‘Inspired Conversations’ Takes Wentworth on the Road
It all began with one poignant question: Do you believe?
For Wentworth Institute of Technology President Mark A. Thompson, the answer is a resounding yes. It's a belief that Wentworth students can change the world, and in alumni, friends, faculty, and staff to help provide the tools to do so.
This belief ushered in a yearlong Presidential road show titled “Inspired Conversations,” which saw President Thompson, Vice President for Institutional Advancement and External Relations Crate Herbert, and a variety of guests bring their message to locations up and down the Atlantic coast, finding enthused and dedicated attendees at every stop.
“The road show has been a wonderful series of events, allowing President Thompson to connect with hundreds of alumni over the past year,” said Herbert, whose team helped organize the events. “Given that the Covid-19 pandemic hit a mere eight months into his presidency, this series offered Mark a chance to reconnect and, in many cases, connect for the first time with alumni, friends, and families.”
The road show kicked off with a Naples, Fla. event hosted by Doug Schumann, AM ’64, Hon. ’08, and Sandy Schumann. Peter Davoren, CC ’76, Hon. ’15, and Turner Construction hosted a roadshow event in New York City during the spring, while Portland, Maine played host to alumni and friends in the fall. A special road show event also took place on Wentworth’s Boston campus in May.
Each stop afforded Thompson the chance to discuss the university’s bright future, going over its master plan and showcasing recent academic and infrastructure developments, including the construction of a new athletic center on Parker Street. But the “Inspired Conversations” series also allowed Thompson to meet personally with those who have given so much to Wentworth over the years and share in a passion for offering opportunity.
“We meet every individual where they are,” Thompson said during the Naples event. “We understand them as individuals and don’t take a cookie-cutter approach, and we provide them an education that works best for them.”
Students Sabrina Lorica, Master of Architecture ’22, Aya El Abdullah, Mechanical Engineering ’25, and Jadon Watson, Cybersecurity ’24, joined select events and shared why they believe Wentworth was the right choice for them. “I’m really grateful for the support and genuine care that Wentworth provides each of its students,” said Lorica. Watson added, “Wentworth has not just allowed me to make something feasible, but has supported me in all of my goals.”
Roadshow attendees were afforded networking opportunities, an inside look at upcoming Wentworth projects, and the chance to engage directly with President Thompson during a Q&A session. “These gatherings allowed our community to get to know Mark personally, hear a bit about his own story and reasons for joining Wentworth, and learn about his optimism and ambitions for its future,” Herbert said.