Eugene Bell
Eugene Bell, a former MIT biology professor renowned for his pioneering work in the field of regenerative medicine, passed away on June 22. He was 88.
News Briefs
The Department of Facilities is in the process of replacing the automatic door mechanism for MIT’s front door, the main double doors into Lobby 7. The work began on July 16, and currently the doorway is covered by a large plywood board. Joseph P. Vella, Jr., supervisor of Carpentry for Facilities, said that he hopes the doors would be complete by Friday, Aug. 17.
Number of Pell Grant Recipients Increases In ’06–’07
Both the number of MIT students receiving Pell grants and the average amount awarded to MIT students increased for the 2006–2007 academic year. The number of recipients increased 3.5 percent and the average amount increased 5.5 percent from the previous year, Director of Financial Aid Daniel Barkowitz said.
News Briefs
Students who bank at the MIT Federal Credit Union will no longer have to trek to the Technology Square office as renovations to place a new branch office in the former Game Room on the first floor of the Student Center nears completion.
‘We Have to Stay on Top,’ Says New Sloan School Interim Dean
Steven D. Eppinger ’83, professor of Management Science, has been appointed as the interim dean of MIT Sloan School of Management, effective July 1. The former dean of Sloan School Richard Schmalensee ’65, professor of economics and management, stepped down at the end of the Spring 2007 term after nine years as dean.
MIT Releases Preliminary Report on New Race Study
MIT released a preliminary report detailing recommendations on how the Institute can undertake a study on faculty race issues. The study is anticipated to be fully launched at the start of the 2007–2008 academic year, according to the report released on July 16.
Suresh Becomes the New Dean of Engineering; Magnanti Steps Down
Subra Suresh PhD ’81, professor in the Department of Material Science and Engineering, was appointed as the new dean of engineering in June, effective July 23. Suresh replaced Institute Professor Thomas L. Magnanti, who was dean since 1999, according to the MIT News Office.
Missing Alumnus Found Dead in National Forest
The body of Cambridge resident Edgar R. Gonzalez ’04 was found in Grout Pond in Stratton, Vt. on July 29. Gonzalez had been missing since July 7 when he became separated from his group while hiking during a camping trip in the Green Mountain National Forest.
Joseph F. O'Connor
Joseph F. O'Connor, Draper Laboratory's retired vice president of human resources and administration (1981-1994) and secretary of the Corporation (1994-2005), died June 11 of cancer at the age of 77.
Pritchett Dining Closes, Preferred Dining Fee Is Rolled Back to $300
Pritchett Dining will not reopen this coming fall, according to Richard D. Berlin III, director of Campus Dining. The discontinuation of Pritchett Dining, a response to a student-led plan for improvement of east campus dining options, was announced in conjunction with the decision to rollback the semester fee for Preferred Dining to $300 for the coming fall.
Affiliate Housing Construction Begins; $30 Million Committed
Construction has begun on 303 Third Street near Kendall Square, the site that will house MIT's University Residential Community, the result of over four years of planning by various members of the MIT community to provide affordable housing to those with institutional affiliations close to campus.
Police Log
<i>The following incidents were reported to the MIT Police between May 21 and June 18, 2007. This summary does not include incidents such as false alarms, general service calls, larcenies, or medical shuttles.</i>
Faculty Promotions
The Executive Committee of the MIT Corporation approved the promotion of the following faculty members, effective July 1.
Prof. Sherley Locked Out Of BE Laboratory After June 30 Deadline Passes
James L. Sherley, the African American associate professor who went on a 12-day hunger strike in February to protest his tenure denial, met the end of his appointment last Saturday, June 30. Sherley, who worked for the Biological Engineering Department, faced locked doors when he attempted to work in his laboratory after June 30 in an effort to resist the deadline.
E. Cary Brown
E. Cary Brown, a leading expert on fiscal policy and the economics of taxation and a member of the MIT economics faculty for more than 60 years, passed away on June 8. He was 91.
RIAA Files Lawsuit, Eight Targeted For Infringing Copyright
The Recording Industry Association of America has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against eight defendants at MIT, according to Massachusetts District Court filings.
News Briefs
MIT has formed a new Security & Emergency Management Office, effective this month with the start of the new fiscal year. With a staff of three, the office will coordinate campus security policies as well as provide assistance with security questions and advice on installing security systems.
Drink Coffee, Have Fun, and Don’t Forget to Count Your Blessings
<i>Below is the text of outgoing Graduate Student Council President Eric G. Weese’s address to the graduates of 2007.</i>