May 13, 2024

Dear members of the Hajim School community,

This week, the University of Rochester celebrates dreams reached, promises kept, and the beginning of new journeys. It’s hard to believe that commencement week is already upon us, but I am delighted to celebrate the accomplishments of the class of 2024.

This year’s commencement speaker has a special connection to the Hajim School. Alumna Laura Carstensen ’78, a Stanford University research psychologist and internationally renowned expert on aging and the effects on well-being of extended lifetimes, will deliver the 2024 address. Her father, the late Edwin Carstensen, was a pioneering engineering researcher and beloved faculty member in what is now known as the Hajim School for more than 40 years.

Commencement festivities for the Hajim School begin at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, with the Order of the Engineer Induction Ceremony at Strong Auditorium. The University-wide commencement ceremony takes place at 9 a.m. at Fauver Stadium at the Brian F. Prince Athletic Complex and a livestream will be available. Later that day, a doctoral graduation ceremony takes place at 2 p.m. at Kodak Hall on the Eastman Campus. Bachelor’s and master’s candidates will be recognized during departmental events and ceremonies throughout the day on Saturday, May 18.

I hope you’ll join me in congratulating the class of 2024 on all their achievements. Learn more about this weekend’s festivities on the University’s commencement website.

ED HAJIM TO DELIVER FREE VIRTUAL TALK TUESDAY

University of Rochester photo / J. Adam Fenster

As our newest graduates prepare to embark on exciting next steps, one of the school’s most distinguished alumni will reflect on his incredible journey and provide advice about how to overcome challenges and achieve personal growth. Ed Hajim ’58 will deliver a free virtual talk at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, May 14.

Drawing from the lessons outlined in his latest book, The Island of the Four Ps, Ed will provide perspectives and strategies designed to help you to build a better life. For a small taste of the wisdom he has to share, watch this video where he reflects on his time at the University of Rochester.

Register for the talk on Ed’s website.

EDBAN WATT EARNS SAINT ANDREW’S SCHOLARSHIP

University of Rochester photo / Matt Wittmeyer

A mechanical engineering student received a prestigious scholarship to pursue a one-year MSc degree in engineering and management at the University of Glasgow to help expedite his career path from engineer to engineering manager. Edban Watt ’24 is the newest Saint Andrew’s Society of the State of New York Graduate Scholar.

The Saint Andrew’s is a nomination-required fellowship for a year of graduate study at any institution of higher learning in Scotland. Only students who are U.S. citizens and of Scottish descent may be nominated by colleges and universities, which are allowed one nomination per year.

Edban is a descendant of Scottish engineer and inventor James Watt, for whom the scientific unit of power “watt” is named. Edban is the first Saint Andrew’s Society Scholar from the University of Rochester in nearly three decades. Learn more on the Student Fellowships Office website.

FROM THE HIVE: KRISH JAIN

A computer science student who serves as president of the University’s Google Student Developer Club was featured in the Five from the Hive Instagram series. Krish Jain ’26 provided a behind-the-scenes peek into his life as a student through five photos from his camera roll.

Krish shared glimpses of his life ranging from card games in Susan B. Anthony Hall to encounters with the likes of Ed Hajim and Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian. Check out the @UofR Instagram account for more about his life as a University of Rochester student.

CENTER FOR VISUAL SCIENCE ACCEPTING PILOT FUND APPLICATIONS

Faculty affiliated with the Center for Visual Science (CVS) are encouraged to respond to the second call for CVS Pilot Funds for Vision Research. The program aims to help faculty collaborate with researchers from different backgrounds and collect pilot data for future grant applications, such as R01 grants from the National Eye Institute.

The funding is made possible by the John and Barbara Bruning Endowment, supported through co-funding from the Institute of Optics, the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, and the Flaum Eye Institute. The deadline to apply is June 3. Learn more at the CVS website.

VOLUNTEER FOR FALL 2024 WELCOME WEEK

Although all eyes are currently on commencement, we are already planning ahead to welcoming the next class of students in the fall. Welcoming new students and families to campus in August is a huge team effort, and the orientation team needs help from Hajim School faculty and staff.

From staffing check-in to greeting parents and families, there are many opportunities to connect with the newest members of the Yellowjacket family in their first days at Rochester. Learn more and raise your hand to volunteer by Friday, June 7.

NEWLY FUNDED RESEARCH

Congratulations to Assistant Professor Sreepathi Pai from the Department of Computer Science for receiving $377,694 to collaborate with researchers at University of Virginia and the College of William & Mary on a project funded by the National Science Foundation. The project is titled, “Enabling GPU Performance Simulation for Large-Scale Workloads with Lightweight Simulation Methods.”

Have a great commencement week!

Your dean,
Wendi Heinzelman