First-Hand:Section History Initiative Emerging from the Pandemic
Submitted by Kit August
Beginning in late 2019 a novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) began to spread creating a global pandemic and drawing many section, region, national, and international activities, conferences, and meetings to online only. IEEE stepped up to the challenge of providing resources for Members to continue to engage, participate in events and activities, and extend Humanitarian Activities to important themes such as Connecting the Unconnected. The technology gap significantly reduced resilience of many people who do not have access to power, connectivity, ability to work and study at home, and at the same time, demand for online telehealth increased in an unprecedented way.
One of the opportunities included many online resources, new programs, and projects such as accessible Distinguished Lecturers and for the Computer Society, the Distinguished Visitors Program. In the New Jersey Coast Section, we started a new Podcast, "Leaders and Luminaries," with the first episode here: Preparing for the Metaverse: Discussions on the Challenges and Opportunities of 3D Immersive Platforms with the Guests: Joachim Jorge, PhD IST, the School of Engineering of the University of Lisbon, Portugal; Lisa Messeri, PhD Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Yale University; Andre Oboler, PhD LLM CEO of the Online Hate Prevention Institute.
During the height of the COVID-19 emergency, many of our activities online increased and more variety was added to our meetings and opportunities for Members and the community. Highlights are represented in the Collage:
In 2023 the Section began conducting a few hybrid and in person activities and events including a June 2023 Region 1 Women in Engineering supported STEM Event at the AT&T Science & Technology Center and Museum, A Day at the Museum: National Inventors Hall of Fame Innovation Open Mic: Raising Voices STEM Activity & Museum Event Featuring James Edward West IEEE Life Fellow which was Mentored by many Members of the IEEE including but not limited to: Victor B Lawrence, PhD IEEE Life Fellow. "Over 100 Years of the IEEE Medal of Honor," the Book, courtesy of the IEEE Foundation was presented to Dr Christine Girtain, New Jersey State Teacher of the Year who is the Teacher Collaborator for our Event.
Also in June 2023 a popular and well attended Picnic was held at Thompson Park in Holmdel, New Jersey.
On 12th at 12 the Not Crawford Hill picnic was held complete with watermelon and cake as promised. A vote was taken and it was decided the events will continue into the future. We saw many Luminaries from our Section including IEEE Medal of Honor winner Dr Herwig Kogelnik.
