Stephanie Smieszek-Racine ’19 Stephanie Smieszek-Racine ’19 is the Vice Chair of the Women of WPI. This summer, the group, with support from the Alumni Association, is hosting a Vineyard Tour and Tasting event with WPI alumna Marissa (Mertzic) O'Connor '00 and Corey O'Connor at Agronomy Farm Vineyard. Ahead of the event, we caught up with Stephanie to learn more about her WPI journey and why she stays involved. Read on below, then make your plans to join Stephanie, Marissa, and a few dozen other alumni and friends on August 3! Learn more and register by July 31 for the event here. Tell us a little about your WPI experience. I was involved in the Student Alumni Society (SAS) and Tau Beta Pi. My best experience at WPI was IQP in Namibia. Being immersed in different cultures showed me how important it is to enjoy everything in life and prioritize learning from others and their experiences. What are you up to now, and how did your WPI experience help? I work at Takeda Pharmaceuticals as a Manufacturing Manager. WPI gave me the opportunity to hold leadership positions in a few clubs, which allowed me to try different leadership styles and gave me a jump start into people leadership. Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn! What are the ways you've stayed engaged with WPI over the years?  I've stayed connected to WPI via the Women of WPI and going back to campus for SAS alumni events and alumni weekend. I have already registered for Homecoming this September—I hope you’ll join me! I decided to take on a leadership role because I wanted to have a larger impact on the future engagement of the Women of WPI. This group includes alumnae from different decades and I love working with a group with so many different perspectives. This group has given me the opportunity to foster more connections with women that I wouldn't have gotten the chance to know outside of this group. Why should other alumni join you at the Vineyard Tour and Tasting this summer? Staying engaged with WPI allows you to maintain connections with classmates and to meet new alumni and current students. The vineyard tour and tasting in August will be a great way to stay connected with others and support WPI alumni!  

Adam Savage, former MythBusters host, has posted a new video on his Tested YouTube channel highlighting his project to design and build an animatronic Grogu (Baby Yoda from The Mandalorian).  Sutter in the Mandalorian costume he constructed, with the Grogu puppet he and Winchell created at WPI. Collaborators on the project include Matthew Winchell ’25, robotics engineering, and Ralph Sutter, senior instructor in the Interactive Media and Game Development program. In the video, Savage speaks with Winchell about Sutter’s 3D design/digital sculpture of Grogu and Winchell’s work as an animatronics engineer on the mechanics, functionality, and control systems of the Baby Yoda replica.  Winchell and Sutter’s participation in the project has been years in the making. As a Star Wars fan, Sutter constructed a Mandalorian costume and a 3D model of Grogu to accompany it. As an incoming WPI student in 2021, Winchell reached out to Sutter to propose a collaboration to turn the digital sculpture of Grogu into an animatronic puppet. Together, they created one that could blink and make sounds, which Sutter uses at events like charity appearances.  Savage learned about the project and called on Sutter and Winchell to help him create his own animatronic Grogu with new features and advancements. Sutter adapted his 3D model for the project and Winchell has been working for much of the last year on the mechanics.  Sutter, who teaches courses including 3D art and animation, said the collaboration with Winchell demonstrates the scope of what’s possible with digital arts, pointing out that through cross-disciplinary work, a 3D design was adapted to bring a physical creation to life. Sutter  “There is something magical and a power to translating digital designs into real-world objects,” Sutter said. “I hope this project inspires makers to collaborate and see the potential of seamless fusion of digital modeling, 3D printing, and tangible artistry.”  As for collaborating with Savage, Sutter said, “Working and sharing a passion with one of your childhood idols is kind of mind-blowing. I am geeking out, and I don’t think it’s fully set in yet.”  Tested is a YouTube channel, led by Savage, that explores the intersection of science, popular culture, and emerging technology. According to the platform, Savage plans additional videos about the ongoing project to build the animatronic Grogu.

ITS is preparing for the start of A Term 2025! In order to have your software ready to go for the first day of classes, we request that faculty submit their software needs using the Software Request Form by July 18.  To confirm if ITS has received your request, login to the Help Portal and open My Tickets. 

Spend your lunchtime at the CWB this summer! Starting July 9th, bring your lunch (BYOL) to the CWB anytime 11am to 1pm and hangout with your colleagues. We have games, Legos, coloring pages, and jigsaw puzzles plus comfy seating and a Keurig! This is a great way to get some time away from your desk and a break from work. Stay for 5 minutes or your whole lunch hour!

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