MIT Class of 1971 Reunites to Solder at 55-Year Reunion

When MIT's Class of 1971 gathered for their 55th reunion, they didn't just reminisce about old times. They rolled up their sleeves and got back to work building electronics.

Senior Lecturer Gim Hom hosted about 15 of his former classmates in the Cypress Engineering Design Studio, where they tackled two projects: a simplified electrocardiogram device and a modern audio amplifier. For Hom, who recently retired from teaching, the reunion doubled as his "last class."

The alumni refreshed their soldering skills by assembling printed circuit boards designed to mimic an ECG. After attaching electrodes to their arms, they watched their own heartbeats appear as electrical signals on the screen. It was the same hands-on learning approach that defined their education decades earlier.

The second project introduced them to surface-mount soldering, a technique that didn't exist when they were students. They built tiny USB-powered audio amplifiers using the same technology found in today's smartphones. The devices worked beautifully, producing surprisingly clear sound quality.

Technical instructors Anthony Pennes and Liam Ackerman helped throughout the day, answering questions and showing off the studio's modern equipment. Both instructors were celebrating their own reunions at 10 and 5 years out from MIT, creating a unique multigenerational gathering.

The Engineering Design Studio stays open from morning until nearly midnight during the school year, giving students access to tools and expertise whenever inspiration strikes. It's a far cry from the labs of the 1970s, but the fundamental joy of building something with your hands remains unchanged.

The Ripple Effect

This reunion represents something bigger than nostalgia. By bringing together alumni spanning 55, 10, and 5 years since graduation, MIT created a living bridge between generations of engineers. The oldest attendees proved that curiosity and technical skill don't fade with age, while younger instructors shared cutting-edge techniques their predecessors helped make possible.

Hom continues advising EECS students part-time, ensuring his decades of real-world problem-solving experience benefits the next generation. Meanwhile, his former classmates walked away with working circuit boards and renewed appreciation for the education that shaped their careers.

The event shows that learning doesn't stop at graduation, and the connections formed in college can last a lifetime. Whether you graduated 5 years ago or 55, there's always something new to discover and share.