For more than 100 years, each class graduating from WPI has offered a philanthropic legacy with a senior class gift. The legacies often included physical reminders of the class, such as public art—statues, sundials even the arbor swings at Higgins House.
The Class of 2018 kept the tradition (introduced by the Class of 2017) by choosing a less tangible gift but one with lasting impact. Last year’s class gift to the Global Scholars Program left no physical marker, but a huge benefit nonetheless. The Class of 2018 kept the theme going strong with its gift of $26,141.33 (plus $15,000 from trustee emeritus match donor Win Priem ’59) to support the newly established Glacier National Park Project Center. Especially noteworthy is the 55 percent of the class that participated in the fundraising efforts. Inspired by the late William “Tuna” Trask’s unwavering support to WPI, the committee also funded a Glacier project center scholarship in his memory.
Tracy Baldelli, class gift advisor and associate director of annual giving, and the group tossed around a few ideas and began to envision how their donations could align strategically with the university’s goals of a global education. While some felt that a physical memorial to Trask would be fitting, the committee ultimately decided that a scholarship in his name would best honor his memory.