Faculty meeting scheduled
A regular meeting of the faculty will be held today, Feb. 16, at 3:30 p.m. in Room 155 of the Stata Center. Agenda items are a vote on an S.B. in Biological Engineering, presented by Professor Linda Griffith; a proposal for an S.B. in Mechanical and Ocean Engineering, presented by Professor Kim Vandiver; and a discussion about the implementation of the new minor in Management, presented by Associate Dean Jeffrey Meldman.
Soldier Design Competition Finals
The MIT Soldier Design Competition will hold its final judging event on March 1 to award $14,000 in prizes to teams from MIT and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Eighteen mostly undergraduate teams will present working prototypes of 11 non-weapon devices for use by infantry soldiers, marines, and emergency first-responders. Inventions will include a powered rope ascender, a hands-free casualty carriage system, and a portable power-generation system. The event, which is open to the public, will take place in Wong Auditorium from 6 to 9:30 p.m.
Springing for cancer cure
Daffodil Days, sponsored by the MIT Women's League, is celebrated at MIT during the month of February to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Daffodil bouquets can be ordered in advance for $7 each through department coordinators. Bouquets will be delivered on March 16. The last day to place an order is Friday, Feb. 25. Additional bouquets can be purchased in Lobby 10 and the lobby of Building 25, March 16-18.
This year, people may also contribute $20 to send a Gift of Hope (a vase of daffodils) to a cancer patient at Mt. Auburn Hospital. These flowers may be ordered through department coordinators or through the MIT Women's League (253-3656) before Feb. 25.
MacVicar Day focuses on education commons
MacVicar Day 2005 will be held on March 4. The MacVicar Faculty Fellows will be announced in a formal lunch ceremony, and the public program at 3 p.m. in Room 6-120 will feature a discussion among members of the Task Force on the Undergraduate Educational Commons, "What should we achieve in a four-year MIT education?" The task force is undertaking a comprehensive review of the common educational experience of MIT undergraduates. A reception will follow the presentation at 4:30 p.m.
The MacVicar Faculty Fellows program was established in 1992 to honor the life and contributions of the late Margaret MacVicar, who was a professor of physical science and dean for undergraduate education at the time of her death in 1991.
Excellence Awards celebrated
MIT will celebrate its annual MIT Excellence Awards on Wednesday, March 2, at noon in Kresge Auditorium. Vice President for Human Resources Laura Avakian will host the event and President Susan Hockfield will give opening remarks. Thomas Magnanti, dean of engineering, will deliver a keynote address on the importance of recognizing people for their work and dedication. Light refreshments will be served before the ceremony at 11:30 a.m., and a luncheon reception in Kresge Lobby will follow the presentation. Artists-Behind-the-Desk rhythm and blues band, BJ Magoon and driving sideways, will play at the the reception. All members of the MIT community are invited.
The Excellence Awards honor MIT staff for exceptional contributions to the Institute. From 90 nominations, 14 individuals and six teams were selected this year.
A version of this article appeared in MIT Tech Talk on February 16, 2005 (download PDF).
