Worcester Polytechnic Institute
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| Motto | German: "Lehr und Kunst" |
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Motto in English
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"Theory and Practice" |
| Type | Private |
| Established | 1865 |
| Endowment | $435.8 million |
| President | Laurie Leshin |
| Provost | Bruce E. Bursten |
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Academic staff
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478 |
| Undergraduates | 4,177 |
| Postgraduates | 1,962 |
| Location |
Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S. 42°16′24.56″N 71°48′26.46″W / 42.2734889°N 71.8073500°WCoordinates: 42°16′24.56″N 71°48′26.46″W / 42.2734889°N 71.8073500°W |
| Campus |
Residential/Suburban 80 acres / 32 ha |
| Colors | Crimson and Gray |
| Athletics |
NCAA Division III NEWMAC, Liberty League, NEWA, ECAC |
| Sports | 20 varsity teams |
| Nickname | Engineers |
| Mascot | Gompei the Goat |
| Affiliations | AAC&U, NAICU, NEASC, AICUM, COWC, AITU |
| Website | www |
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Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) is a private research university in Worcester, Massachusetts, focusing on the instruction and research of technical arts and applied sciences.
Founded in 1865 in Worcester, WPI was one of the United States' first engineering and technology universities and now has 14 academic departments with over 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science, engineering, technology, management, the social sciences, and the humanities and arts, leading to bachelor's, master's and PhD degrees. WPI's faculty works with students in a number of research areas, including biotechnology, fuel cells, information security, surface metrology, materials processing, and nanotechnology.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute was founded by self-made tinware manufacturer, John Boynton, and Ichabod Washburn, owner of the world’s largest wire mill. Boynton envisioned science schooling that would elevate the social position of the mechanic and manufacturer, but not necessarily teach the skills needed to become either. Washburn, on the other hand, wanted to teach technical skills through a sophisticated apprenticeship approach. Boynton consulted Seth Sweetser, a pastor, for ways to realize his vision. By chance it happened that Ichabod Washburn had previously consulted Sweetser about the proper way to actualize his own vision.
Washburn was disappointed to learn of Boynton’s offer to create a college, although Washburn claimed, "I prefer to be imposed upon by others rather than by myself in withholding where I ought to give," with the help of Sweetser's diplomacy and wisdom, he agreed to build, furnish, and endow a "Department of Practical Mechanics" at Boynton’s school. He specified, however, that every student should blend theory learned in the classroom with practice in the shops.
Sweetser drafted a letter expressing Boynton’s and Washburn's wish to other significant men within Worcester County. The document was sent to 30 Worcester businessmen. It told of a "liberal proposal to found a Free School for Industrial Science" in Worcester and called for a meeting later in the month. After that meeting the following notice appeared in the Worcester Palladium: "A Gentleman, who for the present withholds his name from the public, offers a fund of $100,000 for the establishment of a scientific school in Worcester, upon the condition that our citizens shall furnish the necessary land and buildings." Further funding and land grants for the university were given by Stephen Salisbury II, who was an influential merchant and later served as the first president of the Institute's board of directors.
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