University of Saskatchewan honours legacy of Nobel Medal recipient and alumnus, Henry Taube

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - September 20, 2013 SASKATOON - The University of Saskatchewan is holding a ceremony today honouring the life and legacy of alumnus Henry Taube (BSC'35, MSc'37), the only U of S graduate and Canadian-born chemist to have been awarded a Nobel Prize.

Taube was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1983 for his research that focused on the basic mechanisms of chemical reactions and, specifically, electron-transfer reactions.
He passed away in 2005, and his family donated his Nobel gold medal, along with various other personal awards and keepsakes, to the U of S in 2011. An exhibit featuring much of this memorabilia is on display in the Murray Library. The Nobel medal was added to the display for today's ceremony.
After graduating with his master's degree from the U of S, Taube earned a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, and worked at Cornell University, the University of Chicago and Stanford University.
"The significance comes from considering that Taube was a guy who grew up in small town Saskatchewan, came to the university, was interested in chemistry and went on to what would be the pinnacle of that kind of career," said Dave Palmer, head of the Department of Chemistry at the U of S.
"To me, it speaks well beyond science. It tells people that sort of career trajectory is possible. Much like a drama student looking to win an academy award or (a writer) winning Pulitzer Prize, there is no reason that can't be you."
Today's ceremony coincides with the Department of Chemistry's centennial and reunion, which is being held on campus September 20 and 21.
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For more information, contact:
Kirk Sibald
Communications Officer
College of Arts and Science
306-966-1982
kirk.sibald@usask.ca

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