Nobel week begins for VCU's Nobel Laureate Dr. John Fenn

By Pamela DiSalvo Lepley

Dr. John Fenn, Virginia Commonwealth University Professor of Chemistry, left Richmond Wednesday for Stockholm, Sweden, where he will receive the 2002 Nobel Prize for Chemistry on Dec. 10.

On his way to Richmond International Airport, Dr. Fenn said his life has been whirlwind since the award was announced in early October.  Hundreds of requests have poured in for interviews and appearances from media and organizations around the world – not leaving much time to prepare for a busy Nobel Week.  

While waiting for his plane, Dr. Fenn took a minute to reflect on winning the Nobel Prize, and the opportunity it provides him to improve something near and dear to his heart – the education of young scientists.

“I think something ought to be done about the way teaching is done – in particular, my field of chemistry,” Fenn said.  “The introductory courses are so organized now and so crammed full of stuff that they cremate the interests of the students much more than they ignite it.  Maybe if I keep saying this people will start listening.”

VCU’s Nobel Laureate faces a busy week ahead – news conferences, receptions, presentations and tours.  Major events include a 40-minute Nobel Lecture he will give December 8 at Stockholm University, and of course, the Prize Award Ceremony on December 10, when he will receive the prize insignia from the hands of His Majesty the King.

“I suppose the actual going up and bowing for the king and having him hang a medal around my neck is the apex, or the climax. I have a lot of friends in Sweden and I’ll be happy to see them.  But mostly I’m looking forward to getting back home,” said Fenn.

Proud members of the VCU community will be able to view the prize award ceremony over a live webcast on The Nobel Foundation web site.  For details on that and all Nobel Week activities, visit www.nobel.se.