Gustavus Adolphus College received the 2014 Tekne Lifetime Achievement Award from the Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTA) at the Tekne Awards celebration on Thursday, Nov. 13 in Minneapolis. Gustavus received the award for its work and ongoing commitment to the Nobel Conference, which celebrated its 50th anniversary this past October.
Founded in 1963, the Nobel Conference is the first ongoing educational conference in the U.S. to be authorized by the Nobel Foundation in Stockholm. It was conceived with a vision to bring cutting-edge science issues to the attention of the public. For 50 years, Gustavus and the Nobel Conference have brought together thousands of world-class industry professionals, students, and citizens to engage in dialogue around issues and developments in the natural and social sciences.
The Nobel Conference has brought more than 100 Nobel laureates to the campus of Gustavus, including the likes of Steven Chu (Physics ’97), Eric Kandel (Medicine ’00), Robert Mundell (Economics ’99), Sir Harry Kroto (Chemistry ’96), and Glenn T. Seaborg (Chemistry ’51). The first Nobel Conference in 1965 was titled “Genetics and the Future of Man.” Since then, the Conference has tackled topics such as “The Destiny of Women” (1973), “Darwin’s Legacy” (1982), “The Evolution of Sex” (1987), “Unveiling the Solar System: 30 Years of Exploration” (1997), “The Legacy of Einstein” (2005), “Heating Up: The Energy Debate” (2007), and “H2O Uncertain Resource” (2009).
“With the Nobel Conference, Gustavus Adolphus College ignites questions that lie at the heart of science and society—and it’s been doing so for half a century,” said Margaret Anderson Kelliher, president and CEO of MHTA. “It’s this kind of dedication that embodies the Lifetime Achievement Award.”
“After 50 years, the College’s Nobel Conference continues to follow its original vision,” said Gustavus President Rebecca Bergman. “The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes the continued innovation, leadership, and cutting-edge science the Nobel Conference represents—for the College, for the state, and for audiences that now reach around the world. We are extremely honored to receive such recognition.”
The MHTA is an innovation and technology association united in fueling Minnesota’s prosperity. It helps bring together the people of Minnesota’s technology ecosystem and leads the charge in directing technology issues to Minnesota’s state capitol. MHTA is the only membership organization that represents Minnesota’s entire technology-based economy. MHTA members include organizations of every size—involved in virtually every aspect of technology creation, production, application, and education in Minnesota.
For more information about MHTA, go online to mhta.org. For more information about the Nobel Conference, go online to gustavus.edu/nobel.
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