Whittaker receives honorary degree from Stevens
Dr. Edward A. Whittaker, professor of physics at Stevens Institute of Technology, has been awarded an honorary Master of Engineering degree by Stevens. The honorary degree was conferred on Dr. Whittaker at Stevens' Convocation in September, an annual event that involves the entire university community.
Dr. Whittaker is the son of Edward and Jessica Whittaker of LaPorte, Ind., where he graduated from LaPorte High School ('72). He is an alumnus of Columbia University, where he received his doctorate, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute where he received his bachelor of science degree.
Stevens awards an honorary degree to a top faculty member at its annual Convocation in recognition of outstanding scholarship and service to the university.
Dr. Whittaker is a distinguished scientist who has been a valued member of the Stevens community since 1984. His expertise in laser spectroscopy and quantum optics, and his research on the use of lasers for applications in remote sensing and telecommunications, make him an asset both to Stevens and to the world.
"Dr. Whittaker has shown a continued commitment to excellence in teaching and research through his work within his department, which he directed for three years," said Dr. Bernard Gallois, dean of Stevens' Charles V. Schaefer, Jr. School of Engineering, at the ceremony.
"Since his arrival at Stevens, he has helped bring to the institute numerous sponsored research projects from sources such as the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Army Research Office, the Semiconductor Research Corporation, the U.S. Department of Energy and Lucent Technologies," Gallois said.
"Throughout his experience, both here at Stevens and in his capacities as a visiting scientist at prestigious institutions such as IBM Research, AT&T, Bell Laboratories and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, he has developed a valuable perspective, which he brings to Stevens, on the requirements for successful collaborations between academia, government and industry."
Dr. Whittaker has published more than 30 articles on his research in refereed journals. In the last 10 years he also has been awarded two patents for devices used in laser spectroscopy.
About Stevens Institute of Technology
Founded in 1870 and celebrating 140 Years of Innovation, Stevens Institute of Technology, The Innovation University TM , lives at the intersection of industry, academics and research. The University's students, faculty and partners leverage their collective real-world experience and culture of innovation, research and entrepreneurship to confront global challenges in engineering, science, systems and technology management.
Based in Hoboken, N.J. and with a location in Washington, D.C., Stevens offers baccalaureate, master’s, certificates and doctoral degrees in engineering, the sciences and management, in addition to baccalaureate degrees in business and liberal arts. Stevens has been recognized by both the US Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security as a National Center of Excellence in the areas of systems engineering and port security research. The University has a total enrollment of more than 2,200 undergraduate and 3,700 graduate students with almost 450 faculty. Stevens’ graduate programs have attracted international participation from China, India, Southeast Asia, Europe and Latin America as well as strategic partnerships with industry leaders, governments and other universities around the world. Additional information may be obtained at www.stevens.edu and www.stevens.edu/press.
