Wentworth Institute of Technology Opens The Altschuler Computer Center Thanks to $1 Million Gift from Alumnus

BOSTON, May 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Wentworth Institute of Technology today announced the opening of The Altschuler Computer Center— an advanced, highly innovative facility for computer science and networking. On May 15, students, faculty, staff, corporators, and trustees will gather to officially dedicate the center and honor key donors Samuel and Nancy Altschuler, whose generous contribution helped make the space's renovation possible.

"I believe I speak for the entire Wentworth family when I say 'thank you' to Samuel and Nancy for their generous gift and commitment to our school. This center will not only advance our students' classroom experience, but also offer them the valuable firsthand experience needed to succeed in real world situations," said Wentworth President Zorica Pantic. "For years, Wentworth graduates have helped design and build much of our city's physical infrastructure. Now, thanks to this innovative center, our graduates will help craft the infrastructure of our digital world."

The center, which was funded in part by a $1 million donation from Wentworth alumnus Samuel Altschuler, Hon. '08, and his wife Nancy Altschuler, features a range of industry-standard equipment for networking and data storage. Wentworth students will gain practical experience related to cyber security, network engineering and maintenance. Students will have access to the latest technology such as 35 Cisco switches, 30 Cisco routers, 20 Dell servers, five Cisco Nexus switches, and one EMC storage array, as well as cables, racks, and power-distribution equipment.

"We're very enthusiastic about what will be one of the finest networking centers in the United States," said Samuel Altschuler. "What inspires me the most about Wentworth is that it is pointing the way to continued growth and enhancement of its facilities and in the education provided for its students."

Altschuler, a 50-year veteran of the electronics industry, founded Altron Incorporated in 1970, which became a leading manufacturer of electronics equipment, primarily surface-mount assemblies, custom-designed backplanes, and circuit boards.

The Altschuler family tradition at Wentworth continues today as Sam and Nancy's son, Jeffrey Altschuler, Wentworth '84 and founder and CEO of Altronics Manufacturing, is a corporator for the Institute while their grandson, David, is currently enrolled in the Computer Networking program, and will be a part of the first group of students to use the center this summer.

"Amazon, Facebook, and Google all run data centers with hundreds of thousands of servers," said Charlie Wiseman, assistant professor of computer science and computer networking. "Now our students can build their own data center systems using industry-standard technologies. This new computer center enables us to teach these types of real-world skills to Wentworth undergraduates that are not found in other programs around the country."

The opening of The Altschuler Computer Center marks the latest enhancement to the ground floors of Wentworth, Williston, and Dobbs Halls. The highly successful Manufacturing Center opened in 2011, and construction is underway on a complete overhaul of laboratories for the study of strength of materials, materials science, and nanotechnology. Together, these facilities compose a "High-Tech Highway" for learning along one of the Institute's primary academic corridors.

Wentworth Institute of Technology
Founded in 1904, Wentworth Institute of Technology is an independent, co-educational, nationally ranked institution and a leader in engineering, technology, design, and management education. Through Externally collaborative, Project-based, Interdisciplinary Curricula for learning (EPIC learning), Wentworth offers career-focused education through 19 bachelor's degree programs in areas such as applied mathematics, architecture, business management, computer science, computer networking, construction management, design, engineering, and engineering technology. The Institute also offers master's degrees in architecture, construction management, facility management, and technology management. Wentworth is well known for its academic excellence and cooperative education (co-op) program, community service, and support for the economic growth of the region and beyond. For more information, please visit www.wit.edu.

SOURCE Wentworth Institute of Technology