	News & Events

	Leadership Conference

	Quick Take

	What Matters

	Audio Scrapbooks

	Noteworthy
	Alumni Profiles
	News & Features
	E-Newsletters	-

	Tech Reunions

	Events Calendar



		Alumni Travel Program

		Clubs

		Class Notes

		Postcards

		Log In
		Register Now
		Email Forwarding
		Alumni Directory
		Update Your Info
		Mailing Lists

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

eAVC - The Monthly e-Newsletter for MIT Volunteers

June 2006

In This Issue:

Dear Volunteers,

As Scott P. Marks Jr. '68 finishes his term as Alumni Association president this month, I want to thank him for his dedication and tireless efforts on behalf of the Institute. I often hear Scott praising volunteers for the time, talent, and treasure they give to MIT, but he should also be commended for these gifts. He has traveled extensively this year educating others about the importance of the alumni network and annual giving and even challenged volunteers to increase their participation rate in the Alumni Fund.

My thanks also to each of you for your gifts of time and talent as you have served MIT with such enthusiasm this year. Together, we have created an incredible momentum for MIT that is reflected in record application numbers, admissions yields, alumni participation in events, press about MIT, and the private support generated from our friends and alumni.

Many of you may not know that Scott has also sought to instill a culture of giving in current students. This year, he challenged the senior class with a donation toward their senior gift that increased as participation increased. Students overwhelmingly responded with a record-breaking 50 percent participation rate to receive an extra $20,000 from Scott. The previous record was 39 percent set by the Class of 2001.

Two other classes also turned in best-ever performances. The 10th reunion Class of 1996 set a record for dollars raised with $136,515. And the 40th reunion Class of 1966 set a record with 75 percent donor participation in the five years leading up to their reunion.

Let's all take a cue from this record-breaking enthusiasm and reach our goals of $35 million from 33,000 donors by June 30. To do this, we need everyone's help spreading the word about the importance of giving to MIT and for each of us to make sure we have made our own gift this year.

Thank you for your continued support and enjoy the summer.

Regards,
Beth Garvin HM

Focus on Tech Reunions 2006

Tech Reunions Delight, Educate, and Reconnect Record Number of Alumni

Tech Reunions 2006 brought more than 3,300 people to campus June 8-11 to reminisce, reconnect, and learn at 128 events, including the 109th annual Tech Night at the Pops, Duck Boat tours, lobster bakes, Technology Day focusing on MIT's role tackling global challenges, and the Tech Challenge Games. Read coverage of the weekend.

2006 Grads Urged to Serve Humanity, Inspire Generations at Commencement

Federal Reserve Chair Ben S. Bernanke EC '79 and President Hockfield urged more than 2,100 graduates to celebrate their successes, instill in others a sense of optimism and hope about the future, and engage in humanitarian activities at MIT's 140th Commencement exercises.

Honorary Memberships, Class Giving Results Announced at Tech Day Lunch

Isaac Colbert, Wesley Harris, and Liba Mikic were each given honorary memberships in the Alumni Association at the annual Technology Day Luncheon. Class giving results, also announced at that time, totaled more than $46 million. Learn more and see the giving breakdown by class.

Class of 1991 Captures Reunion Row Cup

The 10th annual Reunion Row, a Tech Reunions favorite, proved a spirited event on the Charles River on Sunday, June 11. Congrats to the Class of 1991, whose two boats placed first and second to take home top honors and bragging rights with times of 0:59.0 and 1:04. Stay tuned for a Flash presentation capturing the event later this month.

Savor the Memories—Purchase Reunion Photos

Too busy having fun at Tech Reunions 2006 to take photos of your friends? Not to worry. Photos taken by the Alumni Association from events such as class dinners, receptions, Tech Day, Reunion Row, and more will be available for online purchase starting June 20, 2006. Questions? Contact Danielle Wollner at 617-258-0790.

Association Talking Points

New Members Join National Boards and Committees

Congratulations to the new members of five national boards and committees, recently appointed by the Alumni Association Board of Directors. See a list of FY2007 members on the Alumni Fund Board, Awards Committee, Committee on Nominations to Corporation Visiting Committees, Enterprise Forum Board, and Technology Day Committee. And thanks to all committee members for serving MIT.

Lead by Example—Make Your Gift Before June 30!

MIT depends on the time and talent you devote to help sustain the Institute. But it also depends on volunteers' financial participation. Less than 40 percent of volunteers this year are Alumni Fund donors. U.S. News & World Report rankings use annual fund participation as a measuring tool, so your gift will benefit current students and help MIT continue to attract the best and brightest. To meet this year's goals, 3,100 donors are still needed. Please make your gift online today!

Meet Incoming Freshmen by Hosting a Summer Send-Off Event

Welcome members of the Class of 2010 and their parents into the MIT family by hosting a summer send-off event in July or August. Gatherings allow local freshmen to meet one another, current students, and volunteers in a festive atmosphere. Parents gain a new community of support. See what motivates the newest MIT students. Contact Krista McCabe at 617-324-0378 or kmccabe@mit.edu to learn more.

Learn How MIT Works to Influence National Policy at ALC, Sept. 15-16

Research and national policy headline the plenary session at the Alumni Leadership Conference, held on campus Sept. 15-16. Robert Armstrong, co-chair of the Energy Research Council, offers an overview of MIT's new energy initiative; David Altshuler '86, Broad Institute co-founder, discusses bioscience research advancements; and William Bonvillian, new director of the MIT Washington, DC office, discusses how MIT works to shape national policy. Mark your calendars!

Share Best Practices at September FSILG Volunteer Gathering

The Association of Independent Living Groups (AILG) and the MIT FSILG Office will jointly offer workshops for alumni volunteers who oversee the operations of MIT's fraternities, sororities, and independent living groups (FSILGs). These workshops, held September 15 as part of the Alumni Leadership Conference, include money management, chapter advising, fundraising, alumni communications, risk management, and more. All current and prospective FSILG volunteers welcome.

EF/Media Lab Team Up to Explore Developmental Entrepreneurship with Sept. Broadcast

Tune in to the MIT Enterprise Forum's (EF) global broadcast on Sept. 21 and discover how development-oriented entrepreneurship can improve the lives of low-income communities worldwide. The broadcast is produced with the MIT Media Lab. EF chapters and MIT alumni clubs can establish local viewing sites via satellite or Web cast or delayed on DVD. Contact Greg Wymer at 617-253-0015 or email mitef@mit.edu.

Have All the Tools You Need?

If you've recently changed volunteer roles, take a moment to check the tools listed on Your Info page when you login to the Infinite Connection. Make sure relevant links, such as to Lists and Labels, educational counselor tools, and SmarTrans™, appear on your page. Questions? Contact help@alum.mit.edu.

Time to Submit Annual Reports

MIT club and affinity group annual report forms will be emailed to club presidents and officers on June 16 and will be due back to the Alumni Association on July 9. Data from these reports help determine budgetary and program support to clubs. The reports also allow the Association to serve as the primary archive for your club information. Contact Russell Boulais at rboulais@mit.edu or 617-253-8205 with questions. MIT Enterprise Forum annual report forms are due back to the Global Office by July 30 and can be found online.

Campus News

What a LIFE! 50th Reunion Class Graced Magazine's Cover

The MIT Class of 1956 celebrated more than its 50th reunion at Tech Reunions. It also marked the 50th anniversary of a LIFE magazine cover story lauding that year's MIT graduates. The class, which produced such successful alumni as an astronaut and a communications revolutionary among many others, has proven worthy of the honor.

New Building for Broad and New Twist on Origin of Species

The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard officially opened its new building on May 30, completing an urban renewal project of the Cambridge Center area within Kendall Square begun some 30 years ago. The ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrated recent Broad bioscience accomplishments including a study indicating that the evolutionary split between humans and chimpanzees is more recent and more complicated than previously thought.

Freshmen Automate Dorm Room

East Campus freshmen Zack Anderson and R.J. Ryan turned their standard-issue dorm room into the envy of their peers. The pair fully automated their pad with several lighting schemes, remote web access, voice activation, a security system, electric blinds, and "party mode," which featured a sound-activated strobe light, laser light show, fog machine, black lights, revolving disco light, and more.

Stay Current

Make your volunteer work easier by being easy to find. Please take a moment to log in to the Infinite Connection and update your contact information.

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?

E-mail Amy Marcott, Web Writer/Editor