China Chapter offers a variety of programs
Since its establishment in 2012, the Illinois Institute of Technology China Alumni Chapter has been working to engage alumni in a multitude of ways. With strong representation from IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law and IIT Stuart School of Business, the chapter offers presentations, symposiums, and networking.
The group also knows how to have fun, hosting celebrations on New Year’s Eve, a spring festival, and family-friendly activities such as camping. A quarterly newsletter keeps alumni up to date on gatherings and conferences, and helps to share opportunities such as jobs, internships, and chances to network. Chapter leaders are also giving back to a new generation of Illinois Tech students, reaching out to incoming students to help prepare them for life in the United States.
On September 20, more than 150 alumni gathered in Hangzhou for an event sponsored by Mary Kay China. Three artists were featured: Paul Mak (CHE ’81), Chenglong Jin (M.P.A. ’05), and Peimin Xia, father of Jennifer Meng Xia (M.P.A. ’07), chapter general secretary.
Alumni in China are encouraged to update their contact information with the IIT China Office at chinaoffice@iit.edu or with Meng Xia at gyxiameng@hotmail.com.
Korea Chapter celebrates Kim’s appointment
The IIT Korea Alumni Chapter shared news of the inauguration of Nakhoon Kim (M.S. CS ’85, Ph.D. ’89) as president of Dongduk Women’s University this September. Considered a prestigious university in Korea, Dongduk has a 100-year history. Kim has a long legacy of service with the IIT Korea Chapter, serving as vice president and as the seventh president of the group.
Korean alumni are encouraged to learn more about the chapter’s activities by contacting Hyungjin Kim (LAW ’96) at intercle@gmail.com or the IIT Korea Office at seoul@iit.edu.
Alumnus featured in Korean art exhibit
Jong Soung Kimm (ARCH ’61, M.S. ARCH ’64), president of SAC International, Ltd., had his exhibit Harmony Between Technology and Art featured at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Seoul beginning on September 23. He also served as chair of the Organizing Committee for the 13th International Docomomo Conference in Seoul September 24.
India Chapter celebrates Commencement ceremony and hosts presentation
The India Alumni Chapter welcomed IIT President John Anderson at the university’s Commencement ceremony in Mathikere, Bangalore, in January. Anderson also used the trip to connect with members of the IIT Alumni Association throughout Asia with stops in Hong Kong, Thailand, and Mumbai, India.
Other prominent leaders at Commencement included Anil Menon, president, Smart+Connected Communities and deputy chief globalization officer for Cisco; Mudaliar Muthukumar, vice president of engineering for Juniper Networks; Satish Vasant Ghatge (ME ’79), managing director of Ghatge Patil Transports; and Parth Amin (BA ’85), founder and chairman of the SLK Group, and chief executive officer and managing director of SLK Software.
On June 8, alumni gathered at the IIT Bangalore campus. Shashi Bhushan (M.A.S. TSEC ’00) provided an interactive presentation on the health care market related to diagnostics, and Manjula Sridhar (CERM CPSC ’03, M.A.S. ITM ’03) followed with a presentation on iSPIRT (Indian Software Product Industry Roundtable), a group seeking to transform the software industry in India. Chapter Chairman Thiruvengadam Ashok (M.S. CS ’01) shared his experiences on long-distance endurance cycling and how it has transformed him. As a result of Ashok's presentation, the Indian chapter will hold a bicycle ride outside Bangalore in conjunction with their next meeting.
Alumni in India should contact the IIT Bangalore campus at bangalore@iit.edu or Ashok at ash@stagsoftware.com to update their contact information and learn more about the India Chapter.
Chapters in the United States
Volunteers who enjoy connecting IIT graduates to their alma mater manage each IIT chapter. Domestic chapters and their leaders are:
Bay Area: Heidi Rank (ARCH ’81)
heidirank@sbcglobal.net
Chicago: Steve Nargang (ME ’96)
SNargang@hawk.iit.edu
Los Angeles/Orange County: Benny Jones (MATH ’94)
bennyjones.iit@gmail.com
New York City: Michael Siem (CHE ’96)
siem.michael@gmail.com
Phoenix: Peter Koliopoulos (ARCH ’86)
peter@circlewest.net
San Diego: Crystal Sargent (M.S. MCOM ’02)
CSargent@torreypinesbank.com
Seattle: Mike Wayte (ME ’61)
mikejwsr@hotmail.com
Washington, D.C.: Randy Sullivan (ES ’74)
R.sullivan@rlsullivan.us
Alumni networks and activities are underway in Austin, Texas, headed by Arun Prakash (AE ’99, prakaru@gmail.com) and in Minneapolis by Harley Feldman (CHEM ’69, Harleyfeldman@gmail.com). The IIT alumni community is expanding to include chapters in Houston and Dallas, and is coordinating annual activities in Atlanta, Boston, and Denver.
If you live in any of these areas and want to get involved, contact the chapter chair or email the Office of Alumni Relations at alumni@iit.edu.
Chapters in Asia
China: General Secretary Jennifer Meng Xia (M.P.A. ’07)
gyxiameng@hotmail.com
Hong Kong: Victor Lo (DSGN ’73)
victor_lo@goldpeak.com
India: Thiruvengadam Ashok (M.S. CS ’01)
ash@stagsoftware.com
South Korea: Hyungjin Kim (LAW ’96)
intercle@gmail.com
Taiwan: Steve Chun Pan (M.S. IE ’77, Ph.D. MSC ’88)
chun@uch.edu.tw
Thailand: Paiboon Pongchairerks (M.S. IE ’75)
paiboopo@gmail.com