WPI announces $18.6 million in donations during President Wang’s inauguration
Over the past two months, New England Council member, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) has received $18.6 million in donations. The gifts were announced by the university on Friday, March 29, as part of the inauguration ceremony of Dr. Grace Wang, WPI’s 17th president. Dr. Wang is the first person of color to lead WPU as president on a non-interim basis.
The $18.6 million was comprised of donations from seven individuals and is to go towards the university’s Beyond These Towers campaign. The campaign was launched in 2021 with a fundraising goal of $500 million and is meant to provide financial assistance to students while funding research with a global impact. Three of the donors were named by WPI: Mike Abrams, a WPI alumnus from the Class of 1977, and his wife, Nancy, former co-director of the WPI Armenian Project Center, Diran Apelian, along with his wife Seta, and Steve Vassallo, a WPI alumnus from the Class of 1993 and his wife, Trae.
“Ever since joining WPI a little over a year ago, I have been inspired by our community’s passion for our student-centric mission and commitment to our innovative culture,” said Dr. Grace Wang. “As we come together to propel our university to an even higher level of excellence, I am deeply grateful to these alumni and friends whose generous support will help our innovative community meet this moment with creativity and agility.”
The New England Council would like to congratulate WPI for receiving these generous donations and Dr. Wang on her inauguration into this important role.
Read more in Worcester Business Journal.
Make sure to listen to Episode 14 of New England Council’s “Inside the Corner Office” with Dr. Grace Wang to learn more about her career path and WPI’s continued growth and success.