On August 19th, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) welcomed over 340 enthusiastic new graduate students at an orientation designed to mark the beginning of an exciting academic journey. The day kicked off with a lively breakfast, followed by a motivating keynote address from WPI’s president, Grace Wang. In her speech, President Wang encouraged students to fully embrace the opportunities ahead, reminding them that their time at WPI would be both transformative and full of possibilities.
The event featured additional welcome speeches, including one from the Dean of Graduate Studies, Terri Camesano. Along with these speeches, students were introduced to vital campus resources, tips for navigating graduate life, and what they can expect as they progress through their programs.
One of the highlights of the day was the iconic Earle Bridge Crossing—a cherished WPI tradition. New students gathered, despite an unexpected downpour, to cross the Earle Bridge, symbolizing the beginning of their graduate journey. In this WPI tradition, students cross the bridge at the start of their academic careers and will cross it again in the opposite direction upon graduation. The rain didn’t dampen spirits; instead, it added a sense of adventure as students continued the tradition before heading indoors for a lunch.
The afternoon brought a chance for students to explore various campus organizations during an interactive tabling session. The event provided valuable opportunities for students to get involved, make connections, and learn more about the vibrant community at WPI. With orientation complete, the excitement for the academic year was officially underway.
Later that same week, on August 23rd, WPI continued the celebrations with the highly anticipated annual Grad Student BBQ. Hundreds of students returned from orientation to enjoy a relaxing evening filled with delicious food and great company. The BBQ featured classic cookout fare like burgers, hot dogs, salads, watermelon, and more. To top it off, Assistant Vice President of Solution Architecture & Analytics, Brian Degon and his band, entertained the crowd with live music. The Graduate Student Government kept the fun going with lawn games, while the Graduate Studies department handed out custom WPI t-shirts. With perfect weather and a strong sense of camaraderie in the air, the BBQ was the ideal way to kick off the 2024-25 academic year.
WPI is thrilled to welcome such a talented, ambitious cohort of graduate students. We look forward to witnessing all that they will accomplish in the coming years. Here’s to a safe, successful, and exciting academic journey!