Wentworth Institute of Technology

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Wentworth Institute of Technology (WIT) is a private, technical design and engineering university in Boston, Massachusetts. Wentworth was founded in 1904 and offers career-focused education through its 19 bachelor's degree programs as well as master's degrees.[1]

Wentworth Institute of Technology
Wentworth wikipedia.jpg
MottoHonesty, Energy, Economy, System[2]
TypePrivate university
Established1904; 117 years ago (1904)[1]
Endowment$116.6 million (2020)[3]
PresidentMark A. Thompson[4]
Academic staff
134[5]
Undergraduates4,576[5]
Location
Boston
,
Massachusetts
,
United States
CampusUrban, 31 acres (13 ha)[5]
AthleticsNCAA Division III[6]
17 varsity teams[7]
ColorsRed, Yellow, and Black[8]
     
AffiliationsAICUM
Colleges of the Fenway
NAAB
NEASC
MascotLeopard[6]
Websitewit.edu
Wentworth Institute of Technology banner.png

History[]

Wentworth's quad

In 1903, Boston businessman Arioch Wentworth donated the majority of his estate, estimated at $7 million, for the purpose of founding an industrial school within Boston.[9] A board of seven directors incorporated Wentworth Institute on April 5, 1904, as a school "to furnish education in the mechanical arts".[10] The directors spent several years investigating the educational needs of the community, increased the endowment, and reached a settlement with Wentworth's daughter, who had contested his will.[11][12][13] The campus was established in Boston's Back Bay Fens, and Arthur L. Williston was the first principal of the college.

On September 25, 1911, Wentworth opened as a technical school to 242 students. By 1919 the school had 1,800 students and 45 teachers.[14] Wentworth became a degree-granting institution in 1957 and awarded its first baccalaureate-level degrees in 1970.

In 1972, the institute admitted its first female students. In 1973, Wentworth instructors unionized to join the American Federation of Teachers and on October 28, 1977, the teachers of Wentworth went on strike.[15] In 1977, the college's lower and upper divisions merged as the Wentworth Institute of Technology.[15] Wentworth acquired the former Ira Allen School building from the city of Boston in 1980 and the former Boston Trade High School in 1983.

Mark A. Thompson became the fifth president of Wentworth Institute of Technology on June 1, 2019. He succeeded Zorica Pantic, who was the first female engineer to head an institute of technology in higher education in the United States.

In November 2009, Wentworth became a master's degree-granting institution, with the creation and accreditation of its Master of Architecture program.[16] Wentworth received approval for university status from the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education in July 2017.[17]

Academics[]

Wentworth offers bachelor's degrees in 18 engineering, technology, design and management majors.[18]

Campus[]

Wentworth's Douglas D. Schumann Library & Learning Commons

The Wentworth campus is located in the Fenway neighborhood of Boston.[5] It consists of 15 buildings for administrative and faculty offices, classrooms, laboratories, library, and athletic facilities. Students enrolled for full-time study may live in one of nine residence halls near the main campus buildings.

The Institute's collaborating neighbors include the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Northeastern University, the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, and the Museum of Fine Arts. Wentworth is a member of the Colleges of the Fenway consortium, and shares many facilities and activities with nearby institutions.[19]

Student life[]

Enrollment[]

Total enrollment (2018): 4,516 total (4,341 undergraduate and 175 graduate students)[5]

  • Men: 79%
  • Women: 21%

Notable alumni[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "About Wentworth | Wentworth Institute of Technology". Wit.edu. Retrieved 2016-10-28.
  2. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-02-12. Retrieved 2009-11-08.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. ^ As of June 30, 2020. U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2020 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY19 to FY20 (Report). National Association of College and University Business Officers and TIAA. February 19, 2021. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  4. ^ "Facts & Figures". Retrieved 2019-01-03.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e "About Wentworth | Wentworth Institute of Technology". Wit.edu. Retrieved 2016-10-28.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-02-11. Retrieved 2009-11-08.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2009-10-01. Retrieved 2009-11-08.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. ^ "Wentworth Branding Guidelines" (PDF). Wit.edu. Retrieved 2018-04-04.
  9. ^ "Millions To Found School". The New York Times. March 23, 1903. Retrieved 2016-10-28.
  10. ^ Olin, Wm. M. (1904-04-05). "Charter of the Wentworth Institute". Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Archived from the original (JPG) on 2012-08-05. Retrieved 2009-01-30.
  11. ^ "New York Times, "Millionaire Left Two Wills", March 24, 1903" (PDF).
  12. ^ "New York Times, "Contest for Boston Fortune", December 1, 1903" (PDF).
  13. ^ "Wentworth Institute of Technology History". 2006. Archived from the original on 2007-12-11.
  14. ^ The Handbook of Private Schools. 1919. p. 297. Retrieved 2016-10-28.
  15. ^ Jump up to: a b Clifford, Joseph P. A Century of Honesty, Energy, Economy, System: Wentworth Institute of Technology, 1904–2004. Boston: Wentworth Institute of Technology, 2003. Print.
  16. ^ "Wentworth Becomes Master's Degree Granting Institution". Prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2016-10-28.
  17. ^ "Wentworth Earns 'University' Status". wit.edu. August 2, 2017.
  18. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2009-10-01. Retrieved 2009-11-08.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  19. ^ "Wentworth web page on Colleges of the Fenway".
  20. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-11-17. Retrieved 2009-11-08.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  21. ^ "Joe Lauzon - Official UFC® Fighter Profile". Ufc.com. Retrieved 2016-10-28.

External links[]

Coordinates: 42°20′12″N 71°05′42″W / 42.336611°N 71.095019°W / 42.336611; -71.095019

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