Cardinal & Gray Society
Celebrate Your 50th Anniversary—and Beyond
Enjoying our Reunion
The Cardinal and Gray Society invites alumni who have reached the 50th anniversary of their graduation to gather for social and intellectual events between their five-year reunion festivities.
Learn the history
In 1966, when the class of 1916 returned to MIT for its 50th reunion, it organized a fund to purchase a reunion jacket for each of its classmates. Since then, alumni attending their 50th reunion are distinguished by wearing gray slacks or skirt and a cardinal blazer, bearing a detachable and intricately stitched MIT breast-pocket crest. For many years, the 50th reunion class has played an important role in Commencement exercises by leading graduates into Killian Court. In 1985, at the prompting of Max Seltzer '18, the Cardinal and Gray Society was founded to honor alumni who have reached the 50th anniversary of their graduation.
Order a red jacket
All members of the Cardinal and Gray Society are invited to wear their red jackets when attending MIT events. Don't have a red jacket? You may order one from Gould's Clothing.
Contact Gould's Clothing online, by phone at 978-263-0374, or use the downloadable MIT Red Jacket Order Form (PDF).
Alumni and guests cut a rug at the Cardinal and Gray dinner dance during Tech Reunions 2008.
Participate in upcoming activities
The goal of the Cardinal and Gray Society is to provide Institute-related intellectual and social activities to its members. These events present opportunities for members to connect with the Institute and with one another. Members of the society are invited to participate in the Cardinal and Gray activities offered as part of the annual Tech Reunions weekend, including Tech Night at the Pops, the Cardinal and Gray Academy and Luncheon, the Cardinal and Gray Dinner Dance, and Tech Day Program.
Annual Fall Lecture and Luncheon
The Cardinal and Gray Society had its Fall Lecture "The MIT Energy Initiative: Linking Science, Innovation, and Policy to Transform the World’s Energy Systems" on Thursday, October 7. Professor Robert C. Armstrong, the Chevron Professor of Chemical Engineering and Deputy Director of the MIT Energy Initiative discussed exciting projects being explored in boardrooms, classrooms and laboratories on campus and around the world.
