Department(s):
Office of the PresidentDear WPI Community,
The start of a new academic year is always filled with excitement, and this year the positive energy is especially palpable. The warmth, joy, and WPI spirit can be felt across the campus, and it has been deeply gratifying for me to experience this personally as I begin my first full academic year at WPI.
We welcomed our new students to campus last week. It was heartwarming to see so many members of our WPI staff and faculty welcome new students and their families with such well-coordinated efforts, sincere cordiality, and caring. The same level of energy and commitment was also evident at the Convocation ceremony last Tuesday.
Our graduate and undergraduate students crossing Earle Bridge for the first time last week was amazing to witness. It was inspirational to see WPI traditions live on and become even more meaningful as we emerge from the pandemic; continue to build a highly connected, supportive, and inclusive community; and prioritize the well-being of our students, faculty, and staff.
We were delighted to welcome new faculty members at the New Faculty Orientation hosted by the Morgan Teaching and Learning Center. Their expertise and commitment are impressive and exciting.
The pace of technological advancements and adoption is accelerating, most recently by the rapid assimilation of generative and applied artificial intelligence (AI) into many areas of our lives. In fact, this is a shift that brings significant opportunities and challenges to our world and to our campus community. We must prepare our students to be ready for their careers, motivate them to better the world, and equip them to lead in the future. Our project-based learning, an innovative culture, and a passion for teaching among our faculty members have been a signature for WPI and are becoming more critical and relevant than ever.
Clearly, the challenges facing our society are complex and frequently on a global scale. Effectively addressing these global issues calls for scientific, engineering, and technology solutions, as well as art, humanities, policy, business, ethics, and cultural approaches. Our highly interdisciplinary research will enable WPI to stay at the forefront of today’s STEM landscape and rapidly evolving innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem. I am confident this will be a year filled with meaningful collaborations on campus and beyond.
Exciting opportunities are ahead of us. I look forward to connecting with you and learning more about you and your thoughts.
Wishing everyone a happy and successful academic year!
Warmly,
Grace