High school student visitors on Mass. Ave., 1972
Black Students' Union members began helping recruit black students in 1968. Left to right from far left: Randolph H. Burton '76 (freshman from IL), John A. Mims (Asst. Dir. Admissions), and Paula A. Waters '72 (senior from VA), who all served as guides for three dozen high school students visiting MIT from 23 high schools in Washington, Baltimore, and Philadelphia, 19 November 1972.
The Institute's first major effort to recruit black students was spearheaded by John A. Mims, MIT's first black associate director of undergraduate admissions (1969-75). During their 2-day stay, visiting high-school students attended classes, toured the campus, talked informally with faculty members, and discussed admissions and financial aid. Each visiting high-school student had an MIT student host.