Yervant Terzian, the James A. Weeks Professor of Physical Sciences and chairman of the astronomy department, received an honorary doctor of science degree from the University of Thessaloniki in Greece on March 17. Three days of celebration included an address by Terzian on "The Values of Science," which he delivered in Greek; a physics colloquium on "Extrasolar Planets"; and an astronomy colloquium on "Radio Astronomy at Arecibo Observatory." Terzian was honored "for his scientific achievements in astronomy and astrophysics and for his untiring efforts in science education," according to the announcement by Nicholas K. Spyrou, professor of astronomy and director of the Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics at the University of Thessaloniki. The degree was presented by Anthony I. Manti, president of the university.
Gary A. Rendsburg, professor of Near Eastern Studies, has received a fellowship at the Center for Judaic Studies of the University of Pennsylvania for the 1997-98 academic year. The center operates as a research institute and is the only such institute of its kind in the United States. Each year a theme is announced, and 12 professors from around the world are invited to participate as research fellows. Next year's theme is "The Bible and the Ancient Near East," and Rendsburg will be researching the topic of "Israel in Egypt: A Study of Exodus 1-15."
The Popular Culture Association has given its 1997 National Book Award in the biography/autobiography category to Michael Kammen, the Newton C. Farr Professor of American History and Culture, for The Lively Arts: Gilbert Seldes and the Transformation of Cultural Criticism in the United States (Oxford University Press, 1996). The book award is named in honor of Ray and Pat Browne, founders of the Popular Culture Association. Kammen received the award at a conference of the Popular Culture Association in San Antonio, Texas, on March 27.