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BGU Confers Honorary Doctorates on Three Americans

BGU Confers Honorary Doctorates on Three Americans

June 15, 2016

Leadership, Awards & Events, Press Releases

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev recently awarded prestigious honorary doctoral degrees to three Americans at its 46th Board of Governors in Beer-Sheva: a global healthcare visionary; a distinguished philanthropist and retired businessman; and a world-renowned computer scientist.

Dr. Harvey V. Fineberg, M.D., Ph.D. is a global healthcare visionary who has devoted most of his distinguished academic career to the fields of health policy and medical decision-making.

BOG2016_1985His research has focused on the process of policy development and implementation; assessment of medical technology; evaluation and use of vaccines; and dissemination of medical innovations.

Prof. Feinberg is the president of the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, a U.S. organization that seeks to develop outcome-based projects that will improve the quality of life for future generations.

At the ceremony, BGU President Prof. Rivka Carmi conferred upon him the degree of Doctor Philosophiae Honoris Causa “as a pre-eminent visionary and scientist, dedicated to advancing public health worldwide and whose studies of medical decision-making and health policy have made a lasting global impact.

“He has demonstrated a profound commitment to human rights and made contributions to the noble cause of preventing diseases and improving the quality of life for people around the world.”

View a video about Dr. Harvey V. Fineberg >>

Ernest Scheller, Jr. is a prominent Delaware Valley philanthropist, business and community leader. Scheller and his wife, Roberta, have been connected with Jewish and other charitable organizations for over 50 years.

The 46th Board of Governors Meeting Program Conferment Ceremony of Honorary Doctoral Degrees upon: Prof. Irwin Cotler, Canada  Prof. Harvey V. Fineberg, USA Prof. Valerie Mizrahi, South Africa Ernest Scheller, Jr., USA Prof. Silvia Torres-Peimbert, Mexico Prof. Jeffrey D. Ullman, USA

He has been an active member of the Americans for Ben-Gurion University Mid-Atlantic Region for more than 20 years, and is presently an associate chair of the region. He also serves on Americans for Ben-Gurion University’s national board and on BGU’s Board of Governors.

In support of BGU, he established the Ernest Scheller, Jr. Chair in Innovative Management, the Roberta and Ernest Scheller, Jr. Family Surface Analysis Laboratory, and the Roberta and Ernest Scheller, Jr. Family Foundation Atrium at the entrance to the Diane and Guilford Glazer Building for the Guilford Glazer Faculty of Business and Management. Each year, the Schellers make a major gift for scholarships for the Ginsburg-Ingerman Overseas Student Program, or other Americans for Ben-Gurion University projects.

Most recently, they partnered with their daughter and son-in-law, Lisa Scheller and Wayne Woodman, in providing significant funds for what is now called the Woodman-Scheller Israel Studies International Program. They are members of the Ben-Gurion and Living Legacy societies.

At the ceremony, BGU President Prof. Rivka Carmi conferred upon him the degree of Doctor Philosophiae Honoris Causa, calling him “a paragon of commitment to the greater good who generously lends his support to budding entrepreneurs and supports the growth of industry. He is a passionate Zionist and a compassionate benefactor with a deep commitment to the advancement of education throughout the State of Israel and the Negev in particular.”

View a video about Ernest Scheller, Jr. >>

Prof. Jeffrey D. Ullman is a world-renowned computer scientist who is currently chief executive officer of Gradience Corp. and has been involved in information integration, warehouse design and data mining.

The 46th Board of Governors Meeting Program Conferment Ceremony of Honorary Doctoral Degrees upon: Prof. Irwin Cotler, Canada  Prof. Harvey V. Fineberg, USA Prof. Valerie Mizrahi, South Africa Ernest Scheller, Jr., USA Prof. Silvia Torres-Peimbert, Mexico Prof. Jeffrey D. Ullman, USA

Prof. Ullman is the Stanford W. Ascherman Professor of Engineering (emeritus) in the Department of Computer Science at Stanford University where he taught from 1979 to 2002.

He is presently a member of the Computing Research Association Board and the W3C Advisory Board. In the past, he has served as chair of the CS-GRE Examination Board, a member of the Association for Computer Machinery Council (ACM), chair of the New York State CS Doctoral Evaluation Board, and on several National Science Federation advisory boards. He is the author of 19 books and continues to serve as an editor on technical journals.

Prof. Ullman and his wife, Holly, are members of the BGU Board of Governors. They established the Martha and Solomon Scharf Prize for Developing Excellence in Computer, Communications and Information Sciences at BGU, and support University research activity in the computer science disciplines.

At the ceremony, BGU President Prof. Rivka Carmi conferred upon him the degree of Doctor Philosophiae Honoris Causa, calling him “a brilliant and world-renowned scientist who has made an indelible mark on the field of computer sciences.

“Prof. Ullman laid the foundations for database theory and the theory of automata and formal languages to expand the boundaries of human knowledge.”

View a video about Prof. Jeffrey D. Ullman >>

ABOUT AMERICANS FOR BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY

By supporting a world-class academic institution that not only nurtures the Negev, but also shares its expertise locally and globally, Americans for Ben-Gurion University engages a community of Americans who are committed to improving the world. David Ben-Gurion envisioned that Israel’s future would be forged in the Negev. The cutting-edge research carried out at Ben-Gurion University drives that vision by sustaining a desert Silicon Valley, with the “Stanford of the Negev” at its center. The Americans for Ben-Gurion University movement supports a 21st century unifying vision for Israel by rallying around BGU’s remarkable work and role as an apolitical beacon of light in the Negev desert.

About Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev embraces the endless potential we have as individuals and as a commonality to adapt and to thrive in changing environments. Inspired by our location in the desert, we aim to discover, to create, and to develop solutions to dynamic challenges, to pose questions that have yet to be asked, and to push beyond the boundaries of the commonly accepted and possible.

We are proud to be a central force for inclusion, diversity and innovation in Israel, and we strive to extend the Negev’s potential and our entrepreneurial spirit throughout the world. For example, the multi-disciplinary School for Sustainability and Climate Change at BGU leverages over 50 years of expertise on living and thriving in the desert into scalable solutions for people everywhere.

BGU at a glance:  

20,000 students | 800 senior faculty | 3 campuses | 6 faculties: humanities & social sciences, health sciences, engineering sciences, natural sciences, business & management, and desert research.

 

For all press inquiries, please contact:

James Fattal, J Cubed Communications

516.289.1496

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