‘Genius Grants’ Provide Two Alums $500,000 to Pursue Dream Projects
Two MIT alumni were awarded “genius grants” by the MacArthur Foundation last week. The fellows, Saul T. Griffith PhD ’04 and Yoky Matsuoka PhD ’98, will receive a stipend of $500,000 over the course of five years that may be spent however they wish. Griffith and Matsuoka are among 24 recipients this year.
Book Explores History of Measurement, MIT Smoot; Author, Smoot Visit Institute
The story of the MIT Smoot is gaining new fame, thanks to a recently-published book called “Smoot’s Ear: The Measure of Humanity.” Oliver R. Smoot ’62, the Smoot’s namesake, was on hand to hear author Robert Tavernor, an architect and professor of architecture and urban design at the London School of Economics and Political Science, discuss the book last Tuesday.
Candidates Share Priorities, Goals In UA’s 2011 Class Council Debate
The five Class of 2011 presidential candidates squared off on the first floor of the Student Center for the first-ever Freshman Class Council Presidential Debate on Sunday at 5 p.m.
Hayward R. Alker ’59
Hayward R. Alker, an MIT alumnus and political scientist specializing in international relations, died Aug. 24 at his home in Block Island, R.I., following a cerebral hemorrhage. He was 69.
MIT Team Designs Autonomous Vehicle
Imagine you are driving around town when you pull up to a stop sign. As you glance over at the car across the intersection, you are astonished to see that there is no driver. As the car makes a smooth right turn, you realize that the car is driving itself.
Elite Colleges Expand Aid to Middle Class Families
Some of the nation’s most elite colleges, trying to ward off perceptions that they’ve become unaffordable to even high-income families, are bolstering their financial aid packages by offering grants to students whose parents earn as much as $180,000 a year.
Two Professors Fill Associate Provost for Faculty Equity Post
Professors Barbara H. Liskov and Wesley L. Harris have been appointed to fill the Associate Provost for Faculty Equity position created a year ago, Provost L. Rafael Reif announced earlier this month. The scope of the position would include four central issues: “faculty recruitment, faculty retention, providing a supportive environment for career development and promotion, and work-family issues,” Reif said.
At Least 317 Pledge in IFC Rush
As of yesterday morning, fraternity recruitment resulted in 317 new pledges, an increase from previous years. Last year’s rush produced 299 pledges, Interfraternity Council President Daniel S. Eads ’08 said. IFC rush officially ended this year on Wednesday, Sept. 12.
Columbia University Still Reeling After Visit From Iran President
Before Iran’s president took the stage at Columbia University on Monday, the university’s president, Lee C. Bollinger, sent out an early-morning e-mail message, calling on students and faculty “to live up to the best of Columbia’s traditions.” Yesterday, many critics questioned whether Mr. Bollinger had met that test himself.
Yale Endowment Grows 28 Percent, Tops $22 Billion
The Yale Endowment, which has led the academic world in investment performance over the last decade, posted a 28 percent return Wednesday for the fiscal year ended June 30, bringing its total value to $22.5 billion.
Candidates Campaign For 2011 Class Council And UA Senate Elections
Campaigning for the Undergraduate Association Fall 2007 elections began at the stroke of midnight on Sept. 27, with candidates for 2011 Class Council chalking along Amherst Alley.
Massachusetts Law Concerning Hoax Devices
PART IV. CRIMES, PUNISHMENTS AND PROCEEDINGS IN CRIMINAL CASES
Students Take Stand Against MIT Statement
Approximately 30 students gathered yesterday afternoon to protest the administration’s handling of controversies involving students. While the majority of the protest was focused on the Star A. Simpson ’10 arrest, the discussion also touched on administrative reactions to the sodium fire on the Charles River and the felony charges filed against hackers found in the MIT Faculty Club.
Tougher Alcohol Rules Follow Student Death
At this time of year college students on many campuses can expect to hear lectures about the dangers of binge drinking from university administrators trying to tackle the longstanding problem of under-age drinking and alcohol abuse.
Chancellor’s Response to Protest Letter — Sept. 24, 2007
Thank you for your note regarding Star Simpson and the incident at Logan Airport. Let me first say that I regret how the matter is being characterized in the media. Many of the reports are unfair to Ms. Simpson and do not reflect the facts. We do not believe Ms. Simpson is a dangerous or malicious person or that she intended to cause harm. I appreciate how tough it is to read these stories.
John M. Buchanan
John M. “Jack” Buchanan, Wilson Professor emeritus of Biology, died June 25 in Lexington, Mass. He was 89.