August 23, 2010

628 Students Earn Degrees at Wentworth’s Summer Commencement

Pennant Capital Management founder Alan Fournier Delivers Commencement Address

Boston, MA - August 23, 2010 - Wentworth Institute of Technology held its Summer Commencement ceremony on Sunday, August 22, at the Bank of America Pavilion, marking the first time the venue was employed for Wentworth's graduation. The Institute awarded 628 students with Bachelor of Science (537), Associate in Applied Science (32), and Master of Architecture (59) degrees. The Arioch Center @ Wentworth, the Institute's division for professional and continuing education, graduated its first class from the New England Regional Council of Carpenters.

In an inspiring commencement address, investment manager Alan Fournier, a class of 1983 graduate from the mechanical engineering technology degree program, spoke to the graduating students about the importance of learning. He acknowledged that their "learning has just begun," encouraged them to "challenge weaknesses and try new things," and reiterated a theme of learning as future compensation. He concluded his remarks by telling the class members that they have "great potential to learn new things" and if they kept investing in themselves that "the sky is the limit."

An honorary Doctor of Engineering Technology degree was conferred upon Mr. Fournier, managing member and founder, Pennant Capital Management, L.L.C. In addition, Mr. Phillip R. Hooper '58, past vice president and operations manager at FM Global and member of the board of trustees at Wentworth, received an honorary Doctor of Engineering Technology degree.

Patrick Norwood, a graduating computer networking student, provided the student address. His speech focused on pursuing passion and how his experiences have informed his ambitions. "This has been the true value of the four years we have spent here at his Institute," said Norwood. He discussed the challenges of the road ahead and the different paths that graduates will take. "I trust we will all find our own paths, so long as we don't lose sight of who we are or where our passions lie."

Louis Tyler Bruno from the Mechanical Engineering Technology program was awarded the prestigious Beatty Award, named after Wentworth's first president, Dr. H. Russell Beatty, for outstanding scholarship. Alumni Awards, which recognize students who achieve the highest grade point average in each program, were presented to graduates Alina Holtmann, Architecture; Michael Ohrenberger, Civil Engineering Technology; Brenden Glynn, Computer Networking; Stephen Failla, Computer Science; Ryan Higgins, Construction Management; Scott Smith, Electronic Engineering Technology; Steven Bazarsky, Facilities Planning and Management; Megan Dobstaff, Interior Design; Wai Min Phyo, Management; David Vrana, Mechanical Engineering Technology; Nicholas Cuzzupe, Project Construction Management (The Arioch Center); and Jason Hatcher, Construction Management (The Arioch Center).

The ceremony included the academic processional, conferring of honorary degrees, recognition of outstanding students, student address, presentation of graduates, conferring of degrees by President Zorica Pantić, and the commencement address by Mr. Fournier.