Worcester Polytechnic Institute - Peddler Yearbook (Worcester, MA)

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Atwater Kent Renovated The ongoing process of renovating WPI’s many older buildings and facilities saw the accomplishment of Kaven Hall’s repairs and additions and the commencement of the reconstruction of Atwater Kent in 1980. These renovations, which began in July, included modernizing labs, lecture halls, classrooms and conference rooms as well as increasing the amount of floor space in the building by a about 30 per cent. The newly restored building will house both the EE and CS departments when completed in September 1981. The two departments, whose enrollments have been continuing on a dramatically incrementing trend, now hold over 35 per cent of the undergraduate population. The EE department, which has been located in Atwater Kent for over 75 years, has been temporarily moved to Alden Hall while the construction progresses. The CS 14

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0 vehicles U0»£fi ON] NTH. FIELD A question and answer session followed the lecture, in which tempers flared. A number of people in the audience were from outside the WPI community per se. This was to be expected, as Smith is a famous figure. A few of these people were actual citizens of Zimbabwe, students of neighboring colleges, and they were highly critical of Smith. In a press conference following the lecture. Smith claimed that his detractors were “in communication” with others across the country and followed a pattern of creating disturbance. WPI Newsbriefs, a publication of the WPI News Bureau, expanded on this, calling the detractors a “well organized oppositionWorcester Magazine contacted some of the detractors and found no evidence of such organization. 13 tat

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department has been housed in various buildings since its formation and is now located in Washburn Laboratories. The school has been trying to raise 2.6 million dollars to help offset the cost of the renovating of the building as well as equipping the facilities with modern equipment. Many local businesses and patrons have helped WPI toward its goal. In addition to major grants from the classes of ’29, ’30, ’54 and 55, Analog Devices Inc. donated $75,000 to the renovation fund. Future targets for renovation includ e the Washburn Shops and the outdoor athletic facilities. 15