A spirited ceremony on April 19 marked the formal dedication of the new
Jack C. Tang Center for Management Education at the east end of the
campus.
Located at the corner of Amherst and Wadsworth Streets, the Center
provides 40,000 square feet of new space-as well as 8,000 square feet of
renovated space in the adjacent Building E51-to the Sloan School's
complex of seven buildings. The $14 million structure, which opened for
classes last fall, includes the construction of a bridge across Ames
Street to the Muckley Building (E40).
The building is named for Jack C. Tang, '49, chairman of Tristate
Holdings Ltd., a Hong Kong apparel manufacturing firm. Beginning with
Mr. Tang's father, the late P.Y. Tang, who graduated from MIT in 1923,
the Tang family led the development of the textile industry in Hong
Kong. The family has also long been active in supporting MIT, playing a
key role in the development of the Ping Yuan Tang '23 Graduate Student
Residence, for example, which was dedicated in 1973. Mr. Tang's son
Martin is also an MIT alumnuus, having received the SM degree in
management in 1972.
"This gift is an expression of the Tang family's gratitude to MIT for
providing opportunity for three generations of Tangs," Mr. Tang said in
acknowledging MIT's thanks for the gift that made the Center possible.
"It also shows support for the open system of education that provides
opportunity to people throughout the world."
The ceremony was held in the Center's 283-seat state-of-the-art
auditorium, designed to accommodate the latest equipment for
videoconferencing and Internet access. MIT Corporation Chairman Paul E.
Gray, who presided, opened by noting that the Tang Center is the first
building designed expressly for Sloan, and that it marks the School's
coming of age as a leader in its field.
"This building is a symbol of the importance of the fruits of
philanthropy," he added in recognition of the donors. "MIT's success is
intimately tied to the goodwill of such individuals and organizations."
In his remarks, Professor Glen L. Urban, dean of the Sloan School,
explained how the specific functions of the building are intended to
help students meet the emerging needs of the business world as they
enter the ranks of top managers.
"The Center has been specifically designed to support, encourage and
inspire activities that will shape the practice of management in the
21st century," he said. "In doing so, it will carry on the tradition of
leadership in management education and research that has been the
hallmark of the Sloan School of Management since its founding."
In all, 28 individuals and corporations, representing an exceptionally
wide range of nations and industries, contributed to the building
project.
"Who made this building possible? Look about you," said MIT President
Charles M. Vest. "It has been made possible by grateful-and generous-
alumni and alumnae. It has been made possible by the truly dedicated
faculty of the Sloan School itself. It has been made possible by a
wonderfully international group of friends and colleagues who have
joined hands and joined intellectual forces across geographical and
political boundaries, thus representing the new age our students now
enter."
In addition to Jack Tang, donors included Charles R. and Mary K.
Diebold; Kenneth W.S. Ting; Elliot K. Wolk '57; David S.Y. Wong '62;
Oliver Boileau Jr. '64; CMP Publications Inc.; CSC Index Inc.; Dainippon
Ink & Chemicals, Inc.; Alexander V. d'Arbeloff '49 and Brit Jepson
d'Arbeloff '61; Professor Arnoldo Hax; Peter M. Senge '73; Thomas P.
Gerrity '63; Damodar Ratha '73; Professor Edward B. Roberts '57, and
Nancy Roberts; Gerhard H. Schulmeyer '74; John Snow Inc. and Joel
Lamstein '70; Professor Lester C. Thurow; Yoshitomi Pharmaceutical
Industries, Ltd.; David P. Chan '72; Josephine S. Jimenez '81; Sloan
Fellows Alumni/ae Community; and Professor John D.C. Little '48 and
Elizabeth A. Little '54.
