Mass. Tech College Alumnus Donates $40-Million for Scholarships

A Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduate who received $600 in scholarship money to attend the Massachusetts school in the 1950s has given his alma mater $40-million to help today’s students pursue degrees, writes The Boston Globe.

“Scholarships helped me when I got started, and I’m trying to give back,” said Robert A. Foisie, who earned a degree in mechanical engineering at the institute in 1956 and went on to amass a business fortune, in large part through his patent on a fuel-control valve for jets he invented.

Mr. Foisie, now of Port Saint Lucie, Fla., was already Worcester Polytechnic’s largest donor, having contributed some $23-million over the years that the institute’s officials said has helped provide scholarships for about 580 students. The 149-year-old institute will name its business school and a new innovation center for Mr. Foisie in honor of the latest gift.