In recognition of ongoing University efforts to promote sustainability, Cornell was one of 12 colleges and universities to receive Second Nature’s Award for Institutional Excellence in Climate Leadership.

President Barack Obama announced that the Cornell alumnus who invented super glue was among four scientists awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation.

The Cornell Institute of Food Science won the 2010 Grocery Manufacturers Association Food Safety Award on Apr. 28.  The award honors individuals or organizations that demonstrate a longstanding commitment to improving food safety. 

Lubna Olayan '77 received the Cornell Entrepreneur of the Year award last week, joining the ranks of such alumni as Jeffrey Hawkins '79, the founder of Palm Computing, and James McLamore '47, co-founder of the Burger King Corporation.

Prof. Ron Harris-Warrick, neurobiology, has been named the Menschel Distinguished Teaching Fellow for 2010-2011, the first time the award has been given. The award if a new distinction funded by a donation from the Menschel family to promote teaching excellence at the University.

Laura Brown, vice provost for undergraduate education, said the award’s goal was to find a distinguished faculty member to work with the Center for Teaching Excellence and University faculty to explore new ideas and opportunities for teaching on campus.

It’s all well and good in Hollywood as far as awards season goes, and the 82nd Academy Awards — the crown jewel of the season — are set to take place on March 7. The nominations are in, with some surprises and some shoe-ins; not to mention some films no one has seen or heard of, and some movies that no one will or should.

This year, the Academy is trying something new in allowing for 10 slots of consideration for the coveted Best Picture award.

There were so many things wrong with the 52nd Grammys. SO MANY. Celine Dion did a Michael Jackson tribute. The “Pants on the Ground” guy did a preshow performance. The Situation and Snooki were in attendance. Beyonce covered Alanis Morisette’s “You Oughta Know.” Elton John looked like a chimney sweep from Mary Poppins. Green Day won a Grammy?

At the 52nd annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles last night, Prof. Roberto Sierra, chair of the Department of Music, lost out to “Percussion Concerto,” written by Jennifer Higdon, in the category of Best Classical Contemporary Composition. Sierra was nominated for “Missa Latina Pro Pace,” a 75-minute orchestral composition.

Cornell’s world-class faculty has continued to garner accolades, as six professors were recently recognized for their teaching and research. Three faculty members received Early Career Development Awards through the National Science Foundation, while three other young faculty were recognized as Sloan Foundation Research fellows.

Last December, I found myself in a conference room on the top floor of a high-rise in a major eastern city, waiting to be interviewed for a scholarship. While I waited nervously, I skimmed through a book containing the biographies of past winners. The biographies were listed chronologically.