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We all edit our lives into stories. Some are carefully plotted; others follow a meandering path like mine: a theatre major to an astrophysicist, a researcher who found creating a new university even more fascinating than understanding neutron stars.
Photo Credit: Marianna Cook from her book Faces of Science. |
David J. Helfand, a faculty member at Columbia University for forty years, served nearly half of that time as Chair of the Department of Astronomy, a position he has again resumed. He also recently completed a four-year term as President of the American Astronomical Society, the professional society for astronomers, astrophysicists, planetary scientists and solar physicists in North America. He is the author of nearly 200 scientific publications and has mentored 22 PhD students, but most of his pedagogical efforts have been aimed at teaching science to non-science majors. He instituted the first change in Columbia's Core Curriculum in 50 years by introducing science to all first-year students.
In 2005, he became involved with an effort to create Canada's first independent, non-profit, secular university, Quest University Canada. He served as a Visiting Tutor in the University's inaugural semester in the Fall of 2007 and was appointed President & Vice-Chancellor the following year to lead this innovative experiment in higher education. For six years in a row, Quest has been ranked #1 in North America in the National Survey of Student Engagement.
He completed his term as President of Quest in the fall of 2015 and returned to Columbia where he now heads the Committee on Innovative Teaching and Learning. His first book, "A Survival Guide to the Misinformation Age" appeared in February 2016 and came out in paperback Aug 10, 2017..
In 2005, he became involved with an effort to create Canada's first independent, non-profit, secular university, Quest University Canada. He served as a Visiting Tutor in the University's inaugural semester in the Fall of 2007 and was appointed President & Vice-Chancellor the following year to lead this innovative experiment in higher education. For six years in a row, Quest has been ranked #1 in North America in the National Survey of Student Engagement.
He completed his term as President of Quest in the fall of 2015 and returned to Columbia where he now heads the Committee on Innovative Teaching and Learning. His first book, "A Survival Guide to the Misinformation Age" appeared in February 2016 and came out in paperback Aug 10, 2017..
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Passing the gavel as I assume the Presidency of the American Astronomical Society, the professional society for the astronomers, astrophysicists, planetary scientists and solar physicists of North America, in June 2012. Outgoing President Prof. Debra M. Elmegreen of Vassar College holds her engraved, memorial gavel while the real one passes to me.
At left: with Jennifer Donovan Meyer, Columbia University graduate as she receives her PhD. from our Department. |
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As the grumpy Santa I am wont to be, and as the considerably more cheerful Dumbledore on the Library Terrace at Quest University Canada with my beloved wife of 38 years, the artist Jada Rowland (see her art at jadarowland.com).
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