Michael Sipser assumes deanship in School of Science
Michael Sipser, a renowned theoretical computer scientist and mathematician, has been chosen as the permanent dean of the School of Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Sipser, who has served as the interim dean since December, replaces Marc Kastner, who was chosen to head the Department of Energy's Office of Science.
Sipser's academic journey began at Cornell University where he earned his BA in mathematics in 1974. He later received his PhD in engineering from the University of California at Berkeley in 1980. Sipser joined MIT's Laboratory for Computer Science as a research associate in 1979 and has held various academic positions within the institution since then.
Sipser is currently the Barton L. Weller Professor of Mathematics and the head of the Department of Mathematics since 2004. He is also the Donner Professor of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics at MIT. In addition, he is a Margaret MacVicar Faculty Fellow, an honour indicating excellence in teaching and educational contribution at MIT.
Under Sipser's leadership, the Department of Mathematics has seen a 64 percent increase in the number of undergraduate majors. He has also been instrumental in launching several successful fundraising efforts, securing funds for the renovation of Building 2, endowed chairs, and fellowships.
One of Sipser's notable achievements during his tenure as a professor and as dean is his authorship of the widely used textbook "Introduction to the Theory of Computation." He has also been recognised for his scholarly and educational contributions, having received the MIT Graduate Student Council Teaching Award in 1984, 1989, and 1991, and the School of Science Student Advising Award in 2003.
Sipser was also instrumental in bringing the Advantage Testing Foundation's Math Prize for Girls to MIT's campus. His efforts have led to the department now providing fellowships to all first-year graduate students.
Sipser lives in Cambridge with his wife and has two children. His daughter, Rachel, recently graduated from New York University, and his son, Aaron, is a high school junior.
The faculty advisory committee, chaired by Rebecca Saxe, identified Sipser as a candidate for the position. The committee included representatives from all departments in the School of Science. The committee's decision reflects Sipser's significant impact both academically and administratively at MIT.
Sipser's appointment as the permanent dean of the School of Science at MIT is a testament to his dedication and contributions to the institution. His leadership and vision are expected to continue shaping the future of MIT's School of Science.
[References] 1. MIT News 2. The Boston Globe 3. The Harvard Crimson 4. Encyclopedia Britannica 5. MIT Department of Mathematics
