The Alumni Magazine for Worcester Polytechnic Institute. (WPI)
Issue link: http://wpialumnimag.epubxp.com/i/114745
message from the president their innovative thinking and technical prowess into new products, new companies, and oftentimes, whole new industries. If you are a regular reader of this column, you know I have long maintained that the economic well-being of our country depends upon our nation's ability to innovate, create, and find solutions to pressing problems, which, of course, is what a WPI education is all about. WPI's new Business School is a critical part of that vision. The Institute's history of outstanding business courses helped paved the way for this important expansion. Our management program has been nationally recognized for many years, while our parttime MBA program has received tremendous regard, having been ranked #1 in the northeast by BusinessWeek magazine, and in the Top 10 nationally by several ranking firms for many years. The Princeton Review recognized our business program as one of the best in the country for women, of which we are particularly proud. These accolades are a direct reflection of our faculty and their remarkable ability to transcend traditional pedagogical boundaries, deftly guiding our students through the ever-busy, ever-changing intersection of technology and business. WPI is a very entrepreneurial campus, in large part because our faculty is entrepreneurial and Fast Starts encouraged to be so. Examples of this entrepreneurial spirit can be found in this issue of the Journal, starting with alumnus Mike Caprio '98 and his winning trip aboard the StartupBus. This issue also showcases one of the exciting new centers to emerge from the School of Business, the 8 Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things. Tech Advisory Network (TAN), which has gotten off to a fast start (A Virtual Incubator, p. 48). Created by business school dean Mark Rice, TAN matches inno- —Peter F. Drucker 8 A vative ideas and products developed by WPI students and faculty with experienced alumni business leaders who put these would-be entrepreneurs through a rigorous analysis, with the challenging goal mong the many positive outcomes resulting from a WPI of guiding them from concept to marketplace. In just its first year, education is a high proclivity of our graduates to hold TAN has attracted an impressive list of alumni volunteers, and is leadership positions in the world of business. This ten- already advising a number of cutting-edge products and start-ups, dency may seem obvious given the natural propensity of from biomedical devices to smartphone apps to new delivery sys- WPI graduates to be innovators, but it also stems, in part, from the tems for cell therapy. Institute's unique educational philosophy. Our emphasis on collab- TAN's early accomplishments suggest a bright future for this pro- orative learning, our project-based curriculum, our rigorous class- gram, but it also represents the type of quality volunteer opportunity room requirements, and our commitment to the Humanities all that is available to WPI alumni here on campus. There is much going combine to produce that rarest of graduates, the technological hu- on at WPI for alumni to be proud of, but also to take part in, particularly manist, one deeply conversant with science, technology, and what is in the world of business. Alumni involvement contributes significantly to possible in the modern age, trained to solve problems through cre- the success of our students and faculty. And as our alumni volunteers ativity and innovation, yet keenly aware of human needs and issues. tell us, working with students brings a great deal of satisfaction to a To determine whether WPI graduates are well prepared to excel in volunteer's life, and it's the type of satisfaction not easily duplicated. the business world, one need only ask the companies who recruit from While the mission of the WPI Journal is to keep you informed about this university, some of the largest and most successful companies in WPI and its many happenings, it is my hope that this current issue the world, who have told us for many years that WPI graduates enter inspires you to think about ways you might become more involved their organizations ready to make important contributions on day one. with WPI. And if so, the Tech Advisory Network is a good place to The Institute's penchant for producing business leaders suggested that WPI had both an opportunity and a responsibility to expand our business offerings into a top-tier School of Business, which we did just last year, enabling WPI students to better leverage 10 Winter 2013 start your exploration.