Inauguration in photographs

President Susan Hockfield speaks with administrative assistant Andre Dixon of the Office of Academic Services at a May 3 inaugural reception.

David Nelson, a graduate student in electrical engineering and computer science (EECS), explains how his group's machine works during an inauguration week presentation May 5 by the class Robotics Science and Systems I. Next to him is EECS senior Javier Velez, Christopher Tighe, older brother Greg, former employee Kathryn Gandek-Tighe and middle brother Eric Tighe.

Graduate student Aaron Tan shows President Susan Hockfield how to direct a robot's movement with light during a May 5 presentation by the class Robotics Science and Systems I, organized in honor of Hockfield's inauguration.

Freshman Rocco Repetski, left, meets with President Susan Hockfield and her husband, neurologist Thomas Byrne, at an inauguration week reception hosted by the Working Group on Support Staff Issues on May 3.

President Susan Hockfield, left, shares a light moment with Mary Elliff, center, of the Program in Atmospheres, Oceans and Climate, and Nancy Stauffer of the Laboratory for Energy and the Environment at the Working Group on Support Staff Issues inauguration reception on May 3.

President Susan Hockfield shares a moment with Alison Richard, vice chancellor of Cambridge University in England, before the inaugural procession on Friday, May 6.

Famous MIT alumna Shirley Ann Jackson, who is now the president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y., congratulates President Susan Hockfield on her inauguration shortly after the ceremony Friday, May 6.

President Susan Hockfield accepts the leather-bound copy of MIT's charter from Dana G. Mead, chairman of the Corporation -- the act by which she formally becomes the Institute's 16th president.

Shortly before leaving Gray House for her inauguration, President Susan Hockfield got in a little family time with her husband, Dr. Thomas Byrne, and their daughter, Elizabeth Byrne.

President Susan Hockfield, right, and her daughter Elizabeth Byrne help light up 'White Noise/White Light' on May 2 to signal the start of Inauguration Week.

Tap dancers from the MIT Dance Ensemble add to festivities on Kresge Oval Monday night as a week of inaugural events got under way. From left, Kameka Dempsey, a graduate student at Harvard, is joined by MIT alumna Stephanie Chiesi (currently at Draper) and sophomore Anna Massie.

'White Noise/White Light' lights up May 2 as Yi Fan runs through the exhibit Monday evening on Kresge Oval. The boy's father is a Sloan professor visiting from Beijing.

MIT President Susan Hockfield and her husband, Thomas Byrne, poke some 'incredible' fun at themselves, posing in cut-out images of the popular superheroes. The exhibit was part of the Uncommon Block Party held at MIT May 7 to mark Hockfield's inauguration as president of MIT.

One of the big draws at the block party to celebrate Susan Hockfield's inauguration was the bungee run. Participants ran down an inflated alley, tethered to a bungee cord, which ultimately yanked them back.

A block party performer balances a large table on his chin at the May 7 festivities celebrating Susan Hockfield's inauguration.

Alumnus Jake Abernethy (S.B. 2002) portrays a very tall Red Sox juggler at MIT's May 7 block party.