IIT - Inventing the Future

The Chemical and Biological Engineering (ChBE) department recently hosted a picnic for its students participating in the ChBE Undergraduate Mentoring Program. This program seeks to pair incoming first-year students with juniors and seionrs based on similar interests such as hometown, academic interests, extra-curricular activities, hobbies and career aspirations.

The program helps first-year students better adjust to college life through the advice and wisdom of their mentors. Many ChBE students say at graduation, "if I knew then what i know now...", so this program provides them the opportunity to pass that wisdom down to the next generation of ChBE students at IIT!

Courtney Leigh Beisel

Communicaton Coordinator, Chemical and Biological Engineering

HOME NEEDED: 2016 OLYMPICS

If that was a true classified ad Mayor Daley would have been the first person on Craigslist.com to reply. On Friday, October 2^nd Chicago and the rest of the world will be anxiously waiting to hear the announcement for the host of the 2016 Olympics. The international Olympic Committee‘s 100-plus members will select the host in Copenhagen. For some time now Chicago has been abuzz with the possibility of hosting this international event. Our iconic skyline is decked out in the Olympic colors: blue, red, yellow, green, and black. Many buildings also have the Olympics tagline, “LET FRIENDSHIP SHINE” and Chicago’s own Oprah Winfrey and Michelle Obama have traveled to the capital of Denmark to help pitch the idea of having the greatest athletes compete in our backyard.  Mayor Daley and other constituents have been aggressively debated and discussed how Chicago could financially and spatially adapt to bring the great world event to the Windy City. With the economy and CTA infrastructure a concern, our lack of space is not. As conversations still continue on where specific construction and reconstruction may occur, IIT is in the midst of this dialogue as being a pivotal factor in helping sponsor this world circuit of mega events. Here are some formal ways, as President John Anderson has outlined, in how IIT and its students will benefit:

The university has executed three letters of intent or interest supporting the Chicago 2016 Olympic Committee bid.

1. IIT has committed to make available, at market prices, 500 beds of university housing for Olympics support personnel. Overall, IIT has more than 1,900 beds, and this commitment is considered appropriate and could be expanded at the discretion of the university in the future.

2. IIT has agreed to negotiate the potential use and rent of IIT facilities (classrooms, auditoriums, parking, athletic facilities, etc.). This is to be mutually agreed upon by both IIT and the Olympic Committee.

3. IIT has indicated a willingness to discuss the potential use by IIT of some of the housing to be constructed for the athlete Olympic Village, to be located off 31st Street at the existing Michael Reese campus.

The Chicago Olympic bid has been submitted to the International Olympic Committee. In addition, dozens of IIT faculty, staff, and students have participated on various Olympic planning committees, and volunteered in supporting efforts. In the fall semester, a student IPRO (learn more about IPRO’s here!) will be demonstrating concepts for sustainable portable modular housing, which could support Olympic athlete or support-personnel housing.

Informally, there are a few reasons why this will be significantly beneficial to the IIT community. First, our students will be at the epicenter of the remodeling stage of Chicago to prepare itself for the Olympics. The years leading up to the start of the Olympics will be the most important for research, preparation and construction. The opportunities for IIT students will be robust and their brilliant minds will be needed! Remember how cool the “birds nest” or the “water cube” looked at the Beijing Olympics? Imagine telling a future employer you participated in creating such essential structures!  Secondly, it will expose everyone to the international worldview that many people do not have a chance to witness. The Olympics would bring a flare of great exposure to students. Even if you can’t get your hands on a ticket, it would be monumental see the international crowds throughout the city. It is one thing to be near cultural neighborhoods but it’s another to see the unification of these cultures (imagine Chinatown!!)

So, the countdown is drawing to an end, and each day brings us closer to the edge of our seat in anticipation. We are up against some stiff competition with Madrid, Tokyo, and Rio de Janeiro but to be a finalist should make us proud to be a part of such a historic City. Whichever metropolis wins the bid, we must remember that the Olympics are just not about the sports, but rather it is about the celebration of life and its purpose….but  I’d just rather celebrate  in person down the street =).

Malhotra out!

PS: Get in the spirit at www.Chicago2016.org!

Chicago is one of the greatest cities in the world! Since IIT is located right in Chicago, IIT students can take advantage of all that the city has to offer. Kelli Taylor, Senior Admission Assistant, offers her thoughts on why she loves living in Chicago.

I have lived in Chicago all of my life and I am happy to say I plan on keeping it that way.  I have traveled to many different cities and states to know that I absolutely love where I live. Chicago is a rather big city but it does not in any way feel that way. Whenever I need something- whether big or small- I can always depend on people in my neighborhood to be there for me (even if I don't know them!) and believe me I have got stuck quite a few times in our lovely winter snow. Everything about the Windy City is exciting; we have the best food, attractions, and people, not to mention the ultimate down town. I have been asked if I could live anywhere in the world where would I live and of course we have all been asked that question and I always say I would love to visit all kinds of different states and countries but I am still and planning to stay in this beautiful city of Chicago.

Chicago's baseball teams had a disappointing season and it looks like neither the White Sox or the Cubs will be advancing in the post-season. However, the IIT Scarlet Hawks have started their fall sport season which means that we can all fully dedicate ourselves to the soccer and cross country teams! IIT competes in NAIA division I athletics in the following sports:

Men’s: baseball, cross country, soccer, swimming and diving 

Women’s: cross country, soccer, swimming and diving, volleyball

The Scarlet Hawks have started the season strong:

Although the men's soccer team lost their first three games, they competed against some of the top teams in the nation including a tight 3-2 loss to Rio Grande (ranked 2nd in the nation). However, the IIT men have won their past two games against Indiana Wesleyan and Viterbo University. They have a talented team that includes many of their starters from last year as well as many top new players that have joined the team from around the world! Last year the team won the conference and they hope to repeat this title and compete in the national tournament.

The women's soccer team has started the season with a strong performance; they have won four of their first six games with their two loses coming in overtime games. The women’s team was fourth in the conference last year and their strong start should push them to be one of the top contenders this year… let’s go hawks!

The Early-Bird Invitational in Elmhurst, IL was the first cross country meet of the year. The men’s team placed 5^th of 17 and the women’s team placed 4^th of 13. North-Central had an impressive showing with many of the top finishers; however, the scarlet hawks had several runners in the top 50 including Matt Lummitzer (30), Wes Villalobos (41), Philip Thiesen (44), and Zach Gates (45). The women’s team which consists of three 2008 All Conference Squad runnings including Stephanie Lucuas who was named CCAC Cross Country Champion in 2008. The women’s team started out this season strong with two runners placing in the top ten. Stephanie Lucas was fourth in 15:28 with Maddy Jensen closely behind placing 9^th in a time of 15:44. Congratulations to the cross country teams on their first meet and we look forward to seeing them continue their success throughout the season!

The women's volleyball team began the season playing in two tournaments: Michigan Dearborn University tournament and Illinois Tech (home) tournament. They had their first regular game this week and beat Purdue University-North Central. Way to start the season out strong!!

This year you may follow all of the sport teams on the Scarlet Hawk’s Twitter Page. You can also sign-up for text message updates and shortly they will have a podcast running for all sport teams. I am so excited that there are several ways for me to stay up-to-date on IIT sports this fall!!  

Although I am disappointed that my cubbies fell flat this year, at least I have IIT sports to keep me going until next baseball season :)

Carolyn

IIT 101 Sessions.

This year we are introducing a new program for students, families, counselors and teachers who are interested in learning more about IIT. We will be hosting IIT 101 Sessions in five different suburbs of Chicago--we are bringing IIT to you!

We hope that you will be able to join us for an evening reception with IIT staff, faculty, alumni and current students to learn more about the application process, scholarships, academics, student life and future campus visit opportunities. Don't worry, there will be light hors d'oeuvres and beverages served throughout the evening!

All receptions are from 7-9pm. Check-in is from 6:45-7pm.

Tuesday, 9/15/2009
Maggiano's Little Italy at Freedom Commons, Naperville
1847 Freedom Drive
Naperville, IL 60563
630.536.2270

Thursday, 9/17/2009
Maggiano's Little Italy at Streets of Woodfield, Schaumburg
1901 East Woodfield Road
Schaumburg, IL 60173
847.240.5600

Tuesday, 9/22/2009
Maggiano's Little Italy at Old Orchard, Skokie
4999 Old Orchard Shopping Center, Space #A28
Skokie, IL 60077
847.933.9555

Wednesday, 9/23/2009
Holiday Inn Select and Tinley Park Convention Center
18501 South Harlem Avenue
Tinley Park, IL 60477
708.444.1100

You may register online.  For additional questions, please call the Office of Undergraduate Admission at 312-567-3025 or 800-448-2329.