Two notable alumni will return to Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) this spring as the honored speakers for the Class of 2024 Commencement exercises, to be held May 9 and 10 at the DCU Center in downtown Worcester:
- Award-winning television writer Nancy M. Pimental ’87, will deliver the address at the university’s Undergraduate Commencement ceremony at 2 p.m. Friday, May 10.
- Entrepreneur, Founder, Vice-Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of ProAmpac Greg Tucker ’92, will deliver the address at the university’s Graduate Commencement ceremony at 5 p.m. Thursday, May 9.
“A WPI education prepares graduates for success along any path they choose,” said President Grace J. Wang, PhD. “Nancy followed a passion for acting and writing that has turned into a high-profile and critically acclaimed career. And Greg combined a WPI degree with an entrepreneurial mindset to create a global flexible packaging company. They will share their insights and reflections as our students set off on their own journeys.”
Nancy M. Pimental ‘87 was an executive producer and writer for the hit Showtime series “Shameless” for 11 years—work that earned her a Gracie Award celebrating exemplary programming created by women, for women, and about women. The WPI chemical engineering graduate has written more than 20 television and movie scripts and was nominated for Emmy awards for her work as a co-host of the game show “Win Ben Stein’s Money” and as a writer on the hit animated television series “South Park.” She wrote the fan-favorite movie “The Sweetest Thing.” Pimental also spends time working with new writers, helping them make the transition from YouTube series to television.
Greg Tucker ’92 has spent nearly two decades successfully leading and growing multi-billion dollar organizations. He is the founder, vice-chairman and chief executive officer of ProAmpac, a privately held, $2.4 billion flexible packaging company. Tucker was a standout soccer player at WPI; he is in the university’s athletic hall of fame, and his scoring records remain unbroken. The WPI mechanical engineering graduate founded ProAmpac in 2015. Today, ProAmpac, a leader in material science and sustainable flexible packaging, operates 46 facilities, employs 6,200 people, and serves over 6,000 customers worldwide. Tucker is a certified master black belt in Six Sigma. Passionate about giving back to the community, he and his wife, Corinna Jenkins Tucker Ph.D., C.F.L.E, have established and are involved in multiple foundations and non-profit organizations, including the Eleanor and Clarence Prevo Foundation, the GC Tucker Foundation and the ProAmpac Employee Assistance Fund (PEAF). The mission of the Eleanor & Clarence Prevo and GCT Tucker Foundations is to make a difference in the lives of parents, children, and community youth. PEAF supports ProAmpac employees and communities facing hardships. All three are 501(c )3 organizations.
First Commencement at DCU Center
This year, WPI’s undergraduate and graduate Commencement ceremonies will be held off-campus, at the DCU Center in downtown Worcester. The move from a limited-capacity tent on the university’s quad to the climate-controlled, fully accessible arena reflects an effort to make Commencement a more inclusive experience for the 1,100-plus graduates and their guests.