Hockfield Day

Thousands gathered in Killian Court on May 17 for a picnic to celebrate President Susan Hockfield’s seven and a half years of leadership. Chancellor Eric Grimson lauded her many accomplishments, including championing the MIT Energy Initiative, the Production in the Innovation Economy manufacturing initiative, and numerous international collaborations. She also encouraged the convergence of the life sciences and engineering as epitomized by the Koch Institute, spearheaded the MIT150 celebrations, and helped reshape student life through the construction of Maseeh Hall and the new Ashdown House, he said—and “all with style, grace, dexterity, and insight.” The event included a parade of remote-­controlled flying robots and a flash-mob dance, which ended with students high-fiving and fist-bumping the president.