Ahmed Zewail Femtochemist
Zewail was the first Arab to win a Nobel Prize in any scientific field, and lamented the quality of education in the Middle East.
From This is True for 7 August 2016
education
Educators and other mentors
John Lo Schiavo Ethical university president
Lo Schiavo demanded that the University of San Francisco live up to its own ethical standards.
From This is True for 24 May 2015
Robert Panara ASL popularizer
“He was one of the founders of deaf studies — the study of the culture, the community and lives of deaf people.”
From This is True for 27 July 2014
Lee Lorch Mathematician
Met Life was unamused, and got him fired from his new job, too.
From This is True for 2 March 2014
John Dobson Sidewalk astronomer
He designed the Dobsonian Telescope, and it revolutionized astronomy.
From This is True for 19 January 2014
Charles M. Vest Free education pioneer
Vest was recruited to be the president of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and led it through massive change.
From This is True for 15 December 2013
Abraham Nemeth Visionary mathematician
Nemeth helped other blind people go into careers in science.
From This is True for 6 October 2013
Shakuntala Devi Human computer
She could beat computers at complicated math.
From This is True for 21 April 2013
Derek Hutchinson Sea kayaker
Hutchinson’s book The Complete Book of Sea Kayaking is still considered the bible of the sport.
From This is True for 11 November 2012
Capitola Dickerson Piano teacher
“She was 98 and she was calling to check on her neighbors, instead of the other way around.”
From This is True for 17 June 2012