WORCESTER—Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) marked a milestone as it celebrated the accomplishments of its Class of 2024 over the weekend.
The ceremonies, held on May 9 and 10 at the DCU Center, witnessed the graduation of 1,169 undergraduates, 788 master’s degree recipients, and 69 doctoral degree achievers. In addition, WPI hosted the Commissioning Ceremony for the Higher Education Consortium of Central Massachusetts’ Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) on Wednesday.
President Grace J. Wang, Ph.D, urged graduates to dream boldly and embrace the journey, emphasizing WPI’s role in preparing them for a rapidly evolving world. Notable alumna Nancy M. Pimental, a 1987 graduate and acclaimed writer and producer, shared insights with the undergraduates, highlighting the versatility and preparedness instilled by a WPI education.
Honorary degrees were conferred upon Pimental and Michael J. Dolan ’75, WPI Trustee Emeritus, during the ceremony. Samuel Levitan, a biology and biotechnology major, delivered a poignant speech that reflected on WPI’s rich history and the sense of belonging fostered within its community.
At the graduate ceremony on Thursday evening, Wang reiterated WPI’s commitment to supporting the endeavors of its graduate students. Entrepreneur Greg Tucker ’92, founder and CEO of ProAmpac, delivered an inspiring address, crediting WPI for nurturing his entrepreneurial spirit and providing him with a solid engineering foundation.
Honorary degrees were also awarded to Tucker and Chartsiri “Tony” Sophonpanich ’80, president of Bangkok Bank. Hitanshu Shah, a robotics engineering master’s candidate, eloquently represented the graduate students, emphasizing the value of diversity and collaboration in addressing global challenges.
Additionally, WPI’s Commencement Week included a Commissioning Ceremony for ROTC cadets from various institutions, highlighting the university’s commitment to producing well-rounded leaders. The event saw 26 cadets commissioned as officers, symbolizing the culmination of their academic and military training.
Amidst the celebrations, a special tribute was paid to Bella, the beloved explosives-sniffing dog of the WPI Police Department, as she retired after eight years of dedicated service. Bella, accompanied by her handler Officer Brian Lavallee, received a heartwarming sendoff during the ceremonies, marking the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter in civilian life.
WPI’s Class of 2024 embarks on their next chapter equipped with knowledge, resilience, and a spirit of innovation, poised to make a positive impact on the world.
Send news releases to Charlene Arsenault at carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org
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