Waltham Resident One of 955 Graduates To Receive Degrees At 141st WPI Commencement

WORCESTER, MA (06/02/2009)(readMedia)--

Gleb Smirnov, of Waltham , Massachusetts, received a Master of Science degree in Computer Science at the 141st Commencement exercises at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) on May 16. A total of 955 degrees (617 bachelor of science, one bachelor of arts, 312 master's, and 25 PhDs) were awarded during the ceremony, which took place outdoors on the WPI Quadrangle.

Thousands of students, their families and friends, trustees, and other special guests were on hand to experience the inspirational messages delivered by keynote speaker Ursula Burns, president of Xerox Corp., and WPI President and CEO Dennis D. Berkey.

Honorary doctor of engineering degrees were conferred upon Burns; Helen Greiner, co-founder and former president of Bedford, Mass.-based iRobot Corp.; George C. Messenger Jr. '51, owner and vice president of Las Vegas-based Messenger and Associates, and a recognized authority on the effects of radiation on electronics; and Charles M. Vest, president of the National Academy of Engineering and president emeritus of MIT.

Burns, who was named Xerox president in 2007, is responsible for research, development, engineering, marketing, and manufacturing of technology, supplies, and related services for the global technology company. She is credited with driving a technology strategy that launched 100 new products in the last three years and with helping the company through an aggressive, multibillion-dollar turnaround plan. Burns holds a bachelor's degree from Polytechnic Institute of New York and a master's degree in mechanical engineering from Columbia University.

In her address Burns told the graduates that with hard work they may find that opportunities are born from challenges. "That is precisely what is rolled up in your diplomas," she said. "It's all yours. You earned it. You deserve it. And, no one can take it away."

WPI's Chairman's Exemplary Faculty Prize was presented to Diran Apelian, Howmet Professor of Mechanical Engineering and director of the university's Metal Processing Institute. Established in 2007 through the personal philanthropy of WPI Board Chairman Donald K. Peterson '71, the prize recognizes faculty members who excel in all relevant areas of faculty performance.

"In respect of the difficult world you are about to tackle, and especially in light of the economic calamities of the past year," President Berkey told students, "let me recall the words of one of my predecessors, Admiral Wat Tyler Cluverius, the seventh president of WPI, who presided during the difficult days of World War II. Speaking to WPI students in 1945, following the war's end, he said, 'Perhaps this is the last time you will have to rebuild a world.' Unfortunately for us all, the world again needs rebuilding. Fortunately, you are well prepared for that ominous challenge, and we know you will play a great part in the rebuilding that must be done."

About Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Founded in 1865 in Worcester, Mass., WPI was one of the nation's first engineering and technology universities. WPI's14 academic departments offer more than 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science, engineering, technology, management, the social sciences, and the humanities and arts, leading to bachelor's, master's and PhD degrees. WPI's world-class faculty work with students in a number of cutting-edge research areas, leading to breakthroughs and innovations in such fields as biotechnology, fuel cells, and information security, materials processing, and nanotechnology. Students also have the opportunity to make a difference to communities and organizations around the world through the university's innovative Global Perspective Program. There are more than 20 WPI project centers throughout North America and Central America, Africa, Australia, Asia, and Europe.

Contact:

Lorraine U. Martinelle

508-831-6425

lurbans@wpi.edu

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