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2010
Society1865
Memhip Directory
§
Today the Institute stands solidly atop its rounded
hill, still overlooking the City and reaching
toward the sky. It stands there for more than
any other reason because—by some strange
and wonderful supply—there have always been
enough people who cared.
— From Two Towers: The Story of Worcester Tech 1865-1965
— by Mildred McClary Tymeson
A Special Evening Honoring
the 1865 Society
and
the Presidential Founders
October 28, 2010
Campus Center Odeum
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
§
§
3
With the vision and financial support of John Boynton
and Ichabod Washburn, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
was founded in 1865. Even then, however, John Boynton
knew that it would take a community effort to secure the
future of this innovative institution of higher learning.
Inspired by Boynton’s leadership and transformational
investment to establish “a scientific school in Worcester,
upon the condition that our citizens shall furnish the
necessary land and buildings,” the citizens of Worcester
and the city’s business community contributed to the
construction of the university’s first building, Boynton
Hall. Since then, students and faculty have benefited
greatly from the continuing generous investments from
our alumni and friends. The 1865 Society recognizes the
university’s most generous benefactors, those who have
contributed $1 million or more to carry forward the
community effort that created WPI. These alumni and
friends have long provided the support required to
advance the noble mission of this remarkable university.
Society1865
Celebrating Philanropy at WPI
Margaret A. and Michael M.Galbraith ’58
GE Foundation
Bernard M. GordonD. Eng. (Hon.) 2007
Dorothy and Roy G. Gullberg Jr. ’52*
Raymond E.* and Marion M. Hall*Sherman M. Hall*Clarence M. Hall*
Maurice W. Heinritz ’20*
Milton P. Higgins II*D. Eng. (Hon.) 1955
Hoche-Scofield Foundation
IBM Corporation
Marion* and Charles Kennedy ’31*
The Kresge Foundation
Stanley J. Kwolek Trust
Janet and Gordon B. LanktonD. Eng. (Hon.) 2010
Elizabeth A. Lufkin Trust
James H. Manning 1906*
Douglas B. Martin ’24*
MCAE, Inc.
Archie W. Merchant 1897*
Jean and John C. Metzger ’46*
Morgan-Worcester, Inc. andThe Morgan Family
Linda and John Nelson
Edna T. and Douglas G.Noiles ’44D. Eng. (Hon.) 1999
Norton/Saint-Gobain
Parametric Technology Corporation (PTC)
Robert S. Parks 1893*
Cecilia Sue PerreaultIna Perreault*Raymond J. Perreault ’38*
Maureen and Donald K. Peterson ’71
Tracy and Stephen Rubin ’74
Miriam B.* and Walter Rutman ’30*
Alena and David M. Schwaber ’65
Florence E. Seeley*
Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
William B. Smith 1908*
Harry A. Sorensen ’30*
Stoddard Charitable Trust
Dorothea* and John N. Styffe ’24*
Mildred P. and Edward J.Sydor ’50*
Ruth P. and Donald Taylor ’49D. Eng. (Hon.) 1980
United Technologies Corporation
Viewlogic Systems Inc.
W. M. Keck Foundation
Dee M. and R. KingmanWebster ’54
The Whitaker Foundation
Ray H. WittD. Eng. (Hon.) 2003
Wyman-Gordon Company
§ §
4 5
George I. Alden Trust
Paul A. Allaire ’60D. Eng. (Hon.) 1994
Anonymous
Aries Division
AT&T
Avaya Inc.
Shirley V. and James L.Bartlett Jr. ’39D. Eng. (Hon.) 1998
Patricia A. and Robert H.Beckett ’57
S.K. and Paul R. Beswick ’57*
John A. Bicknell ’33*
Phyllis and Ross Chapin ’51*
Davis Educational Foundation
Digital Equipment Corporation
Marion S.* and ParisFletcher*D. Sc. (Hon.) 1967
Mary H.* and Gale E. Flint ’29*
Janet and Robert A. Foisie ’56
Esther and Howard Freeman ’40D. Eng. (Hon.) 1996
George F. and Sybil H. FullerFoundation
The 1865 Society recognizes Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s
most generous benefactors, those who have contributed
$1 million or more to advance the noble mission of this
remarkable university. Like our founders, members of the
1865 Society are deeply committed to educating future
generations of leaders in engineering and science who have
the knowledge and wisdom to make a positive difference
in the world.
1865 Society Members 2010
* Deceased * Deceased
7
§
6
§
Worcester Polytechnic Institute recognizes with special
appreciation and gratitude those benefactors whose level
of support equals or exceeds the $100,000 founding gift of
John Boynton. These generous alumni and friends, are
honored as Presidential Founders.
Presidential Founders 2010
(in alphabetical order)
Robert B. Abbe ’382002+
George T. Abdow ’531989
Dorothy andJames S. Adams ’491997
Gloria andDonald Adams ’522000
George I. Alden*D. Eng. (Hon.) 19261929
George I. Alden Trust1929
Phyllis E.* andAndrew Gustaf Aldrin ’15*1995
Paul A. Allaire ’60D. Eng. (Hon.) 19941998
Charles L. Allen*1941
Katherine Allen*1913
Eileen E.* andWilliam L. Ames ’42*1992
Virginia Clarke Ames*1988
William L. Ames 1882*1938
Arvid E. Anderson ’20*D. Eng. (Hon.) 19661987
Nancy W. andG. Albert Anderson ’511988
Seta and Diran Apelian1993
Joan andRobert C. Appenzeller ’462000
Herbert Asher ’441994
Eleanor C.* andPhilip G. Atwood ’37*1994
Axel F. Backlin*1957
Anna* andDavid C. Bailey ’25*1996
Bruce M. Bailey ’511999
Shirley V. andJames L. Bartlett Jr. ’39D. Eng. (Hon.) 19981990
Mabel K. Bass*
Eleanor W. Bateman*1991
Donald R. Bates ’40*1978
Joyce C. andPaul W. Bayliss ’601989
Karen L. Bean ’86 MBA2002
Robert W. Bean ’822002
Patricia A. andRobert H. Beckett ’571987
Mary E.* and Carl G.Bergstrom ’35*2006
Donald F. Berth ’571989
Rene R. Bertrand ’572006
S. K. andPaul R. Beswick ’57*1995
Carl W. Bettcher Jr. ’411991
John A. Bicknell ’33*2006
Emily and John Edward(Ned) Bigelow ’442005
William Warren Bird*1926
John R. Black ’532003
Meta S.* and Harold S.Black ’21*2006
Louis A. Blanchard ’57*2002
Anna HarringtonBoardman*1972
+ Year in which donor achieved Presidential Founders level of support equaling the founding grant of John Boynton
* Deceased
98
Hellen* andCarleton F. Bolles ’21*2001
John Boynton*1865
Annabelle Howland Bragg*1987
Dorothy R.*and John R. Brand ’361990
Becky and Allen Breed ’462001
Rebecca E. Brenner2009
Lois E.* and William S.Brooks ’40*2005
Peter W. Brouwers 1913*1965
Catharine andJohn Lott Brown ’46D. Sc. (Hon.) 19841994
Harriet D. Brown*1912
Mae E.* and John J.Brown*2006
Raymond W. Burns ’16*1972
Phyllis* andArthur H. Burr ’29*2001
Harold D. Burt ’33*1992
Violet* and John K. Busada ’391999
Mary E. Butterick*1974
Curtis R. Carlson ’672008
James L. Carr Jr. ’742002
Elizabeth andBrian D. Chace ’692000
Harry F. Chapell ’541994
Phyllis and Ross Chapin ’51*2002
Robert G. Chaplick ’452001
Mary M.* andCharles N. Clarkson ’22*1981
Richard W. Cloues ’38*1987
Charles BertrandCoburn 1899*1951
Mary Jane andEdward S. Coe Jr. ’31*1992
William J. CoffeyWalter L. Goodwin*1995
Baujke and Noel L. Cohen2009
§ §
Daniel I. Coifman ’672000
George E. Comstock ’46D. Eng. (Hon.) 19821989
Emma B. Conant*1976
Ellen W. Coombs*1956
Dwight M. Cornell, PE, ’602009
Nancy andFrederick J. Costello ’591998
Joan and Paul A. Covec ’642000
Nancy andDonald G. Craig ’57*1992
Charles F. H.Crathern III ’522004
Gordon F. Crowther ’37*1991
Joseph F. Cullen 1907*1972
May I. T. Cunningham*1988
F. Harold Daniels*D. Eng. (Hon.) 19411962
Fred Harris Daniels 1873*1962
Fred Harris DanielsFoundation1962
C. Marshall Dann ’35*1987
Helen T. Davenport*2006
Richard A. Davis ’531990
Robert B. Davis ’462005
Charles H. Decater ’28*1993
Phillip R. Delphos ’26*1990
Betsy andWilliam A. Delphos ’741990
John F. Devaney ’31*1995
Jean andMichael A. DiPierro ’681991
Debora M. and Michael J.Dolan ’752009
Barbara Grant and IrvingJames Donahue Jr. ’44*1976
Sara A.* andE. Leo Douville ’392003
Josephine C.* andHenry Duckworth*1955
1110
Mabel* andDwight J. Dwinell ’34*2000
Diane A.* andGerald T. Dyer ’56*1996
Mary G. Ellis*1941
Warren A. Ellsworth ’22*1972
Ruth H. and Warren A.Ellsworth Foundation1972
Kathryn Y. andCornelius J. Enright Jr. ’60*2002
David Hale Fanning*1928
Alton Farrel Jr.*1969
Robert D. Fellman*1995
Robert H. Field ’38*1988
Neil A. Fitzgerald ’38*2002
Marion S.*and Paris Fletcher*D. Sc. (Hon.) 19671985
Mary andWarner S. Fletcher1999
Mary H. Flint*1999
Janet andRobert A. Foisie ’561990
Phyllis Follett*2007
Janet* andRaymond J. Forkey ’401988
Nellie Fors*1976
Howard S. Foster ’19*1985
Hugo P. Frear 1883*D. Eng. (Hon.) 19291956
Esther andHoward G. Freeman ’40D. Eng. (Hon.) 19961977
Walter Henry FreygangFoundation1999
George F. Fuller*D. Eng. (Hon.) 19441964
George F. and Sybil H.Fuller Foundation1964
Henry J. Fuller 1896*D. Eng. (Hon.) 19301928
Ingeborg* andEdward R. Funk ’46*2003
Leslie Boorky Gaffin andMichael A. Gaffin2004
Margaret A. andMichael M. Galbraith ’581999
Milton W. Garland ’20*D. Eng. (Hon.) 19951992
Richard T. Gates ’52*1989
Hazel M. Gay*1968
Thomas A. Gelormino ’681991
Shirley andIrving B. Gerber ’441996
Albert J. Gifford 1896*D. Eng. (Hon.) 19391966
Albert J. GiffordCharitable Trust1966
Lydia Gifford*1998
Stella Kilmer Gilbert*1955
Mary* and Earl W.Gleason 1912*1988
Esther Kisk Goddard*D. Sc. (Hon.) 1969 andRobert H. Goddard ’08*1984
Albert S. Goldberg ’482004
Miriam E.* andMoxie F. Goll*1993
Anne andBennett E. Gordon ’652005
Bernard M. GordonD. Eng. (Hon.) 20072009
George C. Gordon 1895*1964
Arthur E. Gorman ’17*1985
Edward F. Gould 1899*1969
Bette L. andRobert N. Gowing ’492000
Robert H. Grant ’421988
Edith* andFrank W. Green 1910*1993
Orilla H. Greenwood*1999
R. Reed Grimwade ’502005
William R. Grogan ’462006
Alfred L. Grout*2003
Dorothy and Roy G.Gullberg Jr. ’52*2006
§ §
1312
O. Vincent Gustafson ’29*D. Eng. (Hon.) 19851987
Michael S. Gutman ’581996
Weston Hadden ’22*1983
Joyce* andRaymond R. Hagglund ’561994
Eric A. Hahn ’80D. Sc. (Hon.) 19992000
Robert Hahn2005
Janice G. Hale*1999
Percy M. Hall 1907*1976
Raymond E. Hall ’31*1998
Patricia E.* andCaleb D. Hammond ’37*1994
Laura E. Hansen*1991
Marie andJohn P. Harding ’471998
Earl T.* andFlorence H. Harper*1973
Charles A.Harrington 1895*1964
Charles A. HarringtonFoundation(dissolved since gift to WPIof Harrington Auditorium)1964
Daniel J. Harrington Jr. ’50*1996
Frank C. Harrington 1898*D. Eng. (Hon.) 19451962
Frank C. HarringtonFoundation(dissolved since gift to WPIof Harrington Auditorium)1962
Robert D. Harrington*1989
Ralph E. Hartshorn 1904*1974
Julia M.* and Harold E.Hartwell 1911*1963
Margaret Hamilton Hatch*Helen Hamilton Hatch*1985
James N. Heald 1884*1989
James N. Heald II1995
Pauline W.* andRichard A. Heald ’20*1994
Elsa O.* andFred H. Hedin ’26*2006
Bonnie andDavid Heebner ’672009
Ray W. Heffernan ’19*1991
Maurice W. Heinritz ’20*2001
Lois and SumnerHerman ’50*2007
Mary* andLeonard Hershoff ’431999
Phyllis E. andRobert W. Hewey ’401994
Aldus C. Higgins 1893*D. Eng. (Hon.) 19311949
Clara Carter Higgins*1972
John WoodmanHiggins 1896*D. Eng. (Hon.) 19531962
Milton P. Higgins II*D. Eng. (Hon.) 19551966
William D. Holcomb ’38*1994
Frances B.* andCalvin B. Holden ’43*1997
Barbara V. L. andPeter H. Horstmann ’55*1990
Rosemary andDavid W. Hoskinson ’571995
John E. Hossack ’461993
Dorothy J. andWilfrid J. Houde ’59D. Eng. (Hon.) 20012000
Elinor andWilliam H. Hough*1995
Elmer P. Howe 1871*1924
Wilfred H. Howe ’22*1985
Earl C. Hughes 1914*D. Eng. (Hon.) 19631964
Flora Wheeler* and Clayton E. Hunt Jr.* ’342008
Diana andLarry Israel ’611993
Sydell andLeonard Israel ’442005
Joanne andIrwin Jacobs ’60*1998
Frances andM Howard Jacobson1991
Frances Jennings*2002
§ §
1514
George NathanielJeppson 1897*D. Eng. (Hon.) 19451977
Charles C. Johnston ’571998
Alba Y.* andAram Kalenian ’33*1994
Margaret N. Kalenian*2006
Diane and Albert J. Kaneb1966
Stephen J. Kaneb, PE, ’82and Andrea J. Kaneb ’842004
Virginia and John A. Kaneb1966
Helen M.* andMoses B. Kaven 1885*D. Eng. (Hon.) 19281937
Ellen and Stuart Kazin ’612009
Charlotte* andAugust C. Kellermann ’461995
Brian J. Kelly ’551996
Ann andDouglas O. Kendrick ’601998
Marion* andCharles Kennedy ’31*1998
A. Atwater Kent 1900*D. Eng. (Hon.) 19261952
Frances K. andNorman A. Kerr ’421997
Carleton F. Kilmer ’642004
George M. Knight*1938
Mary C.* andFrederick H. Knight ’28*1992
Christina andHans H. Koehl ’561998
Sylvia C.* andArthur R. Koerber ’40*1999
Carolyn andPaul Kokulis ’452000
Lenore andEugene V. Kosso ’461993
Alisa andErnest R. Kretzmer ’452003
Pauline F. Krull Trust2010
Stanley J. Kwolek*2007
Karen and Paul A. Lacouture ’722010
Erling Lagerholm ’441990
M. Stephen Lajoie ’642004
John L. LaMattina2006
Janet andGordon B. LanktonD. Eng. (Hon.) 20101988
Joseph E. Laptewicz Jr. ’712003
Robert E. Lazzerin Trust2008
Luther C. Leavitt ’34*1994
Eino O. Leppanen ’32*2003
William M. Lester ’28*D. Eng. (Hon.) 19941992
Barbara A. andAllen H. Levesque ’591999
Cis andC. John Lindegren Jr. ’391986
Jean* andLester N. Lintner ’32*1997
Linda A. andGeorge H. Long Jr. ’571997
Richard A. LufkinMemorial Fund1971
Otis E. Mace ’31*2000
Dorothy W.* andA. George Mallis ’38*2001
Frances B. Manning*1999
James H. Manning 1906*1973
E. Bruce Mannooch*1999
Burton W. Marsh ’20*D. Eng. (Hon.) 19611999
Douglas B. Martin ’24*1979
The Luther B. Martin ’25*Family1993
Randie and Bob Martin ’752007
Richard H. Martin Jr. ’462008
Shigeko Matsuo1997
Andrew Mayer 1901*1967
Thomas M. McCaw ’46*1995
Myles McDonough1990
Charles W. McElroy ’34*1979
§ §
1716
Sandra L. andThomas G. McGee ’642005
Sue E. McKinley*1990
Marjorie M. and Richard H.McMahan Jr. ’502000
Daniel L. McQuillan ’49*1993
Eileen* andHerman Medwin ’41*D. Sci. (Hon.) 19921994
Ida A. Mellor*1989
Archie W. Merchant 1897*2001
Priscilla andGeorge C. Messenger Jr. ’512005
John C. Metzger ’46*1987
Alfred A. Molinari Jr. ’631996
George M. Moore Jr. ’40*2006
Morgan Family, throughMorgan ConstructionCompanyPaul S. MorganD. Eng. (Hon.) 1995Peter S. MorganPhilip R. Morgan1958
Eleanor* andDavid M. Morley ’36*2003
Charles A. Morse Jr. ’452000
Joan M. andCharles F. Mulrenan ’511999
Ruth andDuncan W. Munro ’512000
Paul M. Murphy ’38*1992
Peter B. Myers ’461996
Hyman G. Nagirner ’42*1992
John M. Nash ’562006
Alexander L. Naylor ’28*1989
Linda and John M. Nelson1991
Bonnie J. andThomas B. Newman ’642004
Subbo Nikoloff 1897*1957
Judith Nitsch ’75,PE, LEED AP,and J. Anthony Magliozzi2009
Edna T. andDouglas G. Noiles ’44D. Eng. (Hon.) 19991994
David P. Norton ’622002
S. Bailey Norton Jr. ’431998
Henry W. Nowick ’561994
Louisa J. andFrancis J. Oneglia ’42*1999
Cindy A. andJohn G. O’Reilly ’751991
Emmanuel J. Pappas ’522010
Robert S. Parks 1893*1988
Marjorie andDuane D. Pearsall*D. Sci. (Hon.) 19961993
Ina* andRaymond J. Perreault ’38*1974
Barrie M. Peterson ’672006
Donald K. Peterson ’712000
Edward H. Peterson ’43*1993
Ralph W. Piper ’422010
Elizabeth Beard andF. David Ploss III ’702003
Shirley C. andDonald L. Poggi ’511999
Clark L. Poland ’481987
Janet H. andAlfred R. Potvin ’641997
A. Hamilton Powell ’37*2003
Julie A. andJohn W. Powers ’612000
Lois H.* andHenry B. Pratt ’32*1995
Windle B. Priem ’591992
Richard A. Prokop ’37*1993
Ann and Richard Prouty1994
Ann W. andWilliam W. Rawstron ’571996
Vonne* and William L.Raymond Jr. ’44*1994
Frances E.* andCharles S. Reasby ’32*1997
Sarah andJoaquim S. Ribeiro ’582003
Albert W. Rice*1964
§ §
1918
Eben H. Rice ’31*1979
Alice* andGeorge R. Rich ’19*2003
Joan* and James E.Rich ’51*2006
James A. Robertson ’26*1998
George I. Rockwood 1888*D. Eng. (Hon.) 19291966
Louise P.* and Eli B.Romanoff ’34*2005
David A. Rosato ’812005
Prue andDonald E. Ross ’541992
Dorothy* andMilton E. Ross ’402001
John T. Rushton ’39*1992
Miriam B.* andWalter Rutman ’30*1983
George S. Ryan ’22*1986
Judith andPhilip B. Ryan ’652009
Carl E. Rylander ’31*1993
Stephen Salisbury II*1873
Stephen Salisbury III*1887
George E. Saltus ’512008
Trueman L. Sanderson ’31*1989
Carleton R. Sanford ’27*1975
Leonard Satin1982
Charlotte andMichael R. Scaviola2001
Paul C. Schmidt ’28*2005
Gloria andDonald J. Schulz ’612000
Alena and David M.Schwaber ’652007
William B. Scofield*through the Hoche-ScofieldFoundation1982
Robert E. Seamon ’61*2008
Achsa Brown Searle*1978
Russell M. Searle 1915*2006
Amy and Sean Sebastian ’832008
Florence E. Seeley*1999
Robert F. Shannon ’50*1999
Elizabeth Shattuck*2000
Gordon A. Shaw*2002
Mabel A.* andNorman L. Shaw ’30*1997
Tarek M. A. Shawaf ’552005
Norma andKenneth W. Shiatte ’53*1990
John J. Shields ’69 (SIM)D. Eng. (Hon.) 19891991
Raymond B. Shlora ’40*1992
Dorothy M. SimonD. Sc. (Hon.) 19712000
S. Merrill Skeist ’40*1991
Elizabeth* andWalter A. Skers ’47*2004
Gaby andPaul S. Sledzik ’612003
Frances andArthur E. Smith ’33*D. Eng. (Hon.) 19691978
George W. Smith Jr. ’15*D. Eng. (Hon.) 19611987
Isabel Hood Smith*1958
James E. Smith 1906*D. Eng. (Hon.) 1969and his sonJ. Morrison Smith ’37*through the MacamorFoundation1973
James N. Smith*1957
Leroy P. Smith*2010
Dr. Stedman W. Smith ’36*1993
William B. Smith 1908*2007
Harry A. Sorensen ’30*1997
Raymond W.Southworth ’43*2001
Lora E. Spaulding*1989
Seth Sprague Educationaland Charitable Foundation1980
Patricia andRobert C. Stempel ’55D. Eng. (Hon.) 19771990
William R. Steur ’35*D. Eng. (Hon.) 19761976
§ §
20
Henrietta D. Stewart*1999
Stoddard Charitable TrustEstablished byHarry G. Stoddard*D. Eng. (Hon.) 19411969
Helen E. Stoddard*1999
Robert W. Stoddard*D. Eng. (Hon.) 19521982
Charles G. Stratton 1875*1941
Jean A. and Jon C. Strauss1991
Henry S. Sturtevant ’16*1958
Dorothea* andJohn N. Styffe ’24*1992
Philip W. Suomu ’762002
Marguerite andJohn W. Sutcliffe ’38*2005
Mildred P. andEdward J. Sydor ’50*1992
Joan B. Szkutak ’79 andDavid E. Szkutak ’792005
Ruth P. andDonald Taylor ’49D. Eng. (Hon.) 19801987
Forrest W. Taylor*1952
Mary U.* andRobert B. Taylor ’35*1997
Florence Scofield Thayer*1936
Mary P. andJ. Headen Thompson ’361993
Honor andJohn M. Tracy ’521998
Anne and Alden Tucker ’522002
Wallace H. Tucker ’26*1976
James S. Tyler ’592001
John G. Underhill ’44*1997
Sandra andDavid T. Van Covern ’532009
Richard Walberg ’23*1988
Rachel B. Walker andCurtis John2005
Katherine D.* andOakley C. Walker ’18*1991
Janet Wallstein2005
§
21
Judith A. andGordon E. Walters ’541996
John C. Ward*1973
Henry Ellis WarrenBenevolent Trust1981
Ichabod Washburn*1870
Pamela Weathers andStephen Dungan2009
Dee M. andR. Kingman Webster ’541991
Inez* andCarl R. Weidenmiller 1911*1986
Katharine Wellington*1992
Axel H. Wendin ’26*1987
Ann* andLeonard H. White ’41and the White Family1986
Frank OrmondWhitney 1871*1936
Carla and Philip A. Wild ’502010
Jean L.* andPlummer Wiley ’35*2001
Lorraine C. andJohn H. Williams ’491997
Patricia andJohn T. Wilson ’652009
Richard B. Wilson ’392007
Ray WittD. Eng. (Hon.) 20032000
Ruth C. Wood*1981
Amy and Glenn Yee ’742005
Harry C. Young*1999
Joy P.* andLeonard A. Young ’37*1993
George M. Yule Jr. ’612002
Ronald L. Zarrella ’71D. Eng. (Hon.) 19981990
Michael P. Zarrilli ’712005
Charlotte andEdward R. Zieve ’452004
§
In early May of 1865 the Massachusetts Legislature ap-
proved a charter granting to the Worcester County Free
Institute of Industrial Science the status of a legal corpo-
ration. In short order the governor affixed his signature
to the bill and, on May 10, the charter itself, a simple,
hand-engrossed document, became official with the sig-
nature of the secretary of the commonwealth. And so it
was, 145 years ago, without fanfare and with little cere-
mony, that a new era in higher education began. The vi-
sion that led to that momentous day belonged,
principally, to one man, a
prosperous tinware manufac-
turer from Templeton, Mass.
Although he had achieved
success in business, politics,
and banking, John Boynton
always regretted that in his
youth he had been denied the
opportunity for a college edu-
cation. In the latter part of his life he saw the impact the
expanding industrial revolution was already having on
life and work in New England and realized that the re-
gion would need educated people to assume positions of
leadership in manufacturing and commerce.
The Founders of WPI
John Boynton
2322
§§
Boynton pledged his life’s savings of $100,000 to endow a
new school in Worcester to educate those new leaders. He
asked only that the citizens of that city erect a building for
his college. Stephen Salisbury II, Worcester’s most promi-
nent business leader, gave the land for the school and
headed the list of contributors to the building fund.
Worcester’s Ichabod Washburn
did much to provide substance
to Boynton’s dream and to de-
termine the character of the
institution. Washburn had
begun his career as a black-
smith; by 1865 he was the
owner of the world’s largest
wire factory. He, too, had
dreamed of a new type of school, one that would replace
the age-old apprentice system with a formal educational
program for tradesmen. He offered to build a model man-
ufacturing facility on campus to provide the practical expe-
rience that would augment classroom instruction.
The trustees accepted Washburn’s offer, but only after deli-
cate negotiations that modified his original objective from
training trade apprentices to providing hands-on shop ex-
perience for future engineers. The combination of class-
room, laboratory, and shop experience became the
hallmark of a WPI education. As the nation’s third-oldest
university of engineering and applied science, WPI would
serve as a model for a number of other engineering schools
established in the latter part of the 19th century.
Ichabod Washburn
24
As the president of the board
of trustees, Stephen Salisbury
accepted the challenge of
bringing to fruition the
dreams of Boynton and
Washburn, both of whom
died before they could see
their new school send its first
graduates into the world. Sal-
isbury was 70 years old when WPI admitted its first class
on November 11, 1868. He gave almost daily attention
to the affairs on Boynton Hill for the next 16 years until
his death in 1884. Salisbury supported WPI generously.
His gifts of record totaled $132,000, although his finan-
cial support was substantially higher. It was he who regu-
larly and quietly made up the deficits that plagued the
school during its formative years.
During WPI’s first century and a third, Boynton, Wash-
burn, and Salisbury have been joined by many other men
and women of similar vision. Their faith in the mission
and progress of this institution has inspired their gener-
ous support of the university.
Stephen Salisbury II
§
Society1865
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