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Wentworth Institute of Technology

Coordinates: 42°20′12″N 71°05′42″W / 42.336611°N 71.095019°W / 42.336611; -71.095019
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Wentworth Institute of Technology
Former names
Wentworth Institute (1904–1977)
MottoEducation that's worth it. Wentworth.[1]
TypePrivate university
Endowment$116.6 million (2020)[2]
PresidentMark A. Thompson[3]
ProvostSophia Maggelakis[4]
Academic staff
134[5]
Students3,920[6] (fall 2022)
Undergraduates4,576[5]
Location
Boston
,
Massachusetts
,
United States
CampusUrban, 31 acres (13 ha)[5]
AthleticsNCAA Division III[7]
17 varsity teams[8]
ColorsWentworth Gold and Rich Black and Bright Red[9]
     
Sporting affiliations
MascotLeopard[7]
Websitewit.edu

Wentworth Institute of Technology (WIT) is a private university in Boston, Massachusetts. Wentworth was founded in 1904 and offers career-focused education through 22 bachelor's degree programs as well as 11 master's degrees.Edit[10]

History

[edit]
academic buildings on a grassy quad as seen from an aerial shot
The Center for Engineering, Innovation and Technology with Watson Hall on the far left

In 1903, Boston businessman Arioch Wentworth donated the majority of his estate, estimated at $7 million, to found an industrial school within Boston.[11] A board of seven directors incorporated Wentworth Institute on April 5, 1904, as a school "to furnish education in the mechanical arts".[12] 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. Frederick Atherton was Trustee Secretary.[13][14][15] 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.[16] 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.[17] In 1977, the college's lower and upper divisions merged as the Wentworth Institute of Technology.[17] Wentworth acquired the former Ira Allen School building from the city of Boston in 1980 and the former Boston Trade High School in 1983.

In November 2009, Wentworth became a master's degree-granting institution, with the creation and accreditation of its master of architecture program.[18] Wentworth received approval for university status from the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education in July 2017.[19]

Zorica Pantic, was the first female engineer to head an institute of technology in higher education in the United States. She was president from 2005 to 2019 (14 years) and created inspiration for female students on campus.

As of January 2024, Wentworth offers bachelor's degrees in 22 engineering, technology, design, and management disciplines. Wentworth also offers 11 master's degrees, seven of which have an online option.[10] In 2024, Wentworth was ranked #33 amongst Regional Universities North by U.S. News & World Report.[20]

Campus

[edit]
students walking from a concrete building past green trees
Beatty Hall
university library with bright lights and students working in groups at tables
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 seven 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.[21] With this membership, Wentworth students are entitled to register for course with participating neighboring institutions at no additional cost.[22]

Student life

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Enrollment

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Total enrollment (2022): 3,920 total (3,713 undergraduate and 207 graduate students)[23]

  • Men: 77%
  • Women: 23%

Athletics

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Wentworth Institute of Technology's athletic teams are nicknamed the Leopards. Wentworth is a member of the NCAA Division III and participates in the Conference of New England as a non-football member. In 2023, Jared M. Pierce made history at Wentworth by become the first two-time All American, in Track & Field, from the university. He finished 8th place in the shot-put at both the Indoor and Outdoor NCAA Division III National Championships.

Notable alumni

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References

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  1. ^ "Wentworth: Technology-focused University in Boston, MA | Wentworth". wit.edu.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ "Facts & Figures". Retrieved 2019-01-03.
  4. ^ "Sophia Maggelakis Named New Provost at Wentworth | Wentworth". wit.edu.
  5. ^ a b c d "About Wentworth | Wentworth Institute of Technology". Wit.edu. Retrieved 2016-10-28.
  6. ^ "College Navigator - Wentworth Institute of Technology". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  7. ^ a b "Wentworth Institute of Technology: Athletics > General Information". Archived from the original on 2010-02-11. Retrieved 2009-11-08.
  8. ^ "Wentworth Institute of Technology: About Us". Archived from the original on 2009-10-01. Retrieved 2009-11-08.
  9. ^ "Wentworth Branding Guidelines". Wit.edu. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  10. ^ a b "Programs of Study | Wentworth". wit.edu. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
  11. ^ "Millions To Found School". The New York Times. March 23, 1903. Retrieved 2016-10-28.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ "Millionaire Left Two Wills" (PDF). New York Times. March 24, 1903.
  14. ^ "Contest for Boston Fortune" (PDF). New York Times. December 1, 1903.
  15. ^ "Wentworth Institute of Technology History". 2006. Archived from the original on 2007-12-11.
  16. ^ The Handbook of Private Schools. 1919. p. 297. Retrieved 2016-10-28.
  17. ^ 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.
  18. ^ "Wentworth Becomes Master's Degree Granting Institution". Prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2016-10-28.
  19. ^ "Wentworth Earns 'University' Status". Wentworth Institute of Technology. August 2, 2017.
  20. ^ "Wentworth Institute of Technology Rankings". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
  21. ^ "Wentworth web page on Colleges of the Fenway".
  22. ^ "Cross-Registration". Retrieved 2021-10-14.
  23. ^ "Wentworth Institute of Technology Student Life". US News & World Report. Retrieved 2024-02-13.
  24. ^ "Kings of the Hill". Archived from the original on 2010-11-17. Retrieved 2009-11-08.
  25. ^ "Joe Lauzon - Official UFC® Fighter Profile". Ufc.com. Retrieved 2016-10-28.
  26. ^ "Matt LeBlanc", Wikipedia, 2024-09-18, retrieved 2024-09-25
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