Local Residents Receive Degrees at 145th WPI Commencement

Submitted by readMedia for WPI

The following Northborough residents recently graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI).

Noor Ali was awarded a bachelor of science degree in biology and biotechnology with distinction.

Craig Jones was awarded a master of science degree in biomedical engineering.

A total of 1,165 degrees (781 bachelor's degrees, 358 master's, and 26 PhDs) were awarded during the university's commencement ceremony on May 11, 2013, which took place outdoors on the WPI quadrangle. Additionally, 328 degrees were awarded earlier this academic year.

Thousands of students, their families and friends, trustees, and other special guests were on hand to experience the inspirational messages delivered by keynote speaker, Eric S. Lander, president and founding director of The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. Honorary degrees were conferred upon Lander; Carol T. Christ, president of Smith College; and Robert H. Beckett '57, retired chairman and CEO of Robec, Inc., and currently president and CEO of Tribo Surface Engineering.

In his commencement address, Lander told the graduates they face a number of challenges, including economic stress, a looming crisis in healthcare costs for an aging population, climate change concerns, and political upheaval.

"And yet, nonetheless, I am optimistic," Lander said. "I am optimistic because of you – because of your generation's ability to both dream and act – to combine theory and practice."