The University of Maryland (UMD) announced that Robert E. Fischell, NC G ’51, was to be awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation in the East Room of the White House on Friday, January 22, 2016. The Medal is the “nation’s highest honor for technological achievement bestowed by the President of the United States to honor those who have advanced U.S. competitiveness in world markets, created new jobs, and made technological contributions to industries and people everywhere.”
Currently, he is a professor of practice, physics at UMD. Fischell is “known for inventing life-saving medical devices, and pioneering the modern era of space satellites. He holds more than 200 patents, including nearly 30 patents on orbiting spacecraft.” He received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Duke University and his master’s in Physics from the UMD. He was also awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Maryland in 1996. See the full list of 2015 recipients of the National Medal of Science and National Medal of Technology and Innovation from the White House press release.
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Malcolm G. Murray Jr., NC G ’52, sold signal mirrors for nearly 50 years. He patented two of his signal mirror designs and distributed signal mirrors to fisherman on the island of Aruba where he worked with Exxon. Murray passed away in December at the age of 85. Read the obituary from the Deer Park Funeral Directors for complete biographical details. Murray was the author of “Aimable Air/Sea Rescue Signal Mirrors” which was published in the Fall 2004 issue of The Bent of Tau Beta Pi.
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In January, senior defensive back Cody J. Sorensen, ID B 2016, was profiled as the National Football Foundation (NFF) Scholar-Athlete of the Day. Sorensen is majoring in mechanical engineering at Idaho State University, a 2015 First Team CoSIDA Academic All-American, a two-time FCS ADA Academic All-Star, and semi-finalist for the 2015 Campbell Trophy.
He is also active in community service having volunteered for “Shop with a Cop” and read to local elementary school students. Click here for the full profile and announcement.
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