A Legacy in the Arts and Student Support

J. Richard Weiss '42 was a dedicated and generous alumnus. Dorothy, his wife, continued his philanthropic legacy through planned giving.

Richard Weiss graduated from WPI with a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering. As a student, he was an athlete and a member of Theta Chi fraternity and a number of honor societies, and he participated in theatre productions. He also received financial aid, which may have inspired his future philanthropy at WPI. Weiss was an active alumnus, attending his class reunions and serving as a class agent and class leader. He was a Poly Club member, supporting athletics, and a consistent annual donor to his alma mater. Richard died Oct. 7, 2013; Dorothy, his wife, continued his philanthropic legacy at WPI. As Alden Society members, they were recognized as those who have made planned gifts to WPI, most recently with generous commitments totaling just over $2.5 million to create space in the Foisie Innovation Studio where student work will be displayed. With this gift, Dorothy also established the Weiss Jazz History Database and the Dorothy and Richard Weiss '42 Endowed Scholarship.

Weiss FamilyDorothy Weiss, who died on May 11, 2015, did her part to create a lasting legacy at WPI that reflects her and her husband's long connection to the university.

"Dorothy Weiss's generous gift provides much needed support for a program that brings a unique opportunity for WPI undergraduates who couple their impressive technological skills with their love of music," says Richard Falco, WPI director of Jazz Studies and assistant teaching professor of music. He explains that the mission of the Jazz History Database is to rescue, preserve, and archive historically significant materials related to jazz music, including old recordings, television footage, photographs, handwritten manuscripts, newspaper articles, radio shows, live concert recordings, and artist interviews; a special focus is placed upon articles deemed to be at risk of being lost forever.