Wentworth professors and their endowed professorship benefactors were recognized with a reception in September hosted by President Zorica Pantic, Provost Richard S. Hansen, and Paula Sakey, vice president for Institutional Advancement. Douglas Elder, AC ’58, Hon. ’02, has served on the school’s Board of Trustees and funds the Douglas C. Elder Professorship, a position shared by Ilyas Bhatti, Department of Civil, Construction, and Environment, and James Lambrechts, Department of Civil Engineering and Technology.
Bhatti’s students are focused on sustainability in the construction process and myriad influences including climate, while Lambrechts’ students are looking at ways to help the City of Boston update its public transportation system.
From left: Ilyas Bhatti, Simon Williamson, President Zorica Pantic, James Lambrechts, Betsy Elder (seated), Ken Roberts, Gautham Das, Doug Elder, and James McCusker. (Photo by Meagan Bronson)
A Board of Trustees member since 1997 and parent of a Wentworth alumnus, Kenneth Roberts funds a position named for his grandfather— the William E. Roberts Professorship, which is held by Simon Williamson, Department of Industrial Design, and Stephen Chomyszak in Mechanical Engineering and Technology. Roberts recalled that his grandfather in the 1940s taught drafting in the Annex Building.
Williamson and his students have been working with adaptable flying machine prototypes.
Gautham Das, a member of the Department of Civil Engineering and Technology who holds the Francis Sagan Professorship, highlighted his focus on coal ash and limiting the environmentally punishing effects of leaching.
The Henry C. Lord Professorship is held by James McCusker, Department of Electrical Engineering and Technology, who also attended the reception.
Gloria Ma, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Technology, holds the Douglas D. Schumann Professorship. Schumann, AM ’64, Hon. ’08, is a Wentworth trustee emeritus and benefactor for an Institute scholarship program, the Douglas D. Schumann Fitness Center, and the Douglas D. Schumann Library & Learning Commons.
—Greg Abazorius & Dennis Nealon
