Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) has announced that Mary-Lee Barboza of Rochester, Mass., a senior majoring in biology and biotechnology, has been awarded the university’s Salisbury Prize for academic excellence.
A total of 19 undergraduate students – out of a class of more than 900 – were nominated by WPI faculty to receive this award. The Salisbury Prize was instituted in 1871 by Stephen Salisbury, a 19th century businessman and philanthropist who was one of the founders of WPI. Salisbury, who also served as President of the Board of Trustees, established the award to recognize outstanding members of the senior class “who have faithfully, industriously, and with distinguished attainment” completed all course and project requirements for the bachelor’s degree.