Memorial ceremony for Charles Vest scheduled for March 6th
Remembering Charles M. Vest: A Tribute at MIT
Charles M. Vest, the former president of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), passed away in 2013 at the age of 72 due to pancreatic cancer. His tenure at MIT, spanning from 1990 to 2004, was marked by significant achievements and transformative changes.
During his presidency, MIT renewed its commitment to education and research, developing strong ties with partners worldwide, broadening diversity, and transforming its campus. After stepping down, Vest served as president of the National Academy of Engineering from 2007 to 2013.
On March 6, 2025, a memorial service for Charles M. Vest will be held at 4:30 p.m. in Kresge Auditorium. Following the memorial service, a portrait of Vest will be unveiled at 6 p.m. A reception will follow in the Charles M. Vest Student Street in the Ray and Maria Stata Center. Shuttle service will be provided from Kresge to the Stata Center for the events.
Memories and condolences for the Vest family can be shared via an electronic guest book. Gifts in memory of Charles M. Vest can be made to the Charles M. Vest Presidential Fellowship Fund at MIT or the Charles M. Vest President's Opportunity Fund at the National Academy of Engineering.
The services are open to the MIT community and friends of the Institute. For more information, please visit the MIT website or contact the Institute directly.
[1] It should be noted that the obituary in Greensboro, NC, mentions the passing of "Charlie Vest Phillips Jr." with private family inurnment services but does not mention a memorial service or related events for Charles M. Vest.
- Charles M. Vest, a renowned figure in engineering and education, served as the president of MIT from 1990 to 2004, leading the institution through significant periods of innovation and research.
- During his tenure, Vest's leadership expanded MIT's global partnerships, advocated for diversity, and transformed the campus, further solidifying its reputation as a global hub of science, medical-conditions, and health-and-wellness research.
- Upon stepping down from MIT, Vest took on the presidency of the National Academy of Engineering, where he continued his work in education, science, and general-news, furthering the advancements in engineering and education-and-self-development.
- A memorial service for Charles M. Vest will be held at MIT's Kresge Auditorium on March 6, 2025, followed by the unveiling of a portrait in his honor, a reception, and shuttle service to the Ray and Maria Stata Center.
- Condolences and memories for Vest can be shared via an electronic guest book, with gifts in his memory supporting the Charles M. Vest Presidential Fellowship Fund at MIT or the Charles M. Vest President's Opportunity Fund at the National Academy of Engineering.
- The memorial service and related events are open to the MIT community and friends of the Institute, with more information available on the MIT website or by contacting the Institute directly.
- Despite a separate inurnment service for "Charlie Vest Phillips Jr." in Greensboro, NC, the focus of the memorial service at MIT will honor the legacy and contributions of Charles M. Vest during his time as president of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
