The Rat Reversed

Prof. Patrick Henry Winston ’65, SM ’67, PhD ’70

My daughter, Sarah, along with a thousand or so others in the class of 2010, just reversed her brass rat. All those all-nighters on her problem sets, her term projects, and her undergraduate thesis are behind her now, and she is ready for the next phase in her life. So for me, and a few other faculty with sons and daughters dressed in black, it was an especially moving day, filled with pride as well as a little of the sadness that comes when your kid becomes a fully fledged adult.

But then, graduation day is always moving. They come, you get to know them, and they are gone. Half customer, half product, all terrific, these young men and women were toddlers two decades ago. Two decades from now, they will be or well on their way to being whatever they want to be. Most want to be the people who change the world and make it a better place. Most will succeed.

Ray Stata gave the commencement address, which was full of serious, actionable advice about the importance of valuing people and reducing risk by taking risk. Then, after 2,300+ names were read and diplomas collected, a miniature helicopter, decorating the hat of a presumed aero-astro major, took off, with the hat as cargo, flying among other hats more conventionally launched. It was an MIT kind of day.

And then it was over, and they all melted away with family and friends. I'll miss them, and some may miss me. Perhaps some of those will read these blogs and stay in touch via comments. In any case, I've only a little time to get over the emotions of the moment and get ready for the next batch. They are changing fast, they socialize differently, they learn differently, and we have a lot of adapting to do.