Cerf's Up

Google Internet guru to receive Priestley Award

Vinton Cerf, a developer of a key element of the Internet, has a job title that is dot-com edgy and a source of professorial envy: Chief Internet Evangelist.

"He's got the coolest job title I've ever heard," said Grant Braught, associate professor of computer science. More importantly, Cerf has the intellect to back it up—he co-designed the TCP/IP protocols that were used to develop the Internet's underlying architecture.

Cerf has been described by Google CEO Eric Schmidt as "one of the great technology leaders of our time," and now he can add another accomplishment: Priestley Award recipient. Cerf is scheduled to receive the honor at a ceremony on Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. in the Anita Tuvin Schlechter Auditorium.

Future trends

Cerf's presentation, "Social, Technical and Economic Consequences of the Internet Evolution," will include discussion of new Internet products and services that may be developed over the next decade. He also will explore the business consequences of the major changes in the economics of computing, networking and international demographics.

"It is an honor to be the recipient of this year's Priestley Award and to participate in its celebration," Cerf said. "The heart of this award is the celebration of scientific curiosity and passion for discovery. Priestley's work took place in the grand tradition of science: painstaking experiments and measurements, publication, and efforts to help others verify the results. It is exhilarating and humbling to be placed in the company of the earlier recipients of this award and I look forward to meeting new colleagues at Dickinson College and to celebrate with them the thrill of scientific work in all its diversity."

He joined Google in 2005 after a career at MCI, where he led technology advancements since 1982. He left MCI in 1986 to do research at the Corporation for National Research Initiatives until 1994, when he returned to MCI and helped put the company on the Internet map.

Cerf has received numerous awards and commendations, including the U.S. National Medal of Technology from President Clinton in recognition of his contributions to technology. In 2005 he received the highest civilian honor bestowed by the U.S. government, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, in recognition of his work in transforming global commerce, entertainment and communication.

Cerf earned a Ph.D. and master's degree in computer science from the University of California-Los Angeles, and a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Stanford University.

List of luminaries

Each year, to commemorate the Priestley Celebration, Dickinson College brings to campus a distinguished scientist to be honored for discoveries which contribute to society. The award is made in memory of Joseph Priestley, a British chemist who, in 1774, discovered oxygen and its role in combustion and in respiration. The honor was first awarded in 1952 and has been given to 16 Nobel laureates.

"This has become a very prestigious award, with many Nobel Prize recipients on the list," said Braught. "To receive this award, you are in some pretty good company."

The Priestley Award is co-sponsored by the college's mathematics and computer science departments.

Published September 25, 2007