commencement archive

Commencement: Getting ready - Facilities workers prepare Killian Court for MIT Commencement, to be held on Friday, June 6. May 21, 2008

Microcredit pioneer to be Commencement speaker - Muhammad Yunus, winner of the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize, will deliver MIT's 2008 Commencement address on June 6. Yunus won the Nobel Prize for pioneering the microlending movement, which offers credit without collateral to the poor. December 5, 2007

Vest guides MIT grads to optimism and service - Today's graduates live in a world where the challenges are more complex and global than in the 1950s, but they should maintain a '50s sense of optimism, said MIT President Emeritus Charles M. Vest in the main address for MIT's 141st Commencement exercises. June 8, 2007

Commencement address by Charles M. Vest - The Commencement address was delivered by MIT President Emeritus Charles M. Vest at MIT's 141st Commencement held June 8, 2007. Vest will become head of National Academy of Engineering in July. June 8, 2007

President Hockfield's charge to the graduates - At MIT's Commencement held June 8, 2007, President Susan Hockfield said her fervent hope for the new graduates was that they integrate integrity and the pursuit of truth into their lives and "continue to demonstrate the value of good, old-fashioned hard work." June 8, 2007

Commencement 2007 photo gallery - A photo gallery chronicling the hooding of doctoral students on June 7 and Commencement on June 8. June 7, 2007

Hooding ceremony lauds new doctoral students - MIT President Susan Hockfield welcomed more than 500 new doctorate recipients into "a community of scholars" during a joyful hooding ceremony Thursday morning. June 7, 2007

Green ribbons signify responsibility pledge - Wearing a little green ribbon during the 2007 Commencement ceremonies may not change the world. But, say MIT organizers of "The Graduation Pledge of Social and Environmental Responsibility," the effort might change a few minds. June 6, 2007

Tech Day focuses on energy - Energy--particularly the opportunity for near-term efficiencies and sustainable change--takes center stage at Tech Day 2007 on Saturday, June 9. Tech Day is the intellectual highlight of the alumni reunions held each year at MIT. June 6, 2007

Annual plant sale follows Commencement - The MIT Community Service Fund will host its annual fundraising sale of the plants displayed on the Commencement podium and surrounding stage on Friday, June 8 at 3:30 p.m. June 6, 2007

Seniors describe four years at MIT - There were, not surprisingly, some surprises along the road to graduation for the dozen and a half students Tech Talk profiled as "hometown heroes" when they entered as freshmen in 2003. June 6, 2007

Vest spoke at MIT's 141st Commencement - MIT's 141st Commencement unfolded under a brilliant blue sky as the Institute community, along with proud family and friends, gathered to honor the distinguished graduates. June 5, 2007

Women's Technology Program graduates first class - Alisha Schor, Emily Slutsky, and Kyung Jin Chang are among six seniors making history as the first members of MIT's Women's Technology Program to graduate from the Institute. June 4, 2007

Vest will deliver Commencement address - MIT President Emeritus Charles M. Vest, who is expected to begin a six-year term as president of the National Academy of Engineering in July, will be the speaker at MIT's 141st Commencement on Friday, June 8, in Killian Court. March 14, 2007

13 MIT grads commissioned in Armed Forces - For most MIT seniors, last week's festivities culminated with Commencement exercises in Killian Court. But, for some, the hectic week had an extra special finish as they were commissioned as officers in the U.S. Armed Forces. June 15, 2006

Reunion classes give more than $46 million to MIT - More than 3,300 alumni and guests gathered June 8-11 to celebrate their MIT connections and give back to the Institute. Alumni gifts to MIT, reported at the annual Tech Day luncheon on June 10, totaled $46,511,164. June 13, 2006

Grads receive doctoral hoods - MIT graduates receiving the Ph.D. or Sc.D. degree were invested with their long velvet-lined hoods in the Institute's traditional family-friendly hooding ceremony on Thursday, June 8. June 9, 2006

Commencement in photographs - Photo gallery from MIT's 140th Commencement held June 9, 2006. June 9, 2006

President Hockfield's charge to the graduates - At MIT's Commencement held June 9, 2006, President Susan Hockfield asked graduates to "inspire your own generation and the generations to come with a renewed sense of possibility and optimism for the future." June 9, 2006

Commencement address by Ben S. Bernanke - Text of speech given by macroeconomist Ben S. Bernanke, chair of the Federal Reserve and an MIT alumnus, at MIT's 140th Commencement held June 9, 2006. June 9, 2006

MIT graduates Class of 2006 - Days of downpours gave way to a soft, steady mist as members of the MIT Class of 2006 were urged to relish their victory and temper their ambitions with service to humanity during the Institute's 140th Commencement exercises. June 9, 2006

Families weather ceremony with smiles - The crowd gathered on Killian Court managed to keep the mood sunny despite the clouds hanging in the sky over MIT's 140th Commencement exercises, held Friday, June 9. June 9, 2006

MIT gears up for 140th Commencement - MIT workers make preparations for MIT's 140th Commencement, which will be held on Friday, June 9, at 10 a.m. Macroeconomist Ben S. Bernanke, chair of the Federal Reserve and an MIT alumnus, will deliver the principal address. June 7, 2006

Kenyan grad shares what he's learned - Graduating senior Eric Mibuari, hoping to share the fruits of his "challenging and rewarding" years at MIT, has started a community computer center in Laare, Kenya, the town where he grew up. June 7, 2006

Technology Day will address 'global challenges' - MIT alumni will return to campus in record numbers this weekend -- more than 3,275 alumni and guests are registered for Tech Reunions, which is gathering classes ending in 6 and 1. June 7, 2006

Graduating senior plans musical interlude - It was love at first sight when graduating senior Christine Chiu saw her first piano 20 years ago at her older sister's lesson. Though her sister has long since abandoned the instrument, Chiu's love has only grown. June 7, 2006

Killian Court plant sale - The MIT Community Service Fund will host its annual fund-raising plant sale at 3:30 p.m. Friday in Killian Court. June 7, 2006

Grads taking Dramashop on UK tour - Two graduating seniors will get right back to work after Commencement on Friday, June 9, when each will receive a dual degree in physics and theater. Both are directors in MIT Dramashop, which will travel to England in mid-June. June 5, 2006

What a LIFE! 50th reunion class was on mag's cover - Fifty years after being highlighted by Life magazine for future promise, the MIT Class of 1956 has more than lived up to the honor. June 5, 2006

Alumnus takes reins of Federal Reserve - MIT alumnus and macroeconomist Ben S. Bernanke assumes leadership of the Federal Reserve on Feb. 1. The head of the Fed is widely considered to be the world's most powerful economist. January 31, 2006

Ben Bernanke to speak at Commencement June 9 - An MIT-educated economist whom President Bush has designated to serve as chairman of the Federal Reserve will be MIT's 140th Commencement speaker on Friday, June 9, 2006, in Killian Court. December 13, 2005

Speaker suggestions sought - The Commencement Committee invites suggestions for the guest speaker at MIT's Commencement exercises on Friday, June 9, from all members of the community. October 3, 2005

Tech reunions raise $138 Million - Reunion classes from 1935 through 2000 and the graduating Class of 2005 reported the results of their fund-raising efforts at a rousing Technology Day luncheon. June 8, 2005

Grads share joy at hooding ceremony - Three-dozen strollers were parked outside MIT's annual hooding ceremony, the family-friendly celebration of graduate students receiving Ph.D. or Sc.D. degrees that took place on Thursday, June 2, in Johnson Athletic Center June 6, 2005

MIT runs in families - Many of the guests who attended the sun-soaked 139th Commencement last week, including MIT Professor John Guttag's son David, have deep roots at MIT. June 6, 2005

Invocation - Swami Tyagananda, MIT's Hindu chaplain, gave the invocation at the Institute's Commencement exercises on June 3, 2005. June 3, 2005

President Hockfield's charge to the graduates - At her first MIT Commencement June 3, President Susan Hockfield charged graduates "to kindle in others the same love and passion for truth and discovery, for creativity and problem-solving, that brought us all here." June 3, 2005

Commencement in photographs - Photo gallery from MIT's 139th Commencement held June 3, 2005. June 3, 2005

Thousands graduate in sun-soaked ceremony - Sunny skies and warm breezes welcomed the 2,308 men and women who received 1,107 undergraduate and 1,464 graduate degrees at the 139th MIT Commencement exercises, held Friday, June 3, in Killian Court. June 3, 2005

Commencement address by Irwin M. Jacobs - Commencement speaker Irwin Jacobs, the co-founder and CEO of Qualcomm, told MIT graduates that June 3rd was a "great day to graduate" and that an MIT education is "about the best possible way to prepare yourselves for this very exciting future." June 3, 2005

MIT readies for 139th Commencement - MIT's 139th Commencement exercises will be held on Friday, June 3, at 10 a.m. in Killian Court. During the ceremony, 2,177 undergraduates and graduate students are scheduled to receive degrees. June 1, 2005

MIT fulfills dreams for Kazakh grad - When Vitaliy Pereverzev dons his cap and gown on Friday, June 3, he will be fulfilling a dream that began seven years ago when he first emigrated from Kazakhstan. June 1, 2005

Alumnae, grads look back at MIT - Alumnae celebrating their 25th reunion year on Friday did problem sets in a different world from those graduating today. The Class of 1980 was 16 percent women; in 2005, the graduating class is 42.5 percent women. June 1, 2005

Honor guard marches with pride - The Campus Police Honor Guard will lead the procession through Killian Court on Commencement morning, exhibiting one of MIT's newer traditions for the second time this spring. June 1, 2005

Policy in works - MIT is working to formulate a policy on demonstrations and leafleting at Commencement and other large campus events, according to Chancellor Phillip L. Clay. May 11, 2005

Telecom leader Jacobs to speak at Commencement - Irwin M. Jacobs, a leader in the wireless telecommunications industry and a staunch advocate for improving math and science education in the U.S., will give the Commencement address at MIT's graduation ceremony on Friday, June 3. April 12, 2005

Brass rat to the fourth power - Elizabeth (Ellie) Powers Boyle, garbed like her fellow graduates in black robe and mortarboard, happily accepted her diploma last week. But Boyle wore something unique--four "brass rat" rings, because she's a fourth-generation MIT graduate. June 9, 2004

Classes donate $81M - Reunion classes donated $81,315,483 to MIT, the third-largest total in the history of the reunion giving program, according to figures announced at the Alumni Association's Tech Day luncheon. June 9, 2004

Attitudes toward cars must change - The developing world must "shift gears" toward innovative automobile policies to cope with the crowding and pollution caused by the rise of urban automobile traffic, according to a speaker at MIT's Technology Day June 5. June 9, 2004

Commencement invocation - Invocation by Robert M. Randolph at MIT's 138th Commencement exercises, June 4, 2004. June 9, 2004

Over 200 receive newly minted doctoral degrees - Amid beaming friends and family and the cries of many babies, 203 doctoral students received their ceremonial hoods on June 3 at MIT. June 4, 2004

President Charles M. Vest's charge to the graduates - Text of President Vest's speech at MIT's Commencement on June 4, 2004. June 4, 2004

Zerhouni urges collaboration, '50/50 rules of life' - Elias A. Zerhouni, director of NIH, urged members of the Class of 2004 to participate in solving public health and environmental problems in his June 4 Commencement address at MIT. June 4, 2004

MIT Class of 2004 by the numbers - Degree statistics for the MIT class of 2004. June 4, 2004

Speech by R. Erich Caulfield - Speech by the president of the Graduate Student Council at MIT's Commencement exercises on June 4. June 4, 2004

Commencement address by Elias A. Zerhouni - Commencement address by Elias A. Zerhouni, director of NIH, given at MIT's Commencement exercises on June 4, 2004. June 4, 2004

Atmosphere is sunny and bright - Pastel-colored spring suits and sleeveless summer dresses, bright straw hats and strappy high-heeled sandals--the families in Killian Court wore their own Commencement regalia on Friday, a beautiful spring day for MIT's Commencement. June 4, 2004

Tech Day 2004 looks at cars - Automobiles--how they're made, their problems and their effects on our lives--are the focus of "Shifting Gears," this year's Technology Day program for alumni on Saturday, June 5 in Kresge Auditorium. June 2, 2004

Tech Night at Pops features MIT talent - While Keith Lockhart is celebrating his 10th year as conductor of the Boston Pops, Tech Night at Pops celebrates its far greater longevity--107 years as an annual tradition. June 2, 2004

Graduating students look back on experiences - As thousands of students prepare to receive their MIT degrees on Friday, the News Office spoke with four of them about what they learned at the Institute, how MIT changed them, and what they plan to do next. June 2, 2004

NIH funds much research at MIT, Whitehead - The National Institutes of Health, headed by MIT Commencement speaker Elias A. Zerhouni, are the federal focal point for health research and have supported a wide range of research at MIT and the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research. June 2, 2004

Getting set for Commencement - About 2,205 undergraduates and graduate students are scheduled to receive their degrees and listen to principal speaker Elias A. Zerhouni, director of NIH, at MIT's 138th Commencement on June 4. May 28, 2004

Zerhouni to speak at Commencement - Dr. Elias A. Zerhouni, director of NIH, will be the speaker at MIT's 138th Commencement exercises on Friday, June 4 in Killian Court. March 10, 2004

Zerhouni of NIH to give MIT Commencement address June 4 - Dr. Elias A. Zerhouni, director of NIH and pioneer in magnetic resonance imaging techniques in worldwide use today, will be the speaker at MIT's Commencement exercises. March 9, 2004

MIT Commencement - MIT Commencement, June 9, 2003 June 18, 2003

M.B.A. celebrates unbirthday - Christine Bataille was eight months pregnant and anticipating an early delivery of her second child as she waited in line to receive her master's degree from the Sloan School of Management. June 12, 2003

Families recall MIT moment - Family and friends of some of MIT's 2,202 graduates recalled the point when they knew there was something very MIT about the person whose hard-earned degree they celebrated. June 12, 2003

Graduates make fashion statements - Several 2003 graduates wore outfits that stood out for their beauty or playfulness. June 12, 2003

Doctorates enjoy freedom - MIT graduates receiving doctoral degrees were invested with their long velvet-lined hoods in Johnson Athletics Center. June 12, 2003

Students thank their loved ones - 2003 MIT graduates thank their loved ones for encouragement and assistance. June 12, 2003

Mitchell believes Mideast peace possible - George J. Mitchell told 2,202 MIT graduates that he believes a resolution to the Middle East conflict is possible. June 12, 2003

Class of 2003 by the numbers - Class of 2003 by the numbers June 12, 2003

Boston project model for public housing - Professor Lawrence J. Vale made remarks during a Technology Day talk on "Housing the Lowest Income Americans: The Past, Present and Future of Public Housing." June 12, 2003

Doctorates enjoy degrees - MIT graduates receiving doctoral degrees (the Ph.D. or Sc.D.) were invested with their long velvet-lined hoods in Johnson Athletics Center on June 8. June 11, 2003

Boston project model for public housing - Professor Lawrence J. Vale made remarks during a Technology Day talk on "Housing the Lowest Income Americans: The Past, Present and Future of Public Housing." June 10, 2003

Charge to the graduates - President Charles M. Vest's charge to the graduates at MIT's 2003 Commencement. June 9, 2003

George J. Mitchell Commencement Address - Transcript of MIT Commencement speech by George Mitchell, June 9, 2003. June 9, 2003

Mitchell believes Middle East peace possible - George J. Mitchell, told 2,202 MIT graduates that he believes a resolution to the Middle East conflict is possible, but it will take both sides to endorse the other's needs. June 9, 2003

- June 9, 2003

Class of 2003 by the numbers - Class of 2003 by the numbers June 6, 2003

Job recruiting for new degree recipients stays strong - MIT's Class of 2003 has felt only the nip of the wringer that's now squeezing job seekers nationwide, according to director of the MIT Careers Office. June 4, 2003

Monday is the big day - About 2,250 undergraduates and graduate students are scheduled to receive more than 2,500 degrees at MIT's 137th Commencement on Monday, June 9 on Killian Court. June 4, 2003

MIT held surprises - The following members of the Class of 2003 discussed their expectations and aspirations for their MIT careers with Tech Talk on the first day of freshmen orientation. June 4, 2003

Student ponders Commencement - Todd Atkins, who is from Hampden, Maine, will pay attention at this year's Commencement on June 9 when he receives the M.Eng. degree. The speaker is George Mitchell, who represented Atkins' home state in the U.S. Senate from 1980-95. June 4, 2003

Research directions to be examined on Tech Day - Technology Day will feature researchers discussing their current work, future directions in the field and ethical issues associated with the research. June 4, 2003

Mitchell to speak - Former U.S. Sen. George J. Mitchell, the architect of a peace agreement in Northern Ireland, will be MIT's 137th Commencement speaker. April 2, 2003

Mitchell to speak - Former U.S. Sen. George J. Mitchell will be MIT's 137th commencement speaker on Monday, June 9, in Killian Court. March 31, 2003

Commencement speaker input wanted - The Commencement Committee invites suggestions from all members of the community for the guest speaker at MIT's 2003 Commencement exercises on June 9. October 2, 2002

Vest: Sustain openness and opportunity - "This is a time to sustain opportunity and openness," President Charles M. Vest told the Class of 2002. June 12, 2002

136th Commencement unspoiled - Under a steady rain that soaked guests, graduates and anti-World Bank demonstrators, World Bank President James D. Wolfensohn delivered the principal address. June 12, 2002

Commencement photos - This is a collection of photos from Commencement 2002. June 12, 2002

Doctoral hooding ceremony delights - In a relaxed ceremony punctuated by yells from a few proud families and the occasional child, 242 doctoral degree students received their ceremonial hoods. June 12, 2002

Class of 2002 by the numbers - Number of degrees rewarded, demographics and future plans of class of 2002. June 12, 2002

Wolfensohn meeting with students - 20 undergraduates and graduate students in a private discussion of World Bank policies with commencement speaker James D. Wolfensohn, the Bank's president. June 12, 2002

Crowd displays array of umbrellas - Thousands of umbrellas in every color and style managed to brighten Killian Court during Commencement. June 12, 2002

Wolfensohn's Commencement address - The text of the Commencement address delivered by James D. Wolfensohn, president of the World Bank Group. June 12, 2002

Vest Charge to Grads. - Charge to graduates as prepared for delivery. -Commencement Ceremonies, June 7, 2002 June 7, 2002

Wolfensohn's commencement address - This is the text from World Bank President James D. Wolfensohn's Commencement address on June 7, 2002. June 7, 2002

Rain, protesters can't spoil Commencement - World Bank President James D. Wolfensohn told the MIT Class of 2002 Friday that social and economic equity "is your issue." June 7, 2002

Commencement Slide Show - Photos of MIT's 136th Commencement by Donna Coveney and Laura Wulf. June 7, 2002

Commencement 2002 by the numbers - Breakdown of degrees, demographics, future plans of 2002 graduates. June 6, 2002

May Awards Convocation - At MIT's annual Awards Convocation on May 13, numerous individuals and groups around the Institute were recognized for achievements during the academic year. June 5, 2002

Grads to collect 2,500 diplomas at Commencement - World Bank Group President James D. Wolfensohn will deliver the principal address Friday as MIT awards 2,427 degrees at the Institute's 136th Commencement. June 5, 2002

Drill team to march during Commencement - Members of the newly formed Campus Police Department drill team will lead the Class of 2002 onto Killian Court for Commencement ceremonies on Friday. June 5, 2002

Sale of ceremony's flowers to benefit CSF - Flowers used to decorate the Commencement stage will be sold to the community as in years past. June 5, 2002

Class of 1952 leads the way - The Class of 1952 led the Commencement procession with good humor and raincoats, maintaining a sense of fun. June 5, 2002

MIT ready for Commencement - MIT will award about 2,500 degrees to some 2,250 undergraduates and graduate students at the Institute's 136th Commencement Friday, June 7, in Killian Court. May 22, 2002

Tech Day examines politics - The annual Technology Day program features a full day of presentations by prominent speakers from the Institute and beyond. May 22, 2002

Students discuss World Bank - Members of the MIT administration working with student groups have planned several events to air views critical of World Bank economic policies. May 22, 2002

Wolfensohn to be Commencement speaker - James D. Wolfensohn, president of the World Bank Group, cultural leader and former Olympic athlete, will deliver the principal address at MIT's 136th Commencement on Friday, June 7 in Killian Court. February 27, 2002

Wolfensohn to speak at MIT Commencement - James D. Wolfensohn, president of the World Bank Group, cultural leader and former Olympic athlete, will deliver the principal address at MIT's 136th Commencement. February 26, 2002

Audience fashion runs the gamut - Four-inch high-heeled sandals were the footwear of choice for MIT women this year. June 13, 2001

PhD recipients share joy - Faculty members welcomed 206 graduates into the doctoral ranks in a family-friendly hooding ceremony in Johnson Athletics Center last Thursday. June 13, 2001

Kenyan student completes journey - Kirimania Murithi's three mothers traveled halfway around the world on their first airplane trip to attend his MIT Commencement last Friday. June 13, 2001

Commencement Gallery - A collection of photos from Commencement. June 13, 2001

Hu decides who gets tickets - With no need for his four tickets, Mr. Hu decided to hold an essay contest via e-mail to give them away. June 13, 2001

Graduates on a common odyssey - President Charles Vest told "the true millennial class" to consider themselves on an odyssey to improve humanity's common space. June 13, 2001

Oldest alumnus does double - The oldest man attending this year's reunion events may also have been the busiest. June 13, 2001

Reunion classes donate $75M - The 16 MIT reunion classes donated a record $75.4 million to the Alumni Fund during fiscal 2001. June 13, 2001

Parvey offers invocation - Following is the text of the invocation given at Commencement by the Rev. Dr. Constance F. Parvey, Lutheran chaplain at MIT. June 13, 2001

Déjà vu for Rosenfields - In 1996, a parade of Rosenfields marched in the Commencement Day procession. June 13, 2001

No honorary degrees an MIT tradition - Honorary degrees are a routine part of graduation ceremonies at nearly every college in the land -- but not at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. June 8, 2001

Goldin predicts grads will accomplish next revolution - The Massachusetts Institute of Technology awarded 2,369 degrees today (June 8) under blue skies at its 135th Commencement exercises; Goldin was Commencement speaker. June 8, 2001

Commencement address by Daniel S. Goldin - Commencement address by Daniel S. Goldin, NASA administrator, given at MIT's Commencement exercises on June 8, 2001. June 8, 2001

President Charles M. Vest's charge to the graduates - Text of President Charles M. Vest's speech at MIT's Commencement on June 8, 2001. June 8, 2001

Harris varies anthem singing - Professor Ellen T. Harris has a special relationship with Francis Scott Key. June 6, 2001

Seniors ponder changes - MIT Tech Talk asked several randomly selected freshmen for their thoughts on what they might major in, what they were looking forward to at MIT and their career plans. June 6, 2001

Job-seeking grads not suffering - Fluctuations in the US economy are not affecting career choices or even summer job prospects among recent MIT graduates. June 6, 2001

MIT and NASA - NASA administrator Daniel Goldin's speech to the newest group of MIT graduates on Friday will be yet another point in a long line of collaborations. June 6, 2001

Commencement Notes - Notes on Wednesday, June 6, 2001's Commencement. June 6, 2001

'Zine features Class of '01 - During the month of June, openDOOR, a web magazine published by the Alumni Association at, will feature the personal web sites of the Class of 2001. June 6, 2001

'01 twins stick together - There are four sets of twins in the Class of 2001, which one might think is a phenomenon. Actually, it's a trend. June 6, 2001

Grads asked to return cards - After Commencement, the News Office will be mailing out hometown press releases announcing the names of this year's degree recipients. June 6, 2001

MIT readies for Commencement - President Charles M. Vest and Provost Robert A. Brown will present about 2,500 degrees to more than 2,000 undergraduates and graduate students at MIT's 135th Commencement. May 23, 2001

Grads asked to return PR cards - After Commencement, the News Office will be mailing out hometown press releases announcing the names of this year's degree recipients. May 23, 2001

Alumni offer services - Seniors and graduate students anticipating Commencement are invited to stop by Lobby 10 to discover programs and services offered by the MIT Alumni Association. May 9, 2001

NASA's Goldin to speak - NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin, who revitalized the space agency during the post-Cold War era, will be the principal speaker at MIT's Commencement on June 8. April 4, 2001

Goldin to be Commencement speaker - NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin, who revitalized the space agency during the post-Cold War era, will be the principal speaker at the MIT Commencement on June 8. March 26, 2001