George M. Langford, dean of Syracuse University's
College of Arts and Sciences, has
received the 2009 Professional Achievement Award from the Illinois Institute of Technology
(IIT). The nationally recognized cell biologist and neuroscientist was one of 20 alumni
recently feted at a special ceremony in Chicago.
"I am honored to be recognized by my alma mater," says Langford, who earned a master's
degree and a Ph.D. in cell biology at IIT in 1969 and 1971, respectively. "IIT's commitment
to interprofessional, technology-focused curriculum greatly changed the way I saw the
world. My experiences there prepared me for a life of professional achievement and service
to society."
IIT lauded Langford for his personal success, outstanding contributions to science and
continuing recognition by his colleagues.
Prior to joining SU last summer, Langford served as both dean of the College of Natural
Sciences and Mathematics and distinguished professor of biology at the University of
Massachusetts-Amherst. He previously held leadership positions at Dartmouth College,
Dartmouth Medical Center, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Howard
University, UMass-Boston and the National Science Foundation. His research encompasses
cellular mechanisms of learning and memory and the manner by which they are impaired
by Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases. A proponent of diversity in the
classroom, he has served as inaugural chair of the minorities affairs committee of the
American Society for Cell Biology and was nominated by President Clinton to the National
Science Board, for which he has chaired numerous committees.
Langford holds an honorary degree from Beloit College in Wisconsin and is featured in
Distinguished African American Scientists of the 20th Century (Oryx Press, 1996), where he
credits IIT for his professional success. Langford completed postdoctoral training at the
University of Pennsylvania and earned a bachelor's degree in biology from Fayetteville State
University in North Carolina.
At SU, Langford is identifying new priorities for The College of Arts and Sciences around the
themes of innovative scholarship, interdisciplinary collaboration and enterprising research.
"My goal is to make us the country's premier residential liberal arts college," he says. The
College of Arts and Sciences is SU's oldest and largest college, accounting for more than a
third of the entire faculty and undergraduate student body. More information is available at
http://thecollege.syr.edu.
