The MIT spotlights answer the question, "What interesting and wonderful things are happening at MIT?" The spotlight images and headlines change frequently in order to integrate and showcase a multitude of aspects of MIT.

We provide the history of links for reference, but note that some of these pages have changed since they were in the spotlight. We also have a small gallery of MIT homepage images.

Home page spotlights Education spotlights Research spotlights

About MIT spotlights Offices+services spotlights Community spotlights

June 2008
hidden gems at MIT - A cross-section of the collections: hidden gems at MIT

Match Me If You Can game - Match Me If You Can: match funds and fun in this interactive game

CSSA fundraiser to help China's earthquake survivors - CSSA fundraiser to help China's earthquake survivors rebuild their homes

May 2008
Wellness Week - Get healthy, get fit and get happy at MIT wellness week

April 2008
Israel at 60 - Week-long series of events celebrates the 60th anniversary of Israel

February 2008
Brass rat for the class of 2010 - Ringing in the new year: class of 2010 unveils their brass rat

make a nomination for the awards convocation - Show appreciation: make a nomination for the awards convocation

Go global - Go global: explore study abroad, research, internships and more

January 2008
"Bad ideas" competition - "Bad ideas" competition celebrates quirky projects. No skills required!

IAP goes DIY - IAP goes DIY: learn new skills on your own schedule, online 24/7

MIT arts events on your cell - Get MIT arts events on your cell phone with a new text messaging service

December 2007
The University Residential Communities: a new retirement housing option near MIT - The University Residential Communities: a new retirement housing option near MIT

DarfurFast - MIT students take a 'STAND' against Darfur

Senior Gift - Celebrate '08: support the senior gift

November 2007
Friday After Thanksgiving chain reaction - Join kinetic sculptor Arthur Ganson at the annual Friday After Thanksgiving chain reaction

iGem jamboree - Making synthetic biology a reality at the iGem jamboree

Diwali Night - Celebrate the color and diversity of India's culture at Diwali, the festival of lights

October 2007
Doctors Without Borders Week @ MIT - Come by our booth in Lobby 10 during Doctors Without Borders Week @ MIT

Calling '06, '07, and '08 grads - Calling '06, '07, and '08 grads: nominate a recent grad to the MIT Corporation

Titus Andronicus - MIT's Shakespeare Ensemble presents Titus Andronicus

Greek fire relief fundraiser - Hellenic Students' Association holds Greek fire relief fundraiser

Explore an externship - Explore a career over IAP with MIT's student/ alumni externship program

Inspire - MIT's chaplain to the Institute launches a blog

Head of the Zesiger - Head of the Zesiger: MIT's first annual cardboard boat regatta

Fall film schedule - Ready..set..action. Fall films announced at LSC

September 2007
MIT cycling - MIT cycling team takes 2nd at Collegiate Track National Championships

Career Week - The MIT Careers Office is sponsoring a series of events this September

iHouse - Think globally, live locally: iHouse opens its doors

MTG presents Cabaret - Musical Theatre Guild presents Cabaret

August 2007
grad games - Let the grad games begin: CSSA hosts MIT Olympics

The Making of Mens et Manus (in Origami) - Mens et Manus in origami: fold the MIT seal in3 easy steps (video)

July 2007
Tech Reunions 2007 - Tech Reunions 2007 delight thousands of MIT alumni and guests

June 2007
Schnitzer Prize winners exhibit artwork - Schnitzer Prize winners exhibit artwork at the Wiesner Student Art Gallery through June 30th.

You Made It! - Congratulations, you made it! No matter where your travels take you, your MIT connections go with you.

Quarter Century Club - The Quarter Century Club honors faculty and staff on their 25th anniversary with MIT.

QuickTake: Boundaries - Bridging borders and breaking boundaries: how MITers go beyond limits and seek new frontiers

Calling all Logarhythms - Calling all Logarhythms: continue the tradition of serenading Tech Nite at the POPs (video)

May 2007
Central Square Theater breaks new ground - MIT and Central Square Theater break new ground

Order MIT's yearbook Technique online - Do you have the latest Technique? Order MIT's yearbook online

Awards Convocation 2007 - You're invited! Join your fellow MIT community members at the 2007 Awards Convocation

Central Square Theater breaks new ground - MIT and Central Square Theater break new ground

Wellness Week - MIT wellness week, April 30-May 5, concludes with the Iron Nerd triathlon

April 2007
Beijing urban design exhibit - The Beijing Urban Design Studio: 20 years of international collaboration

Grad gala - MIT's first-ever grad student ball will be held on May 5th. Last day to buy tickets is Sunday, April 29th.

Derby Days - Derby Days philanthropy festival to benefit the Huntsman Cancer Institute

Elect a recent grad to the MIT Corporation - Calling '05, '06, '07 grads: elect a recent grad to the MIT Corporation

QuickTake: Boundaries - Bridging borders and breaking boundaries: how MITers go beyond limits and seek new frontiers

scientific sleuthing - Scientific sleuthing: a magical mystery tour of MIT

MIT architecture head exhibits work at Wolk - MIT architecture head exhibits work at Wolk through April 13

Desi Pardesi: South Asian cultural show - Desi Pardesi: South Asian cultural show at Kresge this Friday

March 2007
Senior gift - Senior gift 2007: make your mark, celebrate, get involved

International competition of collegiate a cappella - MIT hosts collegiate a cappella New England semi-finals

make a nomination for the awards convocation - Show appreciation: make a nomination for the awards convocation

leave a bill for good will - Leave a bill for good will: join the class campaign to support MIT public service

Sand Mandala - View the building of a Buddhist Sand Mandala at Simmons Hall

Cool Japan conference - Cool Japan: love and war in Japanese popular culture

Latke-Hamentashen Debate - Come cheer on your favorite food at our annual latke-hamentashen debate

February 2007
Love your world week - 'Love your world week' at MIT: February 12-18, 2007

MIT alumna hosts PBS pilot - MIT alumna hosts PBS pilot: viewer votes will decide if it flies

Environmental film festival - Beyond 'an inconvenient truth': IAP environmental film fest

MLK-inspired installations - MLK-inspired installations mix art and politics in Lobby 10

January 2007
IAP goes DIY - IAP goes DIY: create your own independent activities period

Travel by Keith Fullerton Whitman - Travel: video art by Keith Fullerton Whitman on the Media Test Wall

Travel by Keith Fullerton Whitman - Travel: video art by Keith Fullerton Whitman on the Media Test Wall

Quick take: modern geekhood - Quick take: a celebration of all that's geeky and wonderful at MIT

Brass rat tales - Brass rat tales ring true: MIT class rings fetch a premium online

December 2006
Community Giving - Together, we'll reach the target: Community Giving at MIT

Holiday hits - Holiday hits: MIT musicians pick season's hits among classical, jazz & rock

Holiday crafts - Dome is where the art is: holiday crafts created by MIT artists

Quick take: stress - Quick take: a look at the many facets of stress

November 2006
Yearbook senior portraits - An anything-goes pose: signup for yearbook senior portraits

Student-written/directed one-acts - MIT Dramashop presents an evening of student-written and student-directed plays

Student-written/directed one-acts - MIT Dramashop presents an evening of student-written and student-directed plays

Design a poster to welcome 2011 - Draw on your MIT experience: design a poster to welcome the class of 2011

IAP externships - Externships: a chance to explore a career and connect with MIT alumni

Mythbusters at MIT - The Mythbusters come to MIT and put urban myths to the test

October 2006
Become an EMT over IAP - Become an EMT over IAP. Application deadline Nov. 1

HallowMIT - HallowMIT: candy. face-painting, costumes, and more--for kids big and small

Takabatana: a night of African culture - Takabatana: a night of African culture

Calling '05, '06, and prospective '07 grads - Calling '05, '06, and '07 grads: nominate a recent grad to the MIT Corporation

Takabatana: a night of African culture - Takabatana: a night of African culture

Women's Week - MIT Women's Week: update your notion of feminism, and develop a definition that works for you

Energy soap box series - Energy soap box series at the MIT Museum

An MIT roboticist is also an acclaimed fiction writer - An MIT roboticist is also an acclaimed fiction writer: interviewed on Nova

Family Weekend 2006 - Family Weekend (October 13-15) provides the opportunity for families to experience MIT first-hand

Energy night at the MIT Museum - Energy night at the MIT Museum showcases exciting research

Process of Designing - Process of design: architecture exhibit explores social issues

Singular beauty: the simple microscope - Singular beauty of the simple microscope at the MIT Museum

Newcomers' FAQ - Newcomers' FAQ: a guide to establishing your new home at MIT

September 2006
Blood drive - Sign up to donate at the campus blood drive

student loan art program - dada for your dorm room: borrow original art from the List Center

GSC travel fund grants - GSC travel fund grants: apply by September 15

Cultural extravaganza: benefit for Tibet Elderly Help - Cultural extravaganza: benefit for Tibet Elderly Help

APO book exchange - Burdened by books? The APO book exchange now accepts TechCash online

August 2006
MIT alum makes activism a second career - MIT alum and retired chemical engineer makes activism a second career

MIT's campus art collection - MIT's campus art collection rates among the nation's best

'Big Jimmy' scholarship - Students honor 'Big Jimmy' with scholarship fund

Portraits of the artist as ... you - Other people's feelings are also my own: portraits of the artist as ... you

The Technomads - This summer, four MIT students will attempt to travel 8,000 miles for charity and adventure

July 2006
Physics and theater - Physics and theater: unusual bedfellows thrive at MIT

June 2006
Prize-winning student art - Prize-winning student art on display through June 30

Explore MITspace - Explore MITspace: websites reflect the class of 2006

Senior Gift 5.0 campaign - Senior Gift challenges Class of 2006 to get an "A" in participation

MIT Dramashop warms up for UK tour - Preview two student-directed plays before Dramashop's UK tour

May 2006
Energy and environmental student groups - Student groups in energy and the environment

Mysteries of Incan knots - Students unravel mysteries of Incan knots

Up on the Roof - 'Up on the Roof' photo exhibit is on display at Rotch Library

2.007 contest - 2.007 robot contest finals May 16-17

Endicott House block party - Endicott House invites MIT to block party

SAA spring art sale - SAA annual spring sale of ceramics and art

Awards Convocation - Celebrate this years' winners at the 2006 Awards Convocation

Glass Lab Mother's Day sale - Glass Lab Mother's Day sale May 8-9

April 2006
Virtual CPW - Virtual CPW: the next best thing to Campus Preview Weekend

Alpha Chi Omega Lip Sync - Alpha Chi Omega lip sync competition raises money for Cambridge YWCA

Calling '04, '05, '06 grads - Calling '04, '05, '06 grads: elect a recent grad to the MIT Corporation

Earth Day - MIT celebrates Earth Day all week long

Earth Day - MIT celebrates Earth Day all week long

Graduate alumni convocation and reunion - Graduate alumni convocation and reunion April 21-22

Gay in the Day - Gay in the Day: the LBGT experience at MIT through the years

smoot smart: calling all MIT marathoners - smoot smart: calling all MIT marathoners

Summer traveling fellowship - Summer traveling fellowship for MIT Juniors and Sophomores

Wellness Week - Living well at MIT: Wellness Week, April 10-16

Sidney-Pacific cabinet positions - Apply to the Sidney-Pacific cabinet: an avenue for change

March 2006
America Starts Here - America Starts Here: exhibit at the List through April 9th

Cyclescore - Cyclescore reloaded: new version isnow at the Z-Center

King Lear - MIT Shakespeare Ensemble performs King Lear

Summer public service fellowships - Bridge the Gulf: apply for a summer public service fellowship

Persian New Year - MIT students celebrate Norouz, the Persian New Year (see also Wikipedia)

Nomination for awards convocation - Nominations for convocation: recognize those who make MIT a special place

Origami exhibit - Join the fold: student origami exhibit open 24 hours through March 15

Mes Latino - Mes Latino celebrates Latin Month with Puerto Rican and Peruvian food and all kinds of Latin music.

February 2006
MIT snowriders - MIT runs skiing and snowboarding bus trips every Sunday, all winter long

America Starts Here - America Starts Here: exhibit at the List through April 9th

Blogs and their impact on society - How blogs blur the lines: MIT students and alumni discuss their impact

Panhel recruitment week - Interested in joining a sorority? Explore your options during Panhel recruitment week

January 2006
Bioprospecting of tropical medicinal plants - A panel discussion on bioprospecting of tropical medicinal plants

Getfit - Register your team for the 2006 getfit @ MIT fitness challenge

Lemelson-MIT student prize now accepting applications - Lemelson-MIT student prize is accepting applications through Jan. 11

Getfit - Register your team for the 2006 getfit @ MIT fitness challenge

Nightwork - Highlights from MIT's hacking history

December 2005
'Critters' offers humans perspective - 'Critters' offers humans perspective: now on view at the Media Test Wall

Artists' dreamscape builds on MIT - Artists choose MIT for imaginary installations

new chapter for LBGT community - Hire opens new chapter for LBGT community

Architecture and Revolution in Cuba, 1959-1969 - Architecture and Revolution in Cuba 1959-69: exhibit at MIT's Wolk Gallery

Culture Shock online magazine - Culture Shock: student online magazine explores pop culture

iSpots exhibit maps a day in the life of wifi - Museum exhibit maps blanket wireless coverage for a campus that never sleeps

Working drawings for the MIT Bell Tower - Theodore Roszak: working drawings for the MIT Bell Tower

Environmental writing contest - Environmental writing contest seeks essays

November 2005
student-written, student-directed one-acts - Dramashop presents student-written, student-directed one-acts

Friday After Thanksgiving chain reaction - Come to the MIT Museum for the Friday After Thanksgiving chain reaction

Candlelight vigil - 80 MIT students led a candlelight vigil for the Pakistan earthquake victims

Star Wars Trilogy: Musical Edition - Star Wars Trilogy: Musical Edition retells all three original films as a musical satire

October 2005
New Orleans poet and filmmaker Kalamu ya Salaam - New Orleans poet, filmmaker, educator and critic Kalamu ya Salaam is in residence at MIT

Holography at the MIT Museum - the world's largest holography collection at the MIT Museum

Bayou Bash - A big celebration of the Big Easy: Wild Magnolias jazz concert and Bayou Bash

tu eres mi colonia - Video and photography exhibit by Schnitzer Prize winner

MIT Press loading dock sale - the MIT Press loading dock sale is a "feeding frenzy for the brain"

September 2005
MIT Press loading dock sale - the MIT Press loading dock sale is a "feeding frenzy for the brain"

graduate student life grants - roll up your sleeves and help build a close-knit grad community

the great glass pumpkin patch - the great glass pumpkin patch at MIT

sailing lessons - learn to sail: MIT sailing offers free lessons to the MIT Community

June 2005
MITERS building parties - MITERS parties inspire improvised hacking

beginning ballroom - beginning ballroom: free classes with MIT's ballroom dance team

Tech reunions - Tech reunions reunite friends, set records

Sturtevant: The Brutal Truth - Sturtevant is best known for her replication of works by Marcel Duchamp and Andy Warhol

Quarter Century Club welcomes new members - Quarter Century Club welcomes 148 new members

Tech reunions - Tech Reunion 2005: bioengineering at MIT

May 2005
Hitchcock's Psycho (redux) - Psycho (redux): artist remakes a Hitchcock remake

student advisory board - MIT in transition: student perspectives on future directions

whirling dervishes - whirling dervishes: live Sufi music, performance

Adoption essays explore family, motherhood - Adoption essays explore family, motherhood

Women's leadership conference - Alumnae network at MIT's women's leadership conference

2007 brass rat - class of 2007 brass rat ring delivery: semi-formal this Saturday

la fête - have a ball at La Fête: MIT's annual semi- formal for grad students

Dance Troupe spring concert - Feet on the Floor: MIT Dance Troupe's spring concert May 5-8

know your academic rights - know your academic rights: MIT term and exam regulations

April 2005
The Demolition Downtown by Tennessee Williams - multimedia and multilingual: Dramashop goes 'Downtown' with Tennessee Williams

glass lab sale - MIT Glass Lab holds Mother's Day sale

calling '03, '04, '05 grads - calling '03, '04, '05 grads: elect a recent grad to the MIT Corporation

Palestinian Awareness Week - MIT Arab students sponsor Palestinian Awareness Week

Take Back the Night - Take Back the Night is an opportunity to speak out against violence

Hiroshima-Nagasaki 2005: symposium and film festival - Hiroshima-Nagasaki 2005: symposium and film festival

Spring Weekend - Spring weekend concert features Lloyd Banks, Fabolous

Fierce Forever - Fierce Forever: part of spring weekend

JSA matzah project - modern delivery for ancient food: request Passover matzah online

Alpha Chi Omega lip sync - spring sync: Alpha Chi Omega hosts lip sync contest to support CASPAR

smoot smart: calling all MIT marathoners - Over 50 MIT community members are part of the Boston Marathon. Best of luck to you all!

Sidney-Pacific - Sidney-Pacific house council - officer applications due Friday

sand mandala - MIT Buddhist community constructs a sand mandala April 2-9

Yuri's night space party - Experience weightlessness without leaving Earth at the Yuri's night space party

the periodical table - Periodical table: MIT exhibits contemporary art magazines from around the world

March 2005
strictly ballroom - strictly ballroom: one of the largest ballroom dance competitions takes place at MIT

Legendary filmmaker, former MIT professor conducts Master class - Legendary filmmaker and former MIT professor returns home for screenings and Master class

MIT hosts badminton tournament - MIT hosts Boston Open, one of the largest badminton tournaments in the US

Persian new year - Norouz, the Persian new year, is celebrated by Iranians, Tajiks, and Afghanis

Shakespeare Ensemble presents Othello - MIT Shakespeare Ensemble presents Othello

awards convocation - 2005 nominations - don't procrastinate - nominate. awards nominations due March 18

Medlinks and friends auction - MedLinks & friends auction and fundraiser

MIT goes DIY - MIT goes DIY: craft fair March 11 benefits Community Service Fund

overcoming the imposter syndrome - overcome imposter syndrome: feel as bright and capable as everyone seems to think you are

Haiti Aujourd'hui: a series on contemporary Haiti - Haiti Aujourd'hui: a series on Haiti's culture, history, human rights, and engineering challenges

undergrad association elections - MIT undergrads: vote for UA President, VP and class council members through Tuesday, March 8

Phi Cup 2005 - Phi Cup: help AEPhi's hockey fundraiser reach its goal

February 2005
letters from Sri Lanka - Letters from Sri Lanka: civil engineering prof investigates tsunami

visiting musicians - Visiting musicians share their talent, experience

office of minority education career fair - MIT office of minority education career fair

MIT postdoc reports on relief work in Sri Lanka - MIT postdoc helps with relief work in Sri Lanka

minority role models photo exhibit - minority role models in science - a traveling photo exhibit

MIT physicist turns filmmaker - MIT alum directs Watermarks, a documentary about athletes in Nazi-era Germany

MIT's production of The Vagina Monologues - Tickets now on sale for MIT's production of The Vagina Monologues

comedy collage - Comedy Collage showcase this Friday at Kresge

campus blood drive - the vein event: take part in the blood drive

a Media Lab snow snow - featured flakes by students: a Media Lab snow show

The lure of Oori - The lure of Oori: ancient Korean art of Pungmul practiced at MIT

Students remember "Big Jimmy" - Students remember "Big Jimmy." Tributes cite his generosity, caring, and friendship

MTG presents Tommy - MIT's Musical Theater Guild presents The Who's Tommy

January 2005
MIThenge - Infinite illumination: MIThenge, an annual solar phenomenon, takes place Jan. 27-29

MIT community responds to tsunami - MIT community responds to tsunami by reaching out, raising funds for victims

SAA 2005 calendar - SAA 2005 calendar matches images by MIT artists to quotes by Lao Tsu

underwater hockey - underwater hockey with the MIT scuba club

MIT outing club - MIT outing club winter school: learn how to be safe and have fun in the winter wilderness

High energy for Hockfield - A high-energy welcome for MIT's new president, Susan Hockfield

MIT community message board - Message board serves as connection to MIT community in Asia

get fit @ MIT - Take part in the getfit@mit fitness challenge, open to the entire community

December 2004
Culture Shock - Culture Shock: an online student magazine of popular culture

winter clot