A Word From the Honors Faculty-in-Residence

First of all, Happy New Year everyone!! Welcome back to campus, and we wish you all a productive and successful semester, whether you are taking classes or are at co-op…

As you may know, the Faculty-in-Residence program has been running at International Village (INV) for the past four years as part of one of the most important academic missions at Northeastern University; to sustain and strengthen academic interactions between students and faculty beyond the classroom. The program enables students to have direct exposure to faculty and academic activities alongside faculty beginning in their freshman year and, through such interactions, educates, guides, and prepares our students for their academic development at Northeastern University and beyond. Most of you may have come across and met our two Faculty-in-Residence, Mindelyn Bufford II, Professor of Sociology (middle left), and Rifat Sipahi, Professor of Mechanical Engineering (top right). As the name FiR implies, both Professors Bufford II and Sipahi reside in INV, and yes they are your neighbors. You will come across them in the laundry room, cafeteria, lobby, and at events going on in the building throughout the semester.

These events/activities are both geared towards accomplishing those academic objectives, and creating opportunities for students to meet faculty. Conversations with faculty encompass how to make the most out of co-op experiences, connecting with other students who have been on Dialogue of Civilizations, how to be involved with on-campus research, and how to make strategic decisions for the most effective academic development at Northeastern University. At these events, faculty and students also discuss their co-op experiences with their peers and upper class students, follow the most recent developments in social life, politics, and technology, and engage in fruitful conversations through international cuisine, food, language, and culture.

Some of the student activities/events that Professor Sipahi participated/attended in Fall 2012 include a crepe cooking event that Professor Sipahi and his wife hosted in their apartment, attending a scientific seminar at Harvard Medical School, visiting the MIT Museum, a team based competition of building Rube Goldberg machines, exploring and getting to know the city around the campus area, a Sporcle geography competition, and an exciting ping-pong tournament. Professor Sipahi also attended the International Thanksgiving, St Jude Letters for Lives event, and the Oxfam America Hunger Banquet in the fall. Spring 2013 will also be exciting and dynamic with many events, some of which are building the strongest bridge competition, enjoying some delicious King’s Cake in Professor Sipahi’s apartment, watching the Edward Scissorhand movie and attending a Science on Screen event at Coolidge Corner movie theater, and attending a Science and Cooking event at Harvard University.

Most importantly, we acknowledge the support of Provost Office, Honors Program, and Residential Life in the FiR program, and the key role of resident directors and many resident assistants living in INV who create wonderful living environment in the residence halls, craft enjoyable, social, and student-integrated communities in INV, and support and strengthen the FiR program.