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Famed Physicist Celebrates Innovation with Rose-Hulman
September 19, 2011
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| Dr. Michio Kaku looks to the stars |
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Dr. Michio Kaku, the world's foremost authority on the future of
the future, will receive the Excellence in Innovation Award from
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology while presenting the Oscar C.
Schmidt Lecture during a homecoming convocation on Friday,
September 23, starting at 3:45 p.m. in Hulbert Arena of the Sports
and Recreation Center.
Dr. Kaku is a famed futurist, best-selling author, theoretical
physicist, acclaimed public speaker, and radio and television
personality. He explores the science of tomorrow: from
computing power to artificial intelligence, from the evolution of
communications to the reshaping of our genetic inheritance.
His latest book, the New York Times best-seller Physics of the
Future examines how science will shape human destiny and people's
daily lives by the Year 2100. It has been called "an
exhilarating, wondrous ride through the next one hundred years of
breathtaking scientific revolution."
"As Rose-Hulman looks to examine its role in the future of
engineering, science and mathematics education, it is an important
time to have Dr. Kaku speaking to our students, faculty and staff
members," said Rose-Hulman President Matt Branam. "Dr. Kaku
will have valuable insight on what course that our students should
take to help pave the way for the future. He appreciates the
role that education will play in shaping our ambitions and
aspirations."
Dr. Kaku will be the second recipient of Rose-Hulman's
Excellence in Innovation Award, which recognizes people with
visionary leadership, passion and a proven track record of success
in engineering, science and mathematics.
As the Henry Semat Professor of Theoretical Physics at the
Graduate Centre of the City University of New York, Dr. Kaku's goal
is to complete Einstein's dream of a "theory of everything" -- a
single elegant equation that unifies the fundamental forces of the
universe. His two radio programs "Explorations in Science"
and "Science Fantastic" focus on topics such as frontiers in
physics, black holes, time machines, hyperspace, the human genome
project and genetic engineering.
Dr. Kaku explains that the most fascinating and complex ideas in
science today in many ways so elegant and easy to understand.
His award-winning Discovery Channel television program "Sci-Fi
Science," based on his best-selling books, reaches millions of
households worldwide. He has been featured on several
documentaries by both the Public Broadcasting System and the
British Broadcasting Corporation such as "Einstein Revealed" and
"Science Odyssey." He also appears as a guest on Late Show
with David Letterman, Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Stephen Colbert's
The Colbert Report, Real Time with Bill Maher, Conan O'Brien's
Conan Show and many others.
"Our students, faculty and staff are looking forward to the
opportunity to see Dr. Kaku and hear his valuable insights," Branam
said. "This convocation will make this year's homecoming
celebration a tribute to the past, present and future."
Dr. Kaku received a bachelor's degree (summa cum laude) from
Harvard University in 1968, graduating first in his physics
class. He went on to the Berkeley Radiation Laboratory at the
University of California-Berkeley and received a Ph.D. in
1972. He is also a visiting professor at the Institute for
Advanced Study at Princeton University and is a Fellow of the
American Physical Society.
Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels was the first recipient
of Rose-Hulman's Excellence in Innovation Award,
during the 2010 Decade of Innovation Celebration in
Indianapolis. Daniels also presented the Oscar C. Schmidt
Lecture in 2003 when he was the director of the U.S. government's
Office of Management and Budget.
The Oscar C. Schmidt Lecture brings to Rose-Hulman national
leaders to discuss issues important to the campus community.
The lecture was established 50 years ago through the generosity of
the Cincinnati Butcher's Supply Company in memory of the late Oscar
C. Schmidt, a pioneering manufacturer of machinery for the packing
industry.