Colwell: To talk at Commencement
By Donna Kettenbach
March 23, 2001
Rita R. Colwell, Ph.D., director of the National Science Foundation (NSF), will deliver the Commencement address and receive an honorary doctor of science degree at the University's 140th Commencement May 18 in Brookings Quadrangle.
"We are delighted to have Dr. Rita Colwell as our Commencement speaker this year," Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton said. "She is a great scientist, a key contributor to national science policy, and has been an effective leader for the National Science Foundation. Dr. Colwell is among America's brightest stars in science, education and research. We are privileged to have her here to address the first graduating class of the new millennium."
Colwell: To talk at Commencement |
Colwell was appointed NSF director in 1998 and is the first woman to hold that post. Her policy approach has enabled the agency to strengthen its core activities and establish support for major priority areas, including nanotechnology, biocomplexity, information technology and the 21st century work force.
"Science and engineering now permeate all of our lives, whether we work in a laboratory or a lattˇ bar," Colwell said at the recent American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) annual convention. "We see connections everywhere --between research and education, fundamental physics and biomedical breakthroughs, and scientific literacy and a healthy 21st century economy."
She has also led the agency's emphasis on science and mathematics education in kindergarten through 12th grade and has promoted graduate level education/training in science and engineering.
Under her leadership, NSF has stressed the importance of increasing women and minority participation in science and engineering. Last spring, Colwell was on campus participating in a panel on science careers for women. She recalled her experiences in the mid-'50s when she was a senior honor biology student in college and was told, "We don't waste fellowships on women," by the department chair. "Now, there is a search for women to go into science and engineering," Colwell told the standing-room-only audience.
NSF is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering, with an annual budget of about $4.5 billion. NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to about 1,600 universities and institutions nationwide. Each year, NSF receives about 30,000 competitive requests for funding and makes about 10,000 new funding awards.
The agency operates no laboratories itself but does support national research centers, certain oceanographic vessels and Antarctic research stations. The foundation also supports cooperative research between universities and industry and U.S. participation in international scientific efforts.
Before being named NSF director, Colwell was president of the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute from 1991-98, and professor of microbiology at the University Maryland. She was also a member of the National Science Board (NSF's governing body) from 1984-90.
Born in Beverly, Mass., Colwell began her career as a research assistant at the University of Washington, Seattle, where she also held the position of predoctoral associate and assistant research professor. She served as guest scientist at the National Research Council of Canada after earning her Ph.D. in oceanography from the University of Washington. She was a member of the biology faculty at Georgetown University from 1963-72.
As an internationally recognized scientist and educator for years, she has held numerous advisory positions in the U.S. government, international community and private foundations, and she has authored or co-authored 16 books and more than 600 scientific publications. Colwell also produced the award-winning film "Invisible Seas" and has served on editorial boards for a variety of journals.
The recipient of numerous awards, Colwell has received the Medal of Distinction from Columbia University, the Gold Medal of Charles University in Prague, William A. Carey Award from AAAS, Lowell Thomas Award from the Explorers Club, and Alumna Summa Laude Dignata from the University of Washington, Seattle. She has also been awarded 17 honorary degrees from institutions of higher education, including Purdue University, where she earlier had earned a bachelor's degree in bacteriology and master's in genetics.
Colwell is an honorary member of the Microbiological Societies of the UK, France, Israel, Bangladesh and the United States, and has held several honorary professorships, including one at the University of Queensland, Australia.
She has served as chairman of the Board of Governors of the American Academy of Microbiology, and has been president of AAAS, Washington Academy of Sciences, American Society for Microbiology, Sigma Xi National Science Honorary Society, and International Union of Microbiological Societies. Colwell is a member of the National Academy of Sciences.
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