Courtesy of Worcester Polytechnic Institute WORCESTER — Worcester Polytechnic Institute has announced that Jocelyn L. Mendes of Leominster (Class of 2021, majoring in Chemistry) was awarded the university’s Salisbury Prize for academic excellence. Twenty-seven undergraduate students — out of a class of more than 1,200 — were nominated by their departments to receive this award. The Salisbury Prize was instituted in 1871 by Stephen Salisbury, a 19th century businessman and philanthropist who was one of the founders of WPI. Salisbury, who also served as president of the Board of Trustees, established the award to recognize outstanding members of the senior class “who have faithfully, industriously, and with distinguished attainment” completed all course and project requirements for the bachelor’s degree.