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Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Accolades For Dr. Geddes Come In

In the wake of yesterday’s announcement, comments and congratulations have been coming in.  Here are a few samples, and check back for new additions.

Willis A. Tacker, Jr., Ph.D., M.D., a Purdue professor in the Department of Basic Medical Sciences and part of the team brought from Baylor by Geddes to start biomedical engineering research at Purdue and who has been a colleague of Dr. Geddes for 43 years:

“Dr Geddes is a national treasure.  The impact of his life on other people – many of whom don’t even know his name - has been enormous.  His scientific contributions span decades. His work has prolonged the lives and improved the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of people.  His development of devices, materials and procedures has created products, companies and jobs for thousands of people.  Even forty-five years ago his medical monitoring devices helped to put the first Americans in space.  His teaching has inspired thousands of students, and those students will no doubt inspire others.  Probably his most lasting greatness resides in the ongoing, dynamic lives of his students and subsequently in their students.  His contributions will accelerate and enlarge themselves long after individuals forget that Les Geddes was the source of the inspiration, the contribution and the benefit, and that of course, is every teacher’s dream.”

Kinam Park, Ph.D, Showalter Distinguished Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Professor of Pharmaceutics:

“The National Medal of Technology Award is an ultimate honor for all scientists, and it is only natural that Dr. Geddes receives this award.  Dr. Geddes is not only a great scientist but also, more importantly, a great person. He deserves another award, the National Medal of Inspiration Award for his life-long efforts of motivating others, particularly young scientists.  He has been a role model for numerous scientists, including me.  I am so honored to follow his footsteps as the current Showalter Distinguished Professor, and he has set the bar so high that it is rather questionable whether anyone can reach that level, but it is always comforting to know that Dr. Geddes is in the same campus and ready to give us advice at moment’s notice.  We the Boilermakers could not be happier and more proud with such a timely recognition of Dr. Geddes, a hard Boilermaker!”

Sherry L. Voytik-Harbin, Purdue Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Associate Professor of Basic Medical Sciences:

Les Geddes is an innovator, idea generator, educator, mentor, and friend like no other.  He is truly an inspiration to me and many other individuals
whose lives he’s touched.  His selfless and tireless efforts to develop and grow biomedical engineering and a spirit of entrepreneurship will leave an everlasting mark at Purdue, within the State of Indiana, and internationally.  The recent announcement that he is to receive the National Medal of
Technology Award later this month is so fitting as he has made countless scientific contributions and has had such positive impact on medicine and
society.  I look forward every day to his guiding words of wisdom which are typically delivered to me before the sun is up.  As a graduate student and now as a faculty member, one of my goals continues to be to beat him to work in the morning.

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