The Piper is a source for official Carnegie Mellon news from the Internal Communications Department. Published monthly during the academic year, the Piper includes stories about university research, the people who make that research happen, the students we all support, and the events and activities that make this university and its branch locations a vibrant place to live, work and learn.
To read the entire issue, download the .pdf of this month's Piper.
May
Fitwits Helps School Share Healthy Life Lessons
A small idea can make a big difference in a community.Advice From Nature
You can’t fool Mother Nature, but you can learn from her. CMU researchers and students have found inspiration from her for a variety of projects. The process, called biomimicry, is an innovative method that seeks sustainable solutions by emulating nature’s patterns and strategies.
Diplomatic Relations
Meera Shankar, India’s Ambassador to the United States, toured Carnegie Mellon CyLab on April 29. Rooms With a View
The new student lounge at Carnegie Mellon’s Pittsburgh campus, currently referred to as the “Doha Room,” connects students to Carnegie Mellon Qatar through a continuous video conferencing link. Student Speaker Hopes To Stir Restless Hearts
Alia Poonawala looks at human life through different lenses. This year’s commencement speaker, Poonawala is a biological sciences and drama major, who will share her experiences in a speech titled “Cor inquietum” — Latin for “restless heart.”
Meet Bubba the Bubo Virginianus
The College of Engineering and the Steinbrenner Institute for Environmental Education and Research hosted “Flying High and Heels on Wheels,” an exhibit of birds of prey and a kickoff to a bicycle challenge to help the Pittsburgh region escape rising fuel prices by pedaling to work.Mosaic of Memories
Graduating senior Nofe Al-Suwaidi returns the 2011 class tile to G. Richard Tucker, interim dean of Carnegie Mellon Qatar, during the graduation ceremony on the Qatar campus on May 2.Seniors Super in Their Fields
The Carnegie Mellon Women’s Association recently awarded three $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors. Driving the Economy
Journalist William Holstein's book, “The Next American Economy – Blueprint for a Real Recovery,” features several CMU faculty members in the book’s second chapter, titled “From Steel to Advanced Robots — Pittsburgh Attempts to Reinvent.” Q&A: John R. Anderson on How His Work Has Evolved
Scientist’s Legacy Is Revolutionizing How We Learn
Improv Troupe Helps Students Build Skills for Life
Quick and creative thinking is important during a job interview. It’s also important on stage. Carnegie Mellon’s student improv troupe, the No Parking Players, are using what they’ve learned through a hobby and applying it to their work.