Alumni Day 2023: Celebrating Achievement and Rekindling Bonds

A number of Class of 1973 alumni gathered in Watson Auditorium on May 20 to be honored for their time at Wentworth Institute of Technology, and to mark 50 years since graduating. Some have gone on to successful careers in engineering, business, and other fields. Others have stayed connected to their alma mater through industry partnerships or gifts over the years. Some were twice applauded by the crowd—days before Memorial Day—for the sacrifices they made as veterans of the Vietnam War or other conflicts. But all those gathered, Class of 1973 and otherwise, were the embodiment of the varied paths and profound influence that Wentworth alumni have taken and offer to the world. 

The event was the 2nd Annual Alumni Day celebration, a full-day affair that invited all classes back to campus for a variety of activities. A varied group of ages and majors had the opportunity to eat breakfast with the academic deans, sit in on information sessions, hear current students pitch their Accelerate projects, and tour new campus facilities, among other activities. 

One attendee, Chris Eustace, graduated in 1999 with a degree in Computer Science. He runs his own software consulting company and marvels at how much the program at Wentworth has grown, as well as the campus itself.  

“It's really cool to come in and see all the changes that have happened,” he said. “We never had buildings quite like this before.”  

Eustace also remarked on the networking opportunities at Alumni Day.  

“I’ve really enjoyed meeting other people, even meeting current students and seeing the excitement in their eyes. It’s great to see them looking forward to what they can do in the future,” he said.  

Sarah Mahmoud is a newer alum, having graduated in 2002. A software engineer for a food automation company, she was also looking forward to networking. 

“I think Alumni Day is important because I get to still be connected to the community that I was once a part of,” she said. “And I'm able to also continue finding opportunities, and just to be able to support Wentworth and the students and staff from beyond after graduating.” 

The Class of 1973 portion took place during the Alumni Day Luncheon, which also saw President Mark A. Thompson answer candid questions and Athletics Director Cheryl Aaron induct alumni into the Athletic Hall of Fame. 

Chair of Wentworth's Board of Trustees, Greg Janey, ARS ’82, BCM ’04, Hon. ’17, expressed his delight in sharing the day with fellow alumni, emphasizing the joy of reconnecting with old friends and forging new relationships. 

“It’s always wonderful to see old friends and make new ones,” he said.  

Vice President for Institutional Advancement and External Relations Crate Herbert and President Thompson took the stage for an engaging "fireside chat." Herbert initiated the conversation by asking Thompson the thought-provoking question, "Do you believe?" The chat delved into various topics, highlighting Thompson's vision for the university, including new programming and campus improvement, and a steadfast belief that Wentworth students can achieve great things.  

The spotlight then shifted to the recognition of Wentworth’s exceptional student-athletes. Inducted this year were Kendra Kerr ’14 for basketball, Dan McSolla ’18 for track and field, Shawn Metheral ’05 for hockey, and Jake Reed ’17 for volleyball.  

At the core of Alumni Day lay a meticulously crafted program designed to cater to the diverse interests of Wentworth’s alumni and utilize multiple sections of the campus. Angela Johnson, senior executive director of Development & Alumni Relations, as well as the architect of Alumni Day, thanked the Watson crowd for their support of the university and its students. But it was a few of the attendees who wanted to show their appreciation to Wentworth for hosting such a day. 

“Thank you for this event.  This has been really awesome, and I love the energy.  I was able to meet a lot of other classes and expand my network. Some of us may be able to help each other in the future,” said Duy-Quang ’23. “Wentworth is a part of my identity and [events like these] really make me feel like I belong here.” 

Find images of Alumni Day below or by heading to our Flickr gallery.