Percy "Doc" Carpenter devoted most of his life to the betterment
of WPI and its physical education department. As the first
full-time athletic director of the Institute's, his name was
synonymous with WPI for more than three decades.
While serving as athletic director from 1916 to 1952, his
commitment to WPI was undying. From the construction in 1916 of the
school's first major athletic facility, Alumni Gymnasium, Percy
successfully guided the department through turbulent times and laid
a foundation of excellence within the college.
His unique philosophy held that WPI students undertook such as a
rigorous academic program that they needed the benefit of an
athletic program to maintain good physical conditioning. He boldly
established physical education as a required course of study at the
college and that requirement exists to this day.
Percy also believed in the importance of team sports as a means
to develop sportsmanship, foster college spirit and breed a
competitive atmosphere. Though never backed by sufficient funds,
Percy's department, through his patient efforts, bore out the
intentions of his philosophy. The drive and commitment he displayed
will endure forever.
Tonight we proudly honor Percy "Doc" Carpenter's extraordinary
life with his posthumous induction into the WPI Athletic Hall of
Fame.
