Two Yale scientists were honored recently both for their contributions to their respective fields and for their roles in nurturing young minds in the University's classrooms.
The William Clyde DeVane Medal, the oldest and the highest award for distinguished scholarship and teaching in Yale College, was presented to E. Robert Beringer and Adrian Hayday at the annual Phi Beta Kappa dinner on March 3. Mr. Beringer is the William R. Kenan Jr. Professor Emeritus of Physics, and Mr. Hayday is associate professor of biology and immunobiology.
Established in 1966, the medal is named for William Clyde DeVane, who was dean of Yale College 1938-63, as well as a longtime president of the Yale Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa and former president of the United Chapters of Phi Beta Kappa. Each year, graduate members of the society vote to present the medal to a retired faculty member, this year, Professor Beringer, while members of the senior class elect an active member of the faculty to receive the award, this year, Professor Hayday. E. Robert Beringer
Professor Beringer, who earned a Ph.D. from Yale in 1942, was involved in the development of microwave radar while working in the Radiation Laboratory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology during World War II. After joining the Yale faculty in 1946, he continued his work on high-frequency electromagnetics, eventually helping to establish the Yale Heavy Ion Accelerator Project, which he directed for many years. That program helped the University to become a worldwide leader in nuclear physics.
In presenting the DeVane Medal to Professor Beringer at the March 3 dinner, Jack Sandweiss, the Donner Professor of Physics, noted that "important as it was, research is only one facet of Bob's work at Yale. ... It probably was in his teaching that Bob made the greatest impact on the education Yale provided. His courses always made contact with the most fundamental and underlying principles -- those aspects of science which have the greatest durability."
Professor Sandweiss recalled in particular "Physics 250," an introductory course that "became justly famed both for its instructor and for the excitement and interest it engendered in its students. Many of our most successful graduates, who have gone on to distinguished careers, were introduced to physics by Bob in Physics 250.
"Indeed, upon the occasion of Bob's retirement our department voted that we should follow the example of the sports world and their stars -- we would retire the course number," Professor Sandweiss noted, adding that, since then, the course has been known as "Physics 260."
"In summary," he said, "Robert Beringer truly exemplifies those qualities of scholarship and teaching which we collectively treasure and which the DeVane Medal recognizes." Adrian Hayday
A native of London, Professor Hayday joined the Yale faculty in 1985. His research has been focused in the fields of cancer and immunobiology research. Most recently, he has been investigating the molecular processes involved in the development of immune responses and immunological diseases, and has worked extensively with T cells, which help the body defend itself against pathogens. In fact, Professor Hayday was among the first scientists to discover and name a new set of T cells bearing a gamma receptor. Liana Leung '97 of Calhoun College, undergraduate president of the Yale Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, presented the DeVane Medal to Professor Hayday at the March 3 dinner. "Professor Hayday clearly imparts his passion for biology in his roles as a dedicated teacher and adviser for students," she said, noting, "Students uniformly praise Professor Hayday's captivating teaching style. ... Having personally heard Professor Hayday teach last semester, I can also attest to his outstanding ability to elucidate even the most difficult concepts and to enrich the core material with the most recent scientific discoveries."
In addition, Professor Hayday "takes a sincere interest in the academic career of his students and inspires them to participate in research," noted Ms. Leung, adding, "An atmosphere of friendship, cooperation and mutual understanding of responsibilities pervades his lab -- the secret to his success in providing excellent research training to so many students.
"But," she continued, "perhaps the hallmark that distinguishes Professor Hayday from many other teachers is his warm and easy- going personality. ... Many students praise Professor Hayday's genuine concern for his students, inquiring not only about their academic progress, but even ensuring that they don't go home alone after dark. Finally, students appreciate his great sense of humor, ready smile, and frequent encouragements."
Also speaking at the March 3 DeVane Medals ceremony were Frank M. Turner, the John Hay Whitney Professor of History and graduate president of the Yale chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, who presided as master of ceremonies; Anne Fadiman, editor-designate of The American Scholar, who was the featured speaker; and Rachel Wetzsteon '89, who recited the poem "The Jewel on the Ice," which she wrote for the occasion. The latter is part of a projected series of original poems commissioned by the Yale chapter.