The University of Wisconsin-Madison will welcome Cora Marrett (MA'65, Sociology, PhD'68, Sociology), deputy director of the National Science Foundation, back to campus on Oct. 5 as the Wisconsin Alumni Association presents her with the 2012 Distinguished Alumni Award.
The Distinguished Alumni Award is the highest honor bestowed by the Wisconsin Alumni Association. The award celebrates outstanding UW-Madison graduates whose professional achievements, contributions to society and support of the university exemplify the Wisconsin Idea.
The 12th child of parents who barely finished the sixth grade in tiny Kenbridge, Virginia, Marrett earned her master’s and PhD in sociology at UW-Madison and rose to leadership at the National Science Foundation (NSF), which annually awards about $7 billion for basic research in non-medical fields of science, engineering, mathematics, computer science and the social sciences.
As NSF’s deputy director, Marrett is recognized for her innovations and outreach. “This is not a bureaucratic organization,” she says of the 1,700-employee agency. “It’s about people who have a commitment to excellence, and who want to help address the curiosity about the world around us.”
Marrett was a faculty member at UW-Madison from 1974 to 1997, with appointments in the departments of sociology and Afro-American Studies. She served as associate chair of the Department of Sociology from 1988–91 and was affiliated with the Energy Analysis and Policy Program and the Wisconsin Center for Education Research. From 2001-07, Marrett served as senior vice president for academic affairs for the University of Wisconsin System, before moving to her role at the National Science Foundation. Marrett currently serves on the College of Letters & Science's Board of Visitors.
Faculty, students and the public are invited to hear from Marrett during a talk on Friday, Oct. 5, at 1:30 p.m. Marrett will discuss science, technology, and public policy for the 21st century. Hosted by the UW-Madison Biotech Center and the Wisconsin Alumni Association, the talk will be in Room 1111 Genetics/Biotechnology Center, 425 Henry Mall on the UW-Madison campus.
No RSVP necessary. The talk is free and open to the public. The talk will also be broadcast at a future date on Wisconsin Public Television’s Wisconsin Channel.
Marrett credits her “energizing” UW-Madison experience for making a difference where it really counts: “support for creative ideas, connections across intellectual and geographical boundaries, and dedication to the continued development of scholars at the cutting edge.”
Marrett is one of five recipients of this year's Distinguished Alumni Award. Fellow 2012 honorees are: Carl Djerassi (PhD'45, Chemistry), playwright, author and co-inventor of the first successful oral contraceptive; Kay Koplovitz (BS'67, Radio, Television & Film), the first female cable network president in television history; William Shernoff (LLB’62), attorney, and Grammy-nominated jazz musician Ben Sidran (BS'67, English).
More about Marrett’s life and work and her essay about her experience is at uwalumni.com/daa.