Burchard Scholars gather to network, connect, and learn
The Burchard Scholars dinner series helps create conversations between academic disciplines.
Burchard Scholars program participants and faculty advisors at the Burchard Scholars program dinner November 1. Photo: Jon Sachs
“We'll move our world forward by combining disciplines, not by staying in silos.” - Laker Newhouse '25
The Burchard Scholars Program pairs expert faculty with promising MIT sophomores and juniors who have demonstrated excellence in the humanities, arts, or social sciences. Launched in 1986, the program continues to demonstrate the importance of an integrated approach to scholarship and education.
Administered by the School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, the program features a series of dinner discussions between student participants and experts and thought leaders from across SHASS disciplines. The scholars, with the support of guest speakers and Faculty Fellows, develop respectful and adaptable approaches to engaging in complex intellectual discussions. The program is named in honor of John Ely Burchard, former dean of SHASS.
Burchard Scholars discuss ideas during the Burchard Scholars dinner. Photo: Jon Sachs
“Attaining a level of knowledge in fields like art, history, and literature is an essential part of our education." - Willow Huang '25
MIT students chosen to be Burchard Scholars are consistenly among finalists for Rhodes, Marshall, and other major scholarships and fellowships.
About 35 MIT undergraduates are selected each year for the competitive program. Each cohort of scholars participate for one calendar year, from February through December.
Willow Huang ‘25, a biological engineering major, just wrapped a year as a Burchard Scholar, and called it a valuable experience. “I'm glad I applied,” she said. “We had thought-provoking talks over the course of the year.”
Huang also praised the program for helping her improve her comprehension and communication skills.
“These will undoubtedly help me in my career,” she said. “Attaining a level of knowledge in fields like art, history, and literature is an essential part of our education, as it broadens our perspective and helps us make more sense of things like cultural phenomena and political issues”
Margery Resnick, a professor of Literature and Women’s and Gender Studies, is the Burchard Scholars program director. Resnick launched the Faculty Fellows component of the Scholars program 15 years ago.
(From left) Burchard Scholar Benjamin Lou '25, featured speaker and economist Martin Beraja, and Burchard Scholars program director Margery Resnick. Photo: Jon Sachs
“These faculty members provide a consistent presence at the Burchards since they attend the dinners and events and get to know the students well,” she said.
The Faculty Fellows, chosen by the Dean, select the Burchard class and help create a valuable support system for students.
“By the end of the Burchard year, students know a range of faculty, not only the Fellows, but also the speakers who come from different programs in the School,” Resnick said. “Most importantly, over the course of the year, students get to know each other and the Faculty Fellows well.”
The final Burchard Scholars dinner of 2023 was held Wednesday, November 1 at Catalyst restaurant in Cambridge.
Before the dinners, faculty mix with students and come to know each other beyond the classroom. The Faculty Fellows then sit among the students, and, over dinner, exchange ideas based on the presentation.
“Conversations over dinner are lively, fun and engaging,” Resnick said.
“The scholars represent a diverse swath of studies across the Institute,” she added, “But all are curious about fields other than their own.”
MIT economist Martin Beraja discusses AI and potential impacts during the Burchard Scholars dinner. Photo: Jon Sachs
Martin Beraja, the dinner’s guest on November 1, is an MIT economist who studies the role of government policy in stabilizing business cycles and responding to the challenges posed by new digital and automation technologies. He presented Artificial Intelligence and Governments: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly during the Burchard Scholars dinner.
The variety of presentation topics is a highlight for students chosen to be part of this year’s Burchard Scholars class.
“We'll move our world forward by combining disciplines, not by staying in silos,” math and AI major Laker Newhouse ‘25 said, after the dinner. “With highly capable AI on the horizon, it is important to build diverse, broad coalitions to secure a bright future.”
Benjamin Lou ‘25, a double major in math and physics and a philosophy minor, spoke highly of the opportunity to explore ideas outside his academic area. “Burchard shows other SHASS disciplines are valuable,” he noted.
Iana Ferguson ‘24, a physics major, enjoyed this year’s dinner series. “It’s a setting where you hear topics you wouldn’t otherwise get,” she says. “Connecting disciplines has value outside physics.”
Applications for the 2024 Burchards are currently open. The submission deadline is December 8.
Benjamin Daniel | School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences