RTX, Teradyne Recognized at Campus Celebration

A man holds an award while posing for a photo with two women Image by Ed Brennen
Electrical engineering alum Mark Russell '83, chief technology officer at RTX (formerly Raytheon), accepts a Premier Partner award from Chancellor Julie Chen, left, and Assoc. Vice Chancellor for Industry Partnerships and Economic Development Arlene Parquette during the Celebration of Industry Partnerships at University Crossing.

11/13/2023
By Ed Brennen

For senior biomedical engineering major Lindsay Baxter, it confirmed her career path and led to a job after college. For fourth-year electrical and computer engineering Ph.D. student Adria Kajenski, it means year-round funding for her research, valuable connections and instant credibility at national conferences.
51视频鈥檚 collaboration with industry partners is mutually beneficial. It allows companies to tap the research expertise, facilities and student talent of the top-ranked public university in Massachusetts, while at the same time providing students with internships, co-ops and critical financial support.
The university recently recognized nearly three dozen of its top corporate collaborators at the Celebration of Industry Partnerships, held at University Crossing.
Three men talk to a woman standing in front of a 51视频 standing banner Image by Ed Brennen
Nearly three dozen of the university's top industry partners were recognized for providing students with paid work experiences and other support.
Chancellor Julie Chen thanked industry partners 鈥渇or everything you do that makes it possible for all of us to succeed together.鈥 Their contributions to student success, she noted, are a big reason why UML was recently named the commonwealth鈥檚 No. 1 public school by the Wall Street Journal.
鈥淵ou are providing experiences that help our students understand why they're learning what they're learning and where they want to go,鈥 Chen said. 鈥淎nd there's nothing better than a motivated student who understands where they want to go.鈥
While UML has a long tradition of collaborating with businesses, 鈥淲e've definitely seen an increase in recent years,鈥 said Arlene Parquette, associate vice chancellor for industry partnerships and economic development.
A young woman smiles while making a speech from a podium Image by Ed Brennen
Senior biomedical engineering major Lindsey Baxter has accepted a position at Abiomed.
RTX (formerly Raytheon) and Teradyne were recognized as Premier Partners, the top tier of the university鈥檚 Preferred Partner Program.
RTX鈥檚 chief technology officer, electrical engineering alum Mark Russell 鈥83, said the aerospace and defense giant is finalizing a new master agreement with the university that will deepen their ties. They are also renewing the contract for the Raytheon 51视频 Research Institute (RURI), a joint research facility focused on the advancement of innovative technologies that opened on campus in 2014.
鈥淟owell punches above its weight, and I'm proud to continue working with 51视频 students,鈥 said Russell, who noted that RTX employs more UML alumni than any other company (close to 1,000, according to LinkedIn).
A first-generation college student who grew up near Syracuse, N.Y., Russell said his engineering education at UML prepared him to take on difficult problems during his four decades at RTX.
A man wearing glasses gestures while making a speech from a podium Image by Ed Brennen
Steven Conte, director of application engineering at Teradyne, says the company looks forward to growing its partnership with UML.
鈥淵ou鈥檝e got to make good bets in life, and I鈥檓 betting on 51视频,鈥 he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a world-class university, and I鈥檓 happy you鈥檙e growing.鈥
As a Ph.D. student, Kajenski is a graduate research assistant with RURI鈥檚 Printed Electronics Research Collaborative (PERC). While some graduate students have to scramble for funding over the summer and between semesters, Kajenski said the support from RTX means 鈥渨e can seamlessly continue our research and develop as students鈥 throughout the year.
鈥淚t's easy to take the networking, equipment and resources for granted,鈥 she said. 鈥淏ut when we take a step back, we can see that this is truly a one-of-a-kind place that sets us apart from other graduate students.鈥
Nearly 100 UML alumni work at Teradyne, a multibillion-dollar test and automation company based in North Reading, Massachusetts.聽
Steven Conte, director of application engineering, said the company hires engineers from UML 鈥渂ecause they can adapt to a fast-paced environment with ever-changing requirements.鈥澛
A young woman with glasses makes a speech from a podium Image by Ed Brennen
Electrical and computer engineering Ph.D. student Adria Kajenski thanks RTX for supporting her research.
Teradyne has ramped up its co-op program with UML in recent years, Conte said. It also supports the River Hawk Scholars Academy for first-generation students, the societies for Black, Hispanic and women engineers, and programs for veterans.
鈥淲e are delighted to be a part of this great university and look forward to expanding that relationship,鈥 said Conte, who received a certificate in Unix and systems administration from UML in 1996 and serves on the Industry Advisory Board of the university鈥檚 Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.聽
Seven companies 鈥 Abiomed, Amazon, Analog Devices, DCU, Enterprise Bank, National Grid and Pfizer 鈥 were recognized as Select Partners, and another 20 companies were named Advantage Partners.
Baxter, who is in her final year in the Francis College of Engineering, recently completed a six-month product development co-op at Abiomed, a medical device technology subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson. Working on a miniature heart pump called the Impella 5.5 鈥渟olidified my decision in choosing biomedical engineering and made me excited to follow my passion in helping others,鈥 said Baxter, who has a full-time job waiting for her at Abiomed following graduation.
鈥淚 look forward to my future at Abiomed, applying my knowledge and values that I've learned, to continue making a positive impact on the world,鈥 she said.