The Next Century Convocation

The centerpiece of the MIT150 celebration was a formal academic event held on April 10, 2011 to recall the 1949 Mid-Century Convocation and to celebrate the scholarly accomplishments of MIT faculty and students.

The theme of the Next Century Convocation was the “habits of mind” fostered by MIT research and education: integrity, diligence, service, social responsibility, and creativity.

Video archive

Speakers

John S. Reed ’61 SM ’65, Chairman of the MIT Corporation

Susan Hockfield, 16th President of MIT

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The Honorable David S. Ferriero, 10th Archivist of the United States

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• Lotte Bailyn, Professor of Management and T Wilson (1953) Professor of Management, Emerita
• Phillip L. Clay PhD ’75, Professor of City Planning and Senior Advisor to the President
• Robert S. Langer, Jr. ScD ’74, David H. Koch Institute Professor, Departments of Biological and Chemical Engineering
• David A. Mindell PhD ’96, Chair, MIT150 Steering Committee; Dibner Professor of the History of Engineering and Manufacturing; Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics; Head, Program in Science, Technology, and Society
• Phillip A. Sharp, MIT Institute Professor, Department of Biology
• Sheila E. Widnall ’60 SM ’61 ScD ’64, MIT Institute Professor, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics and the Engineering Systems Division

Music

The musical program was composed, conducted, and performed by MIT's own musicians.

Faculty composers from the MIT Music and Theater Arts Section

• Peter B. Child, Professor
• John H. Harbison, MIT Institute Professor
• Mark S. Harvey, Lecturer
• Keeril Makan, Associate Professor
• Elena Ruehr, Lecturer
• Charles Shadle, Senior Lecturer in Music and Theory Coordinator

Conductors

• Adam K. Boyles, Director of the MIT Symphony Orchestra, MIT Chamber Chorus, and MIT Concert Choir
• William C. Cutter, Director of Choral Program and Lecturer in Music
• Frederick Harris, Jr., Director of Wind and Jazz Ensembles and Lecturer in Music
• Mark S. Harvey

Performers

• MIT Chamber Chorus
• MIT Concert Choir
• MIT Festival Jazz Ensemble
• MIT Jazz Choir
• MIT Symphony Orchestra
• MIT Wind Ensemble
• Rambax MIT

Charles Shadle set to music the poem “The Geniuses Among Us”, by Marilyn L. Taylor, poet laureate of Wisconsin (2009-2010).

All were invited to the convocation, held on April 10 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (BCEC). Convocation guests enjoyed an exhibit produced by MIT Lincoln Laboratory to showcase its primary mission areas and advanced technologies.

The Alumni Association hospitality suite offered an MIT150 slide show and videos, photos with our mascot, Tim the Beaver, and information about programs sponsored by MIT and the Alumni Association.

Before the program, guests participated in an interactive trivia game designed by MIT students.

Read more about the Next Century Convocation at MIT News

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BCEC photos courtesy of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority

Highlights from the convocation

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