Monday, February 4, 2013
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Friday, February 1, 2013
Reflections of a First-Year Student
From first-year student John Logan's blog on the Bryant University admissions website:
Honestly, from personal experience, this program was an inspiration for many teachers, visitors, and students (like myself). As a participant, I truly believed I learned much more valuable information compared to an "average" academic classroom setting. To create an innovative, practical design for a real life issue–while only having a few days– far surpasses studying vocabulary words, memorizing information, and reading textbooks in terms of "learning". This unique program has taught me to work with others in a more efficient manner, create innovation for the 21st century, and realize that it's acceptable to have new, but wild visions for the future....
...To sum it up, unfortunately, as most people grow, their imaginations begin to dissolve. One of the best things about being young is that we don't let the facts get in the way of our imagination. For instance, most of us had a vivid imagination when we were young. Now, it's hard for us to even think of a fictional story on the spot as we let society and reality get in the way of our creativity. A factor that separates children from adults is that children aren't trying to get anywhere. As adults, we think too much about the next step, while children use their creativity, and innovation to live for the moment. During the IDEA Program, I felt like a kid again experimenting with new ideas, creating ways the world could be better, and realizing that having an imagination is one the best qualities a human being can ever possess. For the past three days, I had the ability to time travel to my childhood mind this past week.
Honestly, from personal experience, this program was an inspiration for many teachers, visitors, and students (like myself). As a participant, I truly believed I learned much more valuable information compared to an "average" academic classroom setting. To create an innovative, practical design for a real life issue–while only having a few days– far surpasses studying vocabulary words, memorizing information, and reading textbooks in terms of "learning". This unique program has taught me to work with others in a more efficient manner, create innovation for the 21st century, and realize that it's acceptable to have new, but wild visions for the future....
...To sum it up, unfortunately, as most people grow, their imaginations begin to dissolve. One of the best things about being young is that we don't let the facts get in the way of our imagination. For instance, most of us had a vivid imagination when we were young. Now, it's hard for us to even think of a fictional story on the spot as we let society and reality get in the way of our creativity. A factor that separates children from adults is that children aren't trying to get anywhere. As adults, we think too much about the next step, while children use their creativity, and innovation to live for the moment. During the IDEA Program, I felt like a kid again experimenting with new ideas, creating ways the world could be better, and realizing that having an imagination is one the best qualities a human being can ever possess. For the past three days, I had the ability to time travel to my childhood mind this past week.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Students Mentoring Students
As part of the IDEA program, 31 juniors or seniors mentored our first-year students. Each junior or senior was selected because he or she served as a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society. Each mentor worked with a group of 25 first-year students. They did an incredible job!
Friday, January 25, 2013
President Machtley's Message to the Bryant Community about IDEA
To
the Bryant community,
Congratulations
to the many students, faculty, and staff who played a role in Bryant's
spectacular first IDEA. The premiere of the IDEA, an exciting component of our
nationally recognized First-Year Gateway Experience, delivered a powerful
72-hour learning experience that we can all be proud of.
We
were fortunate to have 746 first-year students, all talented and and-working
members of Bryant's Class of 2016, participating in the program this year.
Their active involvement and participation, clear focus, and commitment to
learning was absolutely outstanding. Working in close-knit cohorts and eagerly
tackling the 31 challenges faced by companies and organizations in Rhode Island
and Massachusetts, our student participants developed creative ideas and innovative
solutions that were exemplary. I hope that they will take this experience and
follow up on the IDEA learning by continuing to use and demonstrate design
thinking and creativity throughout their four years at Bryant and beyond.
From
the very first seed of the IDEA that was shared with me two years ago to last
night's energizing presentations, this innovative program has been embraced by
everyone involved: members of the Class of 2016, student mentors, faculty,
staff, and alumni. The process of developing the program, from concept to
completion, is a model of what great things the Bryant community can accomplish
when we set our sights high and work together to achieve ambitious goals.
IDEA's 72-hour immersion was a success in every measure; in particular, the
program's creators modeled crucial teamwork and creative problem-solving skills
even as they developed the inspirational learning experience for our students.
This
unique opportunity was developed by a dedicated group of Bryant faculty and
staff led by Dr. Jose-Marie Griffiths, vice president for academic affairs, and
Dr. J. Thomas Eakin, our vice president for student affairs. Special
recognition goes to Trustee Professor Michael Roberto, D.B.A., director of
Bryant’s Center for Program Innovation, and to his IDEA team including Kristen
Biggins, Lori Coakley, Rich Holtzman, Rich Hurley, Bob Shea, and Jim Segovis.
Next
week, on Friday, February 1, at 12:30 p.m. in the Rotunda, Bryant will begin
celebration of our 150-year tradition of education that anticipates the future
in a changing world. Innovative academic programs that integrate theory and
practice are hallmarks of a Bryant education. The First-Year Gateway, and the
IDEA, are fantastic examples of Bryant's ascension as a leader in education. I
am extremely proud of what this program represents in terms of preparing
students to use the knowledge they obtain for success in real-world situations.
Congratulations, everyone!
Best
regards,
President
Ronald K. Machtley
For
details regarding IDEA and our prize-winning student teams, visit the www.bryant.edu homepage Visit Bryant's Social
Media Hub, http://www.bryant.edu/news/social-media-hub.htm,
and find us on Facebook for a behind-the-scenes glimpse at IDEA For press
coverage of the Bryant IDEA, visit http://www.bryant.edu/news/university-news/story.htm?id=4644
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Article on Front Page of Today's Providence Journal
Check out this front page article from today's Providence Journal!
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Trade Show!
Trade show begins in 7 minutes in the Bryant Center. 155 teams, 31 different types of design challenges, 1 amazing Bryant community. Hope to see you there!
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Tomorrow's Judges
Tomorrow's judges include:
Saul Kaplan, President of the Business Innovation Factory
David Tacelli, CEO of LTX and Bryant alumnus
Ron and Kati Machtley
Kurt Last, CEO of Specialty Operations Solutions and Bryant alumnus
Lauretta Converse, Rhode Island State Senate Policy Staff
Saul Kaplan, President of the Business Innovation Factory
David Tacelli, CEO of LTX and Bryant alumnus
Ron and Kati Machtley
Kurt Last, CEO of Specialty Operations Solutions and Bryant alumnus
Lauretta Converse, Rhode Island State Senate Policy Staff
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Monday, January 14, 2013
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
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