Jackson recognized
Discover Magazine recently named President Jackson one of the “50 most important women in science.” The November issue, currently on newsstands, recognizes Rensselaer’s 18th President as being part of the influential few who have removed barriers for women and under-represented minorities in science.
Jackson has been increasingly outspoken on her views of encouraging under-represented minority groups to enter the technical fields as she identifies what she calls “The Quiet Crisis: Falling Short in Producing American Scientific and Technical Talent.”
“There is a quiet crisis building in the United States—a crisis that could jeopardize the nation’s pre-eminence and well-being,” said Jackson. “The crisis stems from the gap between the nation’s growing need for scientists, engineers, and other technologically skilled workers, and its production of them. It has been mounting gradually, but inexorably, and if permitted to continue, it could undermine the global leadership America currently enjoys.”
Professor named fellow
After more than twenty years of involvement with the organization, Rensselaer professor of nuclear engineering and engineering physics Michael Podowski has been named a fellow of the American Nuclear Society.
Dr. Podowski lived in Poland before moving to the United States and starting his tenure at RPI in 1980. He earned a master’s degree in mathematics from the University of Warsaw, and a master’s, Ph.D., and Habilitation (advanced Ph.D.) in nuclear engineering from Warsaw University of Technology in Poland.
Over the past twenty years, Dr. Podowski has served as a consultant to both government and industry, and has served as a technical expert to the International Atomic Energy Agency.
In addition to his newly granted fellowship, Dr. Podowski is a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.
Term limits put to vote
On November 5, Troy residents will vote on whether to remove the term limits on the offices of the Mayor and City Council. There has been a dearth of campaigning on this issue up to now, but it is picking up quickly.
Mayor Pattison distributed mailers to homes on Friday, detailing how he has made the streets of Troy safer and how removing term limits will allow him to continue his work. Signs are springing up everywhere, and residents can expect to start receiving calls reminding them to vote.
The issue of term limits was last on the ballot in 1994; then imposed, with a vote of 8,000 to 2,000.
Campaign for diversity
The Office of the First Year Experience, as a part of its “Preparing the Global Citizen” program, will be sponsoring an art contest open to students, staff, and faculty. The contest theme is based on a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish as fools.”
Submissions must be received by 5 pm on Friday, October 25, at the Office of First Year Experience. Photography, graphic design, and two-dimensional art are all acceptable forms of media. Guidelines, judging criteria, and other information can be found at http://www.rpi.edu/fye/special.html.
