News

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.

Troy, N.Y. — The New York Center for Studies on the Origins of Life will sponsor a free public lecture on the search for extraterrestrial life by Jill C. Tarter, an astronomer and head of the SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) Management Group at the SETI Institute. Tarter will speak Thursday, March 29, at 7:30 p.m., at the Holiday Turf Inn, 205 Wolf Road, Albany. Her lecture is titled "SETI 2020: A Roadmap for Future SETI Observing Projects."

Troy, N.Y. — Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute will host a free, public panel discussion on “The Next Generation of Wireless: Is It Here?” on Friday, March 30, at 4 p.m., in the Darrin Communications Center. The panel, sponsored by the Rensselaer Alumni Association, will bring together executives from national and local firms involved in the growing field of wireless communications.

Host of Democracy Now! Will Address Media Issues Troy, N.Y. — Amy Goodman, host of Pacifica Radio’s award-winning daily program, Democracy Now!, will speak at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on Saturday, March 17, at 4 p.m. in room 308 of the Darrin Communication Center. Her presentation is free to the public.

Anonymous Donor Almost Triples Gift to the Institute Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has obtained a gift of $360 million, the largest gift ever to any public or private university in the United States. In an extraordinary demonstration of support, the anonymous donor who pledged $130 million to the Institute in December 2000 now has replaced the earlier gift with one almost triple in size, and given Rensselaer complete discretion in its use.

Marianne Nyman's Work Could Lead to Cleaner Freshwater Lakes Troy, N.Y. — Marianne Nyman, assistant professor of environmental and energy engineering, was awarded a Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award from the National Science Foundation. She is among the first Rensselaer faculty to be awarded the honor in 2001. The award is one of the NSF's most competitive and prestigious, and is given to young faculty members actively engaged in research and education.

Partha Dutta’s Research Will Advance the Field of Optoelectronics Troy, N.Y. — Partha Dutta, assistant professor of electrical, computer, and systems engineering, was awarded a Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award from the National Science Foundation. He is among the first Rensselaer faculty to be awarded the honor in 2001. The award is one of the NSF's most competitive and prestigious, and is given to young faculty members actively engaged in research and education.

Two-day conference will assist local leaders in how to employ electronic media services in their communities Troy, N.Y. — Local community officials, school representatives, and youth leaders will gather at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for a two-day conference, “Media Matters: Connecting Communities in the Digital Age.” The March 16-17 conference will be held in the Darrin Communication Center at Rensselaer and the Arts Center of the Capital Region in downtown Troy.