October 08, 2018
Andover ’58 and ’59 represented among 2018 Nobel laureates
George Smith ’58 and William Nordhaus ’59 both earn distinguished honorThis year’s Nobel Prize awards have Andover seeing double. Alumni George Smith ’58 and William Nordhaus ’59 both have been honored for ground-breaking work in their fields of chemistry and economics, respectively.
Smith, Curators Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Biological Sciences at the University of Missouri, is among a trio of researchers honored by The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences with the 2018 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
Smith’s research, described as “harnessing the power of evolution,” has led to the production of new antibodies used to cure metastatic cancer and counteract autoimmune diseases.
He shares the prize with Frances Arnold of the California Institute of Technology and Gregory Winter of the M.R.C. molecular biology lab in Cambridge, England.
The honor for Nordhaus is a reminder that the Andover-Exeter rivalry can spark colorful celebrations in red and blue. This year’s Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences did just that with a win for both schools.
Nordhaus, a professor at Yale University, and Paul Romer PEA’73, a professor at New York University, have designed methods that address some of society’s most fundamental and pressing issues: long-term sustainable growth in the global economy and the welfare of the world’s population.
Andover Head of School John Palfrey congratulated all recipients and called the news “a success for non sibi.” Bill Rawson, Exeter interim principal, said: “We are thrilled to see alumni from both schools recognized for making a positive impact on the world.”
Illustrations: Ill. Niklas Elmehed. © Nobel Media
Categories: Alumni
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