Award Winners

ALC | September 21-22, 2012

Announcing the 2012 MIT Alumni Association Award recipients!

The MIT Alumni Association is pleased to announce the 2012 award recipients.

The following MIT alumni, friends and groups were selected for MIT Alumni Association Leadership Awards. All awards, with the exception of the Honorary Membership, will be presented at a celebratory evening gala during the 2012 Alumni Leadership Conference. Honorary Members (HMs) will be formally introduced at the MIT Technology Day Luncheon during Tech Reunions on Saturday, June 9, 2012.
Photos of award recipients will be added soon!

2012 Honorary Membership
The constitution of the Alumni Association, adopted at its annual meeting held on December 30, 1897, provided that anyone who has rendered outstanding service to the Association or the Institute, including any present or former member of the Corporation or any present or former officer of administration or instruction on the staff of the Institute, as well as their spouses, may be elected an Honorary Member.

On June 9, 2012, at the Technology Day Luncheon, Honorary Membership will be awarded to

EDMUND BERTSCHINGER
Physics Department Head Edmund Bertschinger has had a powerful and long-lasting impact on MIT. He is very active in the MIT community with his commitment to education and excellence in the physics department, and his involvement in diversity issues. An active member of MIT’s Committee on Race and Diversity, he has moved the dial forward in instilling a culture of inclusion on campus that reverberates outward to prospective students, alumni, and community partners alike. A recipient of the MIT Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Award, Ed is someone who deeply cares about MIT, the quality of the educational experience, and in keeping warm ties between MIT and its alumni.

DANIEL T. LANGDALE
Throughout his tenure at MIT, Dan was a strong advocate for need-blind admissions and diversity, and evangelical in his work on behalf of under-represented minorities. He has been a pioneer in understanding the African-American, Latino and minority community at MIT and worked with others to help make MIT a leader in diversity. He also developed pioneer recruitment programs for women. Today Dan continues to keep in touch with former students and colleagues, and currently is Communications Director of the Association of MIT Retirees. Dan represents the best of the Institute, always supporting MIT’s students, staff and programs.

JANE PAPPALARDO
Jane has long been a part of the MIT family. She joined the Council for the Arts (CAMIT) in 2004, where, as its Vice President, she supports artistic expression on campus and explores ways that MIT can become a leading force in the arts. She serves on the Corporation Visiting Committee for Music and Theatre Arts. Additionally, she is a regular participant in MIT Travel Programs, where she speaks to alumni around the world about the work of the Institute and its faculty. Jane is a tremendous asset to the MIT community and brings immense value to each enterprise she pursues on behalf of the Institute.

2012 Bronze Beaver Award Recipients

The Bronze Beaver Award is the highest honor the Association can bestow upon any alumni volunteer. It is given to recognize distinguished service to the Alumni Association and the Institute by alumni who have been active in most or all phases of alumni activity and who have been outstanding in at least one phase. Alf K. Berle ’27 and Carole (Cac) A. Clarke ’21 were the first recipients of this award, which was established in 1955. To date, 303 individuals have been so honored.

DOUGLAS G. BAILEY ’72, SM ’74, ME ’75
Doug’s passion for improving MIT through his fundraising roles and leadership among alumni, students, and staff has made a tangible impact on the Institute over the years. He has led classmates through two record-breaking reunion gift campaigns (30th and 35th), and is currently co-chairing his 40th reunion gift committee. He has worked closely with Annual Fund staff as a Board member, Goals Committee chair, and Fund Board chair, where he has developed an altered focus that looks to the graduate degree-exclusive alumni community and encourages a deeper emphasis on unrestricted support. In addition, he served as Senior Gift challenger in the record-setting Class of 2011 Senior Gift Campaign, and was a key fundraising leader for Sigma Chi during its $5 million capital campaign. He has served on the Corporation Development Committee since 1998 and is currently chair for the Metro New York area. Doug’s term as chair of the MIT Annual Fund Board ends on June 30, 2012.

CHARLES W. JOHNSON BE ’55
Chuck epitomizes the highest values of MIT. An educational counselor since 1978, he has brought countless students from the Midwest to MIT, and for many years included visits to MIT in his travels to meet with students who had enrolled. He served as vice president on the Association’s Board, is a member of the Koch Institute Leadership Council, and has served on several Corporation Visiting Committees since 2008. In addition, Chuck was a strategic contributor while serving on the Committee on Nominations to Corporation Visiting Committees and the Annual Fund Board. An honorary member of the Corporation Development Committee, he began in 1989 as a term member and served on the CDC Advisory Group from 2002 to 2005. Chuck’s philanthropy has funded a chair in the Electrical Engineering department as well as impacted programs in the Department of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation, Sloan, and Math.

PHILIP C. KWOK ’61
Philip’s leadership has been crucial to MIT’s evolving and important activity in East Asia, particularly in greater China, and he has helped the Institute establish an engagement in the region that is unique among leading American universities in both depth and character. Philip’s record is distinguished as well by his breadth of service to fellow alumni, students, and leadership in MIT Sloan’s international initiatives. With over 3,500 Affiliate Alumni in China, Philip has been a prominent alumni figure, representing Sloan at several graduations at Chinese partner schools. He has also helped make the MIT Club of Hong Kong one of the strongest clubs in Asia for which he has arranged for MIT faculty to make presentations at club events, arranged for club members to meet with visiting groups of students, and has engaged club members in projects for students.

2012 Henry B. Kane ’24 Award Recipient

The Henry B. Kane ’24 Award recognizes exceptional fundraising service and accomplishments for the Alumni Association and MIT. To date, a total of 102 individuals have received this award.

CHRISTINE CHU ’88
Christine led an inspiring campaign for the Friends of Fencing to reach a goal of $350,000 to renovate the MIT fencing room, a facility untouched since the completion of du Pont Athletic Center in 1959. This project, long in the planning (eight years) and slow in the fundraising, took off when Christine entered the picture. She effectively took charge, organized a committee, and personally found one of the lead donors, an international alumnus who had never made a gift to MIT. Christine also worked with an MIT designer to create a publication outlining the case for giving to Fencing, supervised this highly personalized mailing, which varied to reflect the recipient’s era, followed up personally with donors, organized conference calls with volunteers, kept track of outstanding solicitations, and maintained contact with the MIT facilities and athletic staffs. The fencing program dedicated its expanded and improved salle d’armes on Oct. 22, 2011.

2012 Harold E. Lobdell ’17 Distinguished Service Award Recipients

The Harold E. Lobdell ’17 Distinguished Service Award recognizes service to the Alumni Association and MIT that is of significant depth over a sustained period. Lobdell’s interest and commitment to MIT spanned all areas of alumni relations. To date, a total of 287 individuals have received this award.

STEPHEN D. BAKER ’84, MARCH ’88
Steve’s volunteer work on behalf of MIT, his fraternity, and the FSILG community is broad and consistent. Arguably the most important alumni figure in reinvigorating MIT’s relationship with its FSILGs, Steve is a thoughtful and constructive person with broad experience at the chapter, campus, and national levels. He served on the AILG board from 2005-2011 and as AILG chair from 2006-2009. Previously, he led the AILG’s Facilities Committee and the design of their successful Safety, Licensing, & Inspection (SLI) Program. Steve began his alumni volunteer service with his local Theta Xi Alumni Corporation in 1984 and served as president from 1999-2005.

JAMES S. BANKS ’76
Jim’s volunteer service began shortly after his graduation in 1976 as a campus recruiter. He diligently recruited MIT students for employment at Hewlett-Packard and Agilent as well as provided guidance to many alumni across the country when they began as recruiters. Jim mentored MIT students from under-represented groups and provided guidance to MIT minority student organizations. In addition, he created opportunities for students through his support of the Office of Minority Education’s (OME) summer programs and as a member of OME’s Industrial Advisory Council for Minority Education. A recipient of the MIT Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Award, Jim has served in various leadership positions for the Black Alumni of MIT (BAMIT) affinity group including as Chairman, as well as the Alumni Association including positions on the Association’s Board, the AA Selection Committee, and the ad hoc Alumni Center Needs Assessment Committee.

MOHAMED T. CHIKHAOUI ’66
Mohamed has been a true leader for the MIT Club of Germany. He has worked tirelessly on behalf of MISTI-Germany to make connections in various companies for MIT students and for the Association’s Externship program; for MIT’s Science and Engineering Program for Teachers (SEPT) for which he has spurred the Club to find and sponsor two teachers each year to attend the SEPT conference; and is responsible for opening doors with local high schools in Germany for MIT students to take on teaching assignments. In addition, he has helped develop the MIT Pan-Arab Conferences and last year was a judge in the MIT Enterprise Forum Arab Business Plan Competition held in Tunis.

PAUL A. GLUCK ’68
Paul started volunteering in late 80’s with the Club of South Florida for which he has served in leadership roles in the areas of communications, membership, and events and programs. An educational counselor since the early 90’s, he has done an excellent job connecting the alumni, parent, student, and new admit communities in the area. He has served several times on reunion planning and gift committees and is currently vice president for his class. He has also served on the Association’s Board from 1995-1997 and the Tech Day Committee from 2006-2008. In addition, he is an engaged member of the Corporation Development Committee.

LINA JANAVICIUS MORALES ’82, SM ’84
Lina has filled many different roles as a class volunteer over the last 18 years, serving as class agent, treasurer, vice president, and on multiple reunion committees (including as chair); she was elected president by her classmates in 2002. Lina has also been a member of the Club of Boston for 15 years. She has served as the family event chair, and is currently vice president of programs and president-elect. As a club leader, Lina is responsible for training and managing volunteers on eight event sub-committees, and the events produced by these sub-committees are the key to the Club of Boston’s success.

JOHN A. WILKENS PHD ’77
John has served in various leadership positions for the MIT Club of Delaware Valley over the last 20 years, including as president (1994-1996), vice president of communications (2007-present), webmaster (2006-present), newsletter founder and editor (1992-1994; 2000-present), and 20-year organizer of the annual Brandywiners event, an open-air musical production at Longwood Gardens. A philanthropic leader, John has supported the Institute for over 30 years and has been a member of the William Barton Rogers Society since its inception in 2007. He has also been an active participant in the Delaware Miracles of Engineering (MOE) FIRST team for the last decade.

LUCILE S. WILKENS PHD ’77
Active within the Club of Delaware Valley since 1994, Lucie has been president (2005-2008; 2010-present), vice president of membership (1999-2005), newsletter editor (1997-1998), and director (1995-1998). Lucie has also been active in coordinating the Club’s SEPT scholarship program, has been the Inspire Volunteer when there are Inspirational Teacher Award winners from the area, is involved in the Delaware Miracles of Engineering (MOE) FIRST team, and she is currently on the Alumni Association K-12 STEM Education Committee. In addition, she has been a member of the William Barton Rogers Society since 2007 and has supported the Institute for over 30 years.

DEAN ZEILON ’55
Dean’s dedication to MIT and the alumni community is reflected in his approach to connecting alumni and building community. Dean chaired the MIT Alumni Travel Program’s Advisory Council from 2001-2005, and under his leadership educational travel opportunities were enhanced to provide a more robust environment for alumni engagement with MIT. Dean has also been president of the Club of Maine for eight years, working tirelessly to recruit speakers and organize events focused on topics relevant to the local MIT community. A standout class volunteer as well, Dean created a template to locate missing classmates as a member of his 50th reunion committee that successive committees continue to use today.

2012 George B. Morgan ’20 Award Recipients

The George B. Morgan ’20 Award recognizes ongoing excellence in all aspects of Educational Council activity. This includes dedication to MIT, an abiding concern for the interests of prospective students, and exceptional standards of achievement and professionalism in meeting Council responsibilities. To date, a total of 200 individuals have received this award.

AARON L. BRODY ’51, PHD ’57
Aaron has been a dedicated member of the Educational Council since 1989. He is tireless in his efforts, consistently conducting over 15 interviews each year. Aaron is especially accommodating to his prospective students, frequently driving great distances around Atlanta to find convenient locations for each applicant. In addition, he attends every event with a smile, graciously greeting alumni, students, and parents alike. A proud graduate of MIT, Aaron is truly committed to helping prospective students realize their dream of MIT.

RIAD J. BSAIBES ’91
Riad became an educational counselor in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia in 1992-1996. Returning to the Middle East in 2002, he resumed his work as an EC and in 2007 took on the role of vice chair for the Southern Gulf encompassing Bahrain, Oman, UAE, Qatar, and Yemen. All applicants in this region are initially assigned to Riad who then must assign each applicant to one of 25 ECs dispersed throughout these five countries while also conducting interviews in his local area. This is a large job, and his work is appreciated tremendously.

ERIC GOLD ’83
Eric first joined the Council in 1989. He served as regional chair in New Bedford, Massachusetts and then as vice chair in Akron, Ohio in the ’90s. However, Eric most often has found himself in areas where he was in a region unto himself, handling up to a dozen interviews with kids as far away as two hours. His support and help to applicants goes above and beyond the requirements in every case as he is one who will follow the student through the entire process to ensure they achieve their goal of MIT.

JANET E. MERTZ ’71
Janet joined the Council in 1993 and quickly became a strong presence in the EC corps for her area. She’s been regional chair since 1996 and coordinates a team of 13 ECs. From the beginning, she was a strong voice for the students, working diligently to understand what the Admissions Office priorities were and how to best help the students of her region present themselves correctly. Her interview reports are also extremely valuable. Janet is a tireless advocate for Wisconsin and always looks out for the best interests of students in her area.

KARINA C. O’MALLEY ’91
Karina joined the Educational Council in Seattle in 1996. She became vice chair in 2000 and then regional chair in 2002. With a corps of 66 ECs in her region, it is large project each fall to insure that all areas are covered and that ECs are not overwhelmed. She, however, easily manages this task. She also insured the Club of Seattle hosts an event each year to welcome newly admitted students to the MIT family. In addition, Karina is an active interviewer, and she is a great example of both an EC and leader.

HARRISON E. ROWE ’48, SM ’50, SCD ’53
Harrison joined the Council in 1978 following his 30th reunion, and he has been a committed member for his home area of the Redbank/Lakewood sub-region of Central New Jersey ever since. Harrison has reached out to potential students on behalf of MIT even while teaching at the Stevens Institute of Technology and is a frequent attendee at college fairs in his area. Impressive also are the high ratings he consistently receives year after year, no matter how large a caseload. His attention to detail and care for the applicants distinguish Harrison as an exceptional EC.

STEVEN W. SWIBEL ’68
Steven joined the Council in 1979 in the Chicago area. Since then, he has always looked for ways to improve the interview process for students, ECs and the Admissions Office. During his service as president for the Club of Chicago, he invited newly admitted students to take part in annual events designed to introduce them to MIT and encourage their enrollment, at the clubs expense. He has also been an extremely effective leader since 1991 as regional chair for the Chicago area encompassing not just the city but a total of six sub-regions.

MAWULI I. TSE ’90, SM ’92
Mawuli has served the Council since 2004 as an EC and expanded his role to that of regional chair for Ghana, West Africa in 2011. During his time as both an international alumnus and as an EC, Mawuli has made wonderful connections with applicants from Ghana, providing advice, offering encouragement and answering questions. Ghana sends 2-4 outstanding students to MIT every year, and Mawuli has made a positive impact and lasting impression on each of these students, reflecting his dedication to building MIT and its community of members.

2012 Great Dome Award Recipients

The Great Dome Award (formerly known as the Presidential Citation) is the highest honor the Association bestows upon any of its organizations. Like the Bronze Beaver for individuals, this award is given to groups in recognition of distinguished service to the Institute or the Association. Prior to 1968, outstanding organizations were given Bronze Beaver awards

ALPHA CHI OMEGA 25TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION COMMITTEE
Alumnae and undergraduate sisters, with assistance from the Alumni Association, worked for over a year to plan the biggest reunion in the chapter’s history and to launch a fundraising campaign to establish the first sorority scholarship at MIT with a goal to raise $25,000 to endow the fund by the end of 2011. Not only celebrating 25 years of sisterhood, but also honoring and giving back to MIT, the Alpha Chi Omega 25th Anniversary Celebration embodied many elements of what it means to be part of the MIT community.

MIT CLASS OF 1956 55TH REUNION COMMITTEE
The MIT Class of 1956 achieved the 2nd highest attendance for a 55th reunion by reaching out to classmates who had yet to serve on a committee; creating a reunion that balanced class tradition with innovation, continuing to program favorite events held in new spaces on campus so that classmates could see the MIT of the next century; and by taking the time to communicate early and often with classmates, making a special effort to invite surviving spouses of classmates to participate in the reunion activities.

MIT CLASS OF 1986 25TH REUNION COMMITTEE
The Class of 1986 25th Reunion was exemplary both quantitatively and qualitatively. Under the leadership of co-chairs Jeff Arenberg ’86, SM ’87, Kim Hunter ’86 and Carl Tung ’86 this committee set a new attendance record for a 25th reunion. First, they recruited a large diverse committee of 33 engaged classmates and then managed them effectively. They also developed an online tool allowing committee members to select which classmates they would contact to encourage attendance, and during the weekend organized ice-breakers, gave presentations, and made sure classmates left feeling happy and connected.

MIT CLUB OF BEIJING
The MIT Club of Beijing has transformed from a virtually inactive, leaderless club to a club that is now a model organization that builds community by connecting alumni, students and parents with one another while also raising the profile of MIT locally and throughout China. This achievement springs from the efforts of highly effective volunteers who have worked to create a new overall strategy for the club, plan robust and varied programs, improve communication materials, and also implement a solid leadership succession plan to ensure the long term viability of the club.

MIT CREW ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
The MIT Crew Alumni Association celebrated the 101st anniversary of intercollegiate rowing at MIT in 2011. This event brought together a large and diverse group of alumni bound by their love of rowing while students at MIT. In organizing this event, the MITCAA reaffirmed its strong sense of MIT community and the importance of the role of their sport (MIT’s only Division 1 program) at the Institute. It also emphasized the importance of continuing to provide strong support to MIT to maintain a rowing program that will provide current and future student-athletes with the same memorable experiences that prior generations of student rowers have enjoyed.

MIT SLOAN CLUB OF BOSTON
The MIT Sloan Alumni Club of Boston is led by a 13-member board of directors and manages more than 20 events each year designed to engage alumni across a wide span of years and interests. The offerings include everything from Career Series to CxO Conferences to public service outreach to purely social events. This broad array of activities enhances the Sloan brand, promotes continued personal and professional growth for alumni, and offers opportunities for social interaction. In addition, these events provide opportunities not only to showcase MIT professors and programs, but also MIT Alumni.