Cardinal & Gray Society Names New Chair

The Cardinal & Gray Society, a group of almost 23,000 alumni who have reached the 50th anniversary of their MIT graduation, has named Sze-Wen Kuo ’73 as its new chair.

A retired software engineer, Kuo is a past president of the Association of MIT Alumnae (AMITA), past president of the Class of 1973, and a former member of the MIT Alumni Association (MITAA) Board of Directors. In 2022, MITAA presented her with the Bronze Beaver Award, its highest honor for an alumni volunteer.

As Kuo begins her five-year term at the helm of Cardinal & Gray, succeeding Rick Lufkin ’68, she shared some thoughts on her MIT volunteer journey with Slice of MIT.

Q: What about MIT has motivated you to stay so involved in the Institute long after graduating? 

A: There are many reasons I volunteer. I think being an undergraduate at MIT gave me a smorgasbord or buffet of all these opportunities to explore. Naturally, being a buffet, you can’t try everything. And, you have to graduate sometime. But I met so many new people; there were so many different possibilities. I think that started everything.

Then, when I went to work, it really made an impression on me that having the background of MIT gave me a big launching pad into the world. So, I tried to give back to MIT. I got involved in AMITA, and we went out to high schools trying to convince girls to take more math and science classes. That was 30, 40 years ago.

Now, in addition to MITAA, I’m very involved with MIT’s Priscilla King Service Center, which connects students to a wide variety of volunteer opportunities. I’m also very active in my local Rotary Club. I think everyone can volunteer. I believe in MIT’s mission to build a better world. We all need that.

Q: What makes the Cardinal & Gray Society special?

A: Cardinal & Gray is about social connections and common interests—and, of course, a lot of our alums are amazing! Since we’ve all celebrated our 50th reunions, we have a different viewpoint of the world. We’ve been through some ups and downs, and a lot of us have managed to pick up some knowledge. So here you have a venue where you can get together and discuss anything. You can talk to anyone associated with MIT because they have a background of curiosity and are willing to learn and listen to what you’re trying to say. Your idea might be completely wacko, but they are willing to listen to you.

Q: How has MIT changed since you were an undergraduate?

A: What is the same is the students, the faculty, and their curiosity. What has changed is how the students react or how you are allowed to express your opinions. Back then, the classes were very formal. There were not as many seminars. Today, students are really engaged. They are interested in asking questions and having a dialogue.

Another thing that stands out to me is that current students have so many opportunities to explore, experience, and make connections around the world. I don’t think there were such Institute opportunities back in the early 1970s, though we did get to hear about the latest technical innovations. Students now have endless possibilities to make a better world, adding heart and social impact to mens et manus.
 

Photos by Ken Richardson