SFI External Professor France Córdova received an honorary doctorate from Yale University during its 2023 commencement ceremony in May. Granted the degree of Doctor of Science, Córdova was one of nine honorary graduates.
When presenting Córdova’s Doctorate, Yale President Peter Salovey read the following personalized citation:
“Prominent astrophysicist and transformative administrator, again and again, you have fostered collaboration and innovation as the director of the National Science Foundation, NASA’s chief scientist, president of Purdue University, and in other leadership roles. Your consummate abilities as galvanizer and champion of scientific progress have expanded the frontiers of possibility and enabled breakthroughs that enrich our lives. Stellar scientist and administrator, the earth and heavens rejoice as we recognize you with this Doctor of Science degree.”
Córdova spoke on behalf of all the honorees. “How does this new connection with Yale as an honorary doctor cement our relationship with the university going forward? How do we give back to Yale?” she asked. “We have followed our own star and pursued it with energy, with decades of devotion. It is this that we have to offer to the generation graduating from Yale tomorrow: We are role models for diligence, for setbacks, for resilience, for commitment, for high ideals. By our collective example we show that a city, a country, a world, cannot function with only a judge, only an immunologist, only urban planners, only artists and writers, only dreamers. We are a team, and we deliver most when we deliver together.”
This honorary degree follows closely on the heels of Córdova’s induction in April 2023 into the National Academy of Sciences class of 2022, which included 120 new members and 30 international members, elected “in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research.”