Celebrating WPI’s Donors and Their Impact

More than 100 donors and key volunteers gathered at Unity Hall for a Celebration of Philanthropy on April 7. The group included alumni, trustees, parents, friends, faculty, and staff—those who had made leadership gifts to Beyond These Towers: The Campaign for WPI and those who have benefitted from the over $200 million generously contributed to the university thus far toward the $350 million philanthropic goal.

Providing guests with a close-up look at the stunning new building, the evening also featured 16 expo booths hosted by students, faculty, and administrators demonstrating the campaign’s positive impact on student projects and faculty research that have the potential to change lives for the better. Guests also heard from President Laurie Leshin, WPI Trustee and National Campaign Chair George Oliver ’82, PhD candidate Jack Grubbs ’19, and Board Chair Jack Mollen.

“We have an incredible community of students, faculty, and alumni doing great things around the world,” said Oliver, “and I couldn’t be more excited about playing a part in advancing their efforts to make the world a better place.” He and his wife, Karen (Zalewski) Oliver ’82, are longtime WPI advocates who have generously supported Beyond These Towers.

A highlight of the evening was Mollen’s announcement that the Board of Trustees approved the renaming of the Project Center building as the Laurie A. Leshin Global Project Center.