Purdue's Nobel Laureate receives Order of the Griffin
Ei-ichi Negishi, Purdue's Herbert C. Brown Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and 2010 winner of the Nobel Prize in chemistry, was honored with the university's Order of the Griffin. (Purdue University photo/Andrew Hancock)
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Ei-ichi Negishi, Purdue's Herbert C. Brown Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and 2010 winner of the Nobel Prize in chemistry, has received the Order of the Griffin from President France A. Córdova.
The Order of the Griffin, one of Purdue's highest honors, is given to individuals whose commitment and service to the university go well beyond the call of duty, and whose strength and vision have greatly benefited the institution.
Negishi received the award Thursday (Feb. 3) at the Dr. Ei-ichi Negishi Nobel Laureate Celebration Dinner in the Purdue Memorial Union.
"Your distinguished work during your many years at Purdue has truly moved this university forward," Córdova said. "With an eye toward the lofty goals you set for yourself, you have made an impact on the world through research and on your students through your teaching and mentoring."
Negishi also was recognized by the College of Science. Jeffrey Roberts, the Frederick L. Hovde Dean of the College of Science, presented Negishi with an inscribed crystal globe.
"We wanted to give Dr. Negishi something special to recognize his scientific contributions and the renown he has brought to the department, our college and the university," Roberts said.
The inscription reads "The College of Science recognizes Dr. Negishi for being the master magician of transition metals." It references Negishi's Nobel Lecture entitled "Magical Power of Transition Metals: Past, Present and Future."
During the celebration, state Sen. Ron Alting and state Reps. Sheila Klinker and Randy Truitt presented Negishi with the Sagamore of the Wabash, a state honor conferred by Gov. Mitch Daniels; and Purdue trustee Keith Krach read a resolution recognizing Negishi that was presented at an earlier board of trustees meeting.
Negishi received the 2010 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work in creating a method to build complex organic molecules necessary for numerous purposes, from pharmaceutical manufacturing to electronics.
Past recipients of the Order of the Griffin have included Negishi's mentor Herbert Brown, who also won the Nobel Prize, and astronauts Neil Armstrong and Gene Cernan.
Writer: Elizabeth K. Gardner, 765-494-2081, ekgardner@purdue.edu
Source: Jeffrey Roberts, 765-494-1730, jtrob@purdue.edu
Link to Negishi's Nobel Lecture: https://www.nobelprize.org