Hammering Home the WPI Connection
For nearly nine decades, F.W. Madigan Company, Inc., has been an integral part of Worcester’s growth story with multiple WPI touchpoints along the way.
Founded in 1937 by Francis W. Madigan Sr., the construction management and general contracting firm has completed countless projects throughout the campus, city, and region.
The company remains family-owned — it is now in its fourth generation of leadership — and at the heart of its legacy is a deep and lasting connection to WPI. Francis W. Madigan III, a 1979 WPI civil engineering graduate and the company’s former president, represents the third generation to lead the firm, his sons being the fourth.
His father, brother, siblings, and other family members are all WPI alumni, as well. “WPI provided a phenomenal education and background to run a business,” Madigan III says, calling the university “a gem” in the city of Worcester. “Our family has a long tie-in to WPI.”
Helping build community at WPI and beyond
F.W. Madigan has completed a long list of projects on WPI’s campus, including the renovation of Washburn Labs, the construction of Stoddard Dormitories, improvements at multiple Greek houses and upgrades to offices and classrooms.
The company has also hired numerous WPI graduates, co-op students, and summer interns over the years, building a pipeline of engineering and construction talent rooted in Worcester.
Beyond campus, F.W. Madigan has touched nearly every corner of Worcester’s built environment in its near-90-year history: academia, financial, commercial, healthcare, industrial, residential; even historic and religious buildings. Notably, the firm has worked with Holy Cross, Assumption, Clark University, Becker College, the Beechwood Hotel, and is now overseeing a $50 million renovation of the former Worcester Boys Club into affordable senior housing.
The Madigan family has played a role in civic life, as well: Madigan Jr., who retired from the company in 1998, served on the WPI Alumni Association’s Board of Directors, while Madigan III was a long-time member of WPI's Civil & Environmental Engineering Department Industry Advisory Board, and helped establish the endowment for the university’s crew team, where he once rowed as a student. The family has supported many other WPI projects and fundraising efforts, as well.
With around three dozen employees, most hailing from Worcester County, F.W. Madigan is committed to hiring local subcontractors and investing in the region’s workforce. “We’re from Worcester, we live in Worcester, and we like to reinvest in Worcester,” Madigan III says. “There are connections everywhere.”
Latest Announcements - For Students
- WPI Police Department Reaccreditation AssessmentChief Stephen Marsh is pleased to announce that a team of assessors from the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission is scheduled to arrive on campus Nov. 17, 2025, to begin examining various aspects of the WPI Police Department’s policies, procedures, operations, and facilities toward reaccreditation. WPI police first became accredited in 2017, and this will be the third reaccreditation assessment to verify that the department continues to meet the commission’s standards for accreditation. Accreditation is a voluntary process that involves police departments meeting and maintaining over 325 operational standards and best practices. Achieving accreditation is a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence. Anyone interested in learning more about this program is invited to speak with the department’s accreditation manager, Capt. Brendan Green, or with Chief Stephen Marsh at the WPI Police Department located in Founders Hall.
- Project Advising 101 Series: Responding to Student WritingTuesday, November 18, 2025 12 pm - 1 pm CC: Mid-Century Room In this workshop, participants will review several styles of written commentary, considering how the type, placement, and quantity of comments on student drafts can affect their revision and learning. Participants will learn and practice with a “reader-based” approach that has the potential to: 1) Reduce the time you spend marking student papers 2) Model for your students how to better anticipate and respond to a reader's needs 3) Help your students become less dependent on your editing and directive feedback This workshop is one component of our Project Advising 101 program for faculty new to IQP and MQP advising. The workshop is equally helpful to faculty teaching writing-intensive courses in any discipline, as well as faculty working with graduate students on theses and journal articles. All are welcome to attend! Please register by Tuesday, November 11th, so we can finalize the headcount for lunch.
- Registration is open for Intro to Mindfulness Meditation in B-TermMIEA Intro to Mindfulness is a four-week evidence-based mindfulness curriculum the Center for Well-Being is offering to WPI employees and graduate students at no cost. Registration is now open for the in-person program that runs Tuesdays, 4:00 to 5:15 PM, Nov 11 to Dec 2. Register here
- "Currents of Change" Exhibit Kickoff NOVEMBER 3rd, 3-5pmJoin WPI Archives & Special Collections in celebration of the new 2025-2026 Gladwin Gallery exhibit, "Currents of Change: Electrical & Computer Engineering at WPI from the Dawn of the Electric Age to Present Day". This event will be hosted on the ground floor of George C. Gordon Library on Monday, November 3rd from 3-5pm. It is a casual drop-in/drop-out style gathering with a brief welcome and short program led by ECE faculty at the start. After the introduction, attendees will be welcome to explore the exhibit and some interactive elements on their own. Light refreshments provided. Students, staff, faculty, alumni, and guests are welcome. Registration preferred. Please email archives@wpi.edu with any additional questions.
- Staff Council Engagement Committee UpdateThe Staff Council Engagement Committee has put together a fun-filled calendar of events for everyone to have opportunities for connection and engagement this academic year. Please see below and attached calendar of events for the year! We hope you will join us for an upcoming social on Monday, October 27, 4pm at the Courtyard Marriott Bar (drinks and snacks on your own) for some conversation and connection with peers. Friday, October 31 from 12-1pm join us for a Lunch and Gather drop-in session in Innovation Studio 205. This gathering will be an opportunity to connect with others based on hobbies, interests, likes, etc. Lastly, we are thrilled to partner again this year with Chartwells to offer holiday pie sales at Harvest of Thanks on November 24th. New this year is the opportunity to purchase pies through the StaffCouncil myWPI webpage. Check it out HERE! Save the Dates for '25-'26 Staff Council Events Thank you, Matt Foster, Staff Council Engagement Committee Chair on behalf of, Staff Council Engagement Committee
- Meet Your Alumni Association President: Arly Dungca ’08Quick Facts: Majored in Civil Engineering and was part of SAE Fraternity and US Air Force ROTC SVP Sales & Marketing at Enigma Technologies, Inc Based in Boston, MA Favorite WPI Tradition: “I like the symbolism of crossing the bridge when you are entering the school and crossing back when you leave the school. It signifies the journey and is meaningful as all WPI graduates experience it.” Since leaving WPI… “I have lived across the US (four different states) and lived in London for four years (for school and work). Now I’m back living in Boston. Having a WPI degree helped me learn how to solve open-ended problems—something that is critical for professional success.” Staying Connected “I primarily stay connected with my Fraternity SAE serving on the alumni board and mentoring undergrads. I met Peter Thomas (previously in the Alumni office) who was a father of SAE in my chapter who nominated me to be part of the Alumni Association. As Alumni Association President, I hope to increase engagement of alumni across the US and bring more attention and celebration to our alumni who give back their time and talents.”


