The Alumni Magazine for Worcester Polytechnic Institute. (WPI)
Issue link: http://wpialumnimag.epubxp.com/i/406282
news from HIGGINS HOUSE was a great leadership experience." Always a steadfast supporter of WPI, New- man's alumni activities increased in recent years. He served as chair of his 50th reunion, and his team broke reunion fundraising records. During his fve-year term as Alumni Association treasurer, he quadrupled the available budget from $70,000 to $300,000 and used the increase to support more stu- dent scholarships, he says. Most recently, Newman joined the Strategy Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the School of Business, which is tasked with in- tegrating innovation and entrepreneurial studies throughout WPI's curriculum. The new scholarship, says Newman, "refects two personal infuences near and dear to my heart" because each changed his life course. "Scholarships were invaluable to me," he says. "I couldn't have gone to WPI without them." And his MBA studies "helped the puzzle pieces click," showing him how to use his knowledge to make a meaningful impact on what he was doing. Those early infuences led him to a 37-year career at Teradyne, where he served in a wide variety of management roles. He retired as vice president in 2009. Newman says his motivation isn't any different from most alumni who work tire- lessly for WPI. "The desire to give back is common among people who do this," he says. "It's not just the affnity for the school, but a drive to do something about that affnity." With all of WPI's achievements, it comes down to the students, and their passion res- onates with him. As a sixth grader watching a science-class ham radio demonstration, Newman's world changed when he compre- hended the power of technology benefting humanity. "I literally decided that day to be- come an engineer, so I'd be able to achieve those benefts," he says. Seeing the same drive in today's students thrills him, and he glimpses the potential they hold. Newman says he is especially look- ing forward to meeting recipients of the scholarship he and Bonnie are endowing. "You get to rub shoulders with kids who will change the world." — Julia Quinn-Szcesuil Stay Connected! FROM DISCOUNTED TICKETS TO INVITATION ONLY EVENTS, LOG ON TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE YOUR EMAIL TODAY! HTTP://ALUMNICONNECT.WPI.EDU " It's not just the affnity for the school, but a drive to do something about that affnity."