VIRGINIA’S
OUTSTANDING SCIENTIST AND
VIRGINIA'S
OUTSTANDING INDUSTRIALIST AWARD PROGRAM
2005 Scientist and
Industrialist Award Winners
2004
Scientist and Industrialist Award Winners
On November 12,
1984, the Science Museum of Virginia and the Governor of the
commonwealth of Virginia jointly announced the Virginia Outstanding
Scientist and Virginia Outstanding Industrialist awards program.
Governor Charles S. Robb presented the first awards on March 20, 1985.
The Outstanding Scientist Award
honors those scientists who, through their research and commitment to
science, have made a recent contribution to basic scientific research,
which extends the boundaries of any field of science. This contribution
should be easily recognizable as a definite advance of knowledge or a
significant technological development.
The Outstanding Industrialist
Award is presented to the leaders of Virginia’s industrial and
technological communities who have made a distinct contribution to a
business or industry, which advanced development through the innovative
use of science or technology.
Nominees must have a meaningful
tie to Virginia, either through birth, work and/or the effect of that
work on Virginia. In addition to the annual awards presented to an
outstanding scientist and industrialist, an individual may be honored
for a lifetime of achievement. The Life Achievement award is not offered
annually, but at the discretion of the selection panels. These awards
reinforce, underscore and broadcast the commonwealth’s commitment to
and recognition of the importance of the role of science and technology
to improve the world.
In 1998 the Outstanding
Scientist Selection Panel announced a new award — The Beverly Orndorff
Award for Exceptional Service to Public Understanding of Science. This
award is not given on an annual basis, but at the discretion of the
Selection Panel.
Selection panels are carefully
chosen from a wide variety of sources within the commonwealth.
Individuals from major scientific, technological and industrial firms,
government agencies, major foundations, universities and colleges, the
National Academy of Scientists and NASA all are contacted and asked to
participate in this program.
In September nomination
applications are sent to businesses, associations, and universities
around the commonwealth asking for nominations; in December the panel
members meet to make their decision. Winners are introduced to the
General Assembly during February, when the awards are publicly
announced.
A black-tie banquet and awards
program is held in early spring. Winners receive an original medallion
designed and crafted by Dan Booten of Richmond. "Allegory of
Science and Industry" symbolizes the relationship between nature,
science and industry. The four allegorical figures surrounding the piece
symbolize earth, water, air and space. The medallion is three inches in
diameter and one-quarter inch in thickness.
Outstanding
Scientist Nomination Form in PDF format*
Outstanding
Industrialist Nomination Form in PDF format*
