2006 ALC Highlights
Vision to Action: Partners in the Global MIT Network
2006 Morgan Award Winner Kyung-Sup Lee Rah '79, SM '85 is flanked by Margaret Cheng '04 (left) and Helen Chuah '02 (right). Photo: Justin Knight.
Volunteers leaders from across the nation and six countries gathered Sept. 15-16 at the Alumni Leadership Conference (ALC) to discuss how to turn their vision for benefiting MIT and their communities into action. "Collaboration is definitely the watchword of MIT's future and all of our futures," President Hockfield told more than 400 attendees of Saturday's plenary session. And collaborate they did. Conference participants shared success stories, networked, and swapped advice on everything from planning reunions and fundraising to team building and recruiting underrepresented minorities to MIT. They also received important Institute and research updates and celebrated 31 award winners.
"You are the mouthpiece for MIT out in your communities," President Hockfield said, applauding the critical role volunteers play in motoring MIT forward. "Thanks to you, MIT can do more to reach out to the world, even more than we've done in the past."
Martin Tang SM '72, the first Alumni Association president to reside outside the United States, said his presidency will be one sans frontières, without borders.
Alumni Association President Martin Tang GM '72 also emphasized the vitality and potential of volunteers inspired to positively change their worlds. "We have the opportunity to establish our leadership and turn dreams of change into reality," he said. Tang, the first Association president to live outside the United States, stressed his commitment to being a leader sans frontières. "MIT has a constant and unique impact on our worldwide society. One might say that knowledge and learning are without boundaries, borders, or barriers."
Award winners, feted at a dinner capping off the conference, represented volunteers who interviewed and recruited high numbers of students, secured major campaign gifts and boosted class giving, planned successful events, and ably led their classes and groups. The Bronze Beaver award, the highest honor the Alumni Association bestows, was awarded to John Chisholm '75, Joseph Harrington III '61, and Scott P. Marks Jr. '68.
Campus updates enlighten volunteers
Tang outlined his presidential missions for the year ahead including engaging and mentoring new volunteers to become future Association leaders and the formation of a committee to examine the Association's international strategy. He also challenged MIT's newest alumni to increase participation by offering $100,000 to the MIT10 population and $25,000 toward the Class of 2007 senior gift if certain goals are met.
President Hockfield outlined campus development plans including spring start dates for new Media Lab and Sloan School of Management buildings and fundraising for a new Center for Cancer Research. In addition, construction continues on buildings 4, 6, and 8 (which is slated to be completed in March), a new graduate residence, and Vassar Street west of Massachusetts Avenue. Campus expansions won't, however, erode MIT's other commitments, such as financial aid. The majority of the money for the Sloan building, for example, comes from private philanthropy. "This is a new way of building buildings at MIT," Hockfield said, noting it's also a way to bring new people to MIT.
When asked whether the biological sciences were overshadowing the development of the physical sciences at the Institute, President Hockfield admitted "there's biology everywhere at MIT now." Biology provides new science and new tools for researchers from all disciplines, but she stressed "this is not going to become the MIB anytime soon."
