A Reporter's Notebook
Many of us at the Biotechnology Center have been anticipating this event for weeks. It's been a whirlwind of planning menus, renting equipment, coordinating speakers, and designing and producing materials. But it started to look real at the 3 p.m. walk-through. The tables were covered, podium set-up and chairs placed. The name tags starting to arrive and we made last minute-adjustments to the placement of everything.
The evening started with a panel discussion on the state of science. The guests were:
- James C. Moeser, Chancellor, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- E. Norris Tolson, President and Chief Executive Officer, North Carolina Biotechnology Center
- William L. Roper, Stuart Bondurant Distinguished Professor and Dean, The University of North Carolina School of Medicine
- Oliver Smithies, Excellence Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of North Carolina School of Medicine
- Stuart Bondurant, Professor of Medicine and Dean Emeritus, University of North Carolina School of Medicine
The story that emerged was one of collaboration and sharing; not the norm in a research institution. Dr. Smithies remarked that it was this spirit that made Carolina a good fit for his research, and Dean Roper confirmed that other faculty said the atmosphere is "different here" at Carolina
Dr. Bondurant joined the panel at the last minute, but didn't hold back in his praise of Dr. Smithies, Carolina, or the state. He credited the legislature for taking what was a "B-level" industry and raising it to an A through the creation of the Biotechnology Center nearly a quarter-century ago. He was slightly less patient with the group responsible for Dr. Smithies' big award.
"It took a long time for the Nobel Committee to get around to it as far as I'm concerned," Dr. Bondurant said.
After some informal discussions and media interviews, Dr. Smithies and the student science fair winners talked about what it takes to be a scientist. Dr. Smithies asked how many had done an experiment today, and the Nobel Laureate was the only one who raised his hand.
The formal reception was well under way when the panelists joined in. The formal remarks started shortly thereafter, with two businessmen (Tolson and Bowles) and a church organist (Moeser) paying compliments to the Nobel Laureate, the faculty recruited in part with Biotechnology Center funds, and the student scientists. Dean Roper introduced the Nobel Prize winner, who took the stage as the caterers began putting out the food.
The celebration stayed in full swing until almost 8 p.m., and it was Dr. Smithies, the students, and their families that closed the place down. It's fair to say a good time was had by all.
Compiled by Robin Deacle, e-Communications Manager for the Biotechnology Center.