The Alumni Magazine for Worcester Polytechnic Institute. (WPI)
Issue link: http://wpialumnimag.epubxp.com/i/406282
44 Fall 2014 news from HIGGINS HOUSE DEAR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS, T he excitement on campus is palpable. The inauguration of Laurie Leshin as WPI's 16th president is just around the corner, with a symposium on Friday, Nov. 7, and the installation ceremony, a luncheon, and the Intergalactic Inaugural Ball on Saturday, Nov. 8. If you haven't registered yet, there is still time: visit leshin16.wpi.edu/register and enter the code WPICommunity. This is our chance to make history with WPI. The inauguration weekend kicks off WPI's Sesquicentennial Celebration, with festivities continuing from Founders Day 2014 to Founders Day 2015. Keep an eye on your email and the WPI Alumni Facebook, Twitter, and other social media channels for WPI 150 events, trivia, and updates. It's going to be a fun year! There is also much buzz on campus about the repurposing of Alumni Gym into the state-of- the-art Robert A. Foisie '56 Innovation Studio, a home for WPI's distinctive approach to project- based undergraduate STEM higher education. The fundraising effort for this critical project just received a boost from the Alden Trust to encourage more alumni support. It's up to us to raise $9 million from our fellow alumni, and then the Trust will contribute $3 million to the project. This is our opportunity, as alumni, to make a big impact on the campus and on WPI students for years to come. Visit the Foisie Innovation Studio website to learn more and make your gift: wpi.alumnifund.me. Alumni Gym is one of the top priorities for President Leshin, and she has hit the ground running to meet and engage with as many students, faculty, and alumni as possible in the frst months of her tenure at WPI. The festivities on Nov. 7 and 8 present an opportunity for the WPI community to celebrate and formally recognize the start of her presidency. It is also an opportunity to see for yourself that our alma mater is under strong leadership. Many of you experienced the dynamic atmosphere on campus at Homecoming, Oct. 10 and 11. It was wonderful to have such a great crowd to honor this year's Goat's Head Award recipient Steve Hebert '66, aka Mr. WPI, (see page 46). After joining WPI's administrative staff in 1969, Steve became a guiding hand and a fountain of knowledge for the decades that followed. His emphasis on alumni involvement early in his career makes the award that much more meaningful and important. In the spirit of re-engagement, in the coming year the Alumni Association will be working to strengthen communication with you and between alumni and the university. I hope you'll bear with us as we experiment with different approaches and continue to improve our offerings. As always, you may reach out to me (mwalton@alum.wpi.edu) or any of the Association Board members with your feedback on what we're doing right and how we might improve our engagement with you. With best wishes, Myles Walton '97 the view from the hill From the Alumni Association President This is our opportunity, as alumni, to make a big impact on the campus and on WPI students for years to come.