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contents
vol. 110, no. 2 spring 2014
16
WPI's 16th President
Laurie Leshin, PhD, is selected as the ideal candidate to bring
vision and energy to WPI.
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COVER Comedic Chemistry
Nancy Pimental '87 developed Hollywood fever at a young age—
and her engineering education gave her the confdence to cure it.
BY JAMES DEMPSEY
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Playing to Their Strengths
A generation of accomplished musicians have graduated from
WPI's music program, revealing a strong correlation between
talent and tech.
BY JOAN KILLOUGH-MILLER
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Driving the Brand
The Journal catches up with Piti Bhirom Bhakdi '02, director of
Boon Rawd Brewery, makers of Singha beer, to talk global brand-
ing, strategic partnerships, and family values.
BY JIM WOLKEN
38
Friends in the Hood
College is a stressful time for many students, which is why WPI's
pioneering Student Support Network has been widely emulated by
other universities—and for good reason. It works.
BY CLAYTON STROMBERGER
features
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Cover photo of Nancy Pimental by Dave Lauridsen
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