Alumni gives huge monetary gift to university in Worcester
Worcester Polytechnic Institute alumni Robert A. Foisie, class of ‘56, has announced that he is giving the university a $40m donation, which goes on record as the largest gift given to the facility in its 149-year history. The funds will be used for student scholarships.
Foisie recalls working through high school at many different jobs to afford the tuition for WPI, which in 1952 was $600-a-year. He also received some scholarships to help make ends meet. According to the Boston Globe, he said that since there were no student loans back when he enrolled, if someone did not have the money to study then they simply could not go to college.
After he received his bachelor’s degree in engineering from WPI, Foisie went on to earn a master’s degree from Cornell University. He began work as an engineer, and early in his career developed and patented a jet fuel control valve.
Now a man of some means, Foisie is pleased to help give back to WPI.
Speaking about the donation, he said he hopes it helps to give kids an education that they otherwise would not be able to access.
WPI will likely be visiting brochure printers to make some changes, as it will be naming its School of Business and new innovation center in Foisie’s honor. The university also plans to present him with a doctorate of engineering (honorary) during the upcoming commencement ceremony.
Foisie recalls working through high school at many different jobs to afford the tuition for WPI, which in 1952 was $600-a-year. He also received some scholarships to help make ends meet. According to the Boston Globe, he said that since there were no student loans back when he enrolled, if someone did not have the money to study then they simply could not go to college.
After he received his bachelor’s degree in engineering from WPI, Foisie went on to earn a master’s degree from Cornell University. He began work as an engineer, and early in his career developed and patented a jet fuel control valve.
Now a man of some means, Foisie is pleased to help give back to WPI.
Speaking about the donation, he said he hopes it helps to give kids an education that they otherwise would not be able to access.
WPI will likely be visiting brochure printers to make some changes, as it will be naming its School of Business and new innovation center in Foisie’s honor. The university also plans to present him with a doctorate of engineering (honorary) during the upcoming commencement ceremony.