Celebrating an Extraordinary Life

More than 200 faculty, staff, students and friends of Rice University attended the March 21 memorial service honoring Nobel Prize-winner Richard Smalley, who died in October after a long battle with cancer.
Photos by Jeff Fitlow

Center: Graduate student Paul Cherukuri speaks about the commitment of his mentor, Richard Smalley, who was even helping students from his hospital bed.

Top left: Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, a longstanding supporter of Smalley, recognized his accomplishments and his contributions to the academic and research communities of Rice, the state of Texas and the entire country.

Top right: Neal Lane, the Malcolm Gillis University Professor, senior fellow in science and technology at the Baker Institute and professor of physics and astronomy, lauded Smalley’s ability to explain nanotechnology to both the public and the politicians. “Rick was the model of a civic scientist,” Lane said.

Bottom left: Former Rice President Malcolm Gillis said Smalley contributed greatly to Rice by continuing to teach undergraduates while doing research.

Bottom right: Nobel laureate Robert Curl, University Professor Emeritus and the Kenneth S. Pitzer-Schlumberger Professor Emeritus of Chemistry, looked back on his 30-year relationship with Smalley, including the memorable year when the pair won the 1996 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.