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When is MIT's sesquicentennial?
MIT's charter was signed on April 10, 1861, so the Institute's 150th anniversary is April 10, 2011.
When will the anniversary be celebrated on campus?
From January 7 to June 5, 2011, a series of academic programs, exhibits, festivals, and other events will mark MIT's sesquicentennial.
Is there a schedule of events?
Yes, please visit our events page for more information.
What information is available to the media?
The MIT News Office is the point of contact for media enquiries. Please visit their MIT150 resource page or contact Patti Richards directly.
What is the Next Century Convocation?
The centerpiece of the MIT150 celebration was a formal academic event 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. Invited guest speakers exemplify the qualities we value; they are leaders who spoke to these themes and the importance of MIT’s role in setting an example for the nation and the world. Complete coverage and photos on MIT News.
How can I find out more about the April 30 open house?
Please visit MIT News for complete coverage and photos, and You Tube for the flash mob video.
How can I find out the dates and titles of the MIT150 Symposia?
Speakers and other details will be posted as they become available. The titles and dates of the symposia are:
- January 27 and 28: Economics and Finance: From Theory to Practice to Policy
- March 16: Conquering Cancer through the Convergence of Science and Engineering
- March 28 and 29: Leaders in Science and Engineering: The Women of MIT
- April 11 and 12: Computation and the Transformation of Practically Everything
- April 26 and 27: Earth, Air, Ocean and Space: The Future of Exploration
- May 3-5: Brains, Minds and Machines
Please visit our Symposia page for more information
I've got a great idea for something we can do to celebrate MIT's sesquicentennial. Whom do I tell?
You can email us...with the understanding that key decisions have been made by the president and committees charged with planning the anniversary program. But this does not close the door on something your DLC or group may want to do: far from it! If your program or department or group is also celebrating an anniversary in 2011, it may be appropriate to coordinate or cobrand with MIT150. Please get in touch with us.
May I list my event in the MIT150 schedule?
Events included in the MIT150 schedule will meet these criteria:
- reflect the MIT150 planning principles
- celebrate another MIT-related anniversary, such as the inception of an academic program, laboratory, or other group
- be open to the entire community
We encourage you to contact us if you are planning events during the spring semester of 2011, even if the event is unrelated to MIT150. January to June will be a very busy time on campus, and we do seek to avoid conflicts in space use and timing of events so community members may participate in programs that interest them. Thank you.
May I use the MIT150 logo in my publications or put it on my department letterhead?
The primary use of MIT150 logo is in those publications that are associated with the program's activities or with events that are cobranded with the anniversary. The committee is also open to use of the MIT150 logo in association with other DLC programs if a connection can be drawn between the activity and either the anniversary or the core mission of MIT. If you would like to use the logo in this way, please visit this page for guidance and more detail. Thank you.
DLCs may put the MIT150 logo on letterhead during the 2010-2011 academic year; please contact us for more information.