As I walk down 15th Street dodging construction cones and covering my eyes from the dust, I cannot help but think of the changes that are rapidly occurring around us, every day. Change is all around us from the residence halls, the future of dining and hospitality on campus, to athletic facilities, EMPAC, and the new Biotechnology Center.
What does all this mean and what can I make of all this change? I have been here for two years now, and I have seen the change myself. Through all of these seemingly minor inconveniences I cannot help but think that I am honored to take part in this change. We are students at Rensselaer during a time when we are making the leap, you can see it in almost every facet of campus life here, something special is going on. Through all of this change I take comfort in the fact that I may not benefit from some of the changes on campus now, but my degree will be worth that much more in the future.
This week promises to be one of the most significant times during our 180 year history with some of the nation’s most prominent scientists, policymakers, and government officials gathering at Rensselaer for the opening of the Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies. To the Rensselaer Community this is not just a time to celebrate the opening of a new building, but a time to reflect how far we have come since the implementation of The Rensselaer Plan and more importantly where we will continue to go as we become an Institution with truly global reach and global impact.
Classes are cancelled this Friday and I would encourage all of you to take advantage of this opportunity to listen and meet some of the technological leaders of our generation. Friday begins with the Presidential Colloquy at 8:30 am. Located in Academy Hall, this event features both the president of the National Academy of Sciences, Dr. Bruce Albers, and the president of the National Academy of Engineering, Dr. William Wulf, along with the director of the National Institutes of Health, Dr. Elias Zerhouni, the President of the Institute for Genomic Research, Dr. Claire M. Fraser, and the CEOs of Biogen Idec Inc. and Human Genomic Sciences Inc. James C. Mullen and Dr. William A. Haseltine, respectively.
The Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony will take place at 11 am on Friday and feature U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, U.S. Congressman Michael R. McNulty, State Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno, and other honored guests and speakers. I can not think of a better opportunity that we may have as students to hear such prominent and decorated speakers on our campus. So take advantage and come out to these events. As students we must make ourselves familiar with today’s leaders so that someday we may become the leaders of tomorrow.
