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Rodman CouncilFrom Rodman Scholars ProgramThe Rodman Council is the governing body of the Rodman Scholars Program. Currently comprised of both students and faculty members, it plans and executes all Rodman functions, both academic and social. Ongoing and Upcoming ProjectsRodman Lecture SeriesThe lecture series we had this past spring, Engineering the Future, was such a success that we plan to do it again. This year the lecture series is Engineering a Sustainable World. It starts Tuesday 2/16 at 5pm in Jefferson Hall. Study Abroad ProgramThe Rodman Scholars are considering a proposed pilot program for a study abroad experience that will occur during the summer after first year. This pilot program will take place in Umbria, Italy and include not only an engineering project but various personal enrichment and cultural activities. Rodman First-Year Advising Program EnhancementTraditionally, the Rodman first year advising experience ramps up around the start of first year and promptly cools down, failing to address student needs during important down-the-road turning points like registration for second semester classes and major selection. Rodman Council, in an effort spearheaded by Rodman Advising Chair Kelly Anderson, seeks to expand the advising program to encompass the entire first year experience. Additional networking activities (e.g. ropes course trip) are in the planning stages and will be announced as they are solidified. The rOdyssey ProjectOur program is working on a new social networking site called rOdyssey, where current students and alumni can interact to exchange career advice, job opportunities, resumes, or pretty much any kind of information in a semi-professional setting. The site is currently in development, but please create your student profile so that you can begin networking with other students, alumni, and employers as soon as possible. Rodman SeminarsEvery semester, Rodman Council attempts to organize 3-4 Rodman Seminars (RodSems). There is some debate as to the purpose of these seminars, but Council generally shoots for a RodSem that is fun, interesting, and (if at all possible) somewhat relevant to engineering. We're always looking for ideas, so if you have any suggestions, please email our Academic Chair Manya Garg to put in your two cents. Admissions ReworkWe plan to rework the process by which incoming first-years are admitted into the Rodman program. Traditionally we have simply chosen the top 30-40 applicants to the engineering school, but in the future we hope to add an optional section to the UVa engineering application to help better gauge who would best help make the program what it is. Engineering for a Sustainable WorldOver the summer, Professor Elzey applied for and received a large grant from Lockheed-Martin, with which we plan to create the following sustainability-related programs. RodSquad Home Energy Audit ServiceWe plan to offer a free service that visits homes in the Charlottesville area and suggests ways that residents could lower energy use. This will not only build awareness of energy waste and provide a hands-on experience with applied energy monitoring and analysis, but will also advertise both the Rodman Scholars and the Engineering school as a whole. Sustainability Research and Design GrantsWith increasing pressure across the nation on undergraduates to become involved with real science and engineering research, it seems only appropriate that the Rodman Scholars Program provide research money. We will be offering five $3000 grants for sustainability-related research. Green PlaygroundsThe continuation of a first-year design project, this endeavor will help to educate elementary school-age children about the relationship between work and electrical energy. Sustainability SeminarWe plan to offer a one-credit course surveying the various aspects of sustainability. This will eventually lead to the creation of a minor in sustainable engineering. Rodman Council meeting attendanceRodman Council, like any extracurricular activity, is more fun when everyone shows up. There is pizza and soda at every meeting, and they generally last for approximately an hour, unless there is not very much to discuss. Meetings are open to ALL Rodmans. The goal is to completely fill the Rodman Room conference table and have people lining the seats along the wall. If you can't make the meetings, be sure to check the minutes for details regarding what we talked about. Rodman HikesHiking and rock climbing are a cheap, fun way to have large groups of Rodmans get to know each other. Watch your email for notification about upcoming hikes, bikes, or other impromptu outdoor activities. Rodman Student CouncilRodman Student Council general body meetings will be held biweekly this semester in the Rodman Room at 8:00 pm. Pizza or some other dinner food item will be served at every general body meeting. Check the Rodman Calendar for specific dates, as well as for dates of other planned Rodman Functions. Minutes from all of the general body meetings are posted here. Co-Presidents: Blair Stocks and Michael BoothBlair and Michael will continue the past presidents' goals of transparency and public awareness of the Rodman program. Treasurer: Will WhittecarSecretary: Chris HigbyNetworking Chair: Roy HannaAcademic Chair: Manya GargAfter serving on RodCouncil as a First-Year Rep, Manya will now be handling the academic concerns of the increasingly smart and amibitous Rodman clan. Her most important responsibilities include organizing Rodman Seminars--unique opportunities for the Rodmans to learn about special topics through a one-credit course--for the next academic year. Social and Community Service Chairs: Blake Thomas, Frankie Wolf, and Cari BergnerContinuing where they left off last year, Blake and Frankie will be spearheading our social endeavors and community outreach efforts. They already have a few big things planned, including the first annual Rodman Fall Semformal. Blake will also give the council meetings character. Advising Chair: Kelly AndersonDirector of New Media: Ian Davey and Adwait ManeRodman ESTUD Representative: Ian EdwardsResearch Coordinator: LeeAnn LiIntramurals Coordinator Hallett ConnorPast Presidents: Christopher Belyea and Ian CzekalaAfter an outstanding year as presidents of the Rodman program, Chris and Ian will still play an active role, introducing new ideas and helping coordinate various alumni-related activities. Fourth-Year Class Representative: Bobby ArthurThird-Year Class Representative: Atul KannanSecond-Year Class Representative: Kate Geberth, Reed Wilson, and Jarel CohenFirst-Year Class Representatives: Ashley Samay, Jessica Ungerleider, and Kelsey DickmanRodman Advisory CommitteeThe Rodman Advisory Committee is comprised of faculty and student representatives from various engineering departments and disciplines. They will be working with the Rodman Student Council to reinvigorate the program. Program Director: Dana ElzeyDana Elzey is a professor in the Material Sciences department, and was named the director of the Rodman Scholars program a couple of years ago. In that time, the program has grown by leaps and bounds, as the students in his charge began to assume the same energy for the program that he showed on a daily basis. Elzey has given the students a great deal of free reign over the direction of the program, providing assistance where necessary. The open structure of Rodman Student Council, paired with Elzey's willingness and eagerness to lift the program from the constraints of lazy tradition, has really turned the program around. Alumni and Prospectives Contact: George Cahen, Jr.While the program is working to expand its internal network, few endeavors are as important as keeping in touch with alumni and recruiting new students. Professor Cahen coordinates student visits to local high schools and reunions for former Rodmans. Committee MembersMary Beck, Applied Mathematics Other Associated FacultyRodman Administrative Assistant: Janina DeJesusTo access money, information about current or former Rodmans, or even to call high profile speakers and ask them to come to U.Va, Rodman Student Council needs the help of an experienced, dedicated administrative assistant. Janina just joined our program at the end of the Spring semester of 2007, and has already been more than willing to help and will be invaluable when Rodman Council gets rolling again. See Also |
