Cornell astronomer Yervant Terzian receives honorary degree in Greece

Yervant Terzian, the James A. Weeks Professor of Physical Sciences and chairman of the astronomy department at Cornell University, 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.

Terzian also holds honorary degrees from Indiana University (1989) and the University of Yerevan in Armenia (1994). He has been director of the Pew Undergraduate Science Education Program since 1987 and is director of the NASA-New York State Space Grant at Cornell.

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