The expansive area linking Hockfield Court to Massachusetts Avenue, situated in the center of MIT’s campus, has now been named the L. Rafael Reif Innovation Corridor, honoring the Institute’s 17th president. During a dedication ceremony on Monday, Reif’s associates, friends, and family gathered to celebrate his legacy and reveal a marker for the pathway previously known as North Corridor or “the Outfinite.”
“It’s no coincidence that the space we dedicate today is not a courtyard, but a corridor — a passage for individuals and ideas to circulate freely through the heart of MIT, propelling us outward to the edges of our ambitions,” remarked Sally Kornbluth, who succeeded Reif as MIT president in 2023.
“With his unique blend of innovative thinking and timeless charm, and as a visionary thinker and doer, Rafael made a lasting impact on MIT,” Kornbluth stated. “As a lasting tribute to his service and accomplishments on behalf of MIT, the nation, and the globe, we now dedicate this area as the L. Rafael Reif Innovation Corridor.”
Reif held the position of president for over a decade, following seven years as provost. He has been part of MIT since 1980, when he became faculty as an assistant professor of electrical engineering.
“Throughout all those roles, what stood out most was his humility, curiosity, and extraordinary ability to communicate with clarity and conviction,” said Corporation Chair Mark Gorenberg, who opened the ceremony. “Under his guidance, MIT not only adhered to its mission but flourished, enhancing its influence and reinforcing its global voice.”
Gorenberg introduced Abraham J. Siegel Professor of Management and operations research professor Cindy Barnhart, who served as chancellor and then provost during Reif’s presidency. Barnhart, who will conclude her role as provost on July 1, recapped the numerous achievements of Reif’s presidency, including the establishment of MIT Schwarzman College of Computing, the revitalization of Kendall Square, and the launch of The Engine, as well as the construction or modernization of many buildings, from the Wright Brothers Wind Tunnel to the new Edward and Joyce Linde Music Building, among various other accomplishments.
“Beyond physical space, Rafael’s visionary thinking and enthusiasm extend to MIT’s educational philosophy,” Barnhart continued, detailing how Reif championed initiatives like OpenCourseWare, MITx, and edX. She also emphasized his commitment to the health and well-being of the MIT community, through initiatives addressing student sexual misconduct and establishing the MindHandHeart initiative. He also hosted dance parties and social events, shared meals with students in dining halls, engaged with faculty and staff over breakfast and in forums, and more.
“At events over the years, Rafael’s wife, Chris, has been by his side,” Barnhart acknowledged, adding, “I want to take this moment to recognize her and thank her for her welcoming and gracious demeanor.”
In conclusion, “I am thankful to Rafael for his visionary leadership and his deep affection for MIT and its members,” Barnhart remarked as she gifted Reif a 3D-printed model of the Maclaurin buildings (MIT Buildings 3, 4, and 10), crafted through a partnership among the Glass Lab, Edgerton Center, and Project Manus.
Next, Institute Professor Emeritus John Harbison performed an interlude on the piano, and a musical group reprised the “Rhumba for Rafael,” which Harbison composed for Reif’s inauguration in 2012.
When Reif addressed the audience, he reflected on the location of the corridor and its importance to early chapters of his own career; his first office and lab were in Building 13, overlooking what is presently the namesake walkway.
He also contemplated the years ahead: “The individuals who traverse this corridor in the future will undoubtedly experience the unmatched thrill of youth at MIT, fully expecting to revolutionize the world for its betterment,” he remarked.
Faculty and staff moving through the corridor may feel the “unfaded excitement” of collaborating and learning alongside extraordinary students and colleagues, and savor the “deep satisfaction of having created countless memories here throughout a long career.”
“Even if none of them thinks of me,” Reif continued, “I like to think that my spirit will remain here, watching over them with pride as they carry forward the endless mission of building a better world.”