MIT Commencement 2014
June 24, 2014
Thanks to the departments that actively participated in Commencement via social media. Many departments saw a growth in followers and engagement as a benefit of their activity surrounding the event.
At MIT, we used the hashtag #MIT2014, which followed the pattern set in earlier years (e.g., #MIT2013, #MIT2012). We displayed the hashtag on the Infinite Display screens across campus, as well as on cards that were handed out to each student as they picked up their regalia at the MIT Coop. We also displayed signs in the information tent on Killian Court.
During Commencement, we saw thousands of tweets, in addition to posts across several social networks, using the hashtag. A lot of other content was posted without a hashtag, or with unofficial (and less popular) hashtags, such as #mitcommencement, #MIT14, and #MITgrad. Tweets were displayed on a large screen in Killian Court while attendees were finding their seats before the ceremony and waiting for the procession.
One great moment during the Commencement ceremony involved Anika Gupta ’14, senior class president, who presented the senior class gift to President Reif. This year, the seniors broke the 84% giving rate record by reaching 86% participation. President Reif, after congratulating the Class of 2014 on their achievement, asked Anika if she would take a selfie with him. The photo also captured the many graduates on Killian Court behind them. 
Others went above and beyond for Commencement. For example:
- Bruce Mendelsohn posted his fab photos of Commencement on the Bernard M. Gordon–MIT Engineering Leadership Program Flickr profile.
- Andrea Nickerson ’14 chronicled her last few weeks as an MIT student using the hashtag #goodbyeMIT. Kellen Manning created a story of Andrea’s posts on the Division of Student Life Storify profile.
- Many other departments participated on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Google+, and elsewhere.
During and after Commencement, I pulled together stories on MIT’s Storify profile. Browse these stories here:
Preparing for MIT Commencement 2014
MIT Commencement 2014: Photos and Videos
MIT Hooding Ceremony 2014
MIT President Reif’s Charge to the Class of 2014
Ellen Kullman: MIT Commencement Address
Families and Friends Congratulate the MIT Class of 2014
MIT Mortarboards 2014
MIT President Reif’s Selfie With the Class of 2014
MIT Commencement from the Graduates’ Point of View
How did your social media efforts go for this year’s Commencement? What did you do well that you plan to do next year? Share your experiences in the comments.
