Karl W. Reid

Karl is an exemplary member of our larger campus community and an asset to the School of Engineering as well as groups on campus who focus on minority student recruitment and retention. Every year, Karl goes into public high schools throughout the country, with an emphasis on urban and inner-city schools, to recruit prospects for MITE 2 S-the Minority Introduction to Engineering Entrepreneurship and Science program. Many of the students who attend this program have never been away from home or been told that an elite private education is an option. Karl and his team change students' paradigms in just six weeks to help them believe in their abilities and reach higher than they have imagined.

In addition to running the very demanding MITE 2 S program, Karl conceptualized and implemented the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Program and the Saturday Engineering Enrichment and Discovery Academy for local urban middle and high school students. Through these ground-breaking programs, he has touched many lives and made the goal of a higher education a reality to those who face the greatest challenges when it comes to achieving social advancement.

Karl is a leader, a role model and an inspiration for young people on this campus, whether or not they have attended one of his life-changing programs. For your extraordinary leadership and accomplishments in connecting minority and disadvantaged students with the MIT community, we are very pleased to honor you, Karl, with an MIT Excellence Award.