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Alumni Home > News & Events > Noteworthy > E-Newsletters

eAVC - The Monthly e-Newsletter for MIT Volunteers

January 2006

In This Issue:

Dear Volunteers,

In a conversation with President Hockfield last week, we returned to a puzzling question. With the intense loyalty and dedication of MIT alumni, and increasing participation online and at events, why is our annual Alumni Fund participation growing so slowly? The Fund had a great December—we're still entering the gifts—but at best, our total participation for this fiscal year will likely be 38 percent for undergraduate alumni and 27 percent for graduate alumni.

As we discussed the issue, it occurred to me that I should ask all of you for your advice. Is there a way that clubs, classes, affinity groups, and other alumni groups could increase participation in a simple way? Could we ask our volunteers and participants in our activities to make a gift and encourage two others to make a gift by June 30? We're not talking about $100,000 gifts, but $100 gifts, or $50 gifts, or whatever level is appropriate. Although there is a love/hate relationship for some with MIT, I see every day that most alumni share a dedication to MIT's core values and a tremendous pride in their rigorous, analytical MIT education.

What do you think? Do you have suggestions for how we might simply stage this multiplication dance to significantly increase participation? Is your group willing to take this on or challenge other groups? Please email me directly at alumvp@alum.mit.edu with any thoughts, or, if you must, a dash of cold water.

In the meantime, Happy New Year! We're off to a furious start in 2006, as described below, thanks to your great efforts.

Regards,
Beth Garvin HM

Association Talking Points

Graduate Alumni Convocation and Reunion, April 21-22, Celebrates Alumni Impact

Alumni holding graduate degrees from MIT are invited to attend the Graduate Alumni Convocation and Reunion on the MIT campus, April 21-22, 2006. The event, hosted by the Alumni Association, brings together graduate alumni and members of the MIT community for a celebration and exploration of the many ways in which MIT and its alumni impact the world as leaders and innovators. Alumni volunteers are receiving an early invitation to register. Don't delay! Space is limited.

Attend "Focus on the Future of MIT's FSILGs," Jan. 31 at MIT

FSILG alumni/ae and volunteers are invited to discuss the progress and challenges of the Fraternity, Sorority, and Independent Living Group (FSILG) community Jan. 31 on campus. The event, titled "Focus on the Future of MIT's FSILGs," includes the perspectives of students and the MIT administration as well as alumni. Alumni Association Executive VP and CEO Beth Garvin HM will host the session, which is also a great opportunity for future volunteers to explore opportunities to support this community. Learn more and register.

Reserve Hotel Rooms Now for Tech Reunions 2006

Tech Reunions 2006, held June 8-11, offer fun and informative events like the 109th annual Tech Night at the Pops and Technology Day, which will explore how MIT tackles global challenges. Reserve your hotel room now before lodgings fill up. You will also be able to reserve dorm rooms in mid-March when registration opens.

Nominate Peers for National Volunteer Leadership Positions

Alumni with demonstrated leadership skills and relevant experience serve on the Alumni Association's Board of Directors, its national boards and committees, and as alumni nominees to the MIT Corporation and its visiting committees. Review the responsibilities and qualifications for these volunteer leadership positions and submit your nominations by January 23, 2006.

Join in the IAP Fun

Independent Activities Period (IAP), held Jan. 9 through Feb. 3, welcomes alumni participation in non-credit activities. Sample dark chocolate, learn Middle Eastern drumming, or enter your duct tape creation in a contest. Check the schedule to see if advance sign-up is required. Can't participate? Celebrate instead. Young alumni in 28 cities worldwide will enjoy the third annual Toast to IAP in January. Mingle and play IAP-inspired games. Most events occur Jan. 18, but check the schedule.

Honor Alumni Volunteers with National Awards

Annual national awards such as the Bronze Beaver, the Alumni Association's highest honor, recognize outstanding accomplishment and service to the Alumni Association and MIT. Review the criteria for each national award and submit your nominations by February 2, 2006.

MIT Enterprise Forum Panel to Predict 2006 Markets

MIT clubs and Enterprise Forum (EF) chapters can serve as viewing sites for EF's global broadcast, "Forecasting Markets: The Capital Update for 2006," on Jan. 26, 2006, from 7-8:30 p.m. EST. The program explores funding opportunities and how to access capital for the coming year. Viewing sites can be live via satellite and Web cast or delayed on DVD. Contact EF at 617-253-0015 or mitef@mit.edu.

Campus News

MIT Accepts 12 Percent for Early Admission to Class of 2010

MIT has accepted 12 percent of 3,098 applicants for early admission to the Class of 2010. The early admits, who make up about 30 percent of the class, are 53 percent male and 47 percent female. Read blogs from Admissions officers and current students.

Biological Engineering May Become Course 20

Asserting biological engineering's importance and permanence, faculty submitted a proposal for a new Course 20 at the December faculty meeting. Last February, the Biological Engineering Division received approval to accept undergraduate majors. Faculty will vote on the status of Course 20, which has been unassigned for nearly two decades, in mid-February.

Picower Researcher Finds that Adult Brain Cells Grow

View of a pyramidal neuron within the cerebral cortex of a living mouse brain. Photo / Wei-Chung Lee, Nedivi Lab

Neurons in the adult brain are able to grow, a Picower Institute for Learning and Memory researcher has discovered. The finding gives hope that it may be possible to replace cells damaged by disease or spinal cord injury with new ones.

Club Update

Gather Spring Programming Ideas

Do you need programming ideas for the spring? The Alumni Association has compiled a suggested schedule of events for the next few months, including several programs spearheaded by the Alumni Association. Visit often-the information will be updated regularly-or contact your Alumni Affairs officer for ideas. To learn what other clubs are planning, view the calendar.

Submit Faculty Speaker Requests

Now is the time to send in your spring faculty speaker requests. Complete the form or contact Kim Cole at kcole@mit.edu.

Class Update

Coming This Month: Online Treasurer Reports

The Alumni Association is unveiling online class treasurer reports later this month, to simplify class treasury reporting. Stay tuned for more information, or contact Rebecca Watriss at rwatriss@mit.edu with immediate questions.

Reunion Classes Give Back to MIT

Reunion Gift volunteers have been busy this fall raising funds for their reunion gift campaigns. To date, reunion classes have raised $29 million for MIT. The Reunion Gift Committees will continue their hard work this spring, striving to increase participation in their reunion gift campaigns before the final results are announced in June. Check the progress online throughout the spring.

Stay Current

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About eAVC

eAVC, a monthly e-newsletter for MIT volunteers, is available in HTML and text-only formats. To receive the text-only format, please email mitalum@mit.edu.

Feedback, comments, or questions?

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