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Dear Faculty and Staff,
First, I hope this message finds you and your loved ones healthy and safe, and that you are adjusting to our new normal at WPI and in our homes.
As we all know, the rapidly evolving coronavirus (COVID-19) situation continues to drive major changes in the way we conduct our work and lives. As are all colleges and universities, WPI continues to adapt and respond to this unprecedented situation. Every one of us has been impacted, and in countless ways.
The steps that have been taken to protect our community’s safety have also placed unexpected financial pressure on our students, some of whom now struggle to cover costs associated with an unexpected early departure from campus; technology to support remote learning; loss of income from employment; and other consequences of the coronavirus situation. Some of our faculty and staff are also experiencing financial impact from these unprecedented times.
A number of our WPI community members have asked how they can help.
The WPI Emergency Assistance Fund has been established for this purpose, and anyone who wishes to offer support can do so using our Secure Online Gift Form by selecting the “Emergency Assistance Fund” for the Designation. Now more than ever, there are those in need at WPI who will benefit from your generous support.
WPI also continues to accept annual gifts to the university. Unrestricted gifts—that can be applied wherever the university needs them most—are especially critical. Gifts can be made using the Secure Online Gift Form and selecting “Unrestricted” as the Designation, or the designation of your choice. We understand the financial demands this situation is causing, and we deeply appreciate the support we continue to receive.
There is also so much happening at the university to make us all proud. The effort to collect personal protective equipment (PPE) for the medical and public health communities, the small army of faculty and staff who are sewing face masks, the diagnostics supplies being identified for donation, and WPI’s 3D printing capabilities being organized to produce the items in highest demand by engineers and clinicians—this community knows how to rise to the occasion and demonstrate leadership.
WPI is leading in this critical time in other important ways as well. WPI Trustee Stephen Rusckowski ’79, for example, is chairman, president and CEO of Quest Diagnostics, which is significantly ramping up its coronavirus (COVID-19) testing. Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker toured Quest’s Marlboro Headquarters with Mr. Rusckowski last week, and Mr. Rusckowksi has also been on the national stage, appearing at White House Press briefings. We are not surprised that WPI graduates are on the front lines when a problem of global consequence needs to be solved.
The WPI community is known for its abundance of people who care, and we sincerely appreciate the many faculty and staff who have asked how they can help those financially impacted by this situation—most especially our students. In uncertain times, philanthropy is more powerful than ever—in the help it provides and the hope it offers. And gratitude is an even greater virtue. We are deeply grateful for people like you who care so much about the WPI community.
Thank you for everything you are doing to continue to deliver on WPI’s mission during this challenging time.
Sincerely,
Bill McAvoy
Senior Vice President
University Advancement
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