Faculty & Staff

When a group of WPI students and faculty members first set out in 2022 to interview people connected to the rare earth magnet industry, they wanted to know if an innovative magnet recycling business could succeed. After more than 130 interviews, says Adam Powell, associate professor in the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering and a member of the team, the group concluded that the answer is a qualified “yes.” Adam Powell “We learned there is demand for recycled materials, and a lot of people want a domestic recycling industry to grow,” Powell says. “Yet the reality is that only a small number of U.S. companies are building recycling capacity. The industry is still maturing as companies develop facilities, awareness of recycling grows, and a steady supply of old magnets builds.” “Rare earth” refers to a group of metallic elements such as neodymium that are abundant in the earth’s crust but difficult and environmentally damaging to mine and process. Magnets made from rare earth minerals are used in everything from hybrid and electric vehicles to wind turbines and fighter jets, and the total market for rare earth elements was valued at more than $3 billion in 2023. China supplies most of the world’s rare earth minerals and has used its hold on the market as a political tool. In early 2025, China threatened to limit rare earth exports, especially to Western defense contractors, as a response to U.S. tariffs. During its review, the WPI group found that challenges for rare earth recycling include incentivizing the recycling of materials and competing with magnets made from virgin materials. 

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) announced the appointment of David LaMarco as associate vice president for facilities and campus planning. LaMarco, who will join WPI Oct. 6, brings more than two decades of leadership experience in facilities operations, capital planning, and strategic infrastructure management across higher education and private industry.  LaMarco joins WPI from Wheaton College, where he has served as associate vice president for facilities and auxiliary services, providing executive oversight for facilities operations, dining services, business services, and conference and event management.  At WPI, LaMarco will serve as the university’s chief facilities executive, reporting directly to Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Mike Horan. He will lead oversee specialized areas—including campus planning, design and construction, and environmental health and safety—and manage a team of approximately 110 professionals and an annual budget of more than $40 million. He will provide strategic oversight of WPI’s built environment, including implementation of the university’s comprehensive campus framework, and will lead capital planning and projects. LaMarco will provide operational management of campus services, including maintenance, custodial, utilities, and groundskeeping, with a focus on performance metrics and continuous improvement, and will advance WPI’s sustainability initiatives, including energy management, green building practices, and environmental stewardship. LaMarco’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for WPI, which recently achieved Carnegie R1 research status—placing it among the top 3% of research institutions nationwide. As WPI’s research enterprise and academic programs continue to grow, LaMarco will play a critical role in ensuring the university’s physical infrastructure supports its mission of preparing students to solve global challenges through project-based learning and interdisciplinary collaboration. “David’s deep expertise in facilities management and his proven ability to lead complex operations make him an outstanding addition to our leadership team,” said Horan. “His strategic vision and operational acumen will be essential as we continue to expand and evolve our campus to meet the needs of an R1 institution.” “I am excited to join WPI right now, as the campus is experiencing strategic growth while adapting to the rapidly changing landscape of higher education,” said LaMarco. “Now more than ever, it’s crucial for leaders within facilities operations to add value through data-driven decision-making while creating an aspirational vision for their teams.” LaMarco holds a master of science in cybersecurity policy and governance from Boston College and a bachelor of science in facilities engineering from Massachusetts Maritime Academy. He is a certified energy manager, certified professional maintenance manager, and certified data center professional.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) today announced a visionary $12 million legacy gift from Carl Karlsson, Class of 1960. The unrestricted estate gift, made following Karlsson’s passing in 2023, will provide broad support across WPI, with a portion dedicated to establishing endowed professorships for early career faculty—a strategic investment in the university’s long-term academic excellence.  Among the most significant philanthropic commitments ever made by an individual to WPI and in support of Beyond These Towers: The Campaign for Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Karlsson’s gift will leave a lasting mark on the university’s future. Unrestricted gifts are among the most powerful forms of philanthropy because they provide WPI with the flexibility to address its highest priorities, respond to emerging opportunities, and invest strategically in areas of greatest need. Karlsson’s altruism ensures WPI remains nimble and well-positioned to advance its mission for generations to come.  “This is a shining example of the extraordinary generosity and dedication of our alumni to give back and help WPI continue to thrive,” said Grace J. Wang, President of WPI. “Carl Karlsson’s remarkable gift will impact the university by supporting faculty excellence, fueling research and innovation, and enriching the student experience. His legacy will empower future generations to achieve, discover, and lead in ways that ensure WPI’s enduring excellence and global impact.”  After earning his degree in chemical engineering in 1960, Karlsson built a successful career in information systems and technology, working for Praxair Inc. in Tonawanda, New York. Throughout his life, he remained deeply connected to WPI, contributing annually to the university’s areas of greatest need for nearly four decades. His legacy gift reflects a lifelong belief in the power of education to improve lives, a value that aligns closely with WPI’s mission and project-based learning model.