02/05/2004 7:30 AM Walker
Nicholas Pearce, 07, MIT Class of '07; Chemical Engineering

Description: Nicholas Pearce is a proud advocate and beneficiary of affirmative action. As a high school junior, he attended MIT's six-week summer program, Minority Introduction to Engineering, Entrepreneurship and Science Program (MITE2S). "It gave me a quick snapshot of the dreams I could pursue," said Pearce. It was a life-changing experience for him-- and one that he wishes were available to many more students. "These programs shatter the underachieving stereotype," said Pearce. Unfortunately, enrichment opportunities like this are under fire around the country by "enemies of socio-economic civil rights." He urged other universities to follow MIT's example, and not back down to pressure, lest the "civil rights advances of the last 50 years dissipate to nothing."

About the Speaker(s): Nicholas A. Pearce ('07) is a Pentecostal minister-in-training from Chicago, Illinois, who describes himself as "most importantly, a servant of God and others." He is a member of the National Society of Black Engineers and is an American Chemical Society Scholar, Coca-Cola Scholar, U.S. Congressional Black Caucus Scholar, National Achievement Scholar, Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction, National Ventures Scholar, and Illinois State Scholar. He has also received the United States Presidential Service Award, and was the first-ever recipient of the Illinois Governor's Award for Excellence in Education (2003). He attended Chicago's well-reputed Whitney M. Young Magnet High School. He plays gospel, classical and jazz piano and is a varsity athlete at MIT.

Host(s): Office of the President, MIT Annual Breakfast Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Tape #: T18161