Abstract:

Olin College is small in size and young in age, but extraordinary in achievement. Beginning with the remarkable achievements made in the short period of 20 years since the founding of Olin College of Engineering in 1997, the interview was carried out with a focus on the following three themes: how to choose the right people; how to create synergy among the students, the school and the parents; and how to anticipate the future. In this profound and impressive interview, President Miller attributed Olin’s success to being in the right place at the right time and having the right people. He pointed out the true meaning of learning as joining passion and hard work together, and regarded teamwork as the secret weapon to cultivate learning. At the same time, he stressed his aim to lead Olin students appealing to the “heart” as well as the “head.” President Miller also elaborated on forming the Olin Conductorless Orchestra (OCO), implementing the new faculty assessment system, considering five mindsets in selecting candidates for admission, “Olinizing” the curricula at MIT, embarking on an even grander mission—a “Mars shot,” and analogizing the curriculum to a backpack. After reading this interview, readers can see Olin’s four pillars of success: Olin Strength, Olin Wisdom, Olin Approach and Olin Strategy.

Key words: being in the right place at the right time and having the right people, teamwork, the whole person, Olin Conductorless Orchestra (OCO), “Olinize” the curriculum, a Mars shot, backpack