April 27, 2009 -- In a speech at the National Academies today, President Obama announced the membership of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology—a stellar team of experts who will help advance the President’s bold agenda to reinvigorate the economy while building a new and innovative foundation for a 21st Century America.

PCAST consists of 20 of the nation’s leading scientists and engineers. They will advise the President and Vice President directly to help the administration formulate policy in the many areas where understanding of science, technology, and innovation is key to forming responsible and effective policy.

Included on the team are BAMIT members Shirley Ann Jackson, Ph.D., '68 the President of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and former Chair of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (1995-1999) -and- S. James Gates Jr., Ph.D., '73 the John S. Toll Professor of Physics and Director of the Center for String and Particle Theory at the University of Maryland, College Park.

Many of the objectives of the Obama Administration—in the fields of energy, education, health, climate change, environment, security, and the economy—can be met only with a strong national effort in science and technology. President Obama will rely heavily on his Council of Advisors as he restores science to its rightful place in policy making.

UM Physics Professor Jim Gates Named to President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology

Shirley Ann Jackson Appointed to the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology

   PCAST_Release.pdf

April 14, 2009 - Philip G. Freelon '77, FAIA, speaking on behalf of the Freelon Adjaye Bond team, said "This is an incredible time for us as designers—and this museum represents a unique opportunity to give form and substance to the powerful vision that has been established by the Smithsonian leadership. We are truly honored to have been chosen as the architects from such a distinguished list of competitors."

The Smithsonian has chosen Phil Freelon to build the National Museum of African-American History and Culture in the heart of Washington, D.C.

April 6, 2009 - Honoring what Chancellor Phil Clay PhD '75 called "a deep and relevant history," members of Black Alumni at MIT (BAMIT) held a semi-formal dinner in the Picower Institute Atrium on Saturday to celebrate its 30th anniversary as an organization.

BAMIT 30th Anniversary Celebration

by Calvin Hennick (Diverse Issues in Higher Education - February 18, 2009)
When Dr. James L. Sherley began a hunger strike outside the Massachusetts Institute of Technology provost’s office in February 2007 alleging racism in his tenure denial, the then-associate professor of biological engineering re-ignited, in a very public way, concerns about the institution’s commitment to diversity.

The lack of diversity has been a recurring problem at MIT. At the time of Sherley’s protest, just 27 of MIT’s 740 tenured faculty members were American Indian, Black and Hispanic. Today, there are 34 underrepresented minorities out of 767 tenured faculty members.

Sherley never won tenure, and a Black faculty member and a Black former trustee broke their ties to MIT as well in protest over the manner in which the school handled the Sherley incident as well as its seeming lack of commitment to diversity. Two years later, the administration is taking steps to ensure the school is welcoming to faculty members of color — an effort some say is moving too slowly.

Creating a Sustainable Pipeline