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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 starting a pilot program in Braunschweig, Germany. This study abroad program is in collaboration with Volkswagen and will occur at the end of May. For more information on the program and associated class ENGR 2595 go to Study Abroad Site 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. 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: Kelly Anderson and Manya GargContinuing initiatives of past presidents we will work to create new opportunities for Rodman Scholars while maintaining the hallmarks of the program. In particular we would like to continue the initiatives of increasing Rodman research and design opportunities and spreading the Rodman name beyond the Engineering school. This will encompass increased interaction both with potential employers and prospective students. We would also like to see the unity of the program that we all experienced in our first year continue in our upperclass years through increased communication and activities. We would like to pull input from the entire program for ideas to take the Rodman program to new milestones. As a result we would like you all to get involved in Rodman Council or even just pass along an idea that you have. Treasurer: Reed WilsonSecretary: Kate GeberthAs secretary, I will strive to keep the Rodman website, and the body of scholars in general, up to date with the minutes of the meetings. A well informed student body is the best kind of student body. I will also work with the rest of the Council on many initiatives, including increased upperclass unity and exciting research opportunities. Feel free to email me with any applicable concerns or questions. Networking Chairs: Liz Dobrenz and Carolyn PelnikAcademic Affairs Chair: Jessica UngerleiderSocial and Community Service Chairs: Ashley Samay and Daniel AmanteAdvising Chair: Cari BergnerDirector of New Media: Ian Davey and Adwait ManeLook out for the exciting Media elements of the Rodman Council:
We, as New Media Coordinators maintain these elements and keep them updated. These are essential for communication within the Rodman community. We are among several Council members who are responsible to to help everything run smoothly. As New Media Coordinators, we also assist Council members in advertising projects and with computer or design related tasks. Most importantly, our job is fun! There are ambitious new initiatives on the cards. Currently, we are working on the rOdyssey project, which is a social networking site for current Rodmans and alumni. We are also creating a database of contact details of Rodman Alumni so they can stay in touch with us and each other. This is an exciting time for the Rodman Council and we are committed to serving the Rodman community. Rodman ESTUD Representatives: Kareem El-Gohary and Rourke WillnerNew Programs Coordinator: Roy HannaCompass: Bo QinResearch Coordinator: LeeAnn LiPast Presidents: Blair Stocks and Michael BoothFourth-Year Class Representative: Chris HigbyThird-Year Class Representatives: Hannah Meredith and Zhuosong WangSecond-Year Class Representative: Emma WinsteadRodman 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. Professor Elzey has given the students a great deal of freedom in the direction of the program, providing assistance where necessary. The open structure of Rodman Student Council, paired with Professor Elzey's willingness and eagerness to lift the program from the constraints of 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 |
