The Big Screw is an annual competition for charity held every year at MIT and sponsored by the Alpha Chi Chapter of Alpha Phi Omega. Accoding to APO's web site, "The purpose of Big Screw is to award a three foot, left-handed aluminum wood screw to the faculty or staff member most deserving of such an award and to raise money for charity."

This year's contest began yesterday. You can cast your vote for who deserves a "Big Screw" by depositing coins, dollars, large gold watches, in the booth hosted by APO for this occasion. All money raised will be donated to the charity of the winner's choice.

Today's Tech has an article on the then active official candidates. I am one of the official candidates, although my can was not out on Monday (I only received my running papers Monday afternoon and turned them in at the end of the day).

So I need your support. If you a prospective freshman coming for CPW you can participate too! Vote for me in the Big Screw! The booth will be in Lobby 10 on Thursday and Friday, and Wednesday in W20.

The charity I have selected to support (if I win) is the MIT General Undergraduate Scholarship Endowment (what did you expect?). More money in this fund will enable MIT to continue to expand its committment to undergraduate financial aid. Just think, voting for me gives you a chance to do something good for you too!!!

(By the way, I debated turning comments off for this post up front, just due to the title alone, so be nice...)

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You may wonder, why campaign for the Big Screw? Because the screw is awesome. Check out this photo of a former MIT Dean and Big Screw winner with his prize:
http://www-tech.mit.edu/V120/N23/09BigScrewMingDO.jpg

Posted by: madmatt on April 10, 2007

LOL... 2nd post...LOL... and the Big Screw! Quite an award!

Posted by: Basant on April 10, 2007

hahahah thats phenominal! good luck!

Posted by: Jon on April 10, 2007

Hello Dan, long time no talk. So...can I as a parent of an '09 living in Florida contribute? You know me, and you know I am good for sending my check. If I can participate from afar, how would I do that? My husband and I have directly contributed to your selected charity in the past and congratulate you on your choice. Give us more details. Possibly, for those of us who will not be able to attend CPW this year, we could do a "blog-a-thon". Let us unite and send the $$$ on behalf of your nomination. Congratulations and I truly hope you receive the BIG SCREW.

Posted by: intleyes on April 10, 2007

Hey there intleyes. I am sure something can be arranged. Just get in touch with me on email and tell me how much you want to give and I will front it!

Thanks for the consideration!

Posted by: Daniel T. Barkowitz on April 10, 2007

well, if I still can't afford MIT after I try and talk with a finaid officer, I will definitely be voting for you

Posted by: 0 on April 11, 2007

Hi!

too bad i can't come to CPW (i live in mauritius, half a planet away from ZE SCREW).

btw i still haven't receive my finaid package and it's slowly making me more n more anxious... why didn't i receive it with my admissions pakage in the first place??

but anyway, screw award's great!!

Posted by: Dhaval on April 11, 2007

Update from Tuesday's totals:

Daniel is in 5th place (of 12), the best of the new entrants. Professor Ernst remains on top, with 2.007's Maureen Lynch closing in.

This competition is almost always decided on the last day, so a lot can still happen.

Posted by: madmatt on April 11, 2007

I'm so torn. I'd love to support the Undergrad Scholarships and all, but 2.007 is screwing me pretty hard, so I think Maureen gets my vote. Plus she keeps going on and on about how she'll never win. I personally take that as a challenge.

But everyone else should vote for Dan! =)

Posted by: Laura on April 11, 2007

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