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Historical Graduations
Class of 2004-2005 -- Mr. James Shreeve, Science Writer
Class of 2003-2004 -- Mr. Ira Flatow, National Public Radio
Class of 2002-2003 -- Dr. Samuel W. Bodman, DOC
Class of 2001-2002 -- Mr. Richard M. Russell, OSTP
Class of 2000-2001 -- Dr. Karen H. Brown, TA/DOC
Class of 1999-2000 -- Dr. Rosina Bierbaum, OSTP
Class of 1998-1999 -- Dr. Rita R. Colwell, NSF
Class of 1997-1998 -- Honorable J. C. Watts, Jr., U.S. House of Representatives
The 2004-2005 ComSci Program graduation ceremony was held on the evening of June 22, 2005 at the lovely Decatur House Museum Carriage House and Garden. Decatur House, a National Trust for Historic Preservation property, is one of the oldest surviving homes in Washington, D.C., and one of only three remaining residential buildings in the country designed by Benjamin Henry Latrobe. The home was completed in 1818 for naval hero Stephen Decatur and his wife, Susan. The three-story townhouse is constructed with red brick in the Federal style of architecture.
Ms. Cynthia Lynn, the ComSci Program Director, began the formal program by welcoming all those in attendance. She thanked the ComSci Fellows for making her 11th year with the ComSci Program an extremely memorable one. She extended her sincere congratulations and best wishes to the graduates.
Ms. Lynn introduced Ms. Michelle O'Neill, the Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology who is currently serving as the Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology. In Ms. O'Neill's initial remarks, she mentioned the "family" feeling of the ComSci fellowship, which she found very warm and welcoming, as well as the great enthusiasm shown by the current class members for the ComSci Program. Additionally, she spoke of the importance of science and technology and innovation to the United States' economy, and how critical it is that our innovation system and our technological advantage be preserved. Following her well wishes and congratulations to the soon-to-be graduates, she introduced the evening's commencement speaker: Mr. James Shreeve, author of The Genome War: How Craig Venter Tried to Capture the Code of Life and Save the World (Knopf, 2004).
Mr. Shreeve received his B.A. in English from Brown University and is a graduate of the Iowa Writers Workshop. He contributed fiction to various literary magazines before turning to science writing. His previous books include The Neandertal Enigma: Solving the Mystery of Modern Human Origins (William Morrow, 1995) and Lucy's Child: The Discovery of a Human Ancestor (with Donald Johanson, William Morrow, 1989).
Mr. Shreeve recounted his early aspirations of being a novelist; a fiction writer. He spoke about his first opportunity in science as the Public Information Officer at the Woods Hole Marine Biological Laboratory and how it opened doors for him as he started "knocking on doors," asking "what are you doing in here?" His experience at Woods Hole became a window into a new life, which contributed tremendously to his understanding of science.
Mr. Shreeve relayed the events which led up to the writing of The Genome War: How Craig Venter Tried to Capture the Code of Life and Save the World, and spoke about what he found inspiring in the enormously confident, Craig Venter.
Coincidently, the 2004-2005 ComSci graduation came at the time of the fifth anniversary since the human genome was announced at the White House. Since that time, we have learned that the genome is much more complex than first thought. Mr. Shreeve indicated that it will take a lot more sequencing to find the "miracle" drugs that were anticipated from this discovery.
Mr. Shreeve's hope is that we have policies in our government to allow genomic research to go through unimpeded by policy. "Science should always drive policy . . . policy should never drive science," he concluded.
The 2003-2004 ComSci Program graduation ceremony was held on the evening of June 23, 2004 at a different venue from the previous nine years – the Decatur House Museum Carriage House and Garden. Decatur House, a National Trust for Historic Preservation property, is one of the oldest surviving homes in Washington, D.C., and one of only three remaining residential buildings in the country designed by Benjamin Henry Latrobe. The home was completed in 1818 for naval hero Stephen Decatur and his wife, Susan. The three-story townhouse is constructed with red brick in the Federal style of architecture.
Ms. Cynthia Lynn, the ComSci Program Director, began the formal program by welcoming all those in attendance. She thanked the ComSci Fellows for making her tenth year with the ComSci Program an extremely special one made by the very special group of participants she had the honor of working with this year. She extended her sincere congratulations and best wishes to the graduates.
Ms. Lynn introduced Mr. Benjamin H. Wu, the Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology. He spoke briefly about the importance of science and technology and what it means to our Nation, and how the ComSci experience contributes to one’s science and technology knowledge.
Following Mr. Wu’s remarks, he introduced two of his distinguished colleagues from the Department of Commerce, Admiral Conrad Lautenbacher, retired U.S. Navy Vice Admiral, presently the Under Secretary and Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and Dr. Arden Bement, who is wearing two hats by heading up the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) – part of Technology Administration (TA), and at the request of the President, is serving as the Acting Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF).
Admiral Lautenbacher, a strong believer in the knowledge of science and technology, pointed out how science-based the Department of Commerce is, with NOAA, NIST and TA representing 80 percent of the Department. Admiral Lautenbacher emphasized that science and technology is the basis of everything we do today and will become even more important as we move into the future. Knowledge of science and technology has a direct connection to our society, he said, from economic benefits, to the way our political system is structured, to our ability to cope with the future.
Dr. Bement, the biggest beneficiary of the ComSci Program this year (with four graduates from NIST and one from NSF), expressed his pride in that fact. He acknowledged that the ComSci Program gives participants an opportunity to look at new leadership styles, to build a broader network, to understand more deeply how science is used, all of which are important for future advancement.
The featured commencement speaker was Mr. Ira Flatow, veteran National Public Radio (NPR) science correspondent and award winning radio and TV journalist. Each Friday, Mr. Flatow produces and hosts NPR’s “Talk of the Nation: Science Friday,” which brings its listeners lively, informative discussions on science and technology. Before joining NPR, Mr. Flatow was News Director at WBFO-FM/Buffalo, New York (1971). His numerous network TV credits include six years as host and writer for the Emmy-award-winning “Newton's Apple” on PBS (1982-1987); science reporter for CBS This Morning, and PM Magazine (Westinghouse). Mr. Flatow has worked for a variety of cable networks, including CNBC, Nickelodeon, The Learning Channel, The Discovery Channel and The History Channel. He has talked science on many TV talk shows including Merv Griffin, Today, Charlie Rose, and Oprah.
In print, Mr. Flatow has authored articles for various magazines ranging from Woman's Day to ESPN Magazine to American Lawyer. His commentary has appeared in The Los Angeles Times, and other newspapers. His most recent book – an autographed copy was given to each graduate – is entitled, They All Laughed ... From Light Bulbs to Lasers: The Fascinating Stories Behind the Great Inventions That Have Changed Our Lives (HarperCollins, New York). Mr. Flatow is currently exploring new and better ways of bringing science news to TV and the Internet.
Mr. Flatow began his remarks by saying that by speaking to a group of scientists, he felt as if he were “home” speaking to his relatives. He told the audience that not a day goes by when he does not have to convince his peers (journalists) about the importance of science and technology in our everyday lives.
Mr. Flatow’s enthusiasm for science and technology was quite evident as he continued his address. Furthermore, he expressed his gratitude as he mentioned how instrumental NSF’s grant was 13 years ago, which helped “Science Friday” get up and running.
Mr. Flatow passed along some of the insights he gained over the years by talking to science and technologists:
Do not to take no for an answer.
It is important to think for yourself and trust your own instincts.
Do not be afraid of new ideas from other people, and once in a while, get out of town to visit with other scientists.
Go where you are loved, where you are valued, and where people know you are worthy.
Once there, don’t expect to be patted on the back all the time. “Work for the love of what you do and not for the love of what you expect to get from other people,” he said.
When you find out what you are doing, you like what you’re doing, and you’re making progress in what you are doing, don’t be shy as most scientists are, but become vocal and get the message out about your accomplishments.
Mr. Flatow concluded by congratulating the graduates and wishing them greater and better things to come.
Our graduation ceremony was held on the evening of June 25, 2003, and began with Ms. Cynthia Lynn, the ComSci Program Director, welcoming all those in attendance. She thanked us for our help throughout the fellowship year, expressed her appreciation for helping her to learn through us, and offered her sincere congratulations and best wishes for our future.
Ms. Lynn introduced Mr. Benjamin H. Wu, the Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology. Mr. Wu spoke briefly about the overall importance and economic benefits of a strong science and technology policy before introducing our commencement speaker, Dr. Samuel W. Bodman, the Deputy Secretary of Commerce.
Dr. Bodman stated "the standard of living we enjoy today has been based on work that was done starting in the 1940s and 1950s, following World War II." Our economic well-being involves managing science and technology. He noted that throughout our fellowship year, we examined issues relating to the management of science and technology, and topics involving homeland security, managing the environment, and transforming the country's educational system. Our continued success in confronting these and other national challenges, he said, will depend upon effective leadership, which he believes is one of the most important outcomes of the ComSci Program -- "to further develop your skills so that you can serve as technically trained, technically sensitive, and technically responsible leaders, who can provide the kind of guidance and leadership that only comes from really knowing the subject matter in the depth that you know it."
Having spent his career in the private sector, in academia, and for the last two years in government, Dr. Bodman stated that it is easy to recognize when an individual responsible for dealing with an issue, really understands the issue. We have an enormous advantage, he said, in that we really understand the professions in which we have been trained and have been active in for most of our lives. He encouraged us to take our experience and apply the knowledge gained from the ComSci Program to seize the opportunity to help others and lead others, thereby helping the government do its job of providing the next generation of what happened in the 1940s and 1950s. "We have to change how we do things," he said, and "will have to think through how we do what we do and do it better." Consequently, our responsibility is, along with others participating in similar programs, to provide that kind of leadership.
Dr. Bodman concluded by saying that he looks forward to hearing about the many contributions we will be making as we go forward from having gained the benefit of the experience in this program. He congratulated us on behalf of Secretary Evans and all employees of the Department of Commerce.
We were all very thankful that our graduation ceremony ended on a much lighter note than it began in September 2001. The evening of June 19, 2002 was ours to celebrate!
Ms. Cynthia L. Lynn, the Director of the ComSci Program, began the ceremony by thanking us for our many and much appreciated contributions during the fellowship year. After congratulations and well wishes, she introduced our speaker -- Mr. Richard M. Russell.
Since November 2001, Mr. Russell has served as Associate Director (Designate) for Technology at the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). Between March and November of last year, he served as Chief of Staff. Prior to joining OSTP, he worked on the Presidential Transition Teams for the Department of Commerce, the National Science Foundation, and OSTP.
From 1995 through 2001, Mr. Russell worked for the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Science. He began his tenure on the Committee as a professional staff member for the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment. He was promoted to Staff Director for the Subcommittee on Technology, and finally to Deputy Chief of Staff for the full Science Committee.
Prior to joining the Science Committee, Mr. Russell was a professional staff member of the Merchant Marine and Fisheries Subcommittee on Oceanography. He also directed the Washington Office of the Association of California Water Agencies -- a non-profit association representing 400 public water agencies responsible for delivering 90 percent of California's domestic and agricultural water. Mr. Russell received his initial congressional experience working for Congressman Curt Weldon (R-PA). He then joined the staff of Senator John Seymour (R-CA). Mr. Russell earned a B.S. in Biology from Yale University.
Mr. Russell began by stressing the importance of executive development programs such as the ComSci Program, which contribute to the development of future leaders in science and technology. His address focused on the impact that science and technology have on our society and our economy.
Our entertainment for the evening was Ms. Lucinda Caldwell of Sidney's Music and Entertainment, who played the harp so eloquently, and John Hotaling, whose CD presentation of photographs taken throughout the fellowship year helped us recap our ComSci experience.
Our graduation ceremony was held on June 20, 2001 -- an evening that began very warm and ended very rainy, which was fitting only because it mimicked our one-week field trip to Puerto Rico (in reverse). Ms. Cynthia Lynn, the Director of the ComSci Program, began the ceremony by thanking us for our many and much appreciated contributions during the fellowship year. After congratulations and well wishes, she introduced our speaker -- Dr. Karen H. Brown.
Dr. Brown is currently wearing several hats at the Department of Commerce. She is the Acting Under Secretary for Technology, the Acting Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and the Deputy Director of NIST. Dr. Brown has been instrumental in furthering NIST's mission to strengthen the U.S. economy and improve the quality of life by working with industry to develop and apply technology, measurements, and standards. In January 1999, Dr. Brown came to the Federal Government from a 22-year career at IBM where she concentrated on solving problems in semiconductor lithography and microelectronics. She earned herself the title of Distinguished Engineer at IBM Microelectronics in Hopewell Junction, New York. She holds a B.A. in Chemistry and in History, and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Rochester.
Dr. Brown began her address by referring to the event, which concluded our fellowship year, as a commencement signifying the beginning of the next stage in our professional lives. She encouraged us to start and end each day "thinking of that moment as a time of commencement."
Dr. Brown took us back to look at where we were in the last century and compared it to where we are today. She cited many innovations (i.e., computer chips and personal computers, the Internet, being able to unravel the mysteries of DNA, gene therapy, genetically modified crops, liquid crystal displays, cell phones, lasers, and digital recording, etc.) have come about in the past century that we could never have fathomed. In contrast, she pointed out the many innovations (i.e., personal air cars, fusion and electricity that is too cheap to meter, personal robots, and practical high-temperature superconductors) that might have seemed like sure bets 50 years ago but today are still quite elusive. She stressed the importance of the need to always look ahead and envision what is possible. She stated "We should know by now that we cannot predict the future with any certainty. But we should also know by now that if we don't at least try to envision the future, we certainly won't achieve what we otherwise could."
"All signs point to the 21st Century as a remarkable period for future advancement in science and technology. America needs to have a strong science and technology infrastructure if we are going to succeed," she emphasized "not just from the standpoint of technological competitiveness but also from the perspective of a healthy and productive population. People are such a critical part of that infrastructure. We need people with the talent and the experience to help develop more informed policies; to put policies into practice; and to manage the programs that contribute to scientific and technical advances."
Even though the future is not predictable and we should realize that science and technology would look very different in 10, 20, or 30 years from now, we have been given an opportunity to learn new skills -- skills, which have better equipped us to deal with these changes, she said. She encouraged us not to limit ourselves, but to accept the challenge of change, and she urged us to share with others back in our home agencies some of the "best practices" we have been exposed to during our fellowship year.
The 1999-2000 ComSci graduation was held on the evening of Wednesday, June 21, 2000. Cynthia Lynn, the Director of the ComSci Program, began the ceremony by thanking the graduating fellows for their contributions over the last ten months. After congratulations and well wishes, Ms. Lynn introduced our commencement speaker -- the Honorable Rosina Bierbaum, Associate Director for Environment in the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) at the White House.
Prior to her tenure at OSTP, Dr. Bierbaum served for 18 years at the Office of Technology Assessment. She has written numerous articles for technical and popular journals, and serves on the editorial board of "Consequences" -- a journal, which focuses on environmental change. She has received numerous awards including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Climate Protection Award, and the Waldo E. Smith Medal from the American Geophysical Union. She received her Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolution from the State University of New York, Stony Brook.
Dr. Bierbaum began her address by remarking about the incredible staying power of the ComSci Program over 36 years. She believes it is most important that scientists and technologists speak the same culture and communicate the federal research portfolio. She emphasized the need to train the next generation of scientists. Continuing her point, Dr. Bierbaum stressed that funding for science research and education is essential, and that funding must be continued to keep science going and help the public understanding of science.
Her vision of the future in science and technology includes nanotechnology, information technology, satellite technology, and biotechnology, all of which offer unbelievable advances for the benefit of all citizens.
On the evening of June 17, 1999, Cynthia Lynn, the Facilitator of the ComSci Program, began the graduation festivities by thanking the ComSci class of 1998-1999 for the expertise and enthusiasm that each one of them brought to the program. After congratulations and well wishes, Ms. Lynn introduced our commencement speaker -- the Honorable Rita R. Colwell, Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF).
Dr. Colwell took office in August 1998, directing an agency that supports research and education in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology. Before becoming the NSF Director, Dr. Colwell was president of the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, and professor of Microbiology at the University of Maryland. She began her career in 1957 as a research assistant at the University of Washington. Throughout her career, she has held numerous advisory positions in the U.S. government, in private foundations, and in the international community. A nationally respected scientist and educator, Dr. Colwell has co-authored 16 books and more than 500 scientific publications. She holds an M.S. in Genetics from Purdue University, and a Ph.D. in Marine Microbiology from the University of Washington.
Dr. Colwell began her address by remarking about the impact that science and technology have on our society and our economy. She stated that public understanding and student achievement in science and mathematics are not keeping pace with rapidly advancing technological innovations -- innovations, which are radically changing the way we work and live.
Stressing the importance of strengthening science education and information access, Dr. Colwell itemized how to accomplish this. She suggested two analogies for increasing the public benefits of science and technology: (1) "continuous improvement" depends on "continuous learning" by those in the science community and by the public as a whole, and (2) the continuation of the "integrated supply chain" resulting from technology which has made information sharing more accessible, depends on the elimination of institutional and cultural hurdles that isolate different science disciplines from each other and from the public. Listening more to each other and to the society that we serve can do this.
Dr. Colwell made the point that "we need to balance our portfolios across a broad range of opportunities and risks." She emphasized her point by quoting selected words of wisdom from Albert Einstein. She suggested that we reflect upon his words and consider them as sound career advice. Einstein said, "The only real valuable thing is intuition." Dr. Colwell stated that our instincts and judgments are fundamental to effective leadership in science and that we should never stop questioning.
Albert Einstein said, "The important thing is not to stop questioning." Dr. Colwell added that breaking through and overcoming barriers allow us to move forward through the leadership of individuals who are not afraid to ask questions and offer fresh insights.
Dr. Colwell's final quotation of Albert Einstein, "anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new," left us full of inspiration and encouragement as public servants to take risks and try new ideas. By daring to do new things, we will enrich our lives and improve our world, she said.
The graduation ceremony and reception were held in the Main Lobby of the Herbert C. Hoover Building of the Department of Commerce on Thursday evening, June 18, 1998. Another extremely valuable and memorable fellowship year concluded as we listened to the very talented harpist, Lucinda Caldwell, who kept us entertained with her beautiful music throughout the evening.
Dr. Kent H. Hughes, Associate Deputy Secretary of Commerce, opened the program by congratulating the 29th graduating class and by giving the ComSci Program glowing accolades. He introduced our guest speaker, the Honorable J. C. Watts, Jr., who represents the 4th District of Oklahoma in the U.S. House of Representatives. Dr. Hughes mentioned Congressman Watts' many achievements, his strong values, and his passion and commitment for balancing the budget, improving education and strengthening our defense.
Congressman Watts gave an extremely powerful and inspiring commencement address. His pride in being an American citizen and the importance he places on being in public service was most evident. Congressman Watts extended a challenge to all in attendance to be the very best and give the most we can. He stressed the importance of education to be able to compete in the global marketplace. "We need resources to win, not just to play the game", he concluded. Congressman Watts' address was rewarded with a standing ovation.
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