In 2024, WPI’s faculty, staff, students, and initiatives captured headlines for research and projects, expertise and innovation, community impact, and more. Stories in local, regional, national—and international—media outlets amplified the university’s visibility, solidifying its reputation as a global leader in innovation and excellence.
RESEARCH
Transformative contributions to science, technology, and sustainability including innovations in battery recycling were highlighted by The Boston Globe while Ascend Elements, born out of a WPI lab, was one of TIME’s top green-technology companies. Efficient methods to recycle polystyrene were covered by Phys.org, Yahoo!, and other outlets. In a literal leap toward the future, an experiment conducted aboard the ISS, featured by GBH, is exploring how microgravity impacts fire behavior. Additionally, the Energy News Network reported on laser technology to help Maine’s paper and pulp mills reduce their carbon footprint.
The Boston Globe TIME Yahoo! GBH Energy News Network
EXPERT INSIGHT
Faculty featured in the expert database provided insight on top tech trends (Techopedia), cybersecurity threats (USA Today), data breaches (The New York Times, CBS News) and the CrowdStrike outage, (AP News, NPR, The Boston Globe). Professors analyzed the Northeast's record wildfire season (WHDH, The Boston Globe, MassLive), hurricane-related telecom disruptions (The Boston Globe), consumer pricing experiments (Le Parisien),vehicles in society (BBC Radio 4, Bloomberg), the science behind metal squeaks (Yahoo News), and societal issues like body image during pregnancy (Self).Techopedia USA Today CBS/The New York Times AP News NPR WHDH/The Boston Globe/MassLive The Boston Globe LeParisien BBC Radio 4 Bloomberg Yahoo Self Magazine
STUDENTS
From developing affordable technology to modify manual wheelchairs with electric power (WHDH) and accessibility apps for museums (WBJ) to exploring the potential for life on Venus (BBC), WPI student work displayed the breadth of their skills and dedication. Students also earned national recognition for entrepreneurial achievements, designed inclusive escape room experiences (Eurogamer), and contributed to meaningful community projects like the musical tribute to Worcester’s Major Taylor (WBUR).
WHDH Worcester Business Journal BBC Sky at Night Eurogamer WBUR
COMMUNITY IMPACT
WPI continues to foster innovation driving economic growth and opportunity in the region, as was noted in Techbullion, and helps power higher education in the city (The Globe Magazine/Livability). Regionally, a collaboration with the Boston Museum of Science showed how WPI blends science and art to inspire broader audiences (The Boston Globe). Nationally, unique programs, like supporting introverted students in developing skills for college and career success, set a benchmark for inclusivity and student development (Inside Higher Ed). WPI was also recognized for groundbreaking IMGD programs which this year paid tribute to video game history (WCVB).
Techbullion The Globe Magazine Livability The Boston Globe Inside Higher Ed WCVB
WHAT’S NEW
This year the university launched a master’s program in AI (BestColleges), introduced the nation’s first master’s in Explosion Protection Engineering (ScienceBlog), and debuted a first-of-its-kind PhD in Financial Technology (WBJ). WPI also started a new master’s program in global public health (GBH) and received a State Department grant to improve accessibility at its global project centers (UPI). Closer to home, WPI created transfer programs with several community colleges and new partnerships for accelerated master’s programs (The Gardner News).
Best Colleges ScienceBlog.com Worcester Business Journal GBH UPI The Gardner News
THE "TAIL END"
After seven years of loyal service, Bella, the beloved WPI Police K9, officially retired in 2024—bringing an end to her "pawsome" career on the force. Her graduation walk and final "last call" were captured on video, which quickly went viral, with over a million views. Bella’s work will always be remembered as "fur-tastic" as she pawses for a well-deserved break, leaving behind a legacy of dedication and "tail wagging" success. Graduation walk Last call
