Feb 20, 2009 - Claremont, Calif. - In her message to the HMC community, Klawe wrote: I am pleased to announce that Dean Kamen has accepted our invitation to be Harvey Mudd College's 51st commencement speaker, and I want to extend my sincere thanks to Autumn Petros-Good and Leah Anderson for their leadership in prioritizing the senior class’ wish list of commencement speakers. Additional information about commencement: http://www.hmc.edu/studentlife1/studentservices1/commencement.html
We look forward to seeing you, your families and friends at Harvey Mudd College's 51st Commencement on Sunday, May 17, 2009, at 1:30 p.m., in the Harvey S. Mudd Quadrangle.
Regards,
Maria Klawe
President
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Dean Kamen is an inventor, entrepreneur, and a tireless advocate for science and technology. He is the founder and president of DEKA Research & Development Corporation, where he develops internally generated inventions and provides research and development for major corporate clients. He holds more than 440 U.S. and foreign patents for innovative devices that have expanded the frontiers of health care worldwide. Some of his notable inventions include the first wearable insulin pump for diabetics, the HomeChoice™ portable peritoneal dialysis machine, the INDEPENDENCE® IBOT® Mobility System, and the Segway® Human Transporter.
Among Mr. Kamen's proudest accomplishments is founding FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), an organization dedicated to motivating the next generation to understand, use, and enjoy science and technology.
Mr. Kamen was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 1997, received the Heinz Award in 1998, and was awarded the National Medal of Technology in 2000. In 2002 he received the Lemelson-MIT Prize, and was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in May 2005.