We’re happy to announce that Mark Gelfand is the primary recipient of the C. Wallace Hooser Award for Visionary Philanthropy. Impressed by the area race of the Sixties, Mark has at all times been occupied with expertise and the way issues work. He obtained a level in physics and went on to work in finance, awed by the mathematical similarities between thermodynamics and monetary markets.
Mark joined The Planetary Society in 1998. He has given generously to the group over time, supporting bold expertise initiatives equivalent to photo voltaic crusing and a mission to ship microorganisms on a round-trip mission to the Martian moon Phobos.
“The Planetary Society offers with issues which might be accessible, if not as we speak, quickly — inside a decade or two,” he mentioned.
Mark is passionate in regards to the energy of STEM (science, expertise, engineering, and math) schooling. He’s the founder and president of STEMpower, a company that has established greater than 110 STEM facilities throughout sub-Saharan Africa. The group gives enrichment facilities and hands-on labs that encourage pre-university college students to pursue STEM careers.
It’s difficult work, and Mark mentioned that STEMpower’s monitor file of getting issues carried out is just like that of The Planetary Society. “We do what’s sensible and doable,” he mentioned. “We don’t dream of issues; we do issues.”
Together with his trademark humility, Mark mentioned that he was honored to obtain the award and famous that a lot of the credit score goes to his STEMpower employees. “It’s all an exquisite honor. I’m glad individuals are realizing that they see some worth on this and what we’re doing,” he mentioned.
The Planetary Society sees nice worth in how Mark is altering the world, and we’re happy to bestow this honor. Wally can be proud.
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