AIP Foundation Board of Trustees Grows by Five

This post is adapted from an American Institute of Physics (AIP) press release:

A Nobel laureate, a “father of the internet,” the first African American administrator of NASA, a former chief technology officer of one of the US Department of Energy’s national research laboratories, and a chemist who is the executive director of the Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation — these five renowned figures are coming together to join the board of trustees for the AIP Foundation with France Córdova at its helm as founding chair.

The AIP Foundation advances the charitable, scientific, and educational mission of the American Institute of Physics by generating philanthropic support of the institute and for its programs. John Mather, Vinton Cerf, Charles Bolden Jr., Julia Phillips, and Mark Cardillo were confirmed as additional members to the existing board of trustees, expanding the number to 12 members.

The new trustees were announced at the foundation’s recent public launch, which was commemorated with a 30-minute video featuring remarks from Córdova, New York Times journalist James Glanz, former astronaut and current chair of the National Science Board Ellen Ochoa, Mather, author and AIP Foundation trustee Nancy Greenspan, AIP board of directors chair David Helfand (former President of the AAS), and AIP CEO Michael Moloney.

The video featured interviews with students pursuing degrees in the physical sciences who have benefited from their involvement in and support from AIP’s Society of Physics Students. The launch focused on AIP’s world-class collection of rare books and other items that recount the history of physics and related sciences and on supporting a more diverse and welcoming physical sciences community.

The mission of the AIP Foundation is to build charitable support for AIP’s efforts to advance, promote, and serve the physical sciences for the benefit of humanity. Fundraising priorities include the Center for History of Physics, the Niels Bohr Library & Archives, the Society of Physics Students, the physics honorary society Sigma Pi Sigma, and the institute’s diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives.

“We have important work to do to attract students into the physical sciences, to preserve the rich history of science, and to stimulate interest nationwide — even worldwide — in the discoveries and benefits of the physical sciences,” said Córdova. “I thank the new and current board members for joining the effort in support of science and in support of the exciting treasures that are the programs of AIP. We intend to build stronger awareness of the institute and attract greater investment in it.”

“The importance of science is evident, and the road ahead looks to be an exciting one for us all to travel as we move forward together in this new enterprise,” said Cerf. “It is not only timely but now absolutely essential to rebuild awareness, trust, and interest in science and all that depends upon it at a time when appreciation for and understanding of science at large has eroded.”

“Our donors share a number of characteristics: intellectual curiosity, a passion for learning, and desire to provide opportunities to new generations of scholars, researchers, and innovators,” said Moloney, AIP CEO and a member of the AIP Foundation's board of trustees. “While preserving what we have learned in the past is important to our donors and our community, so is the idea of enriching the world and lending a hand to new generations who will follow. I am excited about the prospect of strengthening our connections to existing donors even while we build new bridges to those we hope to engage in the future.”

“On the threshold of AIP’s 90th anniversary in 2021, the foundation’s launch is an important moment in our history, and I am proud to be part of it,” said Tanya Easton, executive director of the AIP Foundation. “I am excited to galvanize support for the mission of AIP and the scientific enterprise in partnership with our board of trustees and to amplify perspectives and voices advocating in support of science.”

For bios of all the AIP Foundation trustees, see the AIP Foundation board of trustees page.