Dean Kamen Speaks

[MikeDubreuil]

I just had to brag a little...

This year marks the 100th anniversary for my school the Wentworth Institute of Technology, in Boston, MA. Today is Founder's Day and somehow the Institute has gotten Dean Kamen to come be a guest speaker.

I can't wait, I'm so excited... Dean... at my school... YIIIPPPEEY!!

I'll give a full report on what Dean is like when he doesn't talk about FIRST. And, if he's wearing the trademark denim. Supposedly, he is going to talk about his inventions. Although, I have to imagine he'll sneak FIRST into the speech somehow.

DEAN.. OMG...

[KenWittlief]

if the guy on stage isnt wearing blue jeans and a denin shirt, its an impostor

BTW - FIRST IS one of Deans inventions :^)

[Jessica Boucher]

Don't expect to be able to record it, though...when he spoke at Babson in 2001 he refused to let the radio station be streaming during his speech (they stream Commencement so that families from all over can watch it).

But yay for other schools having Founders Days

[MikeDubreuil]

Watson Auditorium on the Wentworth Institute of Technology's campus was packed by 900 students, faculty, professors, and alumni for the Founder's Day Convocation. Dean Kamen received two honors from the Wentworth Institute of Technology, The President's Medallion, and an honorary degree, "Doctor of Engineering Technology."

Dean started off the convocation address by saying, "It's nice to get a degree without paying for tuition. Very nice." Dean also noted that today was his birthday. Throughout the entire speech he rocked back and forth on his segway, and of course he was wearing the trademark denim.

First he talked about technology and how the US is outsourcing it. Dean claims that outsourcing is the result of technology becoming a commodity. He referred to inventions such as the car or computer as "golden eggs", and engineering is the "golden goose." He thinks we might be starting to outsource "the golden goose", or engineering. When the US develops a technology, it turns into a commodity and we outsource it. We then create a better technology, and the cycle continues. His concern is, "what if we raise the bar and can't jump over it?"

Second, he talked about FIRST. Everyone was telling him that there was a supply problem in American education, computers, books, etc. Dean looked through the general concencus and realized there was a demand problem, a huge culture problem. He said we have professional engineers with FIRST because, "kids watching kids would be as exciting as- a science fair. We need the Michael Jordans of technology." Dean tried to convince Wentworth to start a team or sponsor the first regional in Boston.
He invited everyone in the room to the championship in Atlanta. He said, "there will be no wardrobe malfunctions, there will be world class people."

Third, he talked about being an entrepreneur. He said he thought of a list of 100 things that made him a good entrepreneur.
#1. Find an important problem.
#2. Don't give up.
He finished his speech by saying the other 98 were superfluous.

Dean Quotes:
"I don't want to stand here and make an $@#$@#$@# of myself."
"The one thing I know is, being smart is a good idea."

Jessica, during Dean's address we were not allowed to videotape or use flash photography.

[Erin Rapacki]

... so that's why his car wasn't at work today

[Aaron Lussier]

Originally Posted by MikeDubreuil

Watson Auditorium on the Wentworth Institute of Technology's campus was packed by 900 students, faculty, professors, and alumni for the Founder's Day Convocation.

Waston had 900 people in it!!!!! wow.

btw Mike, I was the other kid from Wentworth that help 125 first semester. I dont think I ever met you but I'm sure I heard about you.

-Aaron

[MikeDubreuil]

Originally Posted by KenWittlief

if the guy on stage isnt wearing blue jeans and a denin shirt, its an impostor

BTW - FIRST IS one of Deans inventions :^)

Haha, no imposter's there... he was true to form and although faculty members thought they should dress up, I knew I'd be fine with jeans.

Originally Posted by Aaron Lussier

Waston had 900 people in it!!!!! wow.

btw Mike, I was the other kid from Wentworth that help 125 first semester. I dont think I ever met you but I'm sure I heard about you.

-Aaron

Yes, it's too bad we've never met. Hopefully you're coming back for the Blitz, I'll be there.

Originally Posted by Erin Rapacki

... so that's why his car wasn't at work today

Yeah... Y'know I was a little dissapointed, I was hoping he would have taken his helicopter and dropped it in the middle of our campuses's grassed quad