April 20, 2020
Dear members of the Hajim School community,
We’re trying very hard to celebrate as many University traditions as possible this spring, despite the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. A good example is the annual Undergraduate Research Expo, being celebrated through Friday as a virtual event. Click here to view 100 projects, 35 of which involve 45 Hajim students and graduating Grand Challenges Scholars. What a credit to all of our students for soldiering on despite the disruptions this semester!
As part of the expo, Chen Ding, professor of computer science, received the College Award for Undergraduate Teaching and Research Mentorship during a virtual presentation ceremony on Friday. Chen has offered research internships to at least 48 undergraduates, including eight he welcomed into his research group last summer alone. He takes a keen interest in what his interns are doing, visiting with them daily, getting to know them individually, answering questions, and hosting team-building activities. Wesley Smith was an undergraduate at the University of Edinburgh when he came to Rochester for a summer REU (research experience for undergraduates) internship in Chen’s group. “From day one he treated me with respect and as a peer,” he says. “Thanks to Chen’s guidance and mentorship, I was inspired to pivot completely my area of academic interest and pursue a PhD (in Ding’s group).” Truly, this is a well-earned award (read more here). Congratulations Chen!
Thanks to the generosity of Ed Hajim ’58, chair emeritus of the University Board of Trustees, another tradition continues as well. All members of the University community are invited to cast your ballots for the People’s Choice award, to be given as part of this year’s Art of Science Competition. Voting is now open. Be sure to click on each image to see the accompanying description. Winners will be announced in May. Thanks to all who submitted these 70 amazing entries, and to Brian McIntyre, his team, and the AS&E Web Help Team for bringing this year’s competition to fruition despite trying circumstances. I am so impressed and inspired to see these images. The ones of our beautiful campus definitely make me long for the time we can return.
The annual statewide intercollegiate NY Business Plan Competition is also being conducted as a virtual event. Congratulations to Bryce Sommer ’20 of mechanical engineering who, with teammate John Roy Lozada ’21, a molecular genetics major, is advancing to the state finals for The Great Garapon, which offers a novel peanut butter jar design that reinvents the peanut butter experience. Also advancing to the finals are computer science majors Andrew Thankson ’22, Abdul Moid Munawar ’22 and Yawo Alphonse Siatitse ’20, who are part of the Yolo Shadow team that provides job shadow opportunities for travelers and young professionals around the world. Grand Challenges Scholars Bradley Smith ’20, ’21 (e5 Scholar), a neuroscience major, and Andrew Kaseman ’20, a double major in biology and business, will also compete with their WetWare BioSystems firm dedicated to the invention, manufacture, and implementation of the first medical device capable of directly treating traumatic brain Injury. Winners will be announced May 22.
Student-athlete Stephen Savchik ’20 of data science became only the third men’s diver in University history to qualify for the Division III national swimming championships. The meet was canceled because of the pandemic. Nonetheless, Stephen was recently named to the Division III All-America team by the College Swimming Coaches Association of America. Stephen, a Garnish Scholar, participated in a DAAD-rise research internship in Germany this past summer. Congratulations, Stephen, on all of your hard work.
Reminder to students: Registration begins this week in UR Student for the Fall 2020 semester. The registration calendar shows the first day students can register, but it is not the only day to register. If you have any trouble registering, please visit the troubleshooting registration training references. In addition, staff from the Office of the University Registrar and College Center for Advising Services are available to answer questions Monday through Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to noon through a special Zoom link dedicated to open registration support. If you do not have reliable access to the internet, you can register via an electronic add-drop form. For information on finding a course section, use the Course Section Quick Reference Guide. For other questions, training materials, and service support, please visit UR Student Service page.
Also, Residential Life wants students to know that if they were unable to move their belongings out of campus housing before March 22, their belongings are still secure. Additionally, the amount and delivery time of the prorated room and board refund is not tied to possessions still being on campus. Students whose rooms still have items left behind were recently emailed in an effort to determine a plan for retrieving their belongings. Those students should respond or be in touch at housing@reslife.rochester.edu. Further communication will be forthcoming from Residential Life if students’ items need to be stored.
Join the conversation: The Greene Center’s executive director, Joe Testani, is hosting a weekly AMA (ask me anything) webinar series via Zoom on Wednesday’s from 12:15 to 1 p.m. EST. He hopes to continue the conversation about COVID-19 and how internships, jobs, grad schools, and the future of work may be impacted. Be sure to register as space is limited.
Again, I want to thank everyone — students, staff, faculty, parents, friends, and alumni — for your continuing support and understanding as we enter the final weeks of the semester. This will be remembered as a time of great disruption, but also as a time of remarkable teamwork and cooperation. We all have stories to share, and I encourage you to share yours. See the note below.
In the meantime, please stay safe.
Your dean,
Wendi Heinzelman
Hajim School students, staff, faculty, friends, and alumni are encouraged to share their stories about learning, working, and teaching remotely — for example the obstacles you’ve overcome and what you’ve learned and achieved — or other ways you’re coping with the pandemic. Email bmarcotte@ur.rochester.edu
