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Troy, N.Y. — Every graduate of a technological university should have a solid grounding in entrepreneurship, says Mike Herman, who has just invested $1 million to transform degree programs at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. “The real breakthrough ideas for new products and services come from scientists and engineers,” says Herman. “They’re the creators of emerging business opportunities. That’s why they need to be immersed in entrepreneurial know-how.”

Troy, N.Y. — Eddie Ade Knowles, who served Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute as dean of students for 18 years, has been named vice president for student life after a nationwide search. Knowles, who has been involved in student life administration at Rensselaer since 1977, was named interim vice president for student life last February.

Troy, N.Y. — Making a bologna and cheese sandwich would seem to be a simple project involving a plate and a knife, some bread and, well, bologna and cheese. But not if you are a contestant in the annual Rube Goldberg Contest, named after the Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist who dreamed up elaborate contraptions to perform the simplest tasks. Four Questar III seniors enrolled in the New Visions program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have been planning their project since January.

Graduating students will present traditional and electronic art projects to the public Troy, N.Y. — The final projects of the graduating seniors of the EMAC (Electronic Media, Arts and Communication) Program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute will be on display at The Arts Center of the Capital District in Troy from Friday, April 6, through Sunday, April 8. An opening reception will be held on Friday, April 6, 5-9 p.m.

The research will speed advances in important new products Troy, N.Y. — Shirley Ann Jackson, president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, today announced the creation of the Rensselaer Nanotechnology Center that will integrate research, education, and technology commercialization through partnerships with government and industry.

Troy, N.Y. — Bill Cosby, entertainer and educator, will be the featured speaker for Rensselaer’s 195th Commencement at 9:30 a.m. May 12 at the Pepsi Arena in Albany. Cosby will be granted an honorary doctorate in Arts and Humane Letters.

Troy, N.Y. — SUCCESS Magazine has ranked Rensselaer sixth on its annual list of the 50 “Best Entrepreneurial Business Schools” in the nation. Schools in the survey were ranked on: caliber of students, faculty, curriculum, community outreach, innovative programs, follow-up of graduates, and reputation among fellow schools. “To make the list of Best Entrepreneurial Business Schools shows superior innovation and accomplishments,” said SUCCESS publisher Victoria Conte. The rankings appear in the February/March edition of SUCCESS.

Troy, N.Y. — Susan Sontag, renowned critic, novelist, playwright, film director, and human rights activist, will read from her work on Thursday, April 5, at 8 p.m. in Room 3303, Sage Building. Her reading will honor the winners of the 60th annual McKinney Contest, presented to the best undergraduate and graduate writers and multimedia artists at Rensselaer. The awards recognize achievement in fiction, drama, poetry, essays, and electronic media. The reading is free and open to the public.

Troy, N.Y. — Today’s stock market is so volatile and the economy so uncertain, how can investors plan successfully for the future? A panel of management experts at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute will offer their personal solutions in a seminar and debate titled “The World’s Most Valuable Companies in 2005: Where Should You Invest Now?” Hosted by the Lally School of Management and Technology, the free, public event will be held on Friday, April 6, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., in Room 318 of the Darrin Communications Center.

Company is comprised entirely of undergrads Troy, N.Y. — ProductivityNet, Inc., a company run by a foursome of 20-somethings, received $250,000 in venture funding from iDeal Partners, an Albany-based investment group. In addition to the funding, iDeal has agreed to finance capital equipment, provide strategic corporate advice and management, and assist with identifying and facilitating potential partnerships.