Greg Farrington '68 Appointed Executive Director of the California Academy of Sciences
The California Academy of Sciences announced the appointment of Gregory Farrington, Ph.D. as its new executive director. Following a six month international search, the Academy's Board of Trustees selected Dr. Farrington to lead the Academy as it enters its most ambitious chapter in its 154-year history. Dr. Farrington is the former president of Lehigh University, a highly selective national research university located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He is a renowned chemist and prolific author and will begin his tenure at the Academy on February 26, 2007. "The California Academy of Sciences is in the process of constructing a revolutionary, environmentally-sustainable facility designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Renzo Piano in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park," said Richard Bingham, chair of The California Academy of Sciences Board of Trustees. "Dr. Farrington will build on the Academy's proud legacy and successfully steer the institution during this exciting time of advancement. We are confident that his leadership skills in the University world mirror the Academy's needs across its educational, research and community programs."
Michael Sarafin ’94 Appointed NASA Flight Director
NASA has named nine new flight directors who will join a unique group of individuals that lead human space flights from Mission Control, Houston. It is the second largest such class ever selected, and brings to 30 the number of active Space Shuttle and International Space Station flight directors. One of the new flight director’s is Clarkson’s own Michael Sarafin. Michael received a bachelor of science degree in mechanical and aeronautical engineering from Clarkson University in 1994. He joined NASA in 1993 as a Space Shuttle software engineer, developing cockpit display and Global Positioning System navigation requirements. Sarafin has been a Guidance, Navigation and Control Officer, supporting 30 Shuttle flights in Mission Control, since 1995. Leading a team of flight controllers, support personnel and engineering experts, a flight director has the overall responsibility to manage and carry out Space Shuttle flights and International Space Station expeditions. A flight director also leads and orchestrates planning and integration activities with flight controllers, payload customers, International Space Station partners and others. The selection process began in August 2004.