Featured Stories
University of San Diego: Campus-Wide Discussion on Pope's Encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas
SAN DIEGO, California, Sept. 10 -- The University of San Diego issued the following news release:
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Campus-Wide Discussion on Pope's Encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas
By Steven Covella
Tuesday evening, there were people with different views on the subject at hand. There were experts from different fields of study. There were faculty members, undergraduate and graduate students and various members of the campus community. Together, they were all united in one goal.
Conversation.
That was the objective organizers set out with when they drew plans for a University of San Diego forum on Pope
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SAN DIEGO, California, Sept. 10 -- The University of San Diego issued the following news release:
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Campus-Wide Discussion on Pope's Encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas
By Steven Covella
Tuesday evening, there were people with different views on the subject at hand. There were experts from different fields of study. There were faculty members, undergraduate and graduate students and various members of the campus community. Together, they were all united in one goal.
Conversation.
That was the objective organizers set out with when they drew plans for a University of San Diego forum on PopeLeo XIV's first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas.
In June, Pope Leo XIV published Magnifica Humanitas, an encyclical that comes in response to the rapidly shifting landscape of the technological world, particularly artificial intelligence. As the race to develop these tools escalates, the Pope implores their makers to be introspective and innovate in service of the public good; to put a renewed focus on human dignity, and - as the letter's subtitle says - to "safeguard the human person."
Tuesday's forum brought together USD faculty members from a wide-range of disciplines - theology, philosophy, political science and more - to discuss excerpts from Magnifica Humanitas, and what they tell us about Pope Leo XIV's vision for the Church and Catholic social doctrine.
"So much of the conversation around artificial intelligence is the capabilities or ramifications of it, but what the Pope is drawing our attention to is the impact on the human being. I think at a university, that's something we ought to be thinking about. Especially at a Catholic university," said Michael Lovette-Colyer, PhD, vice president of mission integration.
The discussion was driven by the different backgrounds of the speakers.
Victor Carmona, PhD, spoke about how the document embodies and advances Catholic social teachings, along the lines of leading with love, part of USD's vision statement. Brian Clack, PhD, talked about the encyclical's emphasis on finding truth in a confusing information age. Noelle Norton, PhD, discussed the political ramifications of the document, and the passages that focused on inequalities that could be exacerbated by AI. Darby Vickers, PhD, examined the nuances of AI use, and how educators could approach it and adapt. Julia Cantzler, PhD, JD, drew comparisons between Leo's encyclical and that of his predecessor, Francis' Laudato Si', and how they seem in conversation with one another. Finally, Darren Kew, PhD, pointed to passages about diplomacy and dialogue, and how that lays out a vision for a future of global cooperation rather than competition.
The event was the result of a collaboration between the Humanities Center, Mission Integration and the College of Arts and Sciences, reflecting the aim of an interdisciplinary discussion.
"The best way of addressing any topic is to do it from multiple perspectives. That's what we hope to get by having people from different backgrounds here," said Clack, A. Vassiliadis Distinguished Director of the Humanities Center. "People reading it from their own perspective, within their own discipline, and engaging in conversation with all the people we saw here today. Real conversational teamwork about a vital matter for all of us. That's the model."
Each panelist gave their perspective on different aspects of the encyclical that intersected with their expertise, but the forum was interactive as well. Following remarks from the panel, audience members were encouraged to provide questions or comments. What followed was a lively discussion involving students and faculty from across campus that would have gone longer, if not for the time constraints of the event. Organizers were pleased with the turnout and the engagement the event fostered, and it will be far from the last on the subject. Both Clack and Lovette-Colyer signaled toward more programming on AI and Magnifica Humanitas throughout the academic year. But they don't want organized events to be where these discussions begin and end.
Attendees were given a free printout of the encyclical, an intentional move by organizers who wanted people to have something tangible to engage with, specifically for a subject that's so heavily rooted in technology. They also encouraged attendees to read the handout, and strike up conversations with friends and family, to spark more discussion outside the walls of the theatre.
More conversations to get people thinking. More dialogue to get people connecting.
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Original text here: https://www.sandiego.edu/newscenter/159586
University of Hawaii Manoa: Hawaii Sea Grant Fellows Connect Resilience, aina and Community
MANOA, Hawaii, Sept. 10 -- The University of Hawaii Manoa campus issued the following news release:
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VNR: Hawaii Sea Grant fellows connect resilience, aina and community
From wildfire mitigation in Waianae to dry forest restoration in Molokai, four Hawaii students spent their summer learning how caring for aina can help build more resilient communities.
In August, 2026 Peter J. Rappa Resilient and Sustainable Coasts Fellows wrapped up their summer projects, sharing their work in final presentations at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. The fellowship honors the legacy of longtime coastal
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MANOA, Hawaii, Sept. 10 -- The University of Hawaii Manoa campus issued the following news release:
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VNR: Hawaii Sea Grant fellows connect resilience, aina and community
From wildfire mitigation in Waianae to dry forest restoration in Molokai, four Hawaii students spent their summer learning how caring for aina can help build more resilient communities.
In August, 2026 Peter J. Rappa Resilient and Sustainable Coasts Fellows wrapped up their summer projects, sharing their work in final presentations at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. The fellowship honors the legacy of longtime coastalsustainability extension agent Peter Joseph Rappa of the UH Sea Grant College Program (Hawaii Sea Grant).
"The fellowship is made in Peter's vision for outreach and extension work in Hawai'i, which is interdisciplinary and place-based," said Maya Walton, associate director for research, fellowships, and administration at Hawaii Sea Grant. "He really thought that people should come from different academic disciplines and work together on our most pressing coastal questions."
"I think the fellowship is an amazing opportunity for students that are just starting off in their early careers, and that just want to learn more about what possibilities are out there," said Rappa Fellow Near-Peer Mentor Oli Carbi.
2026 cohort
This year's cohort, Marley Kong-Mercado, Ila Nako, Shaelaree Pelekane-Manosa and Haya Stein, were paired with mentors from Pili Na Moku, a five-year project dedicated to developing and implementing holistic resilience initiatives from mauka to makai. Focused on five moku, Waianae on Oahu, Kona Kauai, Central Maui, Molokai and Kohala on Hawaii Island, the project aims to strengthen adaptive capacity and build a more resilient future for Hawaii.
"I think something special about the fellowship was that we were all working on such different projects, and we're able to connect each one of them together to create a big approach to helping our community, but in many different ways," said Stein.
Kong-Mercado and Nako, were based in Waianae, where they focused on wildfire mitigation and the role native vegetation and restoration can play in reducing risk. The fellows worked with Firewise, Kaala Farm and Malama Learning Center. Nako also traveled to Molokai to work with Aina Pulapula at the Hoolehua Homestead, where she learned about growing the plants needed for future outplanting.
Also on Molokai, Pelekane-Manosa worked with community members Uncle Bobby Alcain and Kaipu Makani; she used historical research, community interviews and mapping to trace changes in sedimentation, land use, water and the coastline over time.
For Stein, the summer was about using storytelling to connect people with the work happening across Hawaii, while also collaborating with her fellow Rappa Fellows. In Waianae, she documented Kong-Mercado and Nako's wildfire mitigation work. In the other moku, she learned about the landscapes, listened to the moolelo of place, and met with partner organizations working to care for their communities and aina.
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Original text here: http://www.uhm.hawaii.edu/news/article.php?aId=14787
University of Arkansas: Journalism Student Joins New York Times Corps
FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas, Sept. 10 -- The University of Arkansas issued the following news:
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Journalism Student Joins New York Times Corps
Angie Ramirez, a junior in the School of Journalism and Strategic Media in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, was selected in September for a prestigious year-long talent-mentorship program with The New York Times.
The 21 college students in The New York Times Corps will receive career-building advice and other training from New York Times journalists to prepare them for reporting jobs. Ramirez will work with Megan McCrea, senior staff editor
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FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas, Sept. 10 -- The University of Arkansas issued the following news:
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Journalism Student Joins New York Times Corps
Angie Ramirez, a junior in the School of Journalism and Strategic Media in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, was selected in September for a prestigious year-long talent-mentorship program with The New York Times.
The 21 college students in The New York Times Corps will receive career-building advice and other training from New York Times journalists to prepare them for reporting jobs. Ramirez will work with Megan McCrea, senior staff editorfor Special Sections. McCrea is a native of Colorado who served in the Peace Corps in Micronesia and Palau.
Ramirez, of Rogers, is president of the campus chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and assistant editor for Hill Magazine. She began her journalism training at the U of A as a participant in the Lemke Journalism Project during her junior and senior years in high school.
"Angie's incredible success at the University of Arkansas shows the heights of what is possible when we invest in our students -- especially our first-generation students -- through clubs like NAHJ and outreach programs like the Lemke Journalism Project," said Bret Schulte, director of SJSM. "We're thrilled to see Angie's incredible talent now recognized and cultivated by The New York Times."
Ramirez said, "Being selected for this program is an incredible opportunity that I'm so honored to be a part of. I can't wait to begin this journey and learn from Megan McCrea."
Lauryn Higgins, an instructor in SJSM and freelancer for The New York Times, encouraged Ramirez to apply for the mentoring opportunity.
"Seeing a University of Arkansas student like Angie earn a place in The New York Times Corps is incredibly exciting," Higgins said. "She is a talented, driven young journalist who has already shown tremendous promise, and I know she will represent UARK exceptionally well."
Ninette Sosa, faculty adviser to the campus chapter of NAHJ, said, "Angie has grown as both a journalist and student leader. As president of NAHJ UARK, she has taken initiative to strengthen the organization."
Gina Shelton, director of the Lemke Journalism Project, said Ramirez mentors about 60 high school students as a coordinator of the media literacy program, which celebrates its 25th anniversary next year.
"Angie is a fantastic mentor to teenagers who are interested in journalism, and it's really cool that she's getting a national mentor herself," Shelton said.
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About the School of Journalism and Strategic Media: The School of Journalism and Strategic Media at the University of Arkansas offers full-time and part-time degree programs for undergraduates as well as a graduate master's degree program. SJSM students major in journalism or advertising and public relations, and they receive instruction, guidance and access to hands-on experience from seasoned, award-winning faculty and staff. The school is dedicated to excellence in teaching, research and media literacy. The U of A journalism program was established by Walter J. Lemke in 1930. Visit the school's website for more information.
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About The New York Times Corps: The New York Times Corps, the newsroom's talent-mentorship program for aspiring journalists, is designed for undergraduates who are pursuing journalism and who demonstrate that they would particularly benefit from advice from working journalists. Each student is matched with a newsroom mentor, from whom they receive regular career guidance and feedback. Started in 2022, it and has provided important mentorship for nearly 100 students.
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Original text here: https://news.uark.edu/articles/82846/journalism-student-joins-new-york-times-corps
Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine: Racing Toward Answers for Equine Health
COLLEGE STATION, Texas, Sept. 10 -- Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences issued the following news release:
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Racing Toward Answers for Equine Health
For Kayli Woodward, a second-year veterinary student from Frisco, Texas, stepping into the laboratory meant stepping into unfamiliar territory.
With little research experience, Woodward applied to the Veterinary Medical Scientist Research Training Program (VMSRTP), a summer program hosted by the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences that pairs Doctor of Veterinary Medicine students
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COLLEGE STATION, Texas, Sept. 10 -- Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences issued the following news release:
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Racing Toward Answers for Equine Health
For Kayli Woodward, a second-year veterinary student from Frisco, Texas, stepping into the laboratory meant stepping into unfamiliar territory.
With little research experience, Woodward applied to the Veterinary Medical Scientist Research Training Program (VMSRTP), a summer program hosted by the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences that pairs Doctor of Veterinary Medicine studentswith faculty members for hands-on research experience.
"I applied for the VMSRTP because I wanted to spend my summer doing something that would push me outside my comfort zone and widen my knowledge base," Woodward said. "Being paired with a mentor who could guide and introduce me to high-caliber research, while also getting the opportunity to present my findings at a national symposium, seemed like a great way to prepare myself for the future. I am interested in pursuing a specialization after I finish school, and this gave me a base knowledge for any research requirements I may have."
As part of the program, Woodward was able to choose her mentor. She selected Dr. Sarah White-Springer, an associate professor of equine physiology who had taught one of her undergraduate animal science classes, believing that working with White-Springer in this new capacity would allow her to continue exploring animal science from a research perspective.
Together, Woodward and White-Springer studied the chronic use of B-2 agonists in horses. These drugs are primarily used as bronchodilators, but they can also be used off label as performance enhancers because of their effects on muscle composition.
The research team is searching for a biomarker that could indicate long-term use of novel B-2 agonists because a reliable biomarker could eventually lead to more sensitive drug-testing protocols and help protect the horses competing in equine sports.
The possibility of helping make equine sports safer gave the work a purpose beyond the laboratory.
"What makes this experience so rewarding was seeing our hard work materialized into real data," Woodward said. "I am proud to be a part of a project that has the potential to make a difference in the equine industry, especially when it comes to preventing harm to the animals."
Research also showed Woodward that answers do not always happen immediately. She had to learn to sit with the uncertainty, work through the possibilities, and try again.
White-Springer helped Woodward through that process, asking questions, and encouraging her to look more closely at the science behind each decision.
"Dr. White taught me how to pivot, analyze the variables and potential hiccups, and work out a new approach without getting discouraged," Woodward said. "She had high expectations and asked a lot of hard questions. It made me much more confident in the science that I am learning, and she has ensured that I know the full extent of what I am presenting."
Over the course of the summer, veterinary medicine also began to look different to Woodward.
"My participation in this program has opened my eyes to the quantity of research that goes into what I previously considered 'standard knowledge,'" she said. "Seeing just how much work it is to design a study, test a hypothesis, and analyze the data makes me appreciate the decades of research that has been done to drive the field of veterinary medicine forward."
Looking ahead, Woodward says she will carry that perspective with her into a career in equine medicine. She hopes to continue working toward safer equine sports and finding better ways to protect the long-term health of the animals.
"I am especially hopeful that our research paves the way for a new drug test that can detect novel B-2 agonist use," Woodward said.
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Original text here: https://vetmed.tamu.edu/news/press-releases/veterinary-student-equine-health-research/
Student Success, Increased Regional Demand Highlight EIU Fall 2026 Enrollment
CHARLESTON, Illinois, Sept. 10 -- Eastern Illinois University issued the following news release:
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Student success, increased regional demand highlight EIU fall 2026 enrollment
Elevated academic profiles, improved retention, growth in high-demand programs underscore EIU's mission & enduring impact
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(Charleston, IL) - Eastern Illinois University's Fall 2026 10th-day enrollment report reflects both the challenges and opportunities facing higher education today. While overall enrollment stands at 7,651 students, the University's newest class demonstrates continued academic strength, growing
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CHARLESTON, Illinois, Sept. 10 -- Eastern Illinois University issued the following news release:
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Student success, increased regional demand highlight EIU fall 2026 enrollment
Elevated academic profiles, improved retention, growth in high-demand programs underscore EIU's mission & enduring impact
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(Charleston, IL) - Eastern Illinois University's Fall 2026 10th-day enrollment report reflects both the challenges and opportunities facing higher education today. While overall enrollment stands at 7,651 students, the University's newest class demonstrates continued academic strength, growingstudent success outcomes, and increasing interest in several high-demand academic programs.
Among the most promising indicators is the quality and persistence of EIU students. Approximately one out of every five first-year students entered the University this fall with a perfect 4.0 GPA. At the same time, EIU's first-year retention rate increased nearly 2 percent, signaling continued progress in student success and persistence toward graduation.
Notably, EIU saw an 8 percent increase in enrolled students from within a 60-mile radius of EIU's Charleston, Illinois campus.
"We know that approximately nine out of ten students who attend a public university in Illinois stay in Illinois following graduation, so these are future EIU alumni who are extremely likely to enrich their local communities and contribute to the East Central Illinois economy," said Vice President for Enrollment Management Josh Norman.
The University also welcomed its most significant proportion of first-generation students in more than a decade, with 53 percent of EIU's incoming freshman class being the first in their families to attend college. The milestone reflects EIU's longstanding commitment to expanding educational opportunities and is aligned with the Illinois Board of Higher Education's (IBHE) vision for a thriving Illinois. EIU's commitment to opportunity and access is further demonstrated through the University's Panther First Generation Scholarship, which provides additional financial support to Illinois students with demonstrated need who are pioneering pathways to higher education for themselves and their families.
"More than half of our first-year students are first-generation college students," Norman said. "EIU's record percentage of first-generation students in this year's class speaks directly to the impact EIU continues to have on individuals, families, and regional communities throughout Illinois. EIU continues to provide access, opportunity, and personalized support to students intent on enhancing the socioeconomic trajectories of their families and communities, and we're honored to be a part of their journey."
"The first-generation milestone represents a powerful, one-time transition for a family," Norman added. "As first-generation students graduate and enter into careers and parenthood, their children can step confidently into the college pipeline as traditional students already knowing what to expect from higher education and from EIU, specifically."
Norman added that Eastern's broad regional impact, strong connections to Illinois high schools and community colleges, and its longstanding reputation for quality, relationships and affordability are providing first-generation and traditional students and families unique opportunities at EIU that often can be challenging to replicate at larger institutions.
Those opportunities have resulted in several of Eastern's academic programs experiencing substantial enrollment growth this fall. Business Administration (+28%), Construction Management (+35%), and Special Education (+28%) demonstrated considerable increases. Meanwhile, the EIU Gail and Richard Lumpkin School of Nursing recorded the University's largest program increase with 41 additional students - a 45 percent improvement over 2025. The continued growth of EIU's nursing programs also comes as EIU's School of Nursing celebrates a third consecutive year of exceptional National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) pass rates.
While the University saw significant gains in the new student academic profile and persistence year over year, overall enrollment declined as a result of fewer high school graduates, continuing international enrollment challenges, and a reduction in the college-going rate across Illinois as well as the nation over the past decade. The impact of decreasing K-12 enrollments also contributed to fewer dual-credit enrollments.
"Across higher education, institutions are adapting to changing demographics, evolving student needs, and a more competitive recruitment environment," said EIU President Jay Gatrell. "Despite these realities, EIU continues to demonstrate its value through student success, strong retention, growing academic programs, and an unwavering commitment to student-centered education."
Norman echoed EIU's institutional commitments, indicating the Fall 2026 10th-day report highlights Eastern's enduring ability to attract academically talented students while expanding programs aligned with existing and emergent workforce needs.
"EIU's enrollment story is about more than a headcount," Norman shared. "It is about student achievement, student persistence, student outcomes, and the close, continuous support that has become synonymous with EIU's reputation for excellence. By prioritizing these core values today, we are purposefully designing a resilient path forward that ensures EIU remains a premier destination for Illinois' next generation of learners."
The official 10th-day report remains the standard enrollment measure used by public universities throughout Illinois.
EIU prepares students to accomplish their life goals through a combination of quality academics, personal relationships, and both on-campus and online learning opportunities. For more information about Eastern Illinois University, including its broad array of academic and career readiness programs, community-based services and opportunities, visit Eastern Illinois University or call EIU's public information office at (217) 581-7400.
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Original text here: https://www.eiu.edu/media/viewstory.php?action=2071
Niche Names Ouachita No. 1 Private University in Arkansas
ARKADELPHIA, Arkansas, Sept. 10 -- Ouachita Baptist University issued the following news:
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Niche names Ouachita No. 1 private university in Arkansas
James Taylor
Ouachita Baptist University was recently named the top private university in the state by Niche in its 2027 rankings. The university was also ranked first for its education program and named the best small college in Arkansas. In addition to the No. 1 rankings, Ouachita's programs for accounting & finance, business, psychology and communications each earned the No. 2 spot in the state for their disciplines.
Niche is a national
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ARKADELPHIA, Arkansas, Sept. 10 -- Ouachita Baptist University issued the following news:
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Niche names Ouachita No. 1 private university in Arkansas
James Taylor
Ouachita Baptist University was recently named the top private university in the state by Niche in its 2027 rankings. The university was also ranked first for its education program and named the best small college in Arkansas. In addition to the No. 1 rankings, Ouachita's programs for accounting & finance, business, psychology and communications each earned the No. 2 spot in the state for their disciplines.
Niche is a nationalorganization that researches schools and ranks universities based on public data and reviews from students and parents.
"Our faculty and staff pride themselves in providing a top-tier education in a faith-building environment," said Dr. Ben Sells, Ouachita president. "I regularly hear from recent alumni about how well prepared they are for graduate school or their first jobs. Rankings like these are a result of the real-life impact families find at Ouachita."
The news comes as Ouachita reports fall enrollment this year of 1,837 students, which includes undergraduate residential students, graduate students and high school students taking Ouachita courses for concurrent credit.
Ouachita has seen significant growth in traditional and new programs, including a recently accredited engineering degree, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and graduate programs in nutrition & dietetics, counseling, education, applied behavior analysis and exercise science. Graduate enrollment now stands at 177, the university's highest total in 40 years.
The incoming undergraduate cohort averaged an ACT score of 24.9 and a 3.8 grade-point average as a class. With students coming from 15 states and nine countries outside the U.S., the group includes 36 Governor's Distinguished Scholars and 191 students who matriculated with a 4.0 GPA.
"At the heart of our mission is the desire to foster a love of God and a love of learning in our students," Sells said. "That's not an abstract idea. It drives our commitment to train leaders by stewarding long-standing programs as well as establishing new ones to meet the needs of the future."
Ouachita is in its 141st year as a Christ-centered learning community in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. Learn more about the university's highly relational approach to education at www.obu.edu.
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Original text here: https://obu.edu/stories/news/2026/09/no-1-private-university.php
Clarkson Connects Semiconductor Leaders to Tackle Next-Generation Chip Challenges
POTSDAM, New York, Sept. 10 -- Clarkson University issued the following news:
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Clarkson Connects Semiconductor Leaders to Tackle Next-Generation Chip Challenges
As computer chips become smaller, more powerful and more complex, the scientists and engineers responsible for manufacturing them face an increasingly difficult challenge: developing processes precise enough to keep pace.
The experts working at the forefront of that challenge gathered in Lake Placid, New York, Aug. 2-5 for the International Symposium on Chemical-Mechanical Planarization (CMP), hosted by Clarkson University's Center
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POTSDAM, New York, Sept. 10 -- Clarkson University issued the following news:
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Clarkson Connects Semiconductor Leaders to Tackle Next-Generation Chip Challenges
As computer chips become smaller, more powerful and more complex, the scientists and engineers responsible for manufacturing them face an increasingly difficult challenge: developing processes precise enough to keep pace.
The experts working at the forefront of that challenge gathered in Lake Placid, New York, Aug. 2-5 for the International Symposium on Chemical-Mechanical Planarization (CMP), hosted by Clarkson University's Centerfor Advanced Materials Processing (CAMP).
The symposium brought together researchers and representatives from major semiconductor manufacturers, suppliers and universities around the world to exchange ideas about CMP, a critical process used to polish and clean the layers of material that make up computer chips.
For Jason Keleher '98, '04, who has spent much of his career working in CMP, Clarkson has created a gathering unlike any other in the field.
"This conference is the best conference for what we do," Keleher said. "I think it really is the premier conference in the industry."
Keleher worked in industry at Komag Inc. and Cabot Microelectronics and is now chair of chemistry at Lewis University. He said CAMP has built an environment where researchers can challenge conventional approaches while bringing students directly into the innovation process.
"CAMP has always been at the forefront of making what we want to do differently a reality," Keleher said. "But moreover I think they are doing it with students and the students are getting actively involved in this space."
That combination of academic research and industry expertise is increasingly important as semiconductor manufacturers contend with rapidly changing technologies.
Each new material or change in chip architecture can create new challenges for CMP. At the same time, the industry is looking for ways to manufacture both advanced and more traditional chips more efficiently, affordably and sustainably.
The value of Clarkson's symposium is not only in the research being presented, but also in bringing different parts of the semiconductor industry into the same room.
Elizabeth Di Geronimo, a senior research engineer in material science with Saint-Gobain Research North America, said those interactions can help bridge gaps that exist between companies throughout the semiconductor supply chain.
"We have this gap between us and the foundries. Being here allows us to have a connection between myself, the supplier and the foundry, who is the final consumer," Di Geronimo said. "It is in this space where you manage to have all these interactions at once and the discussions are valuable."
Those conversations help researchers and suppliers better understand the problems manufacturers are facing and identify what products and technologies may be needed next.
Clarkson's role in facilitating those discussions is rooted in the University's expertise in surface science, engineering, chemistry and colloid science. CAMP Director Devon Shipp said Clarkson researchers became involved in CMP because they had the fundamental scientific expertise needed to understand a complicated manufacturing process.
"Clarkson was approached by IBM not long after they first developed the CMP process as they wanted to know more about the underlying science and engineering of CMP. We had several faculty who jumped right in because they had this fundamental technical background that could help out the CMP industry," Shipp said. "That initial core group of faculty grew quickly as other faculty at Clarkson with complimentary expertise were brought in. This helped immensely since the processes in CMP are grounded in so many disciplines, such as chemistry and physics, as well as engineering fields such as mechanical and chemical engineering."
Today, the challenges facing that community continue to evolve.
"What's happening in the semiconductor industry is that the types of computer chips that are needed to power the world are getting more complicated," Shipp said.
Advanced chips used for artificial intelligence and high-performance computing require increasingly complicated architectures and materials. Meanwhile, simpler chips remain essential to countless everyday technologies and must be manufactured more efficiently and at lower cost.
Sustainability has also become a major focus. CMP can require significant amounts of water, while researchers are also exploring alternatives to chemicals traditionally used in the process. Artificial intelligence could help researchers accelerate the development and optimization of new CMP processes.
But the industry also needs people.
"This conference really is where we develop the next generation minds that need to be in this field," Keleher said.
Clarkson materials science and engineering Ph.D. student Murali Ramu experienced that connection firsthand. Ramu participated in the symposium for the fourth time this year, presenting his research directly to industry professionals and other experts.
"It was a really nice experience presenting in front of industry professionals and other experts," Ramu said.
The experience has also given him a clearer view of current technologies and potential career paths.
"Being here several times gives us more of an idea of the current technologies and builds our confidence," Ramu said.
Clarkson alumni already working in the industry also return to Lake Placid. Yongneng Wu, a senior staff engineer at Applied Materials who came to Clarkson in 2016 to study chemistry, sees the symposium as an opportunity to strengthen the relationship between his employer and the University.
"I really want to bridge Applied Materials and Clarkson. I want to give so much back to Clarkson," Wu said.
For Shipp, those connections are particularly important as semiconductor companies seek more engineers and scientists. Clarkson has educated students in the field for decades, and many now hold influential positions throughout the industry.
The Lake Placid symposium, now in its 28th year, continues that cycle by putting students alongside the people developing the technologies they may soon help advance.
Ramu said that interaction between academia and industry is essential.
"Academia alone, and industry alone, cannot build a technology with this much advancement," Ramu said. "They need collaboration so they can bring a new idea from the industry, give it to academia, and academia can help to research and resolve their problem. Both fields benefit from each other."
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Clarkson University is a proven leader in technological education, research, innovation and sustainable economic development. With its main campus in Potsdam, N.Y., and additional graduate program and research facilities in the Capital Region and Hudson Valley, Clarkson faculty have a direct impact on more than 7,800 students annually through nationally recognized undergraduate and graduate STEM designated degrees in engineering, business, science and health professions; executive education, industry-relevant credentials and K-12 STEM programs. Alumni earn salaries among the top 2% in the nation: one in five already leads in the c-suite. To learn more go to www.clarkson.edu.
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Original text here: https://www.clarkson.edu/news-events/clarkson-connects-semiconductor-leaders-tackle-next-generation-chip-challenges
