April 2007
Dear Friend of Yale Science & Engineering,
Founded in 1914, the Yale Science & Engineering Association (YSEA) has worked to promote the quality of engineering and science studies at Yale. YSEA's members have volunteered their time, talent, energy and financial support to accomplish this mission. For more than 90 years, YSEA has created a strong record of accomplishment with regard to maintaining and recognizing excellence in Yale's science and engineering programs. Our mission statement was re-crystallized under former President Bill Cashman’s leadership, to read:
"Alumni working together to strengthen Yale’s education of leaders for a world increasingly dominated by science and technology."
Current YSEA activities focus on publicizing Yale programs to high school students, providing financial support to undergraduate research and design projects, acting as an advocate for science and engineering needs with the Yale administration, and making awards to distinguished Yale science and engineering alumni to recognize their professional accomplishments.
Some recent YSEA activities include:
- YSEA Science Fair Medals presented to 218 winners of high school science fairs in 42 states across the United States, plus 23 winners of international science fairs.
- Financial support to the Yale Scientific Magazine and the solar-car project, Team Lux.
- Undergraduate research grants totaling some $6,000 given to 6 students.
- YSEA awards presented to three distinguished Yale science and engineering graduates for their contributions, respectively, to Science Advancement, Service to Industry, and Service to Yale.
We strive, with your support, to rise to a continually higher level of service to Yale science and engineering, and to the world community in general. My goals in the coming two years are anchored around the following:
- Increase participation and membership in YSEA with new programs enabling active involvement and service.
- Enhance the effectiveness of our outreach by leveraging electronic communications, the YSEA website, and partnership with the Association of Yale Alumni (AYA).
- Re-establish and revitalize the YSEA undergraduate chapter.
- Widen the YSEA community to include, in addition to graduates of science and engineering, Yale alumni from other disciplines who are interested in science, engineering, and their impact on society.
- Establish a strategic endowment fund to facilitate the implementation of YSEA participation and service initiatives.
Your help and active participation are needed to realize our mission. For all of us, the Yale experience defined a key positive aspect of our life. I invite you to join me in defining how YSEA can lead us to rewarding activities, keep us in touch with Yale, and help us make Yale and the world a better place.
If you are not already a member, please join YSEA. I invite you all, across all Yale generations, to contact me with your ideas and proposals. Together, we will ensure the continuity of YSEA through the challenges of the new millennium.
Very truly yours,
Elie K. Track '88 Ph.D., President