The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) already had its Freshman Convocation 2016 last Monday, Aug. 29. MIT president L. Rafael Reif, along with three other professors, shared their words of wisdom and encouragement to the class of 2020.

"I hope you will join us in facing the challenge of building a better MIT - and a better world," Reif said. According to him, humanity is facing serious challenges with climate change, energy, disease and poverty.

"And MIT is a magnificent human machine for inventing the future. But MIT invents the future thanks to its students ... which is why we are we are lucky to have you. And all of us together will make a better world," he added.

The school's official website reported that the welcoming ceremony was held in a large tent in from of Kresge Auditorium. The event featured a performance by the MIT Chorallaries, a student a capella group, of the song "In Praise of MIT."

At the end of the convocation, Reif went up and greeted the new students and their families personally. The freshmen then went to introductory luncheons at their residence halls.

Last March, MIT offered admissions decisions to the class of 2020. The institute admitted 1,485 students to the 2016-2017 academic year's first-year class.

"Choosing among so many great candidates is always difficult because of we have such outstanding students who apply to MIT every year," Stu Schmill, MIT's dean of admissions, said. "Those offered admission to the Class of 2020," Schmill continues, "exemplify all the qualities that distinguish an MIT student: [a] strong match with MIT's mission and the ability and desire to make an impact in the community, and in the world."

The admitted students come from 49 states and 65 countries. They have diverse backgrounds, with many athletes, artists or makers. A quarter of the students are members of underrepresented minority groups while 15 percent will be the first generation in their family to attend college.

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Tags Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT, 2016, Education, School