The recipients of the 2010 Distinguished Alumni Awards will be honored at a special luncheon tomorrow at the State House in Boston.
Dr. Dev Gupta is one of five who received an award as announced by the University of Massachusetts Alumni Association last week. Gupta, who earned his doctorate from the University in 1977, is an adjunct professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department. Gupta serves as the CEO of NewLANS, “a company pioneering broadband and wireless technologies,” according to a UMass press release.
Also receiving the honor is Dr. Richard H. Holm, a chemistry professor at Harvard University. Holm’s research has played an influential role in research in the fields of bioinorganic chemistry and synthetic inorganic chemistry. He earned an honorary degree from UMass in 1979.
Earning the 2010 Distinguished Alumni Service Award is Melvin Howard, class of 1957. Howard helped found the Commonwealth College and has served as chairman of the honors college’s advisory board for the past twelve years. He has advanced high in the business latter of major companies, such as Xerox, where he served as Vice Chairman and CEO of Xerox Financial Services.
Psychology professor Dr. Melinda Novak has been named the recipient of the 2010 Distinguished Faculty Award. She serves as the chair of the Department of Psychology and is director of the UMass Primate Laboratory.
Dr. Otto Vogl, referred to in the press release as “a pioneer in the field of polymer science,” has been given the 2010 Distinguished Honorary Alumni Award. Vogl is a Professor Emeritus of Polymer Science at UMass.
UMass Chancellor Robert Holub will be on hand at tomorrow’s luncheon to honor to the recipients, the release said. UMass President Jack Wilson and Lt. Governor Tim Murray will join the chancellor in giving speeches at the event.
– Collegian News Staff
