Prof. de Weck

honored with Frank E. Perkins Award

By Lois Slavin, ESD Communications Director – May 24, 2006

On May 9, 2006, Prof. Oli de Weck, Aeronautics & Astronautics and Engineering Systems, received the Frank E. Perkins Award. Named in honor of Frank E. Perkins, Dean of the Graduate School from 1983-95, the award is given each year to a professor who has served as an excellent advisor and mentor for graduate students.

The citation for Prof. de Weck’s nominations reads, "Currently an advisor of eleven graduate students, Professor Olivier de Weck is recognized for his mentoring and advising qualities. His students note that he treats them as equals, as his colleagues and fellow researchers. They also recognize that despite a demanding schedule, he always makes time to meet, speak and advise, or to organize social events bringing members of his lab together. To ensure that his students get a well-rounded education, he is described by his advisees as very understanding and supportive outside of the academic environment in a manner that goes beyond any normal expectation. Over the past years he has demonstrated true caring for his graduate students regarding their priorities, professional success, career perspectives and overall happiness. More than an advisor, he has become a mentor to many."

Excerpts from some of the nominations read:

…”Professor de Weck exemplifies what a graduate advisor should be. He is passionate about both teaching and research, dedicated to every facet of his job and extremely pleasant to work for and with.”

“Professor de Weck serves as a very positive role model to the eleven graduate students he presently advises, myself included. He sets the bar very high for himself and expects his students to do the same. (He) leads by example and knows that he cannot ask student to give 100% if he himself is not doing just that. Whether it is computer programming, detailed calculations or cutting-edge design, Prof. de Weck is willing to roll up his sleeves and get to work at all hours of the day.”

“Professor de Weck…strives to maintain a balance of work, family and leisure and understands that his graduate students want to do the same.”

“…Sometimes it is hard for me to believe I turned down a three-year university-wide Stanford fellowship. I decided to stay at MIT and pursue my dream largely due to Prof. de Weck… no one has been as supportive and understanding…...”

“Prof. de Weck….treats his students as equals, appreciating their opinions, always listening attentively and respecting their goals foremost.”

“Despite having an overwhelming number of advisees, Prof. de Weck designates time to meet with each of his students separately and promotes a more social interaction through dinners and group meetings each semester….I believe that I have acquired much more than a good advisor; I have found a colleague whose advice, both professionally and personally, I trust.”

The Perkins Award is selected and administered by MIT’s Graduate Student Council (GSC). "The GSC is delighted to honor Professor de Weck with the Perkins Award, as his extensive dedication to the well being of his student is a model of graduate student advising,” said Sylvain Bruni, GSC president 2006.