Panhia Lee

Students from Bryant Zhuhai arrive for two-week study abroad program

Bryant University celebrated another milestone as a leader in international education on Aug. 3 by welcoming the first group of students from Bryant Zhuhai in China to the Smithfield campus. Eighty-seven students – more than half of Bryant Zhuhai’s inaugural class – will spend a week in the United States as part of the Sophomore International Experience program.

“Seeing you here at Bryant, just one year after you began this transformational experience, just makes me so proud,” President Ronald K. Machtley told the students. “It is such a great honor to welcome you to the Bryant campus.”

Bryant University’s first-entering class of 160 Chinese students began their studies Bryant Zhuhai last September. In collaboration with Beijing Institute of Technology Zhuhai (BITZH), the new four-year undergraduate program prepares students with the global perspective that is essential for success in today’s international business world. The academic program in Zhuhai, which is taught in English, is designed to mirror the vigor of Bryant’s nationally recognized curriculum and the quality of faculty. The graduating students will receive a Bryant University degree.

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Researchers discover organic molecules to be effective in fight against drug-resistant bacteria

NEWPORT, R.I. (Aug. 3, 2016) – Members of Olympic sailing, triathlon and rowing teams competing in polluted waters at the Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro may be interested in peer-reviewed research just published by a Salve Regina University chemistry professor and co-authored by one of her undergraduate students.

Dr. Susan Meschwitz, assistant professor of chemistry, and Salve Regina senior chemistry major Emily Poulin have discovered that a class of organic molecules are proving effective in the fight against drug-resistant bacteria, a finding with the potential to impact modern medicine as the misuse and overuse of antibiotics have led to the development of widespread resistance. See the article published July 25 in the journal “Molecules” by MDPI (Basel, Switzerland):http://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/21/8/971.

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Friar Foundations Program students inspired to return as mentors

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A new college campus can be an intimidating place. For many students, getting to know resources, academic rigor, student organizations, and campus layout is just as important as choosing which classes to take. 

Two years ago, these were the main concerns of incoming Providence College students Amie Mbye ’18 (Pawtucket, R.I.) and Jarely Paulino Diaz ’18 (Lawrence, Mass). But, after spending five weeks in the Friar Foundations Program (FFP), a summer bridge program intended to ease the transition from high school to college, they were poised to take on the school year.

This year, Mbye and Diaz each made it a priority to give back to the program by becoming resident assistants/mentors (RAMs) to 22 students in this summer’s FFP cohort – all members of the incoming Class of 2020. The program, which is supported by funding from The Angell Foundation and The Salah Foundation, invites accepted PC students who might benefit from a jumpstart to their college careers to campus. They take credit-bearing classes, attend skills-building workshops, participate in field trips, and get to know their fellow students and the campus.

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Bringing the Ocean State to Your Plate

Last week, some of Rhode Island’s finest chefs convened at food-business incubator Hope & Main in Warren, RI, to explore ways to better utilize plentiful but less popular seafood species.

The 9 chefs — including JWU alumni Derek Wagner ’99 (Nicks on Broadway), Matt Varga ’05 (Gracie’s), Ben Mayhew ’10 (Garde de la Mer) and Aaron Thorpe ’01 (Cook & Dagger) — were given an hour and a half to sample, cook and experiment with new or relatively unfamiliar seafood.

The chefs were more than up to the challenge as they thoughtfully picked through the gleaming display of freshly-caught seafood, including butterfish, conger eel, fluke, sea robin, spiny dogfish, squid, skate and whelk (conch).

The end goal? To rehab the unfair reputation of these so-called “trash” or “bycatch” species, and expand their market here in the Ocean State.

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