Current Undergrad Denied Request to Become New President of MIT

	Lawrence Daniels ('06) was ruled out last week as a candidate for the 
MIT presidency.  The long-disbanded committee created to choose a president 
after Vest's resignation was surprised last week to receive a resume and two 
letters of recommendation from Daniels.  In an attached note, Daniels wrote "I 
have been involved in this institution for three years, but during that time I 
have accumulated a lifetime of experience.  I have a lot to offer the school, 
and I feel that I am the best choice for the next president of this august 
institution."
	Daniels' high school social studies teacher spoke highly of Daniels in his 
letter of recommendation.  "Lawrence is a frequent contributor in my class.  
His writing is very well-organized and clear, and he is very adept at expressing
his ideas verbally as well.  During our class' two week unit on the Supreme
Court, Lawrence offered many insights into the American system of checks and 
balances."
	Daniels has many years of experience with student government, both in
his high school and at MIT.  He served on the prom commitee for Roadfield
High(Voorhees, NJ) for two years, and was instrumental in organizing the 
"birthday bash" prom in April of 2001 that won county-wide acclaim.  He has
served as secretary for the UA for three consecutive years.  UA delegate Philip
Swarthmore says "Lawrence is a dependable member of the UA, an accomplished
secretary, and his organizational habits are beyond reproach."
	Ashton Bulonze, a member of the panel appointed to pick MIT's new 
president, said he was "bewildered" by Daniels' application, since the panel 
has not considered any candidates since June 2004.  Milford Newton, another 
member of the seven-person panel, said "Daniels has many strengths.  His years
of experience with student government, as well as his high SAT scores make it
clear that he is an accomplished student and a budding politician with unlimited
potential.  Unfortunately, we received his application too late to take him into
consideration for the presidency."  
	Daniels said that he was "keenly disappointed" at the news that he would
not be considered for the presidency.  "I felt, and still feel, that I have a 
lot to offer the institute," he said in an interview with the Tech.  "I regret
that I will not have an opportunity to lead our school in the coming years.  
However, I am sure that the panel's decision was the result of careful 
deliberation and comparision of each of the candidates' strengths and 
weaknesses.  I have every faith that Dr. Hockfield will make an excellent
president."
	Daniels' closest friend and confidant, Kelly Miller('07), said "He's
taking the news pretty hard.  He really had his heart set on the position, 
and it's only natural that he's disappointed.  I really think he would have
made, like, a really good president.  He really cares about the school, its
students, and its faculty."
	Daniels plans to maintain his position as UA secretary for the coming
year.  Despite his recent rejection, he has not lost his interest in the
presidential position.  Daniels says "Although the panel passed over me this 
time, I have hopes that the next time MIT is looking for a leader, they'll 
recognize what I have to offer the institution, and allow me the honor of 
presiding over the college in the years ahead."