Dear members of the MIT community and friends,

What a positively incredible few weeks it has been since we brought the academic year to a close. We had the great pleasure of celebrating our graduates in-person, and welcoming back to campus the classes of 2020 and 2021. This year’s Commencement exercises were particularly poignant, following two years of virtual ceremonies and representing the culmination of achievement, determination, and perseverance for our graduates and all of us who accompanied them on their journeys.  

It’s hard to believe just how much we endured, overcame, and celebrated—together—since returning to campus in September. It is in this spirit that I have curated a selection of stories that capture the essence of the past academic year. 

Among them, you’ll take flight with the undergraduates in the Unified Engineering Flight Competition as they design and build remote-controlled aircraft; delve into the school’s newest industry collaboration aiming to accelerate the translation of breakthrough engineering and biology for human health; discover the twenty climate break-through projects receiving funding through the MIT Climate and Sustainability Consortium; uncover the mechanics of materials in Course 3.013; and reflect back upon our Commencement celebrations through words, photos, and video.

I’d like to close with a brief sentiment that I shared with our master’s and doctoral degree recipients during our inaugural School of Engineering and Schwarzman College of Computing Advanced Degree Ceremony: 

“I trust that your MIT experience will serve you well, and that you will remain ever connected to the Institute.”

I wish this for every one of you in our alumni community. Here’s to a summer of repose and respite—discovery and rejuvenation.

Sincerely,