Dear AeroAstro Community,

The spring semester is underway, and first and foremost, I want to wish everyone a warm welcome as we return from IAP. I want to echo Chancellor Cynthia Barnhart’s email commending our seniors, who led by example and adhered to public health guidelines that kept the MIT community safe when they lived on campus during the fall semester. I urge the latest cohort of undergraduates who moved onto campus this past weekend to follow their example and help bring us that much closer to being back together on campus again. I know you will continue to make us proud.

Recently, I had the opportunity to speak to a reporter from Space News, who was writing an article about how aerospace engineering programs had to adapt in the face of the pandemic. I took some time to reflect on the creativity and teamwork that resulted from adapting to this historic challenge. It’s hard to believe we are still here nearly a year later, but I feel hopeful that there is a light at the end of this dark time as the Covid-19 vaccine becomes more readily available.

In the meantime, whether in-person or virtual, we should continue to draw upon the spirit of innovation that helped us carry on our research and education missions even in the midst of a pandemic. Please continue to refer to MIT Now (now.mit.edu) for the latest Covid-19 information. And please take care of yourselves and each other.