SPRING 2018 NEWSLETTER DEAR FRIENDS,

You will probably notice that there are a few changes to this edition of The Emma Rogers Society Newsletter. There is a new design, a new approach to storytelling, and, well, me.

For those of you whom I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting, I am Whitney Espich and, in September 2017, I joined the MIT Alumni Association as CEO. While I am still new to this role, I have been at MIT for some time now and have long known of this unique society that welcomes the widows and widowers of the MIT community.

The Emma Rogers Society is a wonderful example of how the Association seeks to engage not only alumni but all family members and friends who have welcomed the MIT ethos and experience into their lives. Your enduring engagement is important to us.

And so even as we delight in all that is new, I want you to know that our commitment to you—to ensuring your continued meaningful connection to your MIT community—remains steadfast.

Sincerely,

Whitney T. Espich CEO, MIT Alumni Association

Cover: , MIT Campus THANK YOU FOR READING!

With this edition of the ERS newsletter, we have introduced a new format and a new schedule. Starting this year, you will receive our newsletter annually instead of semiannually. In the meantime, though, keep an eye out for our quarterly email publication called Tech Connection, Emma Rogers Society Edition. Tech Connection gives you an in-depth look at the most timely and important news from MIT and from the Emma Rogers Society. We are also interested in member submissions to the newsletter. Tell us how you came to know MIT and why it is important to stay connected. If you have a story you would like to share, please email or phone us anytime. Last but not least, please ensure we have your email address by sending it to nmims@ mit.edu or by calling at 617-253-8059. This will ensure that you receive Tech Connection and that we can reach you with special news or events. Happy spring!

Nancye Mims Director, ERS

The Emma Rogers Society newsletter is published once a year by the MIT Alumni Association. Send comments or questions to: The Emma Rogers Society, Institute of , 600 Memorial Drive, W98-200, Cambridge, MA 02139 617-253-8059 | [email protected]

Linda Hutchins W ’53 is our Washington, D.C. area ambassador. She greeted members of ERS at our Spring Lecture and Luncheon on April 13 at the Cosmos Club. UPCOMING EVENTS TECH REUNIONS: JUNE 8–10, 2018

Tech Reunions is a friendly and fun event for the entire family. We welcome you to join us on campus June 7–10, 2018. Highlights include:

Friday June 8 Hear from MIT President L. Rafael Reif and a panel of MIT experts in Artificial Cardinal and Gray Academy Intelligence, or AI. This year’s program will Join us at the Hyatt Regency for breakfast, focus on AI in healthcare, and how it will lunch, and interesting talks from some of influence the medical care you and your MIT’s most innovative thinkers and doers. family receive in the near and distant future. This year’s theme is Energy: How MIT is Six of our leading faculty in this emerging educating its students to tackle the com- field will share their insights. plex challenges of energy, Sustainability, and Climate change. Professor Robert Emma Rogers Society Luncheon Armstrong, director of the MIT Energy This intimate and elegant luncheon, Initiative (MITei), will deliver the keynote prepared by Institute Chef Timothy Healey, address. is served in the President’s dining room, exclusively for members of the Emma That evening join us for Tech Night at Pops, Rogers Society. Families and guests are MIT’s oldest and most spectacular tradition. welcome. Seating is limited. After a Welcome Dinner at the Stratton Student Center, we will travel by bus from In the evening enjoy dinner with your campus to Boston Symphony Hall for this spouse’s class and later be our guest at MIT-exclusive musical event, directed by Toast to Tech, a festive late night party for Keith Lockhart. A Pops Encore reception all reunion attendees. This event is free and will follow on campus. hosted by MIT. Join us for drinks and dancing in the Johnson Athletic Center. Saturday June 9 We begin the day with a Memorial Service Sunday, June 10 for all alumni who have passed away in the Bid a fond farewell to alumni and friends last year. This interdenominational service and enjoy delicious food at this jazz brunch takes place in the MIT Chapel, and will be in the Stratton Student Center. followed by a breakfast reception in the More information about Tech Reunions Religious Activities Center next door. can be found at alum.mit.edu/reunions. Tech Day Program lectures follow shortly To register by phone call 617-253-8824. thereafter in nearby Kresge Auditorium. PAST EVENTS SPRING LECTURE AND LUNCHEON

April 13, 2018 We met at the Cosmos Club in Washington, DC., for our Spring Lecture and Luncheon, featuring MIT Professor Ernest J. Moniz. Professor Moniz served as the 13th United States Secretary of Energy from 2013 to January 2017. His talk, "Addressing Global Threats: Climate Change and Nuclear Security," was followed by a lively audience discussion and a delicious luncheon. Each year we travel to a different region of the country, in conjunction with the Cardinal and Gray Society and the Katharine Dexter McCormick Society, bringing high-profile speakers directly to you through this special event. Past spring and winter Lecture and Luncheon events were held in Philadelphia, Palo Alto, Santa Monica, West Palm Beach, and Naples, Florida. We will announce dates and location of next year’s Spring Lecture and Luncheon in September. Questions? Please call Nancye Mims at 617-253-8059.

DIGITAL ASSETS WEBINAR

Presented by Mark Silis ’96 Check out our latest webinar to explore the legal and privacy issues associated with digital assets, and learn how we can best prepare ourselves and our families to have access to this important information. Mark Silis '96, associate vice president of Information Systems & Technology at MIT, defines digital assets and walks us through the varying ways social media companies Watch any time at http://emmarogers. manage information when the owner is alumgroup.mit.edu/. deceased. Silis also addresses what we should be doing to protect our families and our information when we are no longer here. PAST EVENTS CG AND ERS FALL LECTURE AND LUNCHEON

October 18, 2018 We joined forces with the Cardinal and Gray Society for our Fall Lecture and Luncheon, featuring Nobel laureate and Institute Professor Phillip A. Sharp. Professor Sharp gave a retrospective talk on the history of Biology and Biotechnology at MIT and how its growth and development have influenced the development of , including a massive transformation of the former industrial area that is currently in progress.

ERS HOLIDAY LUNCHEON

December 15, 2017 In a fascinating lecture, Debbie Douglas, director of Collections and Curator, and Technology at the MIT Museum, discussed new information about Emma Savage Rogers and her contributions and influence on the founding of MIT. For instance, newly discovered correspondence shows that Ellen Swallow Richards, MIT’s first female student, enlisted the help of Mrs. Rogers to convince MIT to install women’s bathrooms on the Boston campus, in order to attract more women to enroll at the Institute. In other correspondence, Mrs. Rogers and her husband, MIT founder , referred to the Institute as their “baby.” The couple did not have children, and it appears that creating and nurturing the early Institute was the focus of their lives. Mrs. Rogers stayed involved with MIT long after her husband passed away while he delivered a commencement address in 1882. PROVIDING FOR MIT’S MISSION TO MAKE A BETTER WORLD

A gift through your estate is a very special way to provide future resources to help MIT address the world’s greatest challenges. Planned gifts, like bequests made in your will, strengthen MIT’s ability to support the exceptionally talented community of students and faculty working toward understanding and initiating solutions for the world’s most pressing problems. Such gifts can be made through a will or trust or by making MIT the beneficiary of a retirement plan or other financial account. Starting in 2016, a new policy was established to provide an opportunity to document your bequest intentions as a pledge to the MIT Campaign for a Better World. To learn more go to giving.mit. edu/bequests or contact Bonny Kellermann ’72 , [email protected] or 617.253.9722.

EMMA ROGERS SOCIETY Activities of the Emma Rogers Society provide opportunities for friendship, intellectual stimulation, mutual support, and fun. Whether your spouse was involved with MIT or had little connection after graduation, you’ll feel welcome at ERS events, where our common denominator is our appreciation for MIT.

CARDINAL AND GRAY SOCIETY Founded in 1985, the Cardinal and Gray Society honors all alumni who have reached the 50th anniversary of their graduation from MIT. While the Emma Rogers Society and the Cardinal and Gray Society are separate organizations, we share the same goals of engaging and informing our members about what is happening at MIT.

KATHARINE DEXTER MCCORMICK SOCIETY In the long history of giving to MIT, planned gifts and bequests have been the largest source of income for MIT’s endowment. For more information, please contact Lois Brooks at [email protected] or 617-324-7718.

WILLIAM BARTON ROGERS SOCIETY Annual gifts of $2,500 and up qualify you for membership in the William Barton Rogers Society, a core group whose loyal supporty to fulfill its mission and serve the greater good. For more information, visit annualfund.mit.edu/wbrs.

1861 CIRCLE The 1861 Circle represents a community of MIT alumni, families, and friends who have made annual gifts to MIT at any level for five consecutive years and who continue with ongoing annual support. For more information, visit giving.mit.edu/1861circle. KEEP UP ON WHAT’S HAPPENING AT MIT!

Please check off the programs and publications that interest you and mail this form to the address below. Be sure to include your email and home addresses, and we will pass along your requests.

MIT WOMEN’S LEAGUE Program information and membership form, useful for those living in the Greater Boston area.

MIT MUSIC AND THEATRE ARTS NEWSLETTER Free subscription, useful for those living in the Greater Boston area. Email address required.

MIT ALUMNI TRAVEL PROGRAM Information and brochures on upcoming tours and cruises.

MIT MUSEUM Newsletter and updates about upcoming exhibitions and events. Email address required.

MIT CLUB IN YOUR REGION Meet fellow alumni and spouses for social and educational events in your area. Email address required.

MIT TECHNOLOGY REVIEW Free subscription with an annual single gift to MIT of $50 or more.

EMMA ROGERS SOCIETY NEWSLETTER Digital version. Email address required.

SEND TO:

THE EMMA ROGERS SOCIETY 600 MEMORIAL DRIVE, W98-200 CAMBRIDGE, MA 02139 OR EMAIL US AT [email protected].