Awards and prizes are determined by the academic department or by selected committees.
College Awards
SALISBURY PRIZE AWARDS
These historic awards are made to highly meritorious seniors. These awards were established by Stephen Salisbury, a WPI founder and former president of the Board of Trustees.
TWO TOWERS PRIZE
This prize is awarded to the student who, through general academic competence, campus leadership, regular course work and special work in research and projects, best exemplifies a combined proficiency in the theoretical and practical union implicit in the Two Towers concept, which is at the heart of WPI’s Two Towers tradition.
SIGMA XI AWARDS IN ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE
These awards in engineering and science are given to the students and their advisors for the Major Qualifying Projects which are judged to be the best in originality, contribution to the field, professional competence, and for the most useful applications.
PRESIDENT’S IQP AWARDS
These awards are given to student teams whose conception, performance, and presentation of their Interactive Qualifying Projects have been judged outstanding in focusing on the relationships among science, technology, and the needs of society.
PROVOST’S MQP AWARDS
These awards offer recognition to those students who have completed outstanding Major Qualifying Projects as a demonstration of their competency in a chosen academic discipline. Each academic department conducts its own competition to select the winners.
CLASS OF 1879 AWARD
Endowed by the Class of 1879, this prize is awarded by the Humanities and Arts Department yearly for excellent work in the culminating project for the Humanities and Arts Requirement. Projects must demonstrate exceptional creativity and skill in conceiving, developing, and expressing a theme within any discipline within the humanities and arts.
OUTSTANDING WOMEN STUDENT AWARDS
Marietta E. Anderson Award, an award which is presented to the most outstanding woman student in one of the three lower classes who not only has a superior academic record, but also has been a work-study student, participated in recognized extracurricular activities, and has been a volunteer for college-sponsored activities.
Funds from an anonymous donor provide the following awards to women students preparing for careers in engineering or science. Awards are based on academic excellence, contributions to the WPI community, and professional goals. The awards are named each year for women who have played significant roles at WPI.
Bonnie-Blanche Schoonover Award, honoring WPI’s former librarian.
Ellen Knott Award, honoring a long-time secretary in the Mechanical Engineering Department.
Gertrude R. Rugg Award, honoring WPI’s late Registrar Emerita.
Wilmer l. and Margaret M. Kranich Prize
Students who are seniors or completing their junior year will be nominated by faculty for the annual award. The award will go to a student majoring in engineering, science or business who best exemplifies excellence in the humanities and in the full integration of humanities into his/her undergraduate experience. Double-majors who fulfill one major in Humanities and Arts are not eligible.
CHARLES O. THOMPSON Scholars
Named in honor of the first president of WPI, this honor recognizes outstanding performance by first-year students.
To be eligible for membership, students must receive all
A’s and B’s, with a minimum of six A’s, in their academic subjects during the first three terms at WPI. Selections are made in Term D.
A cash award is presented to the outstanding first year student. Charles O. Thompson Scholars are eligible to apply for this award by submitting an essay to the Office of Undergraduate Studies during D Term.
Special Awards
Alpha Phi Omega Service Award
AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF CHEMISTS FOUNDATION
Chemistry and Biochemistry
An award by the New England chapter of the American Institute of Chemists to honor outstanding seniors majoring in chemistry and biochemistry.
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR METALS: CHESTER M. INMAN ’14 OUTSTANDING STUDENT AWARD
Mechanical Engineering
The Worcester Chapter of the American Society for Metals presents $200 to a student for excellence in a Major Qualifying Project dealing with processing or materials science.
Harold S. Black Award
Electrical and Computer Engineering
This award was established in 2001 to honor the memory of inventor Harold S. Black ‘21. The award is given by the faculty of the Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) Department to one or more ECE seniors who have demonstrated outstanding creativity and enthusiasm in engineering problem solving, practical implementation of problem solutions, and exemplary character in their contributions to the welfare of the WPI community.
Central New England Aiche Award for Significant Contribution
Chemical Engineering
This award is given to an individual in recognition of significant contributions to the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.
Community Service Award Presented in the Memory of Edwin B. Coghlin ‘23
Alumni Office
This award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated an extraordinary personal commitment above and beyond their normal involvement on campus in both academic and extracurricular activities.
Computer Science Outstanding Junior Award
Computer Science
This award is presented to a computer science junior who has an excellent academic record and who shows promise for continuing success.
Computer Science Outstanding Senior Award
Computer Science
This award is presented to one or more computer science seniors who have an outstanding record and who have contributed to the enrichment and professional development of fellow students.
JAMES F. DANIELLI AWARD
Biology and Biotechnology
This award, given by the Department of Biology & Biotechnology, honors the memory of Dr. James F. Danielli, a former department head and world-famous scholar.
FRANK D. DEFALCO AWARD
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Award to WPI undergraduate Civil Engineering students who has completed two and one half years towards a B.S., interested in career constructed facilities and a member of ASCE student chapter.
Eta Kappa Nu Outstanding Student Award
Electrical and Computer Engineering
The electrical and computer engineering honor society presents this award to the outstanding senior and junior in recognition of their academic achievement and their service to the WPI community.
GENERAL CHEMISTRY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Chemistry and Biochemistry
This award is given to the student who has completed the freshman chemistry course with superior academic performance. Department award.
ALLAN GLAZER AWARD
Mechanical Engineering
Established in 1992 by the family and friends of Allan Glazer ’47, this award is given to a junior majoring in mechanical engineering who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, special ingenuity in problem solving, and enthusiasm for engineering challenges.
Goat’s Head Award
Student Government Association
Awarded annually to the outstanding new Senator of the year.
THE ROBERT H. GODDARD AWARD
Physics
Established by the classes of 1908 and 1909 as a memorial to Dr. Goddard, this prize is awarded for outstanding achievement, scholarship, consistent effort and dedication of purpose in both theoretical and experimental areas of physics.
HEALD BROTHERS SCHOLARSHIP
Mechanical Engineering
This scholarship identifies and supports outstanding young men and women who represent, in modern form, the spirit of “Yankee Ingenuity” that characterizes the evolution of the great manufacturing enterprises from the beginnings of the American Industrial Revolution.
ANDREW HOLT MEMORIAL AWARD
Civil and Environmental Engineering
This award is presented to a civil engineering senior who has consistently earned academic honors and who shows excellent promise for success.
Steven J. Kahn Award
Humanities and Arts
This award is presented to the outstanding senior in the WPI Glee Club in recognition of his contribution, commitment, and unwavering loyalty to the organization.
THE WILLARD ELLIOT LAWTON-SAMUEL JAMES PLIMPTON AWARD
Physics
Established in honor of Professors Lawton and Plimpton, this award is presented to a student who has shown improvement in scholarship, not only in grades but also in depth of understanding.
Lincoln Arc Welding Foundation Award
Civil and Environmental Engineering
This award recognizes outstanding achievement in solving design, engineering, fabrication, and research problems.
Medwin Honors String Quartet Scholarship
Humanities and Arts
Scholarship money is given to the members of the Medwin Honors string Quartet (4 string players, 2 violins, 1 viola, 1 cellist), who are selected by audition each year.
THE ALFRED R. AND JANET H. POTVIN AWARD
Biomedical Engineering
Separate awards are given to the outstanding undergraduate and graduate student in Biomedical Engineering in recognition of their academic performance and their service to WPI and/or the outside community.
CARL F. MEYER IMPROVEMENT AWARD IN CIVIL ENGINEERING
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Established by Professor Emeritus Meyer, this award is presented to the civil engineering senior who has demonstrated the most improvement in academic and professional attitude since entering the department.
RICHARD V. OLSON AWARD
Mathematical Sciences
Established to honor the memory of mathematics Professor Richard V. Olson, this annual award to a WPI sophomore recognizes outstanding performance in basic mathematics courses.
EDWARD C. PERRY AWARD
Mechanical Engineering
This award is given annually to an engineering student or students for an outstanding major qualifying project in the area of mechanical design. The award is made possible through a bequest from Miriam Perry Goll and honors the memory of her father, Edward C. Perry ‘04, a design engineer with General Electric Company throughout his professional career.
PI TAU SIGMA AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE
Mechanical Engineering
The mechanical engineering honor society, Pi Tau Sigma, presents this award to the outstanding junior mechanical engineering student.
Robotics Engineering Outstanding Junior Award
Robotics Engineering
This award is presented to a robotics engineering junior who has an excellent academic record and who shows promise for continuing success.
Robotics Engineering Outstanding Senior Award
Robotics Engineering
This award is presented to one or more robotics engineering seniors who have an outstanding record and who have contributed to the enrichment and professional development of fellow students.
Senior Mathematical Sciences Major Award
Mathematical Sciences
This award is presented to the senior mathematical sciences major who has shown outstanding performance and who has made valuable contributions to the WPI mathematical community.
SOCIETY OF MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING SCHOLARS AWARD
Mechanical Engineering
An SME Student Chapter member, recommended by the faculty and confirmed by the officers of SME chapter 25, who has demonstrated excellent scholarship, leadership, service, potential to contribute to the profession of Manufacturing Engineering.
The award includes scholarship assistance ($900) for full-time study if the winner enrolls in WPI’s graduate MFE program.
SOCIETY OF MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
Mechanical Engineering
Awarded to a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd year SME Student Chapter member, recommended by the faculty and confirmed by the officers of SME chapter 25, who has demonstrated excellent scholarship and commitment.
Society of Manufacturing Engineers Outstanding Student Award
Mechanical Engineering
Awarded to the top three SME Student Chapter members each year, regardless of year, who have not already received the award.
Society of Manufacturing Engineers MQP Award
Mechanical Engineering
An SME Student Chapter member, selected by a panel of practicing manufacturing engineers to have the best MQP in the area of Manufacturing Engineering.
STUDENT-ALUMNI INTERACTION AWARD
Alumni Office
This award is presented by the WPI Alumni Association in recognition of individuals who, through their involvement on campus, have facilitated the continuing development of interaction between students and alumni. Recipients are full-time undergraduate students who have demonstrated extraordinary personal commitment to WPI and the Alumni Association above and beyond the normal involvement on campus.
The award is designed to recognize students who have stepped forward to become leaders in the alumni and student communities and, in doing so, have benefited both WPI students and alumni in a unique and purposeful way.
ACS UNDERGRADUATE AWARD IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
Chemistry and Biochemistry
Award which is intended to encourage student interest in analytical chemistry and to recognize a student who displays an aptitude for a career in the field. This award is for third-year students.