About the Club

The MIT Club of Washington DC, established in 1899, serves MIT alumni and alumnae residing in the greater Washington, D.C. area (suburban Maryland, Northern Virginia, and the District of Columbia). This community of over 5,500 comprises the third largest concentration of MIT alums in the world.

With nearly 1000 members, it is easy to see that the diversity and quality of events offered by the Club, along with the dedicated volunteers who serve in leadership positions, have led to its success. With a thirty-member Board of Directors, the Club enthusiastically pursues the objectives stated in its by-laws, "engaging in educational and charitable activities for the benefit of, and in connection with, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology."

"Why do I participate in the MIT Club of Washington? First and foremost it is because I am proud of being an MIT graduate. I enjoy doing things to advance its name and reputation. I was attracted to the MIT Club of Washington because of its demonstrated accomplishments. It is an organization that has an outstanding program and not one where you merely pay dues and 'belong.' Activities of the Club are professionally rewarding, intellectually stimulating, and fun. The Club leadership attracts individuals who are proud of the organization and its accomplishments."

Frank Tapparo '60
Former Club President

Event programming is critical to the success of the Club. There more than sixty events each year that encompass a broad spectrum of Club interests, e.g., an Annual Meeting at the International Monetary Fund, the Seminar Series (now in its twenty-second year), continuing education with experts speaking on currently controversial scientific areas, embassy events, tours of manufacturing plants, scientific laboratories, and museums, and career workshops in conjunction with the Sloan School. The Club is especially proud that the award winning Seminar Series has attracted sell-out groups for six years in a row.

Publicity and recruitment are key to attracting and retaining members. In addition to a monthly print newsletter, the Club promotes participation via a Seminar Series brochure, this website, email announcements, reduced event prices for members, and targeted follow-up letters and phone calls for membership renewals. Recognition is provided to members who pay higher levels of dues by listing their names in each newsletter, on the Club website, and in the directory. An extra benefit is the Washington area alumni/ae directory produced by the Club every three years.

In addition to serving the needs of alums, the Club reaches out to assist current Washington-area MIT students through its sizable scholarship fund.