Troy, N.Y. - The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation has awarded a grant of $40,000 to support planning for a university library consortium that includes Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, St. Lawrence University, Colgate University, Rochester Institute of Technology, and Vassar College. The consortium, called ConnectNY, allows the institutions to share library holdings, making the collections of all five readily available to students, faculty, and staff.

>Troy, N.Y. - Rensselaer has been awarded $780,000 by the U.S. Department of Education to fund eight fellowships to enhance interdisciplinary graduate study in areas of terascale electronics, and photonic materials and devices.

Troy, N.Y. - Most senior citizens prefer to live independently for as long as possible. The risks of in-home falls and injury, however, prevent many seniors from remaining self-sufficient. Vera Kettnaker, assistant professor of computer science at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, has received a Faculty Early Career Development Award (CAREER) from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to develop a video monitoring system that may someday offer seniors a way to receive help automatically.

Troy, N.Y. - Ravi Kane, assistant professor of chemical engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, is designing brand-new molecules that may one day fend off an HIV infection. Bolstering the body's molecular defenses is a novel method that may lead to highly effective treatments for HIV, the virus that can lead to AIDS.

Troy, N.Y. - World-renowned neurosurgeon Benjamin S. Carson today encouraged the members of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's Class of 2003 to succeed by "using the talent that God has given you to elevate other people." Carson addressed an audience of approximately 1,314 graduates and their families at the university's 197th Commencement held on campus at Harkness Field.

Troy, N.Y. - Rensselaer will bestow honorary doctorates upon six American trailblazers this year. At the university's 197th Commencement ceremony on May 17, Rensselaer will honor a world-renowned neurosurgeon, two Nobel laureates, a former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, and a well-loved local philanthropist. And at its Honors Convocation this fall, Rensselaer will honor a visionary state senator. Benjamin Carson Honorary Doctor of Science

Troy, N.Y. - One hallmark of Rensselaer's graduating class this year is service - service to communities locally and globally, service to government, and service to others. Technology has reinvented the way students communicate and how they mobilize. High-tech college campuses like Rensselaer are reinventing student "activism" into community "advocacy" using information technology tools.

Troy, N.Y. - In spite of today's uncertain economic climate and less-than-stellar job market, many Rensselaer graduates - particularly the ones with degrees in engineering, computer science, information technology (IT), and management - are already landing high-profile positions and commanding top dollar for their services.

Troy, N.Y. - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has received $10,000 from The New York State Department of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) toward the university's continuing efforts to prevent alcohol abuse on campus and in the surrounding community. The OASAS award is part of the state's Healthy Campus Community Demonstration Project. Funds are provided through the Federal "Enforcing the Underage Drinking Laws" block grant.

Troy, N.Y. - Murat Arcak, assistant professor of electrical, computer, and systems engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, was awarded a Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award from the National Science Foundation. Brain Trust