MIT President Sally Kornbluth formally welcomed the Class of 2030 on Sunday, noting that the campus quickly feels like home for newcomers. The ceremony took place at the Johnson Ice Rink, coinciding with the weekend most first‑year students arrive. Over 1,100 freshmen from around the world joined the class, representing a wide range of academic interests and backgrounds. Kornbluth observed that many new students say they have finally found their place, their people, and a sense of home at MIT.
She highlighted MIT’s shared culture of enthusiasm for fundamental science and “curiosity on a mission.” This month, astronomers discovered a brand‑new astrophysical object—a black‑hole star; two days later, an MIT team showed that a drug blocking a specific enzyme can lower lung‑cancer risk. Similar breakthroughs continue across climate science, computer science, nuclear science, neuroscience, chemistry, and quantum research.
Kornbluth also pointed out that MIT community members are often motivated by a desire to make a positive impact. She described the campus “spirit of entrepreneurship,” not as a requirement to start a company, but as an encouragement to act, try, and let doing teach how to make a difference.
Regarding AI, Kornbluth noted MIT’s deep ties to the technology and how AI tools are accelerating work in many fields. She reminded educators to harness AI’s benefits while counteracting its harms, citing a recent MIT report on AI and education as a reminder that the institute was founded to develop human powers of discovery, problem‑solving, and invention.
Kornbluth then introduced the administrators on stage—Provost Anantha Chandrakasan, Chancellor Melissa Nobles, and Vice Chancellor for Graduate and Undergraduate Education David L. Darmofal. Two alumni faculty also spoke. Anna Huang (SM ’08) works at the intersection of music, theater arts, and EECS, studying human‑computer interaction and AI‑enhanced music creation. She urged students to follow their diverse interests, join global programs like MISTI, and take advantage of MIT’s collaborative, interdisciplinary environment.
Desirée Plata (PhD ’09), associate dean of engineering and climate‑energy professor, discussed applying chemical engineering to climate challenges—such as mimicking natural methane‑capture processes for mine‑based greenhouse‑gas reduction. She encouraged students to cultivate an optimistic, open‑minded ethos toward their studies and the world‑changing problems they will tackle.
The ceremony concluded with Kornbluth joining the campus a cappella group The Chorallaries for a spirited rendition of “Arise All Ye of MIT” and “Take Me Back to Tech.” Students then filed out of the rink, ready to explore their new home.
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