July 2009

New Dean in The New York Times
Feniosky Peña-Mora, who will become the School’s 14th dean on July 15, was featured in The New York Times on June 18. Read the story.
In an earlier visit to the campus, Dean Peña-Mora spoke about what attracted him to Columbia SEAS and how he views engineering education. See the video.

Reunion Reminiscences
A record number of SEAS graduates returned to the School to celebrate milestone anniversaries—from the 5th to the 50th, and, in the case of Bernie Queneau '33, his 76th. Alumni from all classes enjoyed the two-day Dean's Days program this year, which ranged from lectures by Dr. Mehmet Oz, R. Glenn Hubbard, and James Schamus to the Magill Lecture in Science, Technology and the Arts, given by Robert Bakish '85, president of MTV Networks International. Read about the Magill Lecture and see photos.
Join in Reunion reminiscences by looking through our photo galleries.
Read Reunion greetings from NASA astronaut and SEAS alumnus Michael Massimino ’84, who sent a message to his classmates that included photos of him taken in space with Columbia mementos. Read his message and see the photos.

EPA Funds Engineers Without Borders
Columbia’s chapter of Engineers Without Borders (EWB) has received a $75,000 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to continue a project in Uganda that will supply power for agricultural machines via an engine that runs on jatropha oil. The Columbia team competed against 42 other teams, winning funding for Multifunction Energy Platform and Jatropha Program, a sustainable technology designed for the EPA’s People, Prosperity and the Planet (P3) program. Read more.

SLICE Provides Technology Training
The School's Service Learning in a Community Environment (SLICE) program delivers technology training and job placement for adult members of the local Harlem community. The 16-month program teaches computer skills that can lead to careers in information technology. Read more and see the video.
Borden Receives NIH Grant
Chemical Engineering Assistant Professor Mark Borden has won a $380,000 grant to continue research on improving detection and treatment of tumors. The grant, from the National Cancer Institute, a part of the National Institutes of Health, will allow Borden and his team to develop microbubble formulations and ultrasound imaging techniques to improve how tumors are detected and treated. Read more.
SEAS Hosts Biot Conference
The Fourth Biot Conference on Poromechanics was held at Columbia University, home to Maurice A. Biot, for whom the conference is named. Professor Biot (left) taught, conducted research, and published many significant papers while at SEAS from 1937 to 1946. Read more.

Alumni Career Development Tele-seminar
Career Search Secrets: Seven Absolute Musts
for Finding and Landing Your Dream Job
Wednesday, July 15, 7-8 p.m. (ET)
Lindsey Pollak, author, speaker and blogger specializing in career advice for college students and young professionals
Lindsey Pollak, author of "Getting From College to Career," shares the secrets she's learned from recruiters, business owners and successful professionals about what it takes to find and win the job of your dreams. Learn essential tips: avoiding the biggest mistake in job hunting, building a stellar network, shining online, and persisting (politely). You'll leave this tele-seminar with increased confidence and a seven-step checklist to keep you on track. Click here for more information and to register.

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We want to hear from you. Please send your comments or questions to: Margaret Kelly, Associate Director of Communications at mk321@columbia.edu.