Catch Alumpics Fever, Support MIT

In the midst of the Olympics, another competition is underway between some Ivy Plus institutions: the Alumpics. Dubbed "a battle for social media supremacy," the Alumpics are a friendly Facebook competition between MIT, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Penn, Princeton, and Stanford.

The rules are simple. Over a 10-weekday period, each school's alumni association posts one alumni-related photo daily on their respective Facebook page (Check out today’s MIT entry). The associations then flex their social media muscles to generate the most "likes" on their own school's photo over a 24-hour period.

At the end of each day, the top three institutions are awarded gold, silver, and bronze medals. The alumni association with the highest medal count after the competition's final day will be the 2012 Alumpics champion.

The competition began July 30 and ends August 11. During the first week, MIT’s five photos generated 2,282 likes, 405 shares, and 72 comments, and paid homage to Professor Lewin, a hack on Building 54, and the Smoot. Unfortunately, MIT did not reach the medal stand (including a near-miss on Day 4)…but there’s still time in week two.

We need your help! Monday’s photo recognizes Professor Emeritus Woodie Flowers SM '68, ME '71, PhD '73 and his moral code of "gracious professionalism." Future photos will honor commencement, athletics, campus nature, and alumni spirit.

If you are on Facebook, like each day’s photo and stay tuned throughout the rest of the week. You can also share the photo with alumni, friends, MIT lovers, and anyone who enjoys the spirit of competition. We’re aiming for a strong second week!

Alumpics note: Remember, you must like the actual photo and not the shared post. Likes on shared posts will not be counted.