The Alumni Magazine for Worcester Polytechnic Institute. (WPI)
Issue link: http://wpialumnimag.epubxp.com/i/65892
Wπ national recognition Ms. Demetry Goes to Washington WPI Professor Earns White House Honor and Teacher of the Year. C 12 Spring 2012 HRYSANTHE DEMETRY '88, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR of me- chanical engineering and director of WPI's Morgan Teaching and Learning Center, has collected an impressive list of awards and achievements since joining the WPI faculty in 1993. Her role as a fac- ulty advisor for student projects has taken her to Australia, Namibia, Thailand, and Hong Kong. But in November she traveled to Washington, D.C., to receive two exemplary awards: the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring for 2011 on behalf of Camp Reach; and Professor of the Year for Massachusetts, given by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. Camp Reach, one of several of the university's K-12 programs aimed at math and science education for girls, was founded in 1997 by Demetry and the late professor Denise Nicoletti. Celeste Nicoletti, Denise's daughter, traveled with Demetry to accept the Presidential Award. President Obama greeted nine award recipients from around the FRXQWU\ LQ WKH 2YDO 2IƂFH DQG DFFRUGLQJ WR 'HPHWU\ KH PDGH D VWURQJ case that "innovation in STEM is essential for our nation's economic renewal, and that STEM education is a key part of that." Demetry also said she was impressed by "his sincerity and presence in the moment." 'HPHWU\ VDLG LW ZDV ƂWWLQJ WKDW &HOHVWH; 1LFROHWWL FRXOG EH ZLWK KHU to see her late mother's vision and work validated at such a high level. "Denise was so passionate about Camp Reach, and the program might not have been sustained were it not for her commitment," she said. "Celeste was a perfect choice because she had participated in Camp Reach as a 7th grade student. Having her there made Denise's presence more tangible."