The arrival of spring means new beginnings, but also the end of an era. The holy days many of us observe this week, Easter and Passover, share a theme of transition – leaving something behind as you start on a new road.

New beginnings can be exciting – witness the return of spring to the Boston / Cambridge area in the last few days – but I, for one, also miss and take a moment to mourn the passing of the old ways. I enjoy winter -- its quiet tranquility, its inner reflection -– and I mourn its passing as I welcome the earth’s new birth.

With the themes of new beginning in mind, I write today to share some news of a new beginning of my own. On May 29th, I will be leaving MIT, a place where I have served for nearly the last seven years as Director of Financial Aid, and a place that I consider to be home. I will be starting my own new journey as Dean of Financial Aid / Associate Dean of Student Affairs at Columbia College and the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science effective June 1st.

In the past seven years I have built a network of colleagues and friends at the Institute, and I have grown to know a truly marvelous community, full of hope and bright promise for the future and constantly refreshed and reinvigorated by the spirit and energy of new birth brought by our entering students.

I have also had the opportunity to work with a wonderfully talented group of staff in Student Financial Services whose sole mission is to make the dream of an MIT education a reality for students who otherwise could not afford to avail themselves of the opportunities waiting for them.

The good work and energy of MIT and the staff of Financial Aid and Student Financial Services will continue strongly into the future under the capable leadership in place. I will miss the chance the see this journey forward. But I welcome the new challenges awaiting me and look forward to expanding my own network of colleagues and friends in the Big Apple.

We will have time at Campus Preview Weekend to visit with each other, and for you to meet some of the great staff members who truly personify MIT’s commitment to open access. While I may have been the public face of financial aid for these past several years, there is a robust and talented group of staff who are really responsible for administering our financial aid programs.

New beginnings await each of us as spring blossoms – no matter whether that new beginning comes about due to a transition to college, a change of seasons, or a change in employment. May we always be open to new possibilities and new realities while we celebrate and value the place that has nurtured and supported our growth.

Comments (Closed after 30 days to reduce spam)

You will be gravely missed Mr. Barkowitz!

Posted by: Alec Poitzsch '13 on April 10, 2009

I hope you find happiness and enrichment on your next journey (:

Posted by: Lin² '13 on April 10, 2009

all the best in your new job!
you will be missed

Posted by: Nick Chornay '12 on April 10, 2009

Thank you for everything you have done for us!..and all of your hard work and dedication..you cannot truly begin to fathom the joy that you have brought to my family and hundreds of others by giving us the opportunity to follow our dreams by providing us with an affordable education...THANK YOU AGAIN!...

Posted by: Kimberly '13 on April 10, 2009

Hmm... I'm caught up in choosing between MIT and Columbia right now. What made you choose to switch?

Posted by: Simone '13 on April 10, 2009

noooooooooooo!!
Good luck, and thank you so much for all of your hard work. You will certainly be missed.

Posted by: 0 on April 11, 2009

We have thoroughly enjoyed your blogs, and value your spirit and professionalism. We wish you and your family godspeed in your new endeavors, and will always remember the role you played in the beginning of our MIT journey. Thank you!

Posted by: '13 Parent on April 11, 2009

seven years, seven weeks to go

Posted by: comboy on April 11, 2009

comboy is six letters, Daniel too

Posted by: comboy on April 11, 2009

We will miss you!!

Posted by: Step Boy on April 11, 2009

MIT should really find a way of blocking spam ^

hmmm... I suppose it's because everyone has more important issues.

Posted by: Vinay on April 11, 2009

Oh yes, and good luck at your new job!

Posted by: Vinay on April 11, 2009

I hate spam! Can't tell you how annoying it is to find spam on your blog entry...

Posted by: Daniel Barkowitz on April 11, 2009

Why? Is New York City your home town?

Posted by: 0 on April 11, 2009

Best of luck

Posted by: Piper '12 on April 11, 2009

when i made face detection project

i first made skin color detector

spam sites have lots of skin

detecting faces can help block spams

using skin color makes it faster

but not for black and white

Posted by: comboy on April 12, 2009

Mr. Barkowitz, thank you so much for all the assistance. wish you all the best for the future.

Posted by: Tenzin on April 12, 2009

Mr. Barkowitz, thank you so much for all the assistance. wish you all the best for the future.

Posted by: Tenzin on April 12, 2009

I don't know what she's talking, mostly, but i can understand which she said about feet, though, which made no sense at all. All of a sudden a women who got into MIT and had frisson experience whith her boy friend and got crush in facebook and all.

What a story, it's hardly written, well, it's worse than 'The Cathcer in the MIT' i guess.

Posted by: J.D.Stanbligrad on April 12, 2009

You are leaving!!!!! to me it sound slike a part of MIT is leavin, the way i saw it but hopefully for the better---

Best of luck for teh journey ahead

Posted by: Ruhban Shah'14 on April 12, 2009

Thanks to all for the best wishes...

To Simone, my reasons are, I am sure, very different than yours would be, but my best advice is to follow your heart. See which schools is a better match for you, from a culture, academic program and fit perspective. Your heart knows the right answer...

And above all, know that both are excellent choices. You are indeed fortunate to have to wrestle with a choice like this!

To anonymous, I am not from New York. In fact, this will be my first time living in the city. I was born in Central America and spent my high school years in South Carolina, only coming to Boston for college and staying.

Posted by: Daniel T. Barkowitz on April 12, 2009

Well Daniel, I can and can't believe it. I am very happy for you. I'm also very thankful that you didn't leave sooner! I don't know what I would have done without you these past four years. I truly value all the kindness you have shown and the knowledge you have shared with me. My son will graduate on June 5th and I can honestly say that you have been instrumental in helping to make the day happen.
Look for my daughter's FAFSA next year as her dream school is Columbia! I would love to go through another four years with you so, wish her luck for the Fall of '10.
Blessings to you and your family.
intleyes

Posted by: intleyes on April 12, 2009

I wish you the best of luck at Columbia College and the Fu Foundation School of Engineering.

Posted by: Alex on April 13, 2009

Our family "ditto"'s the sentiments of the above "parent '13"'s remarks and would like to add that you will always have inner peace and prosperity in whatever you choose to do because of your wonderful positive attitude regarding life's journey.
Heartfelt best wishes and many blessings to you and your family.

Posted by: another '13 parent on April 13, 2009

Goodluck and CPW!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Ronny '13 on April 13, 2009

Comments have been closed.