The Massachusetts Institute of Technology with over 1,39,000 alumni on its list, has represented and backed one of the most talented, innovative, and networked groups in and around the world. Many remain associated with their respective field to serve people in all terms. Let us find out who they are!
Established in 1861, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a renowned private research institute situated in Cambridge. The university developed a new kind of independent educational institution by clubbing teaching and research with the main focus on solving real-world problems.
MIT University has played a major role in shaping undergraduate and graduate students’ futures with its team of advisors, mentors, coaches, and committee members. Talking about the infrastructure, the institute covers 168 acres, out of which 26 acres have been allotted with different kinds of playing fields. Apart from this, the campus has over 20 gardens, 18 student residences, and at least 50 publicly cited works of art.
Why Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Over Other Institutes?
The university is extremely well-rounded and is known for its programs in engineering and Sciences. Other notable areas include – Economics, Political Science, Urban Studies, Linguistics, and Philosophy. MIT is highly regarded for its STEM programs.
It has various research centers and laboratories that consist of facilities like a nuclear reactor, computation center, geophysical and astrophysical observatories, linear accelerator, space research center, wind tunnels, artificial intelligence laboratory, center for cognitive science, and international studies center.
The campus has an extensive library system with various specialized libraries, including museums. Alongside, the institute also makes sure to break the ‘need’ stereotype and find out the real talent.
MIT University Schools and Departments
MIT has a total of 30 departments combining all its five schools. These include:
- School of Architecture and Planning
- School of Engineering
- School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Science
- MIT Sloan School of Management
- School of Science
For the unversed, MIT offers 44 undergraduate degrees across its five schools. For Masters, it offers degrees like Masters of Science, Ph.D., Doctor of Science, and interdisciplinary graduate programs like MD-PhD.
List of Notable Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Alumni
MIT has achieved a remarkable score for the ‘alumni outcomes’ indicator. For the unversed, over 90 students of the university are Nobel Prize winners, making the alumni list more admirable. Let’s have a look at top MIT alumni who have achieved success in their lives and are now popular figures amongst us.
Buzz Aldrin
Remember Neil Armstrong? The first man to land on the moon. However, he was not the only first person to land on the moon, Aldrin was with him too. Also, after the demise of Armstrong and Michael Collins, Aldrin is the only survivor of Apollo 11.
The American former astronaut and engineer received a doctorate in astronautics at MIT in 1963, under the supervision of Laurence R. Young, Apollo Programme Professor Emeritus of Astronautics at the University.
Shirley Ann Jackson
A US physicist and eighteenth president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (the oldest technological research university), Shirley Ann Jackson was the first African-American woman to get a doctorate at MIT.
She worked day and night to help bring about more diversity at the Institute. She promoted and organized Black Student Union on the MIT campus to fight for social justice. With these fearful and rebellious acts, Time Magazine has honored and described Jackson as the ultimate role model for women in science.
Kofi Annan
Kofi Atta Annan was a Ghanaian diplomat who served as the seventh Secretary-General of the UN. He was a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and the founding chairman of the Kofi Annan Foundation, which focuses on overcoming threats to peace, development, and human rights.
Annan studied management at MIT. He once in his speech said that the university has emphasized trust and understanding between different government bodies, highlighting the vital role of global businesses to solve problems.
Andrea Wong
Andrea Wong is a businesswoman, currently associated with Liberty Media Corporation, Qurate Retail Group, Hudson Pacific Properties, etc. She earlier served as British Film Institute’s governor.
She graduated with a degree in electrical engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The major turning point in her life came after she became President of both International Production for Sony Pictures Television and Entertainment.
Lalit Kanodia
Lalit Surajmal Kanodia, an Indian entrepreneur and chairman of Datamatics Group of Companies, was established in 1975. Kanodia is also currently a National President of the Indo – American Chamber of Commerce and Vice President of the Indian Merchants Chamber.
Kanodia completed his MBA from MIT and later on returned to the university to complete his PhD in management. While studying at the university, he also taught statistical decision theory to MBA students.
Illene S. Gordon
Last but certainly not least, Illene S. Gordon is a powerful female entrepreneur credited with founding Ingredion, an ingredient provider specializing in starches. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Mathematics as well as her Master of Science degree from MIT. While earning her bachelor’s, she wanted to become a math teacher, but she was inspired by other female students in her class to change course and pursue her master’s. She was named in Fortune Magazine’s list of 50 Most Powerful Women in 2015.
Ivan Getting
Like many notable MIT alumni, Ivan Getting is credited with creating something that many people rely on today: GPS navigation systems. He was a brilliant physicist and electrical engineer who graduated from MIT with a Bachelor of Science in 1933. He then went on to develop a system that allowed anti-aircraft guns to destroy German flying bombs during World War II. Most famously, he is credited with the development of the Global Positioning System, commonly known as the abbreviated GPS.
Jonah Peretti
After earning his Master’s degree from MIT Media Lab, Jonah Peretti went on to make a name for himself in digital media. He is the co-founder and CEO of BuzzFeed, in addition to serving as a co-founder of The Huffington Post, and developer of reblogging under the project Reblog. He also co-authored a book, Cory Arcangel: All the Small Things.
Faqs
MIT Notable Alumni: Best 10 of the Most Successful MIT Graduates
1. Buzz Aldrin Buzz Aldrin is a former astronaut, engineer, and fighter pilot. …
2. Kofi Atta Annan
3. Payal Kadakia
4. Jonah Peretti
5. Shirley Ann Jackson
6. Andrea Wong
7. Drew Houston
8. Richard Feynman
9. Illene S. Gordon
10. Ivan Getting
Why is MIT ranked so high?
MIT has a four-year graduation rate of 85%, more than 25% higher than the national average. This puts MIT students among the most likely to graduate on time in the country. On top of that, MIT boasts an astonishingly low student-to-faculty ratio of just 3:1.
