William Grogan ‘46
Man of Achievement

William Grogan honored with 2012 Man of Achievement Award

PROVIDENCE, RI— William Grogan was honored with the Man of Achievement by the Phi Kappa Theta Foundation. The Man of Achievement Award, started in 1980 and awarded by the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, is the highest honor bestowed upon Brothers of Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity.  The award recognizes members who have risen to prominence in their chosen fields of endeavor. Grogan was recognized during the Fraternity’s 2012 Leadership Institute in Providence, RI.

For over four decades, William Grogan has served the university that gave him so much. He served as a Professor of Electrical Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute from 1947-1990 and as the Dean of Undergraduate Studies from 1970-1990. He also served our country during World War II as a U.S Navy Electrical Officer.

Grogan has had a tremendous impact in many areas and has received numerous accommodations over the years. Grogan was the driving force to remove the “Catholic’s only” clause from the constitution in order to allow all studenyts to experience the benefits of Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity. Some of his awards and honors include: the Chester Carlson Award of American Society for Engineering Education for Innovations in Engineering, the Robert Goodard Award for Engineering Patents, the Worcester Engineering Society for Scientific Achievement, the First Distinguished Service Award Presented by The WPI Trustees, and the John Henry Newman Honorary Society Award.

Grogan attended Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where he earned his PHD in Electrical Engineering and was initiated into the Massachusetts Lambda chapter of Phi Kappa Theta.