Editing Worcester Polytechnic Institute (section)

== History ==
[[File:WPI Founders.jpg|thumb|left|John Boynton (left) and Ichabod Washburn (right)]]
Worcester Polytechnic Institute was founded by self-made tinware manufacturer, [[John Boynton (Worcester Polytechnic Institute)|John Boynton]], and [[Ichabod Washburn]], owner of the world's largest wire mill. Boynton envisioned science schooling that would elevate the social position of the mechanic and manufacturer, but not necessarily teach the skills needed to become either. Washburn, on the other hand, wanted to teach technical skills through a sophisticated apprenticeship approach. Boynton consulted Seth Sweetser, a pastor, for ways to realize his vision. By chance it happened that Ichabod Washburn had previously consulted Sweetser about the proper way to actualize his own vision.<ref name="wpi.edu">{{cite web |url=http://www.wpi.edu/academics/library/history/techbible/founding.html |accessdate=2012-07-08 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131028152034/http://www.wpi.edu/academics/library/history/techbible/founding.html |archivedate=2013-10-28 |title=Founding of the Institute }}</ref>

Sweetser drafted a letter expressing Boynton's and Washburn's wish, a "liberal proposal to found a Free School for Industrial Science" in Worcester and called for a meeting of supporters. After a first meeting the following notice appeared in the Worcester Palladium: "A Gentleman, who for the present withholds his name from the public, offers a fund of $100,000 for the establishment of a scientific school in Worcester, upon the condition that our citizens shall furnish the necessary land and buildings." Further funding and [[land grant]]s for the university were given by Stephen Salisbury II, who was an influential merchant and later served as the first president of the institute's board of directors.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wpi.edu/Academics/Library/Archives/Founders/salisbury.html |title=WPI's Founding Fathers: Stephen Salisbury II |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060901203126/http://www.wpi.edu/Academics/Library/Archives/Founders/salisbury.html |archivedate=2006-09-01 |accessdate=2006-07-23 }}</ref>

In response to this anonymous request, more than 225 Worcester citizens and the workers at 20 of the city's factories and machine shops contributed to the construction of the original building. On May 10, 1865, after House and Senate approval, the secretary of the commonwealth recorded the Institute as a legal corporation, and it came into formal existence.<ref name="wpi.edu"/>

Both Boynton and Washburn died before the opening of the college on November 11, 1868. On that day, Charles O. Thompson, the first president of the Institute, inaugurated the Worcester County Free Institute of Industrial Science.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wpi.edu/Academics/Library/Archives/Founders/boynton.html |title=WPI's Founding Fathers: John Boynton |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060901203133/http://www.wpi.edu/Academics/Library/Archives/Founders/boynton.html |archivedate=2006-09-01 |accessdate=2006-07-23 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wpi.edu/Academics/Library/Archives/Founders/washburn.html |title=WPI's Founding Fathers: Ichabod Washburn |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060901203129/http://www.wpi.edu/Academics/Library/Archives/Founders/washburn.html |archivedate=2006-09-01 |accessdate=2006-07-23 }}</ref> WPI was led in its early years Thompson.<ref>[http://www.wpi.edu/Academics/Library/Archives/TwoTowers/page31.html Two Towers: The Story of Worcester Tech 1865–1965] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060905020548/http://www.wpi.edu/Academics/Library/Archives/TwoTowers/page31.html |date=September 5, 2006 }} Retrieved July 23, 2006</ref> WPI continuously expanded its campus and programs throughout the early twentieth century, eventually including [[Graduate school|graduate studies]] and a program in [[electrical engineering]]. During [[World War II]], WPI offered defense engineering courses and was selected as one of the colleges to direct the [[V-12 Navy College Training Program]].<ref>[http://www.wpi.edu/Academics/Library/Archives/TwoTowers/page163.html Two Towers: The Story of Worcester Tech 1865–1965] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927071225/http://www.wpi.edu/Academics/Library/Archives/TwoTowers/page163.html |date=September 27, 2011 }} Retrieved July 23, 2006</ref>

During this time, WPI suffered from the lack of a unified library system, well-maintained buildings, and national recognition. This changed under the leadership of president Harry P. Storke from 1962 to 1969. Building on growth under [[Arthur Bronwell]]'s presidency, Storke brought significant change to the school in what would be known as the WPI Plan. The Plan called for the creation of three projects and drastically redesigned the curriculum to address how a student learns. The Storke administration also launched a capital campaign that resulted in the creation of the George C. Gordon Library, added residence halls, an auditorium, and a modern chemistry building. Furthermore, women were first allowed to enter WPI in February 1968.<ref>[http://www.wpi.edu/News/Journal/Oct96/miracle2.html The Miracle at Worcester: The Story of the WPI Plan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060908141543/http://www.wpi.edu/News/Journal/Oct96/miracle2.html |date=September 8, 2006 }} Retrieved July 23, 2006</ref> 

Through the six month period from July 2021 to January 2022, seven WPI undergraduate and graduate students lost their lives, making local and national news. Two of the deaths occurred prior to the school year.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Kisner |first=Jordan |date=January 22, 2024 |title=The Unthinkable Mental Health Crisis That Shook a New England College |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/22/magazine/worcester-polytechnic-institute-suicides.html |work=The New York Times}}</ref> Five were confirmed or apparent suicides.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gavin |first=Christopher |date=January 25, 2022 |title=WPI student death is 7th in last 6 months |url=https://www.boston.com/news/schools/2022/01/25/wpi-student-death-is-7th-in-last-6-months/ |access-date=January 24, 2024 |work=Boston.com}}</ref> Following the third death, which occurred in September 2021, WPI set up an emergency mental health task force, and requested an independent review by nearby Riverside Trauma Center. In 2022, following the task force's dissolution, WPI announced the creation of a new Center for Well-Being.<ref name=":1" />