The Alumni Magazine for Worcester Polytechnic Institute. (WPI)
Issue link: http://wpialumnimag.epubxp.com/i/406282
Advancing WPI Fall 2014 7 DEAR ALUMNI: A s you read this, the campus is preparing for one of the most exciting occasions in recent history. On November 7 and 8 we will celebrate the inaugura- tion of Laurie Leshin, 16th president of WPI, and kick off the university's Sesquicentennial Year. The WPI community— both on and off campus—is buzzing with anticipation about the start of this new chapter in WPI's story. I hope many of you will return to campus for the inauguration to meet President Leshin and to experience the energy and enthusiasm at your alma mater. President Leshin, a dynamic leader with impressive experience that lends itself to a distinctive vision for WPI, is certainly the source of much of the energy and excitement on campus. An- other source of anticipation is the transformation of Alumni Gym into the Robert A. Foisie '56 Innovation Studio, named in honor of Bob Foisie's extraordinary lifetime giving to WPI. Stu- dents and faculty alike look forward to the day when the Foisie Innovation Studio at Alumni Gym opens its doors as a state-of- the-art hub for WPI's distinctive project-based curriculum. Cur- rent plans include a robotics lab, maker space, and high-tech classrooms for the Great Problems Seminars. A Center for Innova- tion and Entrepreneurship will support the "practice" side of our motto by helping students fnd paths to commercialization for their projects. An Innovation Exchange on the former gym foor will provide fexible workspace for student project teams—a space made for the evolution of ideas to innovations. A connector running through the center of the building will showcase the his- tory of the WPI Plan, student project teams working throughout the world, alumni achievements, and donors to the project. Many of you have already contributed—I thank you for your generosity and commitment to this important project. However, we need many more of you to give if we are to raise the $18 million needed to kick-start construction and allow us to open the new building in 2016—its 100th anniversary. To encourage alumni support, the Alden Trust—one of Worcester's most venerable foundations and the most generous foundation donor to WPI – has offered a generous challenge. If we raise $9 million for the transformation of Alumni Gym, the Trust will contribute $3 mil- lion. Every gift counts toward this challenge, but we will only garner the additional $3 million if we hit our $9 million goal in alumni giving. On the eve of WPI's 150th year and with the inauguration of our new president, WPI is calling us to action, and we must respond. I ask you to join me in supporting the Foisie Innovation Studio at Alumni Gym and honoring the tradition of WPI alumni philanthropy that built Alumni Gym back in 1916. There is great momentum building at WPI, driven by President Leshin and her vision and leadership, by our vibrant undergradu- ate and graduate students, by our eminent faculty, and by our dedicated staff. As a graduate, you will forever remain the life- blood of this dynamic institution, and I hope you will remain in- volved and help nurture our growing culture of philanthropy at WPI. With many Sesquicentennial events planned for the coming year, you have more opportunities than ever to return to campus, to wear WPI on your sleeve, and to participate in the life of your alma mater. Excellence is a shared responsibility, and all great universities are made stronger with the involvement and support of their alumni. I ask you to join me in making a commitment to WPI. I hope to see you at the inauguration of President Leshin and at the numerous Sesquicentennial celebrations throughout the year. MICHAEL J. DOLAN '75 Senior Vice President, Exxon Mobil Corporation WPI Trustee and National Campaign Chair From the National Campaign Chair