Wentworth News Archive

What giving to Wentworth means to some of our donors, in their own words. 

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Emojis are everywhere. You see them on social media platforms, in text messages and blogs, and they even exist in court cases.

Salem Othman, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Networking in the School of Computing and Data Science, not only recognized the appeal of emojis on his students, but also the overall changing impact of emojis on how we communicate. In September 2019, he decided to dive deeper into this topic and investigate this new form of human communication through scientific research in the form of Emojiset Mining.  

As the Fall 2021 semester kicked off, new and familiar faces converged on campus, and students were able to return to a full slate of on-campus classes and amenities.

The abundance of activity on campus and in the classroom is no accident—it is thanks to the steadfast support of people like you. Because of your generosity, we have been able to keep Wentworth running through the pandemic and expand offerings to students as it became safer to do so.

One of the things I enjoy most about my work is that it gives me the opportunity to meet people with the same interests and passions that I have: higher education, STEM and design education, bridging the gap between potential and educational opportunity, and working together to make the world a better place for all. Care for and support of our students has been a consistent theme as I have met with so many of you.

In last year's President's Report, Wentworth’s Board Chair Greg Janey and I were able to highlight how Wentworth had responded to the COVID-19 pandemic and how we were positioned for the uncertainty of the year ahead. Now, one year later, I can share how much we accomplished while recognizing some of the challenges we endured.

Rick Grundy’s story is one that epitomizes Wentworth career success. Grundy chose AVTECH—an international software and hardware developer and manufacturing company head-quartered in New England—for an optional co-op during his sophomore year of college. Today, he is the company’s president. Grundy, Computer Science ’03, has long served as a member of the Wentworth Alumni Association, and he currently chairs the University Advisers, a group dedicated to the welfare of Wentworth and its students. He is also a member of the Board of Trustees.

Teradyne has joined Wentworth in its efforts to increase the number of women and other underrepresented groups of students in STEM.

The company dramatically increased its commitment to students in 2021 through a multipronged gift to the following:

During this past academic year, the Richard H. Lufkin Memorial Fund, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee (Lufkin Memorial Fund) awarded Wentworth two grants that supported students majoring in Mechanical Engineering. These grants provide students who are typically under-represented in the major with financial assistance that will directly help them pursue their undergraduate studies and graduate from Wentworth with an engineering degree.

The Fall 2021 semester ushered in new tools for students to find what they need and attain a better overall experience at Wentworth. 

It has oft been said that the pandemic does not discriminate in relation to who is impacted. But this sentiment is especially true for students and families who have carried an increased financial burden over the last year. 

Whether a sudden layoff made buying books harder, hospital bills took away savings that were reserved for room and board, or the sudden need for a scholarship meant the difference between going to college or not, the power of donors and financial support for our students was underscored this past year. 

SOME PARTICIPANTS stared down sweltering 90-degree heat while hitting the pavement in downtown Boston. Others cruised past picturesque oceanside vistas. And Jesse Correia and his dog, Gus, alternated between running and cooling off in Houghton’s Pond.

But no matter how the 18 members of Team #WentWorthIt participated in a special run/walk event on June 5, the goal was the same: Raise funds for Wentworth Institute of Technology’s Student Emergency Fund.

Preventing catastrophes within a power grid. Improving a mechanical fabrication shop’s workflow. Upgrading a chocolate pump used by bakers. Analyzing the energy footprint of Wentworth’s campus.  

These capstone projects are just a sample of the work that Wentworth students and faculty were able to conduct this year thanks to the support of various corporate sponsors.  

The Office of Pre-college Programs has announced its inaugural summer program, ImpactLab, an innovative two-week residential summer experience for rising juniors and seniors in high school. This hands-on, immersive learning program will give students a chance to explore their passions in science, engineering, and design.  

From the opportunity to get a sneak peek of college life, to learning in Wentworth Institute of Technology's labs and studios, participants will explore a variety of engaging topics representing all five schools at the university.

Sindi Bendo, Management ’22, and Dani Topale, Computer Information Systems ’24, made history this semester when they respectively took on the roles of president and vice president for Wentworth Student Government. 

Wentworth Omicron IV Chapter of Sigma Lambda Chi International Construction Management Honor Society held its annual Induction Ceremony on November 30. The top 20% of juniors and seniors in construction majors are academically qualified to be members. This year 23 students were inducted, along with three Industry Professionals, Rose Conti, CM-Lean, Sharon Jozokos, and Chris McPherson, as honorary inductees. CM Faculty member Afshin Pourmokhtarian was also an honorary inductee.
     

First-year students in Professor Santiago Umaschi’s Introduction to Management course displayed their entrepreneurial spirit this week at a marketplace set up on the Wentworth Institute of Technology quad.  

Members of the President’s Circle represent our most generous contributors who have made gifts or commitments of $25,000 or more during a lifetime of giving. The below list reflects lifetime giving amounts. 

$1 million+ 

Samuel Altschuler, Hon. ’08, P ’84 and Nancy Jo Altschuler, P ’84 

Ever wondered what it’s like to be on a Wentworth Institute of Technology co-op? 

Tessa Zuluaga, Business Management ’22, helped answer that question when she gave Instagram users a behind-the-scenes look at her current experience with Toast. 

A special thanks to those who gave to Wentworth in Fiscal Year 2021. The following list reflects individuals and institutions that contributed $1,000 and above during that time period. 

INDIVIDUAL DONORS 

Gifts of $100,000+ 

Faisal Al-Shawaf, AEC ’94, BCS ’95, Hon. ’18 and Nourah Al Faisal 

The 1904 Society honors, celebrates, and recognizes alumni and friends who have made a commitment to support Wentworth Institute of Technology through a planned or deferred gift. These future gifts contribute to the growth and success of Wentworth, and they will benefit future generations of students and faculty. 
 

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