Commencement 2005: Rensselaer Students Honored for Making a Difference

Troy, N.Y. — Each year, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute recognizes graduates who strive to maximize their potential through high-ranking achievements in academics, athletics, community service, and leadership. Following are three examples of students who have worked to better the standing of Rensselaer both on and off campus, through their contributions and service to Rensselaer and the local community.

An Overview of Rensselaer's 199th Commencement

Troy, N.Y. — Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute will hold its 199th Commencement on Saturday, May 21, 2005, at 9:30 a.m. on the Harkness Field, where approximately 1,075 students will be awarded their degrees.* During the ceremony, Rensselaer will award 836 bachelor’s degrees, 194 master’s degrees, and 47 doctoral degrees. Some graduates have earned more than one degree. 

Commencement 2005: Learning and Working in a Global Community

Troy, N.Y. — Despite the demands of a rigorous academic schedule, many graduating students at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have carved out time to communicate across cultural boundaries and lead in the global community at Rensselaer and beyond. Some of the most accomplished members of the Class of 2005 are leaving the Institute having left their mark by creating opportunities for others to better understand and celebrate cultural diversity.

Commencement 2005: Graduating at 18, Time To Start a Company

Troy, N.Y. — While most 18-year-olds were making final decisions this spring about where to attend college, Ryan Trinkle was in the midst of completing final projects for a dual bachelor’s degree in computer and systems engineering and computer science at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Commencement 2005: Undergraduate Research and Innovation Flourishes at Rensselaer

Troy, N.Y. — Undergraduates of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Class of 2005 are already making their mark to help shape the future in cancer research, nanotechnology, astronomy, and environmental science. They will participate in Rensselaer's 199th Commencement on May 21, 2005. Biochemistry and biophysics major Stephanie Guzik from Queensbury, N.Y., is using a novel approach to study how human cancerous cells spread to other parts of body.

Commencement 2005: Honorees To Participate in Colloquy on May 20

A discussion on “Personal Achievement — Public Lives – Public Responsibility” Troy, N.Y. — Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s 2005 Commencement honorees, the Honorable Paul Volcker, Robert Coonrod, and Joé Juneau, will join President Shirley Ann Jackson in a colloquy on “Personal Achievement — Public Lives — Public Responsibility,” on Friday, May 20, at 4 p.m., in the Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, 15th Street (at College Avenue), Troy, N.Y.

New Thermometer Reveals Wet Conditions on Earliest Earth

Research paper to be published May 6 in Science Troy, N.Y. — Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Australian National University have found new evidence that environmental conditions on early Earth, within 200 million years of solar system formation, were characterized by liquid-water oceans and continental crust similar to those of the present day. The researchers developed a new thermometer that made the discovery possible.

Rensselaer Research Professor Awarded Fulbright Grant

Troy, N.Y. — Donna Bedard, research professor of biology at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, has received a Fulbright Lecturing Grant in Biological Sciences. She will use the grant to travel to Prague, Czech Republic, to teach and conduct research at the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT).

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