But you also are exceptional in another way. Rensselaer attracts socially conscious students who, despite their busy academic schedules, spend considerable time giving back to the surrounding community—and to the world.

For example, Rensselaer students are reinventing the nature of student activism by participating in community advocacy using their information technology skills and knowledge. In one project, graduate student Virginia Eubanks, and Jessica Constantine ’03, are working with Nancy Campbell, professor of science and technology, to build a database at the Troy YWCA that helps underprivileged women negotiate the world of social services. Ms. Eubanks also organized a Women’s Economic Empowerment Series at the YWCA that is designed to increase women’s participation in economic decision-making through the use of technology. Meanwhile, Ms. Constantine expanded the project to a YWCA in the town of Gaborone in Botswana, where she spent the last three months.

Professor Campbell directs Rensselaer’s Public Service Internship, which dispatches students to develop information technology solutions for nonprofit organizations. Some recent student projects include Connected Kids, http://www.troy net.net/connectedkids/, a citywide effort to create an online, self-service database that will enhance youth programs throughout Troy; and Troynet, www.Troynet.net, a Web-based resource that will provide geographical information on the city for planners, developers, entrepreneurs, government officials, nonprofit organizations, residents, and visitors. Yet another recent public service internship project involved Rensselaer students building databases for Troy City Hall and the Troy Fire Department.

Neighborhood renewal also is an area in which Rensselaer students are making a difference. Last year, students in the School of Architecture’s community service internship program worked with neighborhood groups to develop a vision for city growth that will enhance the quality of life for Troy residents and Rensselaer’s people. This work continues as architecture students, led by Frances Bronet, associate professor of architecture, continue a long-term project in community planning.

In the spring, another group of Rensselaer students interested in neighborhood renewal and affordable housing launched the 700th college campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity, which builds homes for low-income families. All these student and faculty efforts to improve our neighborhoods do much to promote and to realize the concept of communiversity, as outlined in The Rensselaer Plan.

I share your passion for community and public service. As an undergraduate at MIT, I got involved in volunteer work during my freshmen year and found it to be very rewarding. My first volunteer experience was at the Boston City Hospital in a pediatric ward for infants and young children. When I witnessed how these very people were dealing with extremely serious illnesses, it reminded me of how fortunate I was. My service experiences inspired me to work with others to initiate significant change at MIT by actively recruiting more minority students and by making the university more welcoming to these students.

Today, Rensselaer offers myriad opportunities for you to get involved in service. A program coordinated by the Office of the First Year Experience schedules regular community service days that give students, alumni, faculty, and staff an opportunity to help out local community groups and projects, including neighborhood parks, museums, and social service organizations. The next community service day is October 26. This is a great way to get involved in community service, and you may find an organization or project that is of special interest to you.