Prepared remarks of President-elect L. Rafael Reif to the MIT community
Below are remarks delivered by President-Elect L. Rafael Reif at an MIT community meeting and reception held following Reif’s election as the Institute’s 17th president on May 16, 2012. Video: Watch the archived webcast of Wednesday's community event It is incredibly humbling for me to stand before you as the president-elect of MIT. I cannot tell you that this is a dream come true, because this is a dream I never dared to imagine.My story is not too different from that of many of you. I grew up in a home wealthy in integrity and principles and values, but poor in everything material. I came to the U.S. as a graduate student to prepare myself for an academic career, which was the dream I envisioned for a better life. I did not speak English. A few decades later I am standing here in front of you — ready, eager, excited and...