The last couple of weeks have been exciting at IIT! Seniors spent most of last week presenting semester-end and capstone projects and taking their final set of exams as undergraduates. This past Saturday, they gathered with family and friends, as well as the faculty and staff of IIT, to participate in 2008 commencement exercises. For the first time ever, we held graduation ceremonies outdoors on our campus grounds, which was elegantly transformed for this festive occasion. In a few short weeks, you may be participating and sharing in similar ceremonies of your own. Again, congratulations to you!
• IIT's ACE Formula Hybrid Team Places 3rd, 7th at Formula Hybrid International Competition
The ACE Formula Hybrid team had a great run in New Hampshire earlier this month at the 2008 Formula Hybrid International Competition, placing 3rd and 7th with their two cars in a field of 14 teams from several schools, including Yale, UW-Madison, and Drexel University.
After making a respectable showing at their first competition last year, the team has learned a great deal over the course of this one, and the contributions of 100+ students to the ACE Formula Team helped achieve IIT's outstanding performance this year.
Coverage of the event can be seen on ABC-affiliate WMUR 9, in Road and Track, and in an NBC5 story about the team, recorded prior to the competition.
• Chemistry Alum Susan Solomon Elected to American Philosophical Society
IIT chemistry alumna (B.S. '77) and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Co-chair Susan Solomon was elected as a resident member of the American Philosophical Society in the mathematical and physical sciences last month. Founded in 1743 by Benjamin Franklin, the society "promotes useful knowledge in the sciences and humanities through excellence in scholarly research, professional meetings, publications, library resources, and community outreach."
Solomon, a senior scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, was among the IPCC honorees awarded with the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize "for their efforts to build up and disseminate greater knowledge about man-made climate change, and to lay the foundations for the measures that are needed to counteract such change."
Solomon is also featured as one of Time Magazine's World's Most Influential People in the May 14 edition.
• Coalition for Service Learning and Professional Responsibility
Are you interested in using what you learn in school to serve others? Are you involved in an organization that arranges volunteer, service, or philanthropy efforts? If so, consider joining IIT's Coalition for Service Learning and Professional Responsibility. This newly formed coalition combines the talents and resources of member organizations to strengthen service efforts and promote a culture of service at IIT. The coalition is currently discussing a variety of events, including a Day of Service during Welcome Week 2008, as well as a university-wide Service Week and a Service Fair. If you are interested in becoming a part of this coalition, please contact Zachary Estrada at zestrada@iit.edu or Tim Winter at timwinter@gmail.com. Be sure to keep an eye out for service events during Welcome Week 2008 and beyond!
