Spring 2025 Karl Taylor Compton Lecture Series by: Ben Vinson III President, Howard UniversityAI in an Age After Reason: A Discourse on Fundamental Human QuestionsBen Vinson III, Ph.D., a distinguished historian, began serving as the 18th president of Howard University on September 1, 2023. An accomplished visionary leader, President Vinson guides the institution’s direction as a comprehensive, research university consisting of 14 schools and colleges; 13,000 students; 2,900 staff; and 1,200 faculty. He also serves as a tenured professor of history in the University’s College of Arts and Sciences. Prior to accepting the presidency at Howard, Dr. Vinson served as provost and executive vice president of Case Western Reserve University from 2018-2023.Dr. Vinson’s scholarly work centers on the African diaspora with a focus on Latin America history and culture. As an award-winning historian and author on Latin America history and culture, and co-author and editor of numerous publications and journals. His latest book project, “Frank Etheridge: Jazz Age Musician of the African Diaspora,” which he co-edited, chronicles Etheridge’s experience playing in interracial orchestras and for mixed audiences while traveling abroad during America’s Jim Crow era.In academia, Dr. Vinson has previously served as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at George Washington University, Director of the International Studies Program at Johns Hopkins University, Vice-Dean for Centers, Interdisciplinary Programs and Graduate Education at Johns Hopkins University, and Director/Founding Director of the Center for Africana Studies at Johns Hopkins University. He has served as a faculty member at Barnard College, Penn State University, Johns Hopkins University, and George Washington University.Dr. Vinson is president of the American Historical Association. He is also a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the American Antiquarian Society. He serves on the Boards of the American Council of Education Board, Fulbright Scholar Advisory Board, National Humanities Alliance, and National Humanities Center, among others. In 2024, Dr. Vinson was named to the Washington Business Journal’s Power 100 list.President Vinson is married to Yolanda Fortenberry, Ph.D. They are the proud parents of daughter Allyson and sons Ben and Brandon.About the Karl Taylor Compton Lecture Series: This lecture series was established in 1957 to honor the late Karl Taylor Compton, who served as president of MIT from 1930 to 1948 and as chairman of the MIT Corporation from 1948 to 1954. The lecture series gives the MIT community direct contact with the important ideas of our times and with people who have contributed much to modern thought.■ ■ ■The Compton Lecture is open to all members of the MIT community. Registration is required: https://bit.ly/compton25Questions about the event? Contact

Stop by for snacks and tea with the SHASS community, students, and instructors!HumaniTea is a program partnering with other units in SHASS to gather, share some food and thought, and enrich our shared MIT experience in the process. Once a month, SHASS community members, instructors, and students from diverse fields of studies, backgrounds, and interests can stop in and enjoy a cup of tea or snack.Monday, February 24 Monday, March 17 Monday, April 7 Monday, May 5@ 4:15 – 5:45PM Building 14E-304**Directions: Third floor of Building 14 from the Lewis Music Library stairs, through the CMS/W doors. Alternatively, take the elevator to the 3rd floor and navigate to the opposite end of the hallway, through third floor and CMS/W doors!Sign up for HumaniTea info: bit.ly/mithumanitea

Do you think yoga is only for young, slender, super-flexible people? Think again!Yoga for Every Body with Catherine provides a gentle yoga experience in the Kripalu tradition. It offers a safe introduction for beginners of all ages, shapes, and sizes, as well as an opportunity for more experienced practitioners to share a gentle, mindful practice.Catherine hopes that this will give everyone an opportunity to turn down the “noise” of daily living and tune in to your own body, mind, and spirit.Registration is required on our wellness class website. If you do not already have an account on this website, you'll need to create one. This is fee-based class and open to the entire MIT community.

Join us on Monday evenings for Argentine tango classes with outstanding instructors Fernanda Ghi, Guillermo Merlo and Mia Dalglish (read their bios on the link). Whether you are completely new to tango, or already have some experience, you will find a friendly environment in which to learn new things and improve your technique. You don't have to bring a partner, since the classes involve rotations with all participants.More info on website: https://sites.google.com/site/mittangoclub/products-services/2025-spring-series?authuser=0

Yang Sheng "Life Nourishing" Qigong is an extremely powerful tool for bringing out one's natural human potential and optimal fitness. Physical health and mental well being are a direct result of the practice.The core of our training is 'Zhan Zhuang' (Standing Meditation). It is designed to activate 'Zheng Qi' (True or Proper Qi). The effects of this training are rapid with deep therapeutic results producing a unified and balanced 'mind, body, and breath.'Registration is required on our wellness class website. If you do not already have an account on this website, you'll need to create one. This is fee-based class and open to the entire MIT community.

A celebration of creativity and community at MITArtfinity is a new festival of the arts at MIT featuring 80 free performing and visual arts events, celebrating creativity and community at the Institute. Artfinity launches with the opening of the new Edward and Joyce Linde Music Building on February 15, 2025, continues with a concentration of events February 28-March 16, and culminates with the Eugene McDermott Award in the Arts public lecture by 2025 recipient artist and designer Es Devlin on May 1, 2025, and a concert by Grammy-winning rapper and Visiting Professor Lupe Fiasco on May 2, 2025. Artfinity embodies MIT’s commitment to creativity, community, and the intersection of art, science and technology. We invite you to join us in this celebration, explore the diverse events, and experience the innovative spirit that defines the arts at MIT.About the Artists Artfinity features the innovative work of MIT faculty, students, staff, and alumni, alongside guest artists from the Greater Boston area and beyond.About the Activities & Events All 80 events are open to the public, including dozens of concerts and performances plus an array of visual arts such as projections, films, installations, exhibitions, and augmented reality experiences, as well as lectures and workshops for attendees to participate in. With a wide range of visual and performing arts events open to all, Artfinity embodies MIT’s commitment to the arts and the intersection of art, science, and technology.About the Presenters Artfinity is an institute-sponsored event organized by the Office of the Arts at MIT with faculty leads Institute Professor of Music Marcus Thompson and Professor of Art, Culture and Technology Azra Akšamija. Departments, labs, centers, and student groups across MIT are presenting partners.Visit arts.mit.edu for more information about the arts at MIT.