Dear MIT Students and Colleagues,

Every November 11, in recognition of Veterans Day, Institute leaders honor America’s veterans for their patriotism and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

We are fortunate to have a vibrant community of over 100 student veterans at MIT, in addition to the community of veterans who are staff, faculty and instructors, and alumni across all five of our Schools and the College. Some are serving right now in the National Guard, reserves, or are on active duty.

Our student veterans are from all branches and career fields in the military, from being a pilot, to special operations, to administration. And we also have over 100 military families, meaning spouses or children of those in the military, or veterans who are studying here.

Their expertise, experience, and wisdom strengthen our entire community. I am so pleased to have the newly created Student Veteran Success (SVS) office within the Office of the Vice Chancellor to provide visibility and support and to build a stronger community among our veterans and military families.

I also want to use this as an opportunity to encourage you to attend the 2022 MIT Veterans Day celebration at the MIT Media Lab (E14) this Thursday, November 10, from 6-10pm. The event features a great lineup of speakers, including our own Prof. J. Kim Vandiver, a veteran himself, and MIT Director of the Edgerton Center and Project Manus. Please spread the word and RSVP online (password: Veterans2022) if you plan to attend.

On this Veterans Day—and every day—I ask you to join me in thanking all those in our community and across the country who have served in the United States Armed Forces.

Sincerely,

- Ian

Ian A. Waitz
Vice Chancellor for Undergraduate and Graduate Education and Jerome C. Hunsaker Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics