Beth Schweinsberg ’00

A Challenge to Give Back

When Beth Schweinsberg ’00 looks back on her WPI experience, it abounded with opportunities for learning and also leadership, friendship, and expanding her horizons through new activities. Schweinsberg was attracted to this aspect of WPI from the recruitment mailings she received after taking her PSAT.

“What struck me was how well-rounded it was,” says Schweinsberg, who knew she was going to be a computer science major. “I knew there would be lots of opportunities to learn and also do the things I enjoyed outside the classroom.”

And she did. She played in the orchestra for two years, ran cross country for four years, rowed crew for a couple of seasons, and was on the ski team for a few years. She was a member of Alpha Phi Omega, participated in SocComm—eventually chairing its movie program, and was involved with student government. Phi Sigma Sigma sorority was by far the most influential part of her WPI years, she says, and where she developed her long and deep friendships.

The leadership skills she developed along the way have proven useful to her career since graduation. After working in web development, she earned a master’s degree from Carnegie Mellon University. She has since built an impressive career in digital forensics and incidence response, working for well-known companies many people interact with every day.

Schweinsberg has committed up to $40,000 in hopes of enticing her peers to give back and celebrate the long and proud tradition of philanthropy at WPI.

“I have always been complimented on my leadership,” she says. “Having that balance at WPI definitely helped me in my career.”

Schweinsberg also points to her time beyond campus completing her IQP in London as “another huge moment of growth.” Going away, being surrounded by new people, working on a team, all contributed significantly to her education.

“That is something I wanted to make happen for other people.”

She is challenging her class to support global projects for their Reunion Class Gift. The Class of 2000 will celebrate its 20th reunion at the end of May 2021—along with classes ending in 1 and 6—if health and safety conditions allow. So, there is still plenty of time to give.

Schweinsberg has committed up to $40,000 in hopes of enticing her peers to give back and celebrate the long and proud tradition of philanthropy at WPI, which she has honored through her annual giving and through the Schweinsberg Globe Trotter Endowed Scholarship she established. Through the Beth Schweinsberg ’00 Reunion Class Challenge, she will match gifts to WPI’s areas of greatest need up to $15,000 and will match dollar for dollar any gifts to Global Projects for All, up to $25,000.

She decided to challenge her class after seeing the success of WPI’s Giving Days and the Goat Nation Giving Challenge in support of athletics. She noticed more people participate when there are challenge dollars to be earned.

“And I kind of want to outraise the Class of 1999,” she says, “and thought this would be a fun way to do it.”

In addition to supporting her Reunion Giving Challenge, Schweinsberg challenges her classmates and other alumni to consider their time at WPI, what it has given them, and what they may be able to give back to support WPI students today and in the future.

In California, where she now lives and works, she says the people who know WPI know what amazing students graduate from the university.

“We just need more of that in the world.”