Grady Granville: From Commuter Student to Professor Ways That Industry Has Changed Forever How Wentworth’s CO-OPS + CAREERS Alumnus Breathes New Life into Maine Town ⁄ Strategic Plan Calls for Optimistic Urgency Got Creative SPRING/SUMMER 2021
SPRING/SUMMER 2021
Top of the Quad Wentworth’s campus has looked a bit different over the past year due to COVID-19 protocols, but one welcome change was the addition of the F. Shawaf Terrace. Situated off the main level of the Schumann Library and Learning Commons, the new balcony affords a panoramic view of the quad and surrounding area.
Pictured, Computer Science students Mengting Wang and Yen Lee take the opportunity to study in a new locale. PHOTO BY KATE KELLEY
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CONTENTS
E D ITO R
Greg Abazorius Director of Content D E SI G N
Stoltze Design CO N T R I B U TO R S
Erik Cote Assistant Vice President for Strategy & Policy Katie DePrimo Director, Annual Giving
4
36 FEATURES
PROLOGUE
18 A New Era
4 Academic Reimagining • Let’s Get It Started • Five Questions • Wentworth Co-Op Team • New Trustees • New Grad Programs • House for a Musician and a Poet
Industry leaders and educators have adjusted their thinking to adapt to a pandemic world. Some of those changes—particularly within construction and healthcare—are likely to stay.
20 Career Shifts How the CO-OPS + CAREERS office got creative and found opportunities for students.
22 From Commuter Student to Professor Grady Granville, now a successful engineer, became an influential campus leader and continues to give back to his alma mater.
CLASS NOTES 25 Schumann Gift • Class of 2021 • Francesco Stumpo • Institutional Master Plan • Lew Ayers • Kate Tilas • In Memoriam • Alumni Award Winners • ASAP Challenge
WANT TO GET IN TOUCH WITH US? Email editor@wit.edu
Parker Fish Donor Relations Coordinator Tyler Gibson Associate Director, Alumni Relations Crate Herbert Vice President, Institutional Advancement & External Relations Kelly Lin Director of Marketing Nicole Price Vice President for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Ted Reed Associate Vice President for Marketing and Communications (Interim) Eric Roe Assistant Director, Alumni Relations Linda Werman Director of University Events and Donor Relations P H OTO G R A PH Y
Devlo Media, Small Army, Kirsten Fraser P RI N TI N G
Kirkwood Digital Printing O N T HE COV E R
Photo by Kirsten Fraser
Wentworth Magazine is published by the Office of Marketing and Communications at Wentworth Institute of Technology 550 Huntington Avenue Boston, MA 02115-5998. Contact us at editor@wit.edu. Please send any mail address corrections or updates to DataUpdate@wit.edu. Wentworth Magazine is printed by Kirkwood Digital in Wilmington, Mass. MORE ONLINE wit.edu/magazine
2 | SPRING/SUMMER 2021
Dear Alumni, Parents & Friends, Since I started as Wentworth Institute of Technology’s president, I have
response to shifting demand for academic programs, highlighting
encouraged our faculty, staff and students to approach their work with
our broad range of offerings. We’ve accelerated the pace and scope
optimistic urgency. The shared vision we have developed inspires great
of our digital transformation to ensure that our students have the
optimism about our future. The unprecedented events of the past year,
best possible experience. Additionally, a broad plan to enhance our
however, have increased the urgency with which we must work.
core operations over the course of this calendar year is well underway.
Despite the many challenges we have faced over the past year, our
Members of the Wentworth community have never been afraid
foundation remains strong. In addition to overcoming obstacles posed
of a challenge. In these very uncertain times, we have not just survived,
by the pandemic, we have made meaningful progress on several crucial
but thrived. I remain certain that our future will be strong.
operational and strategic initiatives. Our work toward Inclusive Excellence is a prerequisite to achieving our shared vision for the university. We define Inclusive Excellence as actively
Respectfully yours,
and intentionally cultivating a diverse and culturally competent institution where each member has the opportunity and support to reach their full potential and make contributions to our campus community and beyond. Furthermore, we have restructured our academic enterprise in
Mark A. Thompson, Ph.D. President wit.edu/magazine | 3
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Shoe Design Is Connor Beebe’s Passion Connor Beebe, Industrial Design ’16, is a designer for Converse, focused on content creation and art direction, serving all of the company’s digital platforms.
PHOTO BY AUSTIN BRYANT
“Growing up, I loved shoes. From middle school on it was a huge part of my life. This opened my eyes to the culture surrounding footwear: design, music, fashion, advertising, print, photo, etc. My high school art classes solidified that it was the only thing I wanted to do or be a part of.”
“When I toured Wentworth, met the teachers, saw the studio/workshop and dove into the curriculum, it all clicked for me. I knew I wanted a hands-on design experience and Wentworth specializes in that. The co-op experience was also a key piece to my decision, which eventually got me to where I am now. I feel pretty lucky looking back.”
“I came into [Wentworth] as a crazy perfectionist and was driving myself nuts. We were taught that there is a process you need to follow to bring an idea to fruition. The design process we were taught and exposed to built the foundation of how I approach any problem today in my professional career. I also learned a lot about myself as a person and a creative. I started to trust my gut more and allow more of my personality to come into my work.”
“Some of my best times were the dark days (and nights) grinding in the studio with everyone just trying to get it done. We were all on the same mission: just to get better and be the best designers we could be. The studio environment and people in it made it a really inspiring and motivating place.”
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UNIVERSITY NEWS
Academics Reimagined Wentworth leaders have reimagined academics at the university with the restructuring of the former three colleges and 14 departments into the following five new schools: • The School of Architecture and Design (including former Architecture, Industrial Design, and Interior Design departments) • The School of Computing and Data Science (including former Computer Science and Networking and Applied Mathematics departments) • The School of Engineering (including former Biomedical, Civil, Electrical and Computer, Interdisciplinary, and Mechanical departments) • The School of Management (including former Construction Management and Management departments) • The School of Sciences and Humanities (including former Sciences and Humanities and Social Sciences departments) This organizational restructuring was designed to better support the goals of the strategic plan, including meeting market demand for talented and diverse students, creating next-generation partnerships and attracting significant philanthropic support. Leading these new schools are Dean Durga Suresh-Menon (Computing and Data Science), Dean José Sánchez (Engineering), Dean Abigail J. Charest (Management) and Dean Franz Rueckert (Sciences and Humanities). The restructuring came on the heels of new appointments within the Office of the Provost, including Joe Martel-Foley as associate provost, David Simpson as provost initiatives coordinator for inclusive excellence and Ke’Anna Skipwith as assistant provost for advances in learning. Jane Allen has an expanded role in the Provost Office.
Dean José Sánchez
PHOTOS BY KATE KELLEY
Dean Durga Suresh-Menon
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Jane Allen
Dean Franz Rueckert
Associate Provost Joe Martel-Foley
Professor David Simpson
Provost Ian Lapp
Assistant Provost Ke’Anna Skipwith
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UNIVERSITY NEWS
Let’s Get It Started “Do you have a solution to an important problem?” “Want to turn your idea into a business?” These are the questions posed to students as they embark on the PDB Entrepreneurial Co-op, an opportunity created by the PDB Foundation as a means to provide tangible opportunities to turn their dreams into reality. Students spend their final co-op semester immersing themselves in local entrepreneurial culture and utilizing design thinking, lean start-up and value creation methodologies to catapult their ideas forward. Associate Professor Michael Mozill and Assistant Professor Santiago Umaschi of the School of Management mentored students in collaboration with CO-OPS + CAREERS Director Robbin Beauchamp and various guest speakers. Students also received funding through a grant from the PDB Foundation. Fitness for All Emma Manning ’21 considered the gym as a stressful place for those with autism spectrum disorders due to banging weight sounds, brightly painted walls, loud music and the
Design created by Elizabeth Cote, Industrial Design ’21
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cold, rough feel of barbells. She created Mind Muscle Connection, a sensory-friendly space that proposes joint membership rates to encourage parents to accompany children, silicon grips for gym equipment, foam padding around the source of common noises, and personal trainers certified in working with people on the autism spectrum. Both Manning’s extensive work and the resources available to her were representative of the experiences of other students taking the co-op in the past. She created a business plan, conducted a feasibility study and financial analysis for the first three years, and researched autism and the neurodiverse community at length. She met with a personal trainer who works with teens and adults on the autism spectrum, interviewed potential customers, and designed and modeled a gym. Tracking Fitness Bryant Gill ’20 created portable full-body tracking hardware to provide immersive virtual reality experiences and engaging physical exercises. A belt buckle houses the hip tracker, wireless communications modules and a microprocessor, while a leg brace contains sensors with a gyroscope, accelerometer and magnetometer. Gill had the opportunity to speak with potential customers and attend virtual conventions, speaking with VR software developers to learn more about where the technology is heading. Manning, Gill and others in the program are continuing to work on their projects in an effort to bring them to market.
Above and below: Design created by Emma Manning, Business Management ’21 Right: Design created by Bryant Gill, Mechanical Engineering ’20
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UNIVERSITY NEWS
Five Questions with Nicole Price VP of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Nicole Price’s arrival at Wentworth in 2020 was not happenstance. Building upon a commitment to Inclusive Excellence, President Mark Thompson created the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and hired Price as its inaugural vice president. Twenty years of advocacy work focused on underserved and underrepresented populations preceded Price’s time at Wentworth, as she developed and led comprehensive DEI strategies and programs in higher education. She served as a Title IX coordinator, established career pipeline programs, led admissions initiatives and served as a legal advocate on immigration and other issues. Most recently, she was chief executive officer for the Northeast region, and chief equal opportunity and compliance officer, at KIDSVAX, LLC, which ensures the funding of vaccines in a five-state region. Price talks about the importance of her division at this moment in time, who inspires her and how games like Sudoku help her find answers in everyday life.
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Wentworth: Why is this such an important moment for Wentworth to foster a more accessible, equitable and inclusive environment? Nicole Price: We are behind and need to catch up. The time was yesterday. But all we have is the present, so we start today. We live in a world where everything is caught on camera and more people than ever before are exposed to the realities that many face each and every day. Even though stories have been shared in the past and written about, videos in real time are inspiring the masses to advocate for and demand sustained changes. The pandemic has also challenged us to do some things differently. We are learning to be more adaptable, more creative, better listeners and more gracious. These changes are integral to fostering an environment where equity matters, accessibility matters and inclusion can thrive.
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PHOTO COURTESY OF NICOLE PRICE
Wentworth: Understanding that this type of work is forever ongoing, what kind of accomplishments do you hope to achieve over the next year? NP: This is truly lifelong work. We should always be evolving as individuals as well as institutions, so the work is never done. We are constantly changing as a community. As changes occur—if we do this right—new innovations appear, more people are inspired to connect and we become something special. After six months, I am learning who we have been and, to an extent, who we are. I have been meeting with people, analyzing data and listening. I will continue this process over the next six months and beyond. This year we will have a diversity dashboard for the first time. We are auditing our policies and procedures and doing a gap analysis so that we can fill some of those gaps to create a more equitable experience for everyone at Wentworth. I am focusing on increased communication, understanding that it is imperative that we have a shared language in order to communicate effectively. Finally, strong programming and making impactful resources available are a focus, as this gives people tools on how to embrace inclusive excellence, and it grows a more accessible, equitable and inclusive community.
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Wentworth: What has the response been from students, alumni and other members of the community? Have you been able to identify strong partners? NP: The response has been varied. I am very encouraged that many people are excited that my position has been created. I believe it has offered many people a sense of hope that there will be substantive and sustained change
in areas where there have been discrimination, harassment and inequity. Still others are skeptical that anything will be different because they have been waiting for change for such a long time. And while no one has said this directly to me, I know there are some who may not be happy I am here. My position indicates that diversity, equity and inclusion will be given consideration in how we move forward as an institution. As time moves along, it is my hope that everyone will see that being intentional about these matters is beneficial to us as individuals and integral to our sustained flourishing as an institution. As for partnerships, there are definitely student organizations—the Black Wentworth Coalition, Equity & Community Union, NOMAS (National Organization of Minority Architects) and the Women’s Council—that have reached out and told me what they need, and they are willing to join me in our collaborative effort. Members of the faculty and staff have also indicated their willingness to collaborate in leading our institution on a path focused on thriving for all community members. I have met a few alumni and look forward to meeting more and finding ways to collaborate to enhance our students’ experience and strengthen connections with each other.
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Wentworth: Is there an influential person or moment in your life that you believe had the greatest impact on what you do now? NP: My parents were both born and raised in the South and came of age during the civil rights movement. I stand on their shoulders as well as many others of a variety of diverse expressions of the reality of humanity. I am driven because they were driven, and we have a ways to go. I desire for our Wentworth community to serve as leaders in this work.
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Wentworth: Do you have a hidden talent or something else about you that people might be interested in learning? NP: Not so much a talent, but I really enjoy puzzles. Sudoku, Wordscapes and jigsaw puzzles. I find them relaxing, and at the same time they challenge my mind to find different possibilities. One letter or number or piece can directly impact your next move or solution. Over time I realize that this actually impacts the way I approach problem solving, attempting to bring different people together, creating spaces that allow for everyone to feel comfortable. This is not why I started doing puzzles, but I have realized there is a definite benefit outside of the enjoyment and relaxation I gain from them. wit.edu/magazine | 11
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Wentworth Co-op Team Accelerates Boston as an Affordable, Historic and Verdant City By Michelle Davis Inset pictures: An empty lot in Dorchester was renovated in 2019 to include fruit trees, an arbor and raised beds for growing food as part of Boston’s Community Preservation Act.
Helping to distribute $25 million is a lot of responsibility, especially when a plethora of community groups are counting on it. But that’s the situation in which Wentworth senior Andrew Ngo found himself as he sat at the controls of Boston’s Community Preservation Act (CPA) online public meeting, making sure the allocation of funds went smoothly. Nearly 100 city leaders, community advocates and anxious applicants joined the virtual gathering to see if their projects for affordable housing, parks and open space, and historical preservation were funded. The high-pressure, public review of 81 applications— which normally takes place in person—happened this year
online and without a hitch. Like a pro, Ngo ’21 navigated the new system, which he and fellow Wentworth students Bryan Soriano ’21 and Rahul Bahl ’21 created from scratch. Thadine Brown, CPA director of community relations, watched the meeting with great pride as three months of hard work by the Wentworth co-op team paid off. A first-generation college student and a person of color, Brown was determined to give these students the time and attention she said she remembers needing at their age. “It was a win-win,” says Brown. “I invested time and energy into the team and they took a lot of work off my shoulders to produce an outstanding product.”
“I’m most proud of actually designing the website. I learned a lot about the tool. We also got to shadow the city programmers working on the GIS mapping software, which was really interesting.” — Rahul Bahl, Computer Information Systems ’21
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“[These students] were dependable, eager to learn and fast moving. If there was something they didn’t know or I couldn’t advise them on, they would say ‘Don’t worry, we will figure it out.’ And they always did. I could really throw anything at them and they’d find a solution.” — Thadine Brown
On the docket for this public meeting were projects ranging from the restoration of the 1899 Riverside Theater in Hyde Park, 19th-century row houses in Chinatown and the 1857 League of Women for Community Service building in Boston’s South End to the creation of a plaza in Boston to honor acclaimed African American artist Allan Rohan Crite and a new Frederick Douglass Plaza and green space in the Lower Roxbury neighborhood. Funded by 1% of property taxes in Boston, these improvements—both large and small—make a significant difference in the affordability and quality of life in the city. The Wentworth team shortened the review process
Views of the CPA website developed by Wentworth students
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UNIVERSITY NEWS
“I learned you can’t always wait for someone else to step up and take the lead. Even though it was outside my comfort zone, I started stepping up and leading more to make everything flow smoothly.” — Andrew Ngo, Computer Science ’21
by more than a month and made reviewing applications much easier, eliminating the need for 400-page printed binders. For three intense months, the team met briefly with Brown each morning and afternoon, working on the elements of the project in between. They coded, designed and tested, located images, organized massive amounts of content, tracked numerous projects on spreadsheets, recreated documents and developed a user guide for the CPA staff.
The students pulled from specific experiences in previous classes to tackle and complete tasks. Their efforts culminated in a presentation of their new online review system to the CPA Committee of business, legal and advocacy leaders in Boston. Before what Soriano described as a “flawless performance,” the team practiced in front of Brown, generated feedback and presented again. They then presented in front of their faculty a third time. “This co-op gave computer science and engineering students a chance to be social entrepreneurs helping to solve worthwhile problems in the world,” says Wentworth Executive in Residence David Mareira, who helped to connect the city with the Wentworth co-op team.
“We had to trust each other and take accountability for getting our own work done well. I’m most proud of all the work we put into making a flawless presentation at the end.” — Bryan Soriano, Computer Information Systems ’21
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New Class of Trustees Provide Diverse Backgrounds in Several Fields Rose Conti
Kathleen MacNeil
Travis McCready
Al Spagnolo
Kenneth Turner
New members have been elected to the Board of Trustees at Wentworth Institute of Technology, bringing broad experience in life sciences, architecture design and construction management. Rose Conti, Wentworth Class of 2009 and 2012, Building Construction and Construction Management, is the director of interiors/special projects for Lee Kennedy Co. She was the chair of the Wentworth Advisers and past president of the university’s alumni association. Kathleen MacNeil is a principal at MP Boston, developers of Winthrop Center, an ongoing, mixed-use, $1.3 billion project in the heart of the city. She has established a $100,000 endowed scholarship fund at the university for women and underrepresented students. Travis McCready is executive director and national practice leader for Jones Lang Lasalle’s Life Sciences Industry Practice. He is the former president and CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, and co-chairs the Academic Institute Advisory Board at Atrius Health. Al Spagnolo (AIA, NCARB) is a founding partner and president of SGA. He earned an associate degree in Architecture from Wentworth and has served as a guest lecturer for the Institute, as well as Boston Architectural College. Kenneth Turner is president and CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC). He also served as deputy secretary for administration and finance for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Veterans’ Services. Read more about each Trustee at wit.edu/news.
Five New Graduate Degrees Announced for Fall 2021 Wentworth will be offering several new Master of Science degrees this fall that are focused on a growing list of highly desirable fields: Data Science, Business Analytics, Civil Engineering, Architectural Engineering and Environmental Engineering. “We’ve conducted extensive market research and have heard directly from folks in industry—there is high demand, and these degrees will set up our graduates for very successful careers,” says Dean of the School of Computing and Data Science Durga Suresh-Menon. The programs will all have online options. The new degrees join a spate of master’s programs that include Applied Computer Science, Architecture, Computer Engineering, Construction Management, Data Science, Electrical Engineering and Project Management. “The demand for job applicants with master’s degrees jumped by 50% within the last three years,” Suresh-Menon says. “And these disciplines are among the fastest-growing fields in today’s job market. We’re very excited to be offering them at the graduate level.” wit.edu/magazine | 15
UNIVERSITY NEWS
A House for a Musician and a Poet Nubian Square, the newly renamed commercial center of Boston’s Roxbury neighborhood, is undergoing a renaissance. “With a number of new architecture and urban design interventions, including the recent transformation of Bolling Building and the Roxbury Branch Boston Public Library, the square is in the process of reclaiming its former title of ‘Boston’s Second Downtown,’” said John Ellis, professor in Wentworth’s School of Architecture and Design. For his Studio 04 Spring 2021 class, Ellis asked students to design “A House for a Musician and a Poet” within a 25-by-60-foot plot on Washington Avenue situated between the Black Market Art Gallery and Nubian Square Art Gallery. But Ellis challenged students to focus on relationships between architecture and art, showcasing the stories of New York poet Willie Perdomo and Los Angeles composer/musician Jon Sakata, the latter of whom spoke directly to the studio class. The results were driven by these personal accounts, as the work of Wentworth student Quincy Thomas ’23 (pictured here) displays. Thomas explains his design: “Inspired by the fragmentary nature of Nubian Square, the design creates isolated and shared spaces to facilitate individual as well as collaborative work between the clients. Located on the street facade are spaces for the poet, as his poetic way of being has to do with his strong connection to the street and his environment, whereas the musician’s spaces are located toward the rear garden, as his inspiration comes from within and a sense of privacy. “Placed in the heart of the building, the dream space is an intimate, reflective area that fosters collaboration and the exchange of ideas. The room is independent of the surrounding spaces, while natural light fills the space from the sky above. All of these fragments are then lifted to produce living space on the ground floor that creates a transition from the front cityscape to the rear garden.” 16 | SPRING/SUMMER 2021
“Wentworth professors provided a space to talk through my thinking—even when [my thinking was] different— without judgment. I remember that, and today I try to create space for others to think things through.” DESIREE PATRICE, CIVIL ENGINEERING ’98
Share Your Story As deputy chief of Green Line Transformation for the MBTA, Desiree Patrice is responsible for a mode of transportation affecting millions every day. As a Black woman in civil engineering, she is a pioneer, encouraging new generations to “develop the tools needed to meet your goals.” Patrice adds: “Wentworth has had a tremendous impact on my life. It provided the hands-on experience that set me aside from the many counterparts who rely only on theory to function, especially during your early career. The knowledge I received provided the confidence to maneuver in the field of engineering and succeed.”
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A New Era for Industry How the Hybrid Model Is the Future of Work by greg abazorius
The hotel at the corner of Arlington and Newbury streets in
In a town filled with historic buildings, this hotel has become a
Boston—overlooking the waterways and verdant landscape
mainstay, an opulent high-rise in one of Boston’s most trafficked areas.
of the Public Garden—has a rich history. Opening in 1927 as
Sharon Jozokos was aware of the building’s importance when new
the first Ritz-Carlton in the country, it has long presented an
owners took it over and rechristened it The Newbury Boston, contracting
element of luxury to tourists venturing off the Freedom Trail
her company, Columbia, to completely renovate the building.
and passersby clasping shopping bags collected from the chic boutiques freckling adjacent Newbury Street.
As Columbia’s vice president of healthcare, Jozokos, AET ’92, CMC ’93, oversaw work on the Oligo Synthesis and Ballroom project at MassBiologics and the Lahey Hospital & Medical Center COVID-19 testing lab in 2020. She was also privy to The Newbury Boston project undertaken by her colleagues, which called for a gut renovation, including infrastructure upgrades to bring all life-safety systems up to code, new construction of a glass enclosure for a rooftop restaurant, and significant interior expansion to create larger rooms and open spaces. Work began in late 2019. And then the COVID-19 pandemic struck. The team had to manage numerous protocol requirements, prioritizing worker safety and well-being while overseeing as many as 150 tradespeople on site daily. The current economy has also slowed supply chains, making it more difficult to obtain certain materials, impacting projects across the country. “The planning and execution of a project like this requires an enormous amount of collaboration and planning to minimize surprises that can affect time and cost,” shared the Columbia team, “while maintaining the highest level of quality a historical building such as this deserves.” — Roughly 450 miles away, Matthew Consigli was also refurbishing a landmark—the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.—while contending with the parameters of the pandemic. Consigli, president of Consigli Construction, and his CEO brother, Anthony Consigli, have long hired Wentworth co-ops and graduates, some of whom were working on this project. “When we work with Wentworth graduates,” Matthew Consigli notes, “we get highly intelligent people that are not only skilled in the latest technologies but are focused with a strong work ethic.” That skill set
Jenna Acord BSA ’21, MArch ’22 during a class held in the Center for Engineering, Innovation and Sciences PHOTO BY IAN LAPP
proved helpful in 2020—including with the recent completion of a new athletic center for Colby College—when his teams had to be extra creative. Consigli notes that his company and others are using 3-D visualization and digital project management tools, which have helped enhance and
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PHOTOS COURTESY OF CONSIGLI CONSTRUCTION (LEFT) AND COLUMBIA (RIGHT)
to campus in the fall but leave open the option of distance learning while looking at how to utilize a hybrid style for future courses. “We learned a lot over the last year. Let’s reflect on it,” says Lapp. “Lessons of the Wentworth experience during the pandemic have further affirmed for me that the future of higher education—and those finding success—will be dependent on figuring out what’s best learned on a campus and what works well remotely.” — Wentworth’s Facilities department was busy in 2020, overhauling HVAC systems, adding and renovating studio spaces, de-densifying labs and classrooms, and increasing disinfecting and cleaning measures. Similar changes have been taking place within industry. streamline the communication process. Design and construction teams can now work together in real time virtually. Columbia and other organizations that often hire Wentworth students
“Design is changing both architecturally and mechanically to provide more open space and separation for customers, patients and students,” says Jozokos, adding that many mechanical systems are being upgraded,
and grads have also embraced new technology, creating video and
and that extra space is being created between different areas to minimize
other imagery to share the current conditions of construction sites with
potential cross-contamination.
remote owners, designers and consultants. Management of COVID-19
At the same time, Jozokos notes that designers must give thought to
related site risks, changing protocols and implementation has likewise
the acute isolation—causing increased anxiety, depression and loneliness—
become a priority to ensure the safety of all personnel and avoid jobsite
many people have felt during the pandemic.
shutdowns and workforce impacts.
“Shared spaces, both private and public, will need to continue to
“The utilization of technology to collaborate virtually has dramatically changed how we communicate and has allowed for efficiencies in our work’s day-to-day management,” says Jozokos, a Wentworth University Adviser.
consider the human need for community even as safeguards are put in place to help prevent future health emergencies,” she says. Consigli believes that physical workplaces will have to be portable. Instead of arriving every day to a desk, workers will meet in person
Wentworth Provost Ian Lapp agrees. “Certainly, the pandemic has made us feel closed off from our community,” he says, “but it has also provided an opportunity to get up to speed on certain technologies and
for collaboration and personal connections, but there will be increased flexibility in how and when people are conducting other jobs. “The pandemic accelerated a change in how we work and what a
ways of conducting both education and business that were all coming
typical workday will look like now. There will be more flexibility in how
along eventually, no matter what.”
and when people are working,” he says. “But human connection is not —
A hybrid model of taking some classes at home while completing labs and engaging in applied learning on a physical campus intrigued
something that can be replaced, and inherently people will continue to thrive in environments where they have the flexibility to get the most out of their workday.”
Lapp nearly a decade ago. He thought long about changing technologies of the time and the ways that people in education and industry were able to communicate with one another several thousand miles apart. “The future of work is global. We need to ensure that our students learn how to collaborate digitally, time shift and employ more flexibility,” Lapp says. “Imagine an international student who now has a better opportunity to engage with a class in Boston. We suddenly have a much better sense of how to do that.” Adds Consigli: “We are looking for our employees to understand the importance of being strong communicators. In a technology-driven
— Columbia ultimately finished work on The Newbury Boston, which was scheduled to once again welcome guests in spring 2021. And Consigli is continuing work on the Air and Space Museum, with work scheduled to be completed in June 2024. Both Consigli and Columbia have gone into overdrive on their communications efforts, knowing that exhaustive planning will continue to win the day, particularly in the wake of pandemic-related changes. And on a personal level, Jozokos feels those graduating into the workforce should be able to seek out information and guidance when
world, job seekers should know that what will set them apart is their
needed. Like Consigli, she believes that strong communications skills
ability to use and leverage technology as a tool while embracing the
are critical to a successful career.
importance of basic human connection and building relationships beyond a virtual world.” The pandemic has tested in real time the strengths and limitations of what can be achieved. Wentworth plans to bring most students back
“High performers seem to have the ability to self-motivate and stay connected with team members during this extended remote work environment,” she says. “These skills will be of significant importance for younger staff to advance their careers.” wit.edu/magazine | 19
Career Shifts
How the CO-OPS + CAREERS office got creative and found opportunities for students
by robbin beauchamp, abbey pober and faith bade
Wentworth’s CO-OPS + CAREERS office was just a few
Less than a year after that initial March closure, another
short days away from hosting its March 2020 jobs fair
CO-OPS + CAREERS Fair was held virtually, this time with
when campus closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
more than 400 students meeting 70 employers. Feedback
But within two weeks, the team transitioned the event to a virtual format, affording students the chance to
has been unanimously positive, and the event has supplied a blueprint for future job-seeking and networking abilities.
connect with employer representatives through WITworks,
99.5%
of eligible students secured a co-op for the semester
the university’s career management system.
IN THE FIELD
Shortly after, they worked closely with
Shortly after campus closed, employers began sharing
Symplicity, the vendor hosting WITworks, to
how their organizations and industries were adapting to
allow for video meetings and the ability to
COVID-19. CO-OPS + CAREERS started the series “Inside
host two additional fairs—one in August for fall
Industry Right Now,” which brings employers, students, staff
co-op seekers and recent graduates seeking
and faculty together via Zoom for hourlong discussions
full-time jobs, and a three-day event targeted
about how COVID-19 has shifted the workplace, what skills
by academic major in October that was open
employers are currently looking for and industry trends.
to all students and alumni.
ADAPTING TO THE CO-OP LANDSCAPE
454
students had paid co-ops off campus
Given the negative impact COVID-19 had on co-op employment everywhere, CO-OPS + CAREERS acted quickly
Of the 697 students who registered for co-op
gain valuable work experience and expand their skills
67%
career. Many discussions were held with academic
Secured traditional co-ops off campus
9%
Secured traditional co-ops on campus
19%
Participated in Creative Co-Ops
3%
Earned industry-recognized credentials
2%
Took Workforce Development courses
to expand opportunities for students to earn co-op credit, to position themselves for their next co-op or postgraduate departments and staff.
“As project lead on a pilot program, I had the responsibility of handling meeting scheduling and coordination, researching various topics, facilitating meetings and workshops. Time management was a huge part of the role, and it was important that I managed my time well from the beginning.” — Darren Bryan, BSM ’21, equity in urban education fellow, Boston Public Schools Office of Recruitment Cultivation & Diversity
20 | SPRING/SUMMER 2021
0.5%
of students withdrew for lack of co-op
43
students had research co-ops with Wentworth faculty
CO-OPS + CAREERS partnered with Academic Affairs to offer remote “Creative Co-ops” for most majors. Additionally, they offered students the opportunity to petition to have prior work experience reviewed and potentially meet the requirements for a mandatory co-op. Creative co-ops within the last year included: • Innovation Fellows (co-ops) in Future Lab developed concrete strategies for innovation during the pandemic, as well as a digital publication to be shared with employers, alumni and the greater Boston ecosystem. • Engineering COVID Out offered an introduction to
2,860
meetings with students were held by seven CO-OP + CAREER advisors between Sept. 2020 and Feb. 2021
“I find myself [each time] thinking about how valuable these co-op experiences are, not just for their educational benefit but for the practical knowledge you can gain only on the job. Things were noticeably different [this year] than previous in-person co-ops I’ve had, but that doesn’t mean I had a negative experience. I worked fully remotely last summer and felt that I learned just as much about system administration methodology and software as I would have if the office was in person. I unfortunately did not have the opportunity to work on physical hardware like servers, which was the only thing I felt I missed out on while working remotely.” — Myles Cheda, BSIS ’21, junior system administrator at The Bridgespan Group, a management consulting nonprofit
principles and practices needed to effectively manage engineering projects related to addressing the impact of COVID-19. • LLM Design Workshop is taught by Adjunct Professor Leila Mitchell out of her own studio, where students
• Students with extensive and applicable prior work
investigate opportunities within the realm of experience
experience (including military-connected work) before
design. The results can conceivably be published within
attending Wentworth have historically had the option
the LLM Design Insight series and offered as an industry
to apply for Industrial Professional Credits (IPC) to
presentation.
receive co-op credit for one mandatory co-op. To expand opportunities, CO-OPS + CAREERS developed the COVID
Other opportunities: • In addition to traditional faculty and staff co-ops, Wentworth faculty stepped up and developed many opportunities for remote projects and co-ops. • Non-Traditional Co-op keeps students remotely engaged
IPC option for those scheduled for a mandatory co-op. The option is less restrictive, allowing for 390 hours of cumulative work and for work that has occurred while enrolled in an academic institution. • Some students successfully complete an optional co-op
in part-time status through online activities instructed
earlier in their Wentworth careers. Given the pandemic,
via CO-OPS + CAREERS and an online Workforce
Wentworth developed an option that allows for review and
Development course taught by faculty focused on
possible approval of a successfully completed Optional
skills right for their majors, with the potential to secure
Co-op Substitution (COOP3000), which could be
work experience.
substituted for a currently scheduled mandatory co-op.
wit.edu/magazine | 21
FROM COMMUTER STUDENT TO PROFESSOR Grady Granville, Now a Successful Engineer, Became an Influential Campus Leader and Continues to Give Back to His Alma Mater by greg abazorius
Caribbean-raised Grady Granville knew very few people in Boston when he enrolled at Wentworth in 2013. As a commuter student, he would have to work even harder to forge relationships on campus. But by graduation, he would grow into a highly respected leader and a strong influence for other students of color. “One of my goals was to find ways that I could be interactive outside the classroom, despite not being on campus all the time,” says Granville, Civil Engineering ’17. “This was easier than expected because student groups actually found me before I had a chance to find them.” He first gravitated toward the National Society of Black
He would eventually serve on the executive board. “NSBE was the foundation of my involvement at Wentworth,” he says. With the establishment of Wentworth’s Center for Diversity and Social Justice Programs (CDSJP), Granville
Engineers after several members realized that, like them,
found increased structure as a student. He became a
he was from the Caribbean. “From the moment they heard
mentor within the Bridges program, which helps persons
my accent we created a bond,” he recalls.
of color transition into college, particularly STEM (science,
Granville grew keenly interested in the organization’s mission to “increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community.” He
technology, engineering, mathematics) schools, through yearlong programming and one-on-one meetings. He also served as one of the first fellows for the My Brother’s Keeper program. The national initiative began
quickly stepped out of his comfort zone as a general body
in 2014 under President Obama to address persistent
member to shadow older students, studying the way
opportunity gaps for young men of color. Wentworth’s
they developed programs and instilled pride in members.
chapter of MBK began in 2017, with 20 fellows taking part
22 | SPRING/SUMMER 2021
in various workshops, socials and other events to bolster
Hudson. He has additionally found time to volunteer with
their professional and social experiences.
the Greater Boston Food Bank and the Boston Society of
“It was easy to see from the beginning that Grady had the passion to be an advocate for students, especially students of color. Everything he did encouraged others to be active members of the Wentworth community,” says Alex Cabal, director of the CDSJP.
Civil Engineers, while also serving as a science exhibition judge for Boston Public Schools. He credits Wentworth’s “problem-solving mindset” in the classroom as one of his most valuable takeaways. “Having greater awareness of how to navigate my career
Granville adds, “It was always refreshing to interact with
with a more process-oriented approach, rather than simply
and see new students of color coming to [Wentworth] because
relying on the technical knowledge, has helped foster the
we understood and shared the challenges faced, and each
concept of continuous learning and improvement, as well as
played a part in the strategies deployed to be successful in
a level of resilience to challenges that are always changing
our academic and professional lives.”
in the field of engineering,” Granville says.
Academically, Granville was excelling, his level of involvement in campus activities providing a stable bridge
ROADWAY DESIGN AND TEACHING
between the classroom and professional endeavors like
The U.S. Census Bureau found that commuting via bicycle
co-ops. “I was able to succeed and positively impact the
grew by 43% nationwide between 2000 and 2017. Meanwhile,
community through the various resources I was now aware
84% of the 70 largest cities in America have seen an upward
of and could tap into,” he says.
trend in those biking to work during the last 12 years.
PROBLEM SOLVER
more cars on the road in addition to more pedestrians trying
Of course, an overall increased population has also meant As a member of Wentworth’s American Society of Civil
to navigate busy intersections. People like Grady Granville
Engineers chapter, Granville worked on the steel bridge
consider these scenarios when working to improve the safety
project. This team is tasked with creating a model bridge
and accessibility of the nation’s roadways.
from scratch, a design that will compete against entries from other universities at a regional conference. Granville calls it one of his proudest moments, as it created a tighter bond
highway engineering projects. The team often interfaces
with his classmates and served as a strong way to exercise
with MassDOT, MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation
the technical knowledge he gained in the classroom.
Authority), the City of Boston and others to design modern
“A significant amount of planning, building and training hours throughout each academic year went into the PHOTO BY KIRSTEN FRASER
A member of Howard Stein Hudson’s Roadway Design team, he works on complex city, municipal and state
conference preparation,” Granville says. “Being able to see all the hard work was always an accomplishment.” Granville completed co-ops with the Boston Water and Sewer Commission, Skanska and Buro Happold Engineering
roundabouts, protected bicycle lanes, walking and biking trails, and bus prioritization lanes. As he did as a student, Granville is helping to improve the experience of underrepresented groups of people. “It’s important, for example, to provide a sufficient level of comfort to cyclists or visually impaired individuals, with
during his Wentworth tenure. Upon graduation, he began
the same level of emphasis that is given to vehicles,” he
his current role as a staff civil engineer for Howard Stein
explains. “This aesthetic element of roadway design plays a key role in the inclusivity of all disabled groups of people under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) so that they
Granville with classmates William Ma, Computer Information Systems ’18 (left) and Aletheia Benjamin, Computer Engineering Technology ’15 (middle)
are intentionally welcomed to use these public facilities.” Granville has continued to be involved with the CDSJP post-graduation, participating as a panelist and guest speaker in various Center programs, including My Brother’s Keeper and the Accepted Students of Color social. “We can always count on Grady to encourage and support current and future student leaders,” says Cabal. And in May 2019, Granville returned to Wentworth as an adjunct lab instructor when the Department of Civil Engineering needed someone with highway design experience. He saw it as a way to give back to the school and to inspire the next generation of engineers. “The students of Wentworth are very special to me,” he says. “They have always been very driven to succeed and are passionate about what they do.”
wit.edu/magazine | 23
“My inspiration for becoming a civil engineer is to help build sustainable infrastructure and provide long-lasting solutions for communities. The support and opportunities at Wentworth have helped me bring this dream to a reality. Wentworth has given me the chance to grow professionally and find a second home and family.” SYLVIA COSTA, CIVIL ENGINEERING ’22
Sylvia Costa, Civil Engineering ’22, is determined to combine sustainability with long-term solutions and is grateful to attend Wentworth. In her coursework, she has learned AutoCAD, a design tool that allows engineers to digitally model and analyze structures. This technology continues to change the built industry and improve sustainability. In addition, she has taken Structural Analysis and will take Structural Steel Design next semester, both of which will help her understand how to build a complete structure such as a skyscraper or even a concrete canoe. As it did for so many, the pandemic has taken a toll on students. The Wentworth Fund provides students like Sylvia with the resources they need to be successful in their coursework and future careers.
You can help students like Sylvia solve the problems of tomorrow with your gift to the Wentworth Fund today.
Make your Wentworth Fund gift online at wit.edu/supportWIT
CLASS NOTES
1967
1989
C. Keith Essency, Electrical Engineering, checks in to write, “After 50-plus years— starting with Bell Labs and then transitioning to Texas Instruments and other companies in the semiconductor industry—I am ‘slowing down.’”
Nasser Abasali, Technical Management, Computer Science ’92, recently received the prestigious Fall Above And Beyond award at his current firm, SMMA, where he is an IT service desk manager. Abasali was rewarded for efforts and contributions toward staff, always doing his best to uplift everyone’s spirits, particularly during the pandemic.
1982 Phil Carpenito, Mechanical Engineering, joined Lockheed Martin as the continuous improvement (CI) lead for F-35 Global Sustainment. Carpenito has more than 15 years of CI experience and had previously supported Bell Helicopters’ military and commercial programs, including the V-22 Osprey, OH 58 Kiowa Warrior, H1 Yankee and Zulu programs. He is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt.
1986 1 Warren Adam, Electrical Engineering
1991 Michael T. Gray, Architecture, AIA, has become an owner/partner and managing director of Carpenter & MacNeille Architects and Builders after serving 14 years as architect and director of architecture. C&M designs and builds distinctive residential architecture throughout New England, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
1992 2 Michael Riegel, Construction Management, published a book for trade contractors based on his experience implementing the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Small Business Development Program in New York. In addition to the book, Build Like the Big Primes: A Contractor’s Guide to Building Your Business While Balancing Your Life, Riegel routinely works with prime contractors to establish internal mentor programs to support supplier diversity initiatives. He and his wife, Deborah, recently relocated from New York to Raleigh, N.C., with their rescue dog, Nash.
Technology, and his wife, Avery, celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary.
1 Got exciting news? Submit a class note! Have you celebrated any milestones recently? Celebrated your wedding or anniversary, had a child, or received a promotion or award at work? Share it with us! Your news will be shared on Wentworth’s alumni website and in the monthly alumni newsletter.
2
Head to alumni.wit.edu/classnote to share your news today!
wit.edu/magazine | 25
CLASS NOTES
Doug Schumann Gives $500k to Wentworth Cares Fund By Linda Werman Rising tides lift all boats, and Trustee Emeritus Doug Schumann recently sent a tremendous wave of support to Wentworth when he committed a gift of $500,000 to the Institute. But Schumann has been making an impact at Wentworth for more than 25 years. “I am willing to support education at Wentworth, since I have a debt of gratitude toward the institution for long ago polishing my work ethic,” he says. When asked if he could help during a critical moment in which the pandemic has created various challenges for Wentworth—and higher education in general—Schumann did not hesitate. “COVID-19 has caused a lack of revenue in terms of student housing proceeds, as well as additional costs for remote learning to stay viable through today’s pandemic,” Schumann says. “They have a COVID-19 relief fund, which I have agreed to support with a leadership gift.” This gift created an opportunity to challenge the community to join with Schumann to provide students, whether learning remotely or in a hybrid format, the chance to stay engaged without a disruption to their progress. Thanks to gifts from Schumann and others, Wentworth has raised over $648,000 to support the Wentworth Cares Fund. And there is still time to give. If you would like to join Schumann and the many other generous friends supporting Wentworth’s outstanding students, please contact Vice President, Institutional Advancement & External Relations Crate Herbert at herbertc@wit.edu or make a gift today at bit.ly/3s7EAmr.
1993 Sharon Jozokos, Construction Management, has been named to the Boston Real Estate Times’ list of the 10 Outstanding Women of 2021 in Commercial Real Estate.
1996 3 Matthew Ward, Architecture, has been elected to WBRC Architects Engineers’ board of directors and is now a principal shareholder of the corporation. He is a senior architect and department manager with more than two decades of experience across all four WBRC studios.
1997 4 Dave Henderson, Civil Engineering, was hired by Fulcrum Associates as a senior project manager to manage the team through the remainder of the BAE Systems Manchester project.
1998 Kevin Giroux, Mechanical Engineering, was promoted to manager of project engineering at Oceaneering Entertainment Systems.
2000 Sam Milligan, Construction Engineering Technologies, celebrated his 20th year at Clark Construction Group.
Congratulations to Our Graduates! Spring graduates within the Class of 2021 were honored with an on-campus ceremony May 1, while a special ceremony was held the following day, May 2, for those in the Class of 2020. We tip our caps to all those who have patiently and diligently worked toward their diplomas during a challenging period in history. You make us proud, and we congratulate you all! For more information on Wentworth’s Commencement, including the upcoming Summer 2021 event, please visit wit.edu/commencement. 26 | SPRING/SUMMER 2021
2003 5 Brandon D. Ross, Architectural
3 4
5
Engineering and Technology, AIA LEED AP BD+C, has been promoted to partner at PBK Architects. PBK specializes in K–12 and educational architecture. He lives with his wife, Jennifer, and their 3-year-old son in Houston, Texas, where they are expecting a new baby. Ross interned at BFE Architects in Lexington and now serves several of the largest school districts in Texas.
An Invitation to Explore Interdisciplinary designer and artist Francesco Stumpo ’14, ’15 recently brought together a diverse group to reflect on art created during the pandemic and how everyday actions can hold such profound meaning for others. The “More Less Project: Remote Year” virtual event focused on figuring out how to handle a post-COVID-19 world, creating a space for community reflection and discussion about the things “we are thinking, feeling and understanding in the midst of the one-year mark of operating remotely,” according to Stumpo. Panel discussions brought together designers, artists and creative entrepreneurs, before an open discussion was held with the general public. The event took place over two nights, offered in English and Spanish. “I thought about this initiative because many times we do not give ourselves the opportunity to take a break,” says Stumpo. “The time at home, the time gained from being in a space for a long time, has forced us to reduce the speed with which we do things, to gain time for reflection.”
Stumpo, who earned a Master of Architecture degree from Wentworth, created the More Less Project as a participatory public art initiative that invites people to slow down as they reflect on the things that hold meaning in their lives, as well as the effect they have on others. “It’s important to continue gathering during these uncertain times,” he says. “This is an invitation to explore how art goes beyond the two-dimensional context and we use it to connect, generate community and create spaces for reflection.” Follow Stumpo on Instagram @AtelierStumpo. wit.edu/magazine | 27
CLASS NOTES
2006 6 Stacy Padula O’Halloran, Interior Design, was selected by the International Association of Top Professionals as 2020’s Empowered Woman of the Year. She also recently signed a deal to co-author a children’s book series with NBA coach Brett Gunning, and was named a Social Impact Hero by Authority Magazine for her mission to support animal rescues with proceeds from her publishing company (Briley & Baxter Publications, LLC) and her store The Briley & Baxter Shop, which donates 50% of its proceeds to charity each month.
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2009 Adam Palmer, Electromechanical Engineering, was promoted to director of operations and project executive at JM Electrical Company.
2010 Amenyonah Bossman, Construction Management, started a new business, Bossman Construction Management Inc. Jenny Callahan, Architecture, Master of Architecture ’10, is now a principal at Design Styles Architecture, serving as director of architecture. She began at the company in 2007.
Eyeing Next 100 Years, Wentworth Launches Bold New Strategic Direction By Dennis Nealon and Michelle Davis
2011 Jose Arevalo, Civil Engineering Technology, checks in to say, “I do what I love every day in my work on New York’s George Washington Bridge. I’ve been fortunate to be working on high-profile bridges for the past eight years.” Arevalo is a chief inspector for GPI/Greenman-Pederson, Inc. Michael DiSalvatore, Architecture, Master of Architecture ’12, welcomed a son and started a photography business for architectural and lifestyle portrait photography called M. DiSalvatore Photography. 7 Jeffrey Egan, Construction Management, and his wife, Abigail, welcomed their first baby, Callum.
Real Talk “Candid Conversations” is a new Q&A collaboration between the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the Department of Marketing and Communications. Find a series of roundtable discussions related to race, women in higher education, first-generation college students and more at wit.edu/about/diversity.
As part of its strategic framework to move forward boldly in a post-pandemic world, Wentworth is beginning to lay the foundation for its next century, including new programming and real estate development. “We are entering a new and exciting phase in Wentworth’s history,” says President Mark Thompson. “We are located in the heart of a thriving city with a booming expansion in the life sciences, technology and manufacturing sectors, offering high-demand degrees in those industries.” This year, Wentworth added seven new graduate degrees, including in the growing fields of Data Science and Business Analytics. It also reorganized into five schools (see News section) and applications are up nearly 6%. A strategic plan was launched to bolster inclusive excellence, offer a high-value education and transformative student experience, and secure next-generation partnerships. Wentworth pivoted during the pandemic, accelerating its progress toward offering its powerful applied learning model online as well as in its 60 labs, studios and makerspaces. “We are perfectly poised to build on our successes and real estate assets, among the most valuable in the region,” said Thompson. To that end, Wentworth is partnering with Cushman and Wakefield, a leading global real estate services firm with deep experience in the Boston market, and Brailsford & Dunlavey, a preeminent, national higher education development advisory firm. This year Wentworth will work with the firms on two important phases of planning work: • development of project capital plans and property valuations, and • funding, financing and development strategies. Ultimately, the work will lead to an implementation plan on all proposed real estate projects, which will help to shape Wentworth’s next 10-year Institutional Master Plan. “Today, we sit at the most critical moment in the university’s history. As we emerge from the pandemic, we must seize upon this singular moment and embrace this opportunity with optimistic urgency,” says Thompson. wit.edu/magazine | 29
CLASS NOTES
WWII Veteran Lew Ayers Reflects on Career Ahead of 100th Birthday By Abigail O’Donnell From the islands of the South Pacific to Wentworth’s campus in Boston and later as president of Armour Porter, alumnus Lew Ayers has found a vast amount of success during his career. On August 13, 2021, Ayers will mark another momentous milestone: his 100th birthday. Lew’s eldest son, Bill Ayers, recalls how his father was raised in West Boylston, Mass., alongside his sibling, Sis. When he was 21 years old, Ayers enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, driven by his desire to serve his country. He was part of the crew on a Douglas DC-3, and was stationed on Iwo Jima, Guadalcanal, the Marshall Islands and Oahu. Bill explains that he and Lew traveled back to Hawaii 15 years ago—the first time Lew had returned to the area since his military service—noting it was “quite an experience” for his father. Ayers served as a Marine from 1942 to 1945 and was discharged as a Master Tech Sergeant with six stripes. After the military, Ayers enrolled at Wentworth, graduating in 1948 with a degree in Machine Construction and Tool Design. Ayers recalls how he and his classmates “were a whole class of veterans,” adding that “Wentworth was a great school.” Following his graduation, Ayers pursued a career as a draftsman in the design area for Rice Barton, which engineered paper mill machinery. Ayers quickly made a name for himself and was promoted to estimating engineer (which involved compiling cost projections for machinery and repairs) and then sales engineer, interfacing with customers and also assisting Rice Barton engineers during installation projects. In 1962, after Rice Barton acquired two welding fabrication subsidiaries, Ayers was promoted to sales manager for Armour Porter/Robinson Metals. Within two years, he was made vice president of sales and then president. During his time as president, Ayers increased annual sales from $300k to $1.5 million within the first three years, and then brought in consistent sales of $2 million for the remainder of his time there. In 1980, Rice Porter divested itself of Armour Porter Co. and Ayers returned to Rice Barton as vice president of sales. During his career, Ayers also dedicated time to the Town of Brookfield, Mass., where he served as the tax collector for a number of years. Ayers adds that he was “always involved in woodworking as a hobby, and
30 | SPRING/SUMMER 2021
“As a Marine, my father carried the discipline into both his personal and professional life, instilling in his children a strong work ethic and pride in all that they do.”
always taking pictures.” He was a Cub Scout leader and built winning pinewood derby cars for his children and grandchildren. He was also a Master Mason with the Masonic fraternity. Adds Bill Ayers, “As a Marine, my father carried the discipline into both his personal and professional life, instilling in his children a strong work ethic and pride in all that they do.” Up until the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Ayers still exercised at the gym six times a week and was held back from pursuing his athletic regiment seven days a week only due to the gym not being open on Sundays, Bill explains. Despite Lew Ayers’ many professional accomplishments, he notes that his proudest achievement is his family. “I had a wonderful wife and have four great sons,” he says, emphasizing his pride in “everything they have produced after all these years. I love every one of them.”
2012 8 Anthony Bond, Construction Management, was promoted to president and CEO of BOND Brothers, a family of companies providing the Northeast with construction management and general contracting services. Bond will oversee the strategic growth and planning of various BOND companies, including BOND Building, BOND Civil & Utility and the newly created BOND Mechanical.
2013 Emily Connors, Industrial Design, started as a project coordinator at Boston Showcase Co. Nathaniel St. Jean, Architecture, Master of Architecture ’14, recently presented to the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) on competency-based education as part of an effort to reimagine architectural licensing practices.
2014 Enri Cobani, Electrical Engineering, was recently promoted to lead project engineer at Leidos. Cobani pursued a career in the power industry, influenced by his co-op experiences in the local utility company. Upon graduation, he joined Leidos in 2014 as an associate substation engineer.
Wentworth’s Master’s Program Stood Out to Me; Here’s Why By Kate Tilas, BCET ’12, MSCE ’20 I originally chose Wentworth for my undergrad back in 2008 over other engineering schools for their hands-on experience, their innovative approaches to classroom learning and the community feel to the campus. I graduated with a Civil Engineering degree in 2012. Back in 2017, I decided I was ready to pursue my master’s [degree]. My first choice was Wentworth. The quality of education Wentworth provided in my undergrad set me up for success in the real world, when competing in a state where they favored their in-state, recent grad engineers. I loved the hybrid setup of the graduate courses. I was able to work full time while continuing my education. Had I not been afforded the opportunity to work while going to school, I would not have been able to get my degree. One of the biggest draws was a night course from 6 to 9 p.m. I commuted Wednesdays from Maine to class and made it back in time to be at work Thursday morning. I did not need to relocate my career or put other aspects of my life on hold while getting an education. The best experience of my time at Wentworth, hands down, was the professors. They were all very knowledgeable in their respected fields of civil engineering, provided thought-provoking materials and were dedicated to our success. The relationships I formed with my professors are lifelong. If I had to go back and do it all over again, I would. The education provided to me is invaluable. It has helped me succeed within the workforce by providing me the knowledge of innovative ideas and technologies. Kate Tilas is a civil engineer for Sevee & Maher Engineers, Inc., a multidisciplinary environmental and civil engineering consulting firm. Previously, she worked as a water resources engineer for the City of Portland, Maine.
wit.edu/magazine | 31
CLASS NOTES
10
9
2015 9 Patricia Santana, Electromechanical Engineering, started at NASA Goddard as a testbed electrical integration and test engineer. “I was contracted for the OSAM-1 mission, which is a mission to refuel Landsat 7 in orbit,” writes Santana, noting that the launch date is set for 2025. “It was always a dream of mine to work for NASA, because I love space and always wanted to be a part of furthering space exploration. Working here is pretty much as exciting as it sounds.”
2016 10 Jenna Jacobs, Mechanical Engineering, started a new position as a senior project manager at BlueWave Solar in Boston. 11
Hayley Patton, Biomedical Engineering, was promoted from a design quality assurance engineer to a design quality assurance engineer II. “Within this new role, I will be taking on more responsibilities and look forward to contributing more to my company,” Patton writes.
2017 12 Bilal Durrani, Electrical Engineering, is working as a senior controls engineer at Abbess Instruments, creating and manufacturing custom vacuum chambers for a broad range of user-defined systems, serving uses from scientific experimentation to industrial production. The chambers are typically used in satellite testing, altitude flight and deep space simulation to process applications
32 | SPRING/SUMMER 2021
11
12
such as vacuum and thermal assisted drying, molding, and degassing and gas purge operations. “However, in this strange time we live in,” writes Durrani, “we have also been entertaining vacuum chambers that will be used for the manufacturing of diagnostic kits for COVID-19 relief. Our chambers will hopefully be used by pharmaceutical companies to increase the production of diagnostic kits at their plants. I have been working on the electrical and software design of our chambers and oversee the production and final tests prior to product release.” Tanner Wood, Mechanical Engineering, is working as a test engineer at Altran, where he is involved in the development of various products and processes in the medical, transportation, manufacturing and energy fields. “During this pandemic, I have watched the world struggle as we face such a challenging time,” Wood writes. “I decided I could no longer sit idly at home and watch as this country, and my home city of Boston, became a hot spot for infection due to COVID-19. I wanted to get involved, to be a part of the solution and give back. That is when I found The Ventilator Project. I knew using my education and experience to help this effort would be the best way for me to contribute. I joined The Ventilator Project team in March as a compliance engineer and quickly rose to my current role as director of quality.”
in memoriam / 1940
1955
1962
1973
George Coles, MW&TM
Richard Lundy, MET Earland W. Tuttle, Jr., EEE
John Gannett, PRTG
Dominic Duganiero, BC Joseph Howland, PM&MD Robert McMahon, AME Robert F. Mulvey, Sr., AC
Maurice A. Browning, Jr., MA, EEE ’71 Emile Guy, AE, AET ’71 Christian Hazard, EES
1942
1956
Elbridge Grover, MW&TM
Frederick Benker, MW&TM Rodney Hunt, AC Ronald McCarthy, BC Harold Nasson, PM&MD John Pino, AC
1941
1946 Norman Shippee, AC
1949 Richard Currier, MW&TM Ernest Jarrold, IE Leo Peloquin, S&DE
1950 Herbert S. Foster, Jr., BC George F. O’Hara, Sr., IE Robert Rinn, IE Ernest Wignall, AC
1951 Richard Hudson, BC Anthony Quintiliani, AC James Templeton, IE John Zukowski, MW&TM
1952 John Halfrey, AC* Richard Wilder, MC&TD
1953 Herbert Cowern, MC&TD Alfred Kowalczyk, MW&TM
1954 Harry G. Anderson, Jr., IE Richard Conway, MW&TM Thomas J. Meehan, Jr., MC&TD George Morey, AC Frank Pimpis, MC&TD
1957 Samuel McCurry, AC* Warren Meier, BC* Louis Panaccione, MD* Gerard Proulx, MC&TD Ronald Tosi, AM
1958 Edward Bagley, MC&TD* Ronald Edgren, MW&TM Thomas Grimes, MC&TD* Shahe Guleserian, AC* Richard Lehtinen, IE Clarence Putney, IEC Joseph St. Pierre, BC* Richard Waters, S&DE*
1959 William Fisher, AM* Charles Garabedian, MED*
1960 Wilfred Ells, MD Russell Forbes, PET Martin McDonough, EEE Alipio H. Simons, Jr., MED Paul Socci, EEE Alan Warner, EEE
1961 Francis Cumings, MED Jerome Kenyon, BC Kenneth Michaud, BC Harold O’Connell, EEP Edward Schaffner, AM Norman Tache, MED
1963 Raymond Coute, MED William Parvo, EEP* Edward Patten, MD Ronald Smachetti, MP
1964 Gerald Conlon, MD John J. Fallon, Jr., MP Ronald Knight, CHE
1965 Courtney Atkinson, CHE Paul Leeman, CHE Robert Nesbitt, MD Thomas Reimels, MDE
1966 Gilbert Bowker, EE Eugene Marino, EEE
1967 Kenneth Gauthier, AET Philip Hulbig, BC Thomas Melican, CHE David Stebbins, MD
1968 John W. Giblo, Jr., EEE David Skinner, BC
1970 Bruce Bent, MDE
1972 Richard LeDuc, MDE Michael Manack, EET, MA ’74
1974 David Allen, AE, AET ’72, BCS ’71 Joseph Fritz, BCS James Wendel, AET Donald Winterhalter, AE, AET ’72
1975 Gerard Choinski, CC Shawn Dahlen, MA, CHE ’73
1976 Bruce Hunter, CHE
1977 David B. Jordan, Jr., AM
1980 John Stotz, EES Timothy Tobin, AET
1982 Paul Moosey, CE, CET ’80
1985 Jacques Marchetti, EEC, EES ’83
1993 Robert Bradstreet Jordan III, CSC, CSS ’90
2001 John Endicott, AMET
2010 Colin Murphy, ACMU
FACULTY John Cragin
* Denotes a military veteran
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CLASS NOTES
Alumni Award Winners Embody the Best of Career Success and Public Service Members of the Wentworth Alumni Association (WAA) once again hosted the Alumni Awards Ceremony, honoring a cadre of industry leaders, mentors and philanthropists. The full ceremony can be viewed online at alumni.wit.edu.
Jason Abrahams, Business Management ’09 Young Alumni Award (1) Jason Abrahams is the founder and CEO of TireTutor. Before starting TireTutor, Abrahams was the 20th employee at CarGurus where he built and led their B2B sales and support team, helping scale the business from a handful of car dealerships to a publicly traded company. Since graduating from Wentworth in 2009, he received his MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management. Abrahams remains devoted to the Wentworth community and has given back by serving as a senior project mentor to Business Management students, hiring multiple WIT students at TireTutor and serving as an adjunct faculty member. He and his partner also established the Jason B. Abrahams and Jacqueline Normandin Expendable Scholarship to benefit Business Management students.
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Joseph Kelly, Construction Management ’99 Distinguished Service Award (2) As the director of member services at AGC MA, Joseph Kelly has facilitated site trips for Wentworth students and faculty, ensured AGC scholarships, brought guest speakers to classes and served as guest speaker himself. Kelly assisted Construction Management faculty in securing a $50,000 grant to develop and implement an app for student recruitment called “Future Construction Managers.” John Heinstadt (3) Distinguished Service Award John Heinstadt was a longtime employee at Wentworth, retiring from his position as a vice president in the Business and Finance Department in 2009, but continuing to serve as a consultant until his passing in 2018. He is especially remembered for his service and dedication to Wentworth’s veteran students. A team of staff members chose to honor him by creating a scholarship in his memory.
David Johnson, Electronic Engineering Technology ’87 (4) Alumni Professional Leadership Award Colonel David Johnson has committed his life to serving, first as a system engineer for the U.S. Navy and then for over 31 years in the U.S. Air Force. He has served in five different combat zones and was deployed to the Middle East nine times. He served as sector commander responsible for the air defense of the entire country of Canada and was awarded the Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Canadian Medal for Bravery by the governor general of Canada. He also served as a professor and program director at the prestigious George C. Marshall Security Studies Center in Garmisch, Germany. Teradyne (5) Distinguished Employer Award Teradyne is a global technology company that has built a dedicated pipeline to address its current and future hiring needs. Through their vice president of corporate relations, and their recruiting and hiring department, Teradyne has teamed up with Wentworth to reach a broader population of students and graduates. Today, many of the company’s employees are Wentworth alumni. Teradyne was one of the first companies to contribute to the Women@Wentworth Endowed Scholarship Fund when it began in 2017.
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John Savasta, BC ’64 (6) Alumni Appreciation Award John Savasta founded a firm, JAS Architects, and then co-founded CCS Architects with fellow WIT alumni. His firm took part in the major renovation of Faneuil Hall and the Old State House buildings in Boston, and they hire Wentworth co-ops and employ several alumni. He and his wife, Kaja, have been long and loyal financial supporters of Wentworth, endowing a scholarship that supports architect students who aspire to complete a semester of study abroad. Sharon Jozokos, AET ’92, CMC ’93 (7) Philip J. Brooks Alumni Leadership Award Sharon Jozokos has been working in the construction industry for almost 30 years. With her recent promotion to vice president of healthcare at Columbia, she works to bring best practices, organization, innovation and passion to all healthcare projects. She is a Wentworth University Adviser, and also serves as a mentor and advisor to colleagues, some of whom are fellow WIT alumni.
Molly Pidgeon, Interior Design ’06 (8) Community Service Award Molly Pidgeon is the CEO and founder of construction company Pidgeon & Co., based in Malden, Mass. She sits on the Energy Efficiency Commission for the city, as well as on the board of the David Demaria Foundation, and she mentors local teens in addition to helping them through internships at her office. Pidgeon has served as co-chair of the IFMA Sustainability Committee and assists on the WIT Advisory Council for continuing education. Paul Geffken, Business Management (9) Community Service Award Paul Geffken is the director of operations and marketing at the Steele Canvas Basket Corporation. He pivoted his company to make tens of thousands of reusable face masks to help combat COVID-19.
Gary Miller, AET ’77 (10) Gold Leopard Award The Gold Leopard Award is the highest honor granted by the WAA, recognizing those with a long-term commitment and outstanding loyalty to Wentworth, the community, the state and the nation. As a past president of the WAA and 2016 Philip J. Brooks Alumni Leadership award winner, Gary Miller has remained involved with Wentworth over many years and is currently serving on the Board of Trustees. He is the chief operating officer and executive vice president of NELCO, a leading designer and manufacturer of radiation shielding products and services that has hired many Wentworth co-ops and graduates. Daniel Flatley (11) Honorary Alumni Award Daniel Flatley has been a strong supporter of scholarships for inner city youth at Wentworth, contributing more than $450,000 since he became affiliated with the university. He is a trustee of The Flatley Foundation, a philanthropic organization focused on supporting many charitable organizations, including those focused on education, Wentworth among them. His son, Thomas, graduated from Wentworth in 2015.
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CLASS NOTES
ASAP Challenge Nears $5 Million Goal, Creating 200 Scholarships By Linda Werman Financial constraints should not prevent those desiring a transformative education from attending Wentworth. And thanks to Don Bracken and more than 78 individuals and corporate/industry partners, Wentworth is supporting more students than ever through the ASAP Challenge. The Advancing Student Access and Potential Challenge launched in October 2019 at President Mark Thompson’s inaugural dinner, where Thompson shared his commitment to offering students requiring financial support the added help they need to attend Wentworth. He launched the ASAP Challenge, offering a dollar-for-dollar match from Wentworth’s endowment to scholarship gifts from alumni, friends and corporate/industry partners. The goal was to raise $5 million, creating 100 scholarships in the process. At press time, Wentworth has raised $4.6 million. This support provides worthy students access to a Wentworth education and empowers them to
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“I am very grateful to be able to create a scholarship to help a student at Wentworth. My education was made possible by the financial assistance I received while attending Wentworth 40 years ago, which led me to a successful career. Providing this scholarship is a great way for me to give back and help give a student the opportunity to succeed at Wentworth and beyond.” — Donald F. Bracken, Jr., PE, BSET ’84 President/Owner, Bracken Engineering, Inc. focus on their academics without the added anxiety of how they will pay for their education. These scholarships support students like Ryan, a Wentworth senior studying Mechanical Engineering who recently shared that he is “humbled that there are people willing to help me get my degree . . . I hope to be able to do the same thing someday.” The Institute is grateful to Don Bracken and so many others for paying it forward, ensuring that Wentworth can continue to help students like Ryan realize their dreams. If you are interested in learning more about how your support directly impacts the lives of our students, please reach out to Crate Herbert, vice president, Institutional Advancement & External Relations, at herbertc1@wit.edu or 617-989-5351.
Honoring the Past, Building the Future Lou Beggs ’43 recently made plans to give to Wentworth through his estate, but this is hardly the first time he has taken steps to help others. From military service to philanthropic support, Beggs has always based his life on doing his part to give back. Beggs received a full scholarship to attend Wentworth in 1941 and earned his degree while in basic training during World War II. His education in Machine Construction and Tool Design earned him a position as a flight engineer flying B-24 Liberators in combat missions all over North Africa and Europe. After serving his country, Beggs found a successful career as an engineer at Texas Instruments. He remained with the company for 42 years with 17 patents to his credit. In retirement, he shifted his focus to supporting Wentworth students the same way he was helped in 1941. “I just figured that I ought to pay back whatever I could,” Beggs explains. He established the Louis Beggs ’43 Memorial Scholarship Fund and, in 2020, made plans for an estate gift to Wentworth.
“I call it God’s work,” he says, “and it seemed like paying to send students to Wentworth was certainly God’s work.” This planned gift secures Beggs’ membership in the 1904 Society among some of the university’s most esteemed donors. His estate gift will go directly toward his endowed scholarship fund, where it will help ease the financial burden for Wentworth students in perpetuity. — Parker Fish
FOR MORE INFORMATION on Wentworth’s 1904 Society and how you can make a planned gift to Wentworth, contact Crate Herbert, vice president, Institutional Advancement & External Relations, at 617-989-5351 or herbertc1@wit.edu.
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Pictured: The Augmented Reality Sandbox—located in the Construction Management Laboratory—allows users to simulate topography by creating physical features in real time through an elevation color map, topographic contour lines and simulated water.
