Letters to and From the Editor

What surprised you about WPI?

I asked this question of WPI’s new president, Grace Wang, when we sat down for an interview that became the cover story in this issue. Although we talked several months before her first official day on the job, she was getting to know the community through extended visits to campus, meeting with key groups to listen and learn about what makes WPI tick. Check out her answer—and the full interview—starting on page 20.

As a relatively new member of the community myself, I pondered how I would have answered the question when I first arrived. This is certainly a place that embraces its quirkiness—hello, members of the Galactic Senate, a.k.a. the Star Wars Club. A student group that sells goat cheese? A soccer field on top of a garage? A pair of vintage film projectors showing 70MM films? Yes, the choices are many when considering the unusual elements that make this community special.

So, dear readers, I open this question up to your answer—what surprised you when you first joined the WPI community? Send your comments to wpijournal@wpi.edu and if enough people answer, I’ll print a compilation in the next issue.

A reminder—please send your preferred way of receiving the Journal (digital or print) to infoupdate@wpi.edu. You’ll also see that the QR codes are back at the end of the features in the print version for electronic sharing of the stories.

—Kristen O’Reilly, Editor

I wanted to tell you how uplifting it is to read about all the great activities and fantastic students at WPI. In a world where all we seem to hear about are people who don’t want to open their minds, it is incredibly refreshing to read about all the young people dedicated to making a real difference utilizing their STEM background. It gives me hope for future generations.

—Phil Rubin ’79, mechanical engineering

In the Winter 2023 issue you wrote about the responses you received regarding print vs. digital magazine formats. One of the benefits to me of the WPI Journal continuing its print edition is the opportunity to set it down on the table and pick it up again, and again, when inspiration and the time allow. If I had a digital copy, it would only be read, if at all, at most once and probably not as well. Thanks for keeping it in print. It is outstanding.

—Allen G. Downs ’75, chemical engineering