kate has excelled in her studies. She has broadened what she has learned in the classroom with internships, hands-on research, and global experience. She is completing a minor in French. And she has excelled as a scholar/athlete, earning recognition as a Provost Circle Scholar. Learn more here about Kate’s journey as a Hajim student, volleyball athlete, and inspirational leader in our University community.
Kate, by the way, is taking in stride the transition to remote learning. “So far, the transition to remote learning has gone smoothly for me,” she says. “I’m most impressed with my professors, both within engineering and the French department, who are being very flexible and supportive of students as we all adjust to this new reality. I’m sad about not getting to celebrate graduation with my friends in May but I know that we will find a time to celebrate when it is safe to do so.”
A reminder: Keep those submissions coming for our Art of Science Competition. The deadline has been extended to April 15, so time is running out! Judging and announcement of winners will be done remotely. Photographs, illustrations, visualizations, renderings, and posters showing an artistic representation of science, technology, engineering, math, and sustainability themes are welcome. Please submit high resolution jpeg entries (300 dpi, at least 3,000 pixels wide). Cash prizes of $1,000, $500, and $250 will be awarded to winning student entries; student, faculty, and staff entries will all be eligible for a People’s Choice Award of $250. For inquiries, contact Brian McIntyre and the project team at artofscience@gmail.com.
Though the Institute of Optics spring Industrial Associates meeting was canceled, student resumes are being made available to companies and interviews are being conducted virtually, says Scott Carney, Institute director. Company introductions have been made by recorded video and are now available to students. Member job postings and opportunities are being distributed to students as usual. Read more here.
The Institute is also planning remote classes to replace canceled in-person Summer Short Courses for professionals. “We will take advantage of the new format to pace the series out a little more since people don’t need to be physically in Rochester,” Scott says. “Moreover we are reaching out to lecturers who could not be physically present for the in-person series to bring in now-available world-leading experts to lecture.”
COVID-19 is causing hardship for many members of our community, from the doctors and nurses who are on the front lines to our own students who find themselves in challenging financial circumstances. Click here for details about donations to support our clinicians and here to support our students.
Your dean,
Wendi Heinzelman
Please note, as we use a number of different communication modes to reach all of the University’s constituents over the next few weeks, Hajim Highlights may be interrupted at times. Please know that we are working hard to streamline communication to get timely information out, and we ask that you read all communications that are sent during this time. We will return to regular weekly transmission of Hajim Highlights as soon as possible.
