Alumni — Eight Years of Excellence
The Rutgers Genetics Alumni Project
Jerome Brunner (1996) in his book "the Process of Education" talks about intelligence and distributed knowledge; about the latter, Brunner states,
"Intelligence, in a word, reflects a micro-culture or praxis: the reference book one uses, the notes one habitually takes, the computer programs and databases one relies on, and perhaps most important of all, the network of friends, colleagues, or mentors on whom leans for feedback, help, advice, even just for company" p. 132 (emphasis ours).
The Department of Genetics graduated its first class of three in 2000. We now have more than 350 graduates and are growing by 35 to 60 graduates per year. Some of our graduates have completed medical and dental school, others have completed PhDÕs. Some of our graduates work in industry; others are teachers, genetic counselors, nurses, lawyers, etc. Collectively, the faculty, staff, alumni and current students make up a network that is more intelligent than any one of us is individually. It may not have been apparent, but the faculty members learn as much from our students as they learned from us. With modern technology such as Facebook*, it is possible to sustain and increase the network that is Rutgers Genetics. After conversations with Ms. Monal Mehta, the Department of Genetics and the Association of undergraduate Geneticists decided to launch the Rutgers Genetics Alumni project. It is our goal to bring together at least 90% of the Rutgers Genetics alumni by the year 2010.
How can you help? First, join the Facebook Group Rutgers Genetics Alumni. When you join it would help immensely if you would post a picture and a brief profile (What you are doing currently, your email address and/or other contact information, etc.) A few alumni have posted on the Wall with offers of support for students who want to know about law school or other opportunities. We could also share job announcements. Finally, you should encourage your former classmates to also join.
If you are uncomfortable with joining Facebook I have created special email account geneticsalumni@biology.rutgers.edu just for alumni to keep us updated. Summary information and announcements will be available on the main webpage for the department.
Terry R. McGuire
Vice Chair of Genetics
* Facebook was chosen because it is currently free and available. However, this project may eventually migrate to Google Friend Connect (which is currently being Beta tested). Friend Connect would support a Network from the Departmental Website. You can create a free Facebook account at http://www.facebook.com. The only required public information is your name and an email address.