Volunteering

2009 Award Winners

Volunteers Exemplify Service, Accomplishment

Though many top alumni volunteers say that service is its own reward, the Alumni Association formally recognizes alumni and friends of MIT who demonstrate outstanding service and accomplishment. Learn how this year's winners made a difference.

Congratulations to all 2009 award recipients!

• 2009 Bronze Beaver award recipients
• 2009 Harold E. Lobdell '17 Distinguished Service Award recipients
• 2009 Henry B. Kane '24 Award recipients
• 2009 George B. Morgan '20 Award recipients
• 2009 Presidential Citation award recipients
• 2009 Honorary Membership in the Alumni Association

2009 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. As of July 1, 2009, a total of 294 individuals have been awarded the Bronze Beaver.

Joseph G. Hadzima Jr. '73, SM '77

Joe has been involved with nearly every major entrepreneurial-focused organization at MIT for decades, acting as a connector and catalyst for the entrepreneurial spirit that infuses the campus. He has been a leader for the MIT Enterprise Forum for nearly twenty years, first serving long-term as clerk of the corporation, and then as chairman of the global board from 2004 to 2008. Under Joe's leadership and vision, the Enterprise Forum grew globally and expanded its programs with grants from the National Science Foundation and Kauffman Foundation. Joe served as a founding judge of the original MIT $10K Business Plan Competition and continues to serve as a mentor and judge of the $100K event. He is an active volunteer with the MIT Venture Mentoring Service and the Deshpande Center for Innovation. President of IPVision, an intellectual property strategy firm, and a Sloan lecturer since 1984, Joe earned a Lobdell Award for distinguished service to the Association in 2003. For twenty years he has led an annual IAP class, Nuts and Bolts of Business Plans, and alumni all over the world remember the class with fondness. Joe has also been involved on reunion and reunion gift committees for his class. He is a tireless champion of the Institute and of the people associated with MIT. He always stands ready to assist and encourage aspiring entrepreneurs, and his passion and willingness to give of his time and energy is unparalleled.

Patrick J. McGovern Jr. '59

Pat has served in various volunteer leadership positions in the fifty years since his graduation. His volunteer service to the Alumni Association began in the early 1970s, and he served his first term as an alumni nominee to the Libraries Visiting Committee later in that decade. In 1989 he began service to the MIT Corporation, with appointments to the Corporation Development Committee, and visiting committees for earth, atmosphere, and planetary sciences; brain and cognitive sciences; and the Media Lab. In addition, Pat has served on the MIT OpenCourseWare (OCW) advisory board, the reunion committee for his 30th reunion and the reunion gift committee for his 45th and 50th reunions. Pat, the founder of International Data Group, has played an important role in improving the MIT community's vast learning resources. He has also shared his great generosity with the Institute, with groundbreaking gifts that established the McGovern Institute for Brain Research. McGovern Institute scientists are engaged in exciting scientific inquiry that is certain to have a profound impact on human health and promises to translate into new ways to diagnose and treat brain disorders and diseases. Pat has been a life member of the MIT Corporation since 1998 and is also a trustee of the MIT-affiliated Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research. This award honors his insightful, thoughtful, and visionary leadership. MIT is grateful for his contributions of time and talent.

Dana G. Mead PhD '67

Dana has been chairman of the MIT Corporation since 2003, after an illustrious business career that culminated in his rise as chairman and chief executive officer of Tenneco, a global automotive parts supplier. In the years that Dana has been chairman of the Corporation, his influence at the Institute has been significant. In 2004 he led the search for a new MIT president, bringing Susan Hockfield to the Institute. He has also worked to improve the effectiveness of the Corporation and its visiting committees, having developed new approaches to Corporation orientation, among other innovations. He initially joined the Corporation as a term member in the late 1990s, and during his term he chaired the Nuclear Engineering Visiting Committee and served on the visiting committees for the Engineering Systems Division, Athletics, and the Department of Political Science. He served on the Alumni Association's Committee on Nominations to Corporation Visiting Committees, both as a member and as chairperson. He has been a tireless ambassador on many trips, meeting alumni around the world as well as here in Cambridge at a variety of events. Dana's leadership, enthusiasm, advocacy, and ability to engage alumni, students, and others have characterized his exemplary commitment to the Institute. The Bronze Beaver Award is a fitting tribute to his unwavering and devoted service.

2009 Harold E. Lobdell '17 Distinguished Service Award recipients

The Lobdell Award, established in 1979, recognizes alumni relations service of special depth over a sustained period. As of July 1, 2009, a total of 264 alumni have received this award.

Norman C. Bedford '38

As an active volunteer for the MIT Class of 1938, Norm has served the MIT community with marked dedication for many years. He has worked tirelessly in support of his class, having consistently served on both the reunion event and reunion gift committees and as a longtime class officer. Norm helped his class establish a new record for the 70th reunion gift. In addition to class activities, Norm is an avid supporter of the Class of 1938 Beta Theta Pi Scholarship Fund, which has awarded scholarships to 26 students to date. Norm is always enthusiastic and generous with his time, and generations of volunteers have responded to his energy. He has demonstrated a special depth of service through his commitment to the reunions program and class scholarship.

John J. Carney '76

John has been an instrumental leader for the MIT Club of Minnesota where he helped develop the club's Web site and brought significant technology improvements to its operations. He helped staff develop and market a number of online tools, such as downloadable lists and labels, email lists, and new neighbor reports, input he shared during meetings of the Advisory Committee for Clubs and the Technical Operations Review Committee. During John's tenure as club president, the MIT Club of Minnesota was recognized with the Presidential Citation. John continued to demonstrate his technical interest and prowess as a member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors by serving on the board's ad hoc committee on email forwarding for life strategy. Currently, as chair of the board's finance committee, he is a very thorough and detailed oriented leader. John has also served as an educational counselor for the last ten years. His long-term, high quality service in a variety of leadership roles distinguishes him among alumni peers.

Paul D. Edelman '78

Paul is being recognized for his sustained dedication to his class, the Club of Boston, and the Undergraduate Practice Opportunities Program (UPOP) in the School of Engineering. He is currently a vice president for the Class of 1978 and served as event cochair for his 30th reunion committee as well as a member of the reunion gift committee. Paul is a member of the UPOP advisory board, and he won the inaugural Deshpande award for service to UPOP in January 2007. Involvement with UPOP is only one example that illustrates Paul's dedication to MIT students and their futures. He serves as a mentor with the MIT Community Catalyst Program for junior class leaders and has been a careers committee member with the Club of Boston. He serves on the Technology Day Committee and the Public Service Center Leadership Council. Under his leadership, his class created the Class of 1978 Public Service Center (PSC) Fellowship Fund as its 30th reunion project, which supports non-academic fellowships awarded for public service in the community. Paul's depth and breadth of service to MIT, its students and alumni affirms his passion for the Institute.

Max E. Gellert '48

A loyal friend to the Institute for many years, Max is quick to answer a call for help, especially when education is involved. Much of Max's recent involvement with the Institute has revolved around his role as a member of the Campaign Development Committee (CDC), helping secure critical financial resources for MIT. In addition to his work for the CDC, Max is a founding life member for the Sustaining Fellows Program and has been a member of the Catalyst Society since 2001, the Katharine Dexter McCormick Society since 1998 and the MIT Club of Puget Sound since 1994. He served as an alumni term member of the Corporation Visiting Committee for the Libraries. He has also served as chairman of the Puget Sound Campaign Committee for the Campaign of the future, as vice president for the Class of 1948 and as the Seattle-area leadership chairman for the Annual Fund. Max's longtime volunteer efforts in support of the Institute have truly enriched the MIT community.

Lawrence J. Krakauer '63, SM '64, PhD '70

Larry has been the linchpin of all Class of 1963 activities. With his leadership and involvement, his class has maintained a robust set of activities and has deepened its engagement with MIT. As a long-time class president, Larry is an effective leader and is the first to make an enthusiastic call for committee members at the start of reunion planning. He has good ideas, works productively with others, solicits committee opinions and involvement, and, most importantly, motivates volunteers and classmates. He has been a mentor for the Venture Mentoring Service, a member of the Technology Day Committee, and a member of the Travel Program's advisory committee. The results of Larry's efforts were evident in his 45th reunion in 2008. Attendance at the reunion was strong, maintaining a positive direction for the class as they prepare for their important 50th reunion. This award honors his special depth of service and effectiveness as a class leader.

William B. Lenoir '61, SM '62, PhD '65

Bill has been a consistent volunteer for MIT since his graduation, beginning with a role in the Second Century Fund Campaign right after his graduation and continuing with his recent service on the Association Board of Directors. He also serves as a leader in the Class of 1961 and with the Sigma Alpha Epsilon alumni group. His record of sustained service to MIT includes service as an alumni nominee to the Corporation, participation on the aero/astro and linguistics visiting committees, as a club president for the MIT Club of South Texas, and as a member of the Educational Council. As a vice president on the Alumni Association Board of Directors, Bill chaired the Ad Hoc Committee on Organizing Alumni for K-12 Education. Drawing on his experiences as a partner at Booz, Allen & Hamilton, and as a senior administrator at NASA, Bill led an important analysis of the roles alumni nationwide can play to address critical educational issues. Currently serving on his class's 50th reunion gift committee, and the Committee on Nominations to Corporation Visiting Committees, Bill's years of service fill the nearly five decades since his graduation, and this award celebrates his extraordinary leadership.

Gail H. Marcus '68, SM '68, ScD '71

For nearly thirty years, Gail has held many MIT volunteer positions, serving in each with great dedication and distinction. She first began giving her time to MIT in 1972 when she joined the Educational Council. She was recognized with the Morgan Award in 1994 and still interviews prospective students today. Gail also excels in club and class activities. She has served the MIT Club of Washington DC in many positions since 1977, including president in 2004. While living in Paris, she was also involved with the MIT Alumni Club of Paris, further evidence of her dedication to MIT. She has served her class in a variety of roles, including treasurer, member of class reunion and reunion gift committees, and as class secretary for more than two decades. Last year she was a member of her 40th reunion committee and was responsible for the class's reunion book. Gail successfully produced a 300 page book, which was received enthusiastically by the class. Gail fulfills all her volunteer roles with energy and vigor and is recognized for her initiative and expertise.

Mary V. Motto '93

Mary has served MIT in a variety of volunteer roles and has made an impact in every capacity in which she has served. She was elected President of the MIT Club of Long Island during the summer of 2004, just a few months before the Club celebrated its 50th anniversary. Mary quickly organized a strong committee to plan the Anniversary event, which drew record attendance numbers and resulted in the MIT Club of Long Island receiving a Presidential Citation in 2005. In the five years of her club presidency, Mary has been consistently building connections between generations of alumni on Long Island. She is also active with her class, having first served as vice president. She is currently class president and has engaged in her tenth and fifteenth reunion committees. Mary is actively involved in her sorority, Alpha Chi Omega, having participated as an officer in the house corporation and as a key volunteer at the national level. She has been a member of the Educational Council since 2004. Mary's dedication, drive and desire for the activities of the Institute are inspirational to those around her, and she is truly a pleasure to work with.

Kimberly A. Vermeer '82

The personal qualities that Kim brings to all her volunteer assignments make her service to the Alumni Association and MIT invaluable. Over the past ten years, she has served in key leadership roles: as an officer with the house corporation Student House; as a member and then chair of the Technology Day committee, for which she worked to develop and execute an outstanding program; and as an officer of the Association of MIT Alumnae (AMITA), for which she collaborated with others to deliver new programming experiences to AMITA members and women students. Most recently, Kim was a member of the executive vice president search committee for the Association Board of Directors. She possesses a special eloquence, drive, poise and demonstrated ability to analyze a situation and draw strategic implications.

2009 Henry B. Kane '24 Award recipients

The Henry B. Kane '24 Award recognizes exceptional fundraising service and accomplishments for the Alumni Association and MIT. As of July 1, 2009, a total of 95 individuals have received this award.

Claude L. Gerstle '68

As cochair of the Class of 1968's 40th reunion gift committee, Claude distinguished himself through the initiatives he led from 2007 to 2008. He devised a personalized electronic marketing and outreach campaign by altering the theme of the messages and targeting various class constituencies. Under his leadership and encouragement, ten committee members volunteered to call classmates who had not made a gift in the last five years. As a result, the class experienced a significant increase in giving participation. Claude also has been a member of the Corporation Development Committee since 2007 and since 2008 has been the vice president for his class, as well as the vice president for the Club of the Palm Beach Region. He is a dedicated and hardworking volunteer, and he has been an inspiration to his class and to the staff who had the privilege of working with him.

Bhuvana K. Husain '00

Bhuvana signed on in the spring of her senior year at MIT to become the Class of 2000's class agent, a role she has held now for nine years. For the past three years, she has served on the MIT Annual Fund Board and is a strong supporter of its Power of Participation Campaign. Looking ahead to her 10th reunion, she already has recruited a large committee with a goal of readying her classmates to become effective solicitors in their in their milestone year. She has helped staff pilot an MIT10 Fund Board gathering of each of the MIT10 class gift chairs. She additionally spoke to the Class of 2009's committee as a seasoned voice, helping them create a sound campaign. Bhuvana cheerfully agrees to each task asked of her, and her longevity of service affords her the experience and wisdom to volunteer in unexpected, useful ways. Her input is always robust and thoughtful, and she successfully draws others into the conversation and into making annual contributions.

W. Michael Scott '73

Mike serves MIT in several fundraising capacities. He has served as the MIT Crew Alumni Association's vice president for resource development, as a member of the MIT Annual Fund Board, and as a member of the Class of 1973's reunion gift committee. For the MIT Crew Alumni, he has led an ever-expanding operation of fundraising volunteers, recruiting many of them personally and training, motivating, and communicating with them, keeping everyone connected and focused. As a result of this effort, the crew alumni have annually raised enough to fund a significant portion of the operational expenses for the sport of crew at MIT. In addition, Mike has led the effort to fully endow four new funds for crew in support of coaching, recruitment, and leadership development of women's shells. Mike joined the MIT Annual Fund Board last year and has brought his practical and successful experience from the front lines of crew fundraising to the board. His suggestions are always helpful. Mike has also served on the Class of 1973's reunion committee, as the Class of 1973's reunion row captain, and he recruits MIT students for Cisco Systems, his employer.

Robert E. Vernon '63, SM '65

Bob has a very specific, but very successful role in the overall effort for crew fundraising. He began raising money for a fund to endow the men's lightweight crew coaching position in honor of his friend and former coach, Gerrit Zwart MAR '62, who was coach of the unheralded Henley Regatta champions in 1962. Bob served as the coxswain for that crew, and when that team reunited in Henley in the summer of 2007, Bob, new to fundraising, announced the campaign kickoff for the coaching position. He recruited captains for each class and results improved, from 130 donors in FY08 to 150 in FY09. He sends weekly email updates to all lightweights, each one listing all donors by name and by class, and when a class reaches 100 percent participation, he includes a picture with a caption from the archives of that crew. Bob's communication is always moving and sincere. He is tireless, thorough, passionate, and yet modest. Everyone who has had contact with Bob over the past few years in regards to the Zwart Fund feels a personal, sincere connection, and a renewed passion for supporting MIT and crew.

R. Robert Wickham '93, SM '95

Robert is one of the most passionate and thorough fundraisers for MIT. It was with determined vision and devotion that he served as reunion gift committee cochair for his 15th Reunion in 2008. In this role he contacted classmates and raised the most dollars for the group. He solicited the largest gift for the class from a classmate who had never made a gift before. He worked tirelessly on new approaches to reaching classmates, including a call-in community meeting to discuss fundraising initiatives and motivation of committee members through a sales-like approach. Robert used his experience in sales at Oracle and managed his committee as a sales team, with reports each month on who had raised the most funds and who had made the most contacts with classmates. His fundraising efforts also extend beyond his class. Three years ago Robert chaired the 75th anniversary of squash, leading a successful effort to endow the coaching position and support new squash courts. He has also been a member of the MIT Annual Fund Board, cochair of the Friends of DAPER, a member of the DAPER visiting committee, and cochair of the annual Chairman's Salon. This year Robert helped to develop a plan to solicit gifts in memory of Alex d'Arbeloff '49, raising new funds for the d'Arbeloff Fund for Excellence from Chairman's Salon attendees. Robert brings much insight to his role on the Annual Fund Board as a thoughtful contributor and a man of action.

2009 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. As of July 1, 2009, a total of 187 alumni have received this award.

Martin Aboitiz '79

Martin has been an educational counselor (EC) since the mid 1980s. Martin took the job with passion and effectiveness, eventually becoming chair for Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, and Paraguay. Uruguay did have an EC in place; however Chile and Paraguay did not, so Martin recruited some new ECs there and had the Educational Council establish the region for which he became chair. Every year Martin contacts all ECs in the region, making sure everyone remains focused and enthusiastic in completing work. He also sends comments, talks to the Educational Council office, recruits new volunteers when he sees a need or an opportunity, and handles many of the Argentina interviews himself. Martin speaks of his volunteer role with pleasure and a single clear objective: to bridge the road between the application process of able candidates and the selection of candidates. Martin has scored consistently high in the report evaluations, and both the acceptance rate and the enrollment rate of students from the region is significantly above MIT averages - all objective measurements that attest to Martin's good work.

O. Reid Ashe Jr. '70

Reid has been a stalwart presence in the Richmond, Virginia, area since 1971, consistently turning in exemplary interview reports, most earning a rating of 5, meaning they are the most useful to the Admissions Office. He has served as both an educational counselor and regional chair for his area for several years. Reid has never faltered in his commitment to the Educational Council, to his fraternity Phi Beta Epsilon, or in his role as a member of the MIT Corporation. Upon meeting him, admissions staff members have commented about his ability to relate to the students and parents at central meetings and school visits, as well as his deep understanding of MIT and the talent the Admissions Office works to attract. His consistent efforts make him an excellent representative for the Educational Council and a superb recipient of the Morgan Award.

Alice E. Campbell '78, SM '79

Alice became an Educational Counselor in 1980, co-vice chair in 1996 and regional cochair in 2002. She was in the All 5's Club in 2006 and 2007, which demonstrates a high-quality approach to her reporting about student interviews. Alice leads the educational counselors in the Minnesota region, provides training, and annually helps organize the central meeting. For years she has arranged the spring admitted students reception, often in her home. President of the MIT Club of Minnesota for a decade in the 1980s, she is currently a Club of Minnesota Board Member serving as the EC liaison to the club. She attends board meetings, participates meaningfully, and is respected by the Board for her opinions, her deep understanding of the Institute, and her innovative thinking. Alice also hosts MIT Enterprise Forum events and other club events at the downtown law firm where she works. The club began the tradition of hosting a summer send-off picnic seven years ago and Alice was on the forefront of sponsoring the event, rounding up volunteers, and inviting students, recent grads, and interns. Alice is a fine example leadership and the MIT spirit in action.

Robert K. Fritzsche '73

Rob recently completed his 30th year with the Educational Council, and has served as the regional chair for the Baltimore, Maryland, area since 1994. In all these many years, he has provided consistent, dependable support for his large body of ECs (currently there are 40) and maintains regular communications with the Educational Council Office. If the Admissions Office ever needs anything from him, it can be assured that he will respond quickly and helpfully. He sends frequent updates to the staff regarding the educational counselor assignments and workload, taking great care to ensure that everything is balanced and all schools are properly covered. Rob has also planned admitted student meetings for many years, convening students and their parents as they wrestle with important choices. Rob, who plans to retire from his post in the coming year, has worked diligently to insure that this valuable work will continue in the years ahead under new leadership.

Wendy Cone-Gilman '87
Charles R. Gilman '87

Charles and Wendy started interviewing prospective students in 1991, and have been co-regional chairs for the Albany/Schenectady, New York, area for the past 14 years. They actively participate in and lead many events that the Educational Council coordinates. They have made the trek to Cambridge numerous times to attend EC workshops during the Alumni Leadership Conference and Campus Preview Weekend, represented MIT at local high school college fairs, and organized and hosted admitted student meetings in their home for years. Charles and Wendy are also involved in helping the Admissions Office to plan central meetings, which they attend to offer their experiences - sometimes as the only representatives for the area. Travelers from the Admissions Office also rely on them to help organize school visits around the same time. Wendy and Charles are solid, model regional chairs who share their responsibilities and who have kept their region running smoothly for years.

Will Hoon '87

After a five-year original stint in the Educational Council several years ago, Will resumed activity as an educational counselor in 2003 and was quickly recommended to succeed the departing regional chair of Singapore. Will has great intuition, is very plugged in, and really cares. He has used his energy to, among other things, organize admitted student meetings for a number of years. Will also completes up to 15 interviews in a given admissions cycle, while the average interview load is closer to six. The quality of his reports does not diminish with the quantity; every report he writes is regarded as extraordinarily helpful to the application readers. His commitment to MIT goes beyond his contributions to the Educational Council. He is currently president of the MIT Club of Singapore and is also part of the effort to start an MIT Enterprise Forum Chapter in the area. As a leader in all three areas, he does a good job connecting the MIT community in Singapore, and, as a result, MIT has a high profile in the area. Will understands the importance of building community, and his efforts demonstrate to potential students that a connection with MIT lasts a lifetime. Will is enthusiastic, engaged, and invaluable to the Educational Council.

Christine H. Taylor-Butler '81

Christine just completed her 19th year with the Educational Council, with two years of service as vice chair for the Kansas City, Missouri, area. She has a long history of being a proactive and strong voice for underprivileged students, educating the Admissions Office about the schooling and application climate in Kansas City. She is also interested in trying to make processes more effective. She has made notable contributions beyond interviews, including as a regular host of admitted students meetings. Christine has always graciously stepped forward when the Educational Council was in need of assistance. The contribution Christine gives to maintaining the integrity of the Educational Council is why she is an outstanding choice for the Morgan Award.

Fred S. Tsuchiya '76, SM '78

Fred became an Educational Counselor in Minnesota in 1978, served as co-vice chair supporting the previous regional chair from 1996 to 2002, and since then has served as cochair of the Twin Cities Region. He works actively with local educational counselors balancing workloads, providing training and helping to organize the central meeting every year. Fred is always on top of what is needed. He is organized and keeps the ECs informed and supported. Fred is an excellent representative for MIT. His tireless and steady work make him a fine example of dedication and loyalty in his service to MIT. He deserves the Morgan Award for his exemplary volunteer service and leadership.

2009 Presidential Citation award recipients

Established in 1968, the Presidential Citation Award is the highest honor the Association bestows upon any of its organizations. Like the Bronze Beaver for individuals, this award recognizes distinguished service to the Institute or the Association.

Class of 1983 Reunion Gift Committee

The Class of 1983 gift committee transformed the fundraising model for 25th reunions. Insightful committee leadership, perseverance, and strong collaboration with the Alumni Association and Resource Development were the driving forces behind the committee's success. The committee created an impactful fundraising model that focused on early recruitment and cultivation of classmates. It implemented systems to track assignments and outreach to classmates as well as created strategies to set goals for their next reunion and also help future classes with fundraising efforts. Innovative and effective in their goals, the Class of 1983 gift committee is an inspiring model that others should emulate.

Class of 2008 Senior Gift

The Class of 2008 senior gift committee saw an opportunity to create a class legacy and become record breakers through the 2008 Senior Gift Campaign. The committee had an inspiring enthusiasm for student philanthropy and a strong work ethic that enabled them to obtain 64 percent participation - far beyond their goal of 55 percent. A true partnership between volunteers and staff provided an important model to follow for years to come. The Senior Gift Campaign committee members showed a great amount of initiative in making personal solicitations, as well as a strong interest in promoting the campaign. They created beneficial connections with the senior class council and constantly promoted the program to their classmates. Most importantly, they had the fortitude and drive to exceed their participation goal and never stopped their efforts to solicit seniors, even after reaching 55 percent in the first week of May. The success of the Class of 2008 Senior Gift Campaign is often mentioned by President Susan Hockfield in her speeches to inspire classes to participate and increase their volunteer efforts in support of MIT.

First Ibero-American MIT Alumni Summit

This spectacular event was organized by the MIT Alumni Clubs of Mexico, Monterrey, Argentina, Venezuela, Chile, Brazil, and Spain, as well as the Latino/a Alumni of MIT (LAMIT). For the first time, a large number of MIT alumni from Ibero-America and the United States gathered to share experiences, showcase alumni contributions, and increase the visibility of MIT in this region. It was an example of excellent collaboration between the MIT clubs involved and the affinity group LAMIT. With the strong leadership of Adrian Gonzalez SM '97, then president of the MIT Club of Mexico, the committee remained focused and collaborative. Over 100 people attended the three-day conference, where alumni leaders and top MIT executives presented a series of seminars, lectures, and workshops focused on highlighting alumni projects implemented in these countries and developing Institute projects in the Ibero-American community. The event gave every participant a better understanding of all Ibero-American regions, the existing and potential opportunities for MIT alumni throughout the globe, and the collective impact that an international network can have.

MIT Enterprise Forum Branding Committee

This volunteer-driven initiative has had a dramatic impact across the network of MIT Enterprise Forum Chapters. The committee developed and launched a cohesive brand identity for the global organization, complete with graphic standards, value statements, positioning, and tag lines, which unified brand recognition among the many chapters. They began the two-year project with research, including surveys, focus groups, and interviews. They created a Web site for easy access to new materials. They led a roll-out and implementation plan and provided training to volunteers on adoption and usage. The results proved successful and the committee achieved eager integration from the chapters. The new brand cohesion has helped the organization achieve its goals, create stronger connections, and enhance its global network.

Women's Crew 35th Reunion Celebration

In the spring of 2008, a group of women who had rowed crew decided to turn the annual crew alumni weekend into a Women's Crew 35th Reunion celebration. In doing this, they created a model that should be used for future athletic reunions. The team developed significant reunion components, including a written women's crew history complete with interviews of influential contributors; a Top 35 Women in Crew awards ceremony; a slideshow of pictures collected from women's crew alumnae; and the dedication of the President Hockfield crew shell. The reunion served as a way to honor the past and celebrate the present crew program at MIT. Women's crew grew from one woman interested in rowing to a program that has the ability to organize an alumnae weekend with over 100 attendees from across the country.

2009 Honorary Memberships in the Alumni Association

The constitution of the Alumni Association states, "anyone who has rendered outstanding service to the Association or the Institute" may be elected to Honorary Membership. This includes any present or former member of the Corporation, any present or former officer of administration or instructor on the staff of the Institute, as well as their spouses. As of July 1, 2009, a total of 157 individuals have been awarded Honorary Membership.

On June 6, 2009, at the Technology Day Luncheon, Honorary Membership was awarded to:

• Joanne Cummings
• Cheryl N. Vossmer
• Clarence G. Williams