Dimitri N. Coucouvanis, Distinguished Faculty Achievement Award
Dimitri Coucouvanis’ investigations in pure and inorganic chemistry have made a significant impact on our understanding of how biological molecules function. He has pioneered methods for the assembly of a large number of different metal compounds, helping to establish their fundamental chemistry. Many of these molecules are important to biology because they serve as simpler models of the active sites in iron-sulfur proteins, a ubiquitous group of proteins that carry out essential reactions in all living systems.
One of his key contributions has been his investigation of the inorganic chemistry of Nitrogenase, an enzyme that is used by nature to convert nitrogen gas to ammonia. The outline of this protein’s structure was recently established, but the structure of the metal centers that give the enzyme its catalytic activity are still obscure. Using the models of this active site provided by Professor Coucouvanis’ laboratory, we will soon have a clear picture of how this enzyme functions.
His elegant and scholarly studies on molybdenum-sulfide compounds are now cited frequently in the chemical literature. His insights are extremely important to understanding how industrial catalysts remove sulfur, a pollutant in acid rain, from crude oil. Such knowledge will eventually lead to better processes of converting crude oil efficiently into clean- burning gasoline.
Professor Coucouvanis’ talents as a mentor and a teacher are also major contributions to academia. Contagiously excited about chemistry and research, he continuously formulates intriguing hypotheses. He truly cares for his students, always providing valuable advice about their personal and career pursuits. His students are educated to the highest of professional standards, and he does not tolerate mediocrity.
Professor Coucouvanis must be ranked in the group of truly outstanding senior bioinorganic chemists here and abroad. He has never undertaken a trivial problem and has never run out of ideas. An international leader in the development of inorganic chemistry as a discipline, he serves on the Nomenclature Committee of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry and as an Editorial Advisory Board Member for the journal Inorganic Chemistry, the most prestigious scholarly periodical of the field. As one of the most famous Greek chemists of the twentieth century, he is an important consultant to the entire Greek academic system.
The University of Michigan is honored to present Dimitri Coucouvanis with the Distinguished Faculty Achievement Award.
F. Thomas Juster, Senior University Research Scientist Lectureship Award
F. Thomas Juster has had a remarkable career both as Research Scientist and as Director at the Institute for Social Research. A pioneer in the study of consumer expectations and behavior, he has made major contributions to our understanding of the economics of time use, how wealth is distributed, and the economic behavior of the elderly. Through his broad interdisciplinary studies and interests, Professor Juster has made his mark on several distinct but now interrelated fields of social science research.
One of Professor Juster’s most important contributions has been his study of time use. He showed that the usual approach of asking people to recall a “typical day” was very biased. “Time diaries” in which one recorded the actual events of the previous day proved to be much more reliable. From this research he has found, for example, that the number of hours worked by men in the United States has declined much more than conventional questionnaires about workweeks would suggest.
Professor Juster has also done extensive work on the distribution of wealth. Obtaining adequate data on wealth distribution is notoriously difficult because respondents are often uncertain about their own worth, and reluctant to report what they do know. Wealth is also highly concentrated, and typical surveys have few very wealthy respondents, making it difficult to achieve a sufficiently large sample. Juster repeated an important financial survey, using a complicated sampling procedure with careful statistical weighting, and found that there is dramatically greater wealth among the very wealthy than is suggested by other surveys.
Most recently, Professor Juster designed and currently directs the interdisciplinary Health and Retirement Survey, perhaps the most ambitious enterprise ever sponsored by the National Institute on Aging. The project is likely to extend well into the twenty-first century, and is certain to make vital contributions not only to research and theory, but to national policy affecting the well-being of millions of Americans as well.
His interest in social science derives from a belief that sound social policy cannot be made unless policy-makers have accurate information. He has been instrumental in explaining to policy-makers and Congress the importance and applicability of social science research.
Throughout his career he has engaged in research that not only commands the full respect of peers in his own discipline, but has brought his discipline into constructive contact with other fields of study.
The University of Michigan is honored to present F. Thomas Juster with its Senior Research Scientist Lectureship Award.
Martin E. Katz, Distinguished Faculty Achievement Award
One of the finest piano accompanists in the field of music today, Martin Katz is a respected collaborator. Characteristic of his art is his active concern for repertory development, his profound knowledge of various styles, his grasp of the human voice, and his ability to bring out the best in every singer.
Life in the School of Music might perhaps be more tranquil if Martin Katz were elsewhere. But as Dean Paul Boylan observes, “great art must agitate the calm,” and Professor Katz is definitely in quest of great art. He pursues this quest in prominent partnership as pianist with many of the world’s most celebrated vocalists on five continents. Since 1967 he has performed regularly with such artists as Marilyn Horne, Frederica von Stade, Kiri Te Kanawa, Kathleen Battle and Jose Carreras, to name only a few. He always respects the individuality of the artist and always collaborates in ways that produce a seamless artistic statement. Dispelling once and for all the notion that the accompanist is a shy violet, he retains a keen awareness of what the singer needs at every turn of phrase.
Restless in the now positive sense of the word, Professor Katz’s recent forays into conducting find him assured and vigorous at the podium. He often seems to propel the music and to protect the integrity of the singers, both at the same time. He has brought his sense of partnership and his keyboard skill and expanded it upon the orchestra.
Professor Katz brings equal intensity, zeal and effectiveness to his teaching. He loves his art overflowingly, yet knows clearly the challenges his students will face when they enter the professional world of music. He is unendingly devoted to his graduate students, with whom he shares not only his time and energy, but often his dinner table.
Professor Katz has something all artists need, a gift that cannot be taught except by luminous example. He has retained the wonderment of a child in the full maturity of his art. Talking about music still inspires him to great diatribes and great encomium. The performance of music remains sacred to him and he is never seen at less than his inspired best.
The University of Michigan is honored to present Martin Katz with its Distinguished Faculty Achievement Award.
Jean P. Krisch, Amoco Foundation Faculty Teaching Award
Professor Krisch has an unsurpassed record for excellence as teacher of the University of Michigan’s courses in elementary physics. Because the beginning physics course is required, and a difficult challenge for many students, the nearly unanimous approval rating of her teaching is most unusual.
Physics, counterintuitive in many ways, requires a great deal of abstract thinking; Professor Krisch has the rare ability to draw her students into the heart of her subject and to challenge them to think for themselves. Her enthusiasm for physics is infectious, both in large lecture halls and one-to-one with independent study students. There is a remarkable clarity to her presentations, and she skillfully adopts the level of her discussion to that of her audience.
Beyond her teaching abilities, she is scrupulously fair. Students report that she is humble, caring and concerned about their welfare. One student noted that “she was the first professor ever to make me feel truly at home in her office.” The close relationships she has established with students have given many the courage to remain and complete degrees in physics.
Over the past few years, as Associate Chair for the Undergraduate Program, she has played an exemplary role in the rejuvenation of undergraduate teaching. Many of the initiatives that she has personally seen through to fruition have enriched the “quality of life” of physics majors, and have promoted the cause of science education in general. Her sponsorship has enabled the Student Physics Society to become one of the strongest chapters in the country. She was also instrumental in the organizing of the summer research program for undergraduates, and developed a laboratory course for elementary school teachers. Her efforts have helped bring national recognition to our undergraduate physics program.
For her excellence in teaching, the University of Michigan is proud to pre-sent Professor Jean Krisch with the Amoco Foundation Faculty Teaching Award.
