President and CEO, David White and his wife, Shirley, recently had the opportunity to meet some of the 10 Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) student recipients of the Ralph H. White Scholarship and the Leonard and Ann White Endowed Scholarship.
The White Family is recognized as a very generous supporter of WPI and its relationship with the university dates back to the 1940’s when second-generation leader of the R.H. White Companies, Leonard H. White, attended the school. In addition to the two scholarship funds, David and Leonard White also established the Ralph H. White Professorship in Civil Engineering in 1987 in honor of company founder, Ralph H. White. The professorship is currently held by Rajib B. Mallick, Ph.D. who is Associate Department Head for Civil and Architectural Engineering, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and a Graduate Program Coordinator. Dr. Mallick also serves as the chair of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Highway Construction Committee.
In addition to Dr. Mallick, the student recipients of the scholarships for the 2016-2017 academic year are listed below.
Ralph H. White Scholarship Recipients
- Tristan Cano, Class of 2018 – Biochemistry, Millbury, MA
- Kevin Specht, Class of 2017 – Computer Science/Mathematical Sciences, Princeton, MA
- Michael Vaitkunas, Class of 2017 – Civil Engineering, Auburn, MA
Leonard and Ann White Endowed Scholarship Recipients
- Michael Ambrose, Class of 2019 – Chemical Engineering, Millis, MA
- James Chakalos, Class of 2019 – Mechanical Engineering, Milford MA
- Stephen Foley, Class of 2019 – Biochemistry, Hopedale, MA
- Parker Grant, Class of 2019 – Electrical & Computer Engineering/Robotics Engineering, Hopkinton, MA
- Lauren Guertin, Class of 2019 – Biomedical Engineering, Mendon, MA
- Rachael Lanni, Class of 2018 – Management Engineering, Fitchburg, MA
- Timothy Tetreault, Class of 2019 – Mechanical Engineering, Uxbridge, MA
David White said, “It’s was a pleasure to meet these students and hear about the academic and qualifying project work that they are involved with. WPI has been an integral part of my life and I am pleased that we can contribute to the educational opportunities of so many bright young minds while also continuing to assist an institution that is very near and dear to my heart.”
According to a university statement, the students often express that the scholarships motivate them to excel because they know that someone believes in and cares about their success and, therefore, they want to make those contributors proud. Additionally, faculty attest that having the financial support of a named professorship provides them the freedom and flexibility to explore new areas of research and innovative methods of engaging students in the classroom and in research settings.
This is just one way that the White Family has built a legacy of giving while inspiring others to do the same.
