<onlyinclude>Institute Professor is the highest title that can be awarded to a faculty member at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It is analogous to the titles of Distinguished Professor, University Professor, or Regents Professor used at other universities in recognition of a professor's extraordinary research achievements and dedication to the school. At MIT, Institute Professors are granted a unique level of freedom and flexibility to pursue their research and teaching interests without regular departmental or school responsibilities; they report only to the Provost. Usually no more than twelve professors hold this title at any one time. The position was created by President James R. Killian in 1951 and Professor John C. Slater was the first to hold the position.
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