News

Troy, N.Y. — John P. Harrington has been named dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Harrington has served 10 years as the dean of humanities and social sciences and is a full professor of humanities at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art — an exceptionally competitive college in New York City that provides full-tuition scholarship for each of its 900 undergraduates. He will begin his tenure at Rensselaer in August.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Professor Part of International Research Group Refuting Popular Theory Troy, N.Y — In 1996, marine geologists William Ryan and Walter Pitman published a scientifically popular hypothesis, titled Noah’s Flood Hypothesis. The researchers presented evidence of a bursting flood about 7,500 years ago in what is now the Black Sea. This, some say, supports the biblical story of Noah and the flood.

Michael Shur To Conduct Research in Germany Troy, N.Y. — Michael Shur, the Patricia W. and C. Sheldon Roberts '48 Chair in Solid State Electronics at Rensselaer, was selected as a recipient of a coveted Humboldt Research Award for Senior U.S. Scientists by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in Bonn, Germany. As part of his prize, Shur will conduct research in Germany beginning this fall.

Troy, N.Y.-Troy resident Donald Drew has been appointed chair of the Department of Mathematical Sciences at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. His appointment begins July 1. Drew, the Eliza Ricketts Professor of Applied Mathematics for the past eight years, has been a Rensselaer faculty member for nearly 30 years. He earned his bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in mathematics from Rensselaer. In between his long tenure at the Institute, Drew conducted postdoctoral research at MIT, and taught for two years at New York University.

Troy, N.Y. — Ken Ralph has been named director of athletics at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Troy, N.Y. — Rensselaer has developed a public information plan to keep the community apprised of the Institute’s ongoing construction and development projects. The plan includes a series of monthly public meetings, a comprehensive website, telephone and e-mail hotlines, and a monthly neighborhood bulletin. Monthly Public Meetings begin May 28

Troy, N.Y. — Denis Fred Simon has been named Dean of the Kenneth T. and Thelma P. Lally School of Management and Technology at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Troy, N.Y.- “Hope boldly, think huge, and pursue your passion,” civilian space traveler and Rensselaer alumnus Dennis Tito told about 1,129 graduates at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute today. “Despite the headlines, despite the reality of evil, despite all that you and your classmates around the world have been through-this world is more democratic, more free, and more safe than ever before,” said Tito, who addressed Rensselaer’s Class of 2002 during the university’s 196th Commencement at the Field House on campus.

Troy, N.Y. — Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute broke ground today for the $80 million Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies in the center of the Rensselaer campus. Government officials, legislative leaders, trustees, and alumni spoke at the event that has launched a weekend of celebration to culminate with Rensselaer’s 196th commencement Saturday morning on the Harkness Field.

Troy, N.Y. — Stephen Horne’s life changed forever one summer day in 1995 just before his sophomore year in high school. He was on his way to a canoeing trip in Maine with 10 other friends. When the driver fell asleep at the wheel, all 11 passengers in the van were injured. Horne suffered the most with a broken back-two exploded vertebrae-and a severe concussion. His doctors told him he probably never would walk again.