Technion Awards Honorary Fellowships

At a festive event that formed part of the Technion Board of Governors meeting, seven distinguished individuals received Technion Honorary Fellowships. One of the recipients, Mr. Moriel Matalon, thanked the Technion and said that science saved his life. Speaking on behalf of the honorees, Ms. Janet Shatz Snyder, said “the Technion was founded one hundred years ago, because of a belief that science and education are key to the prosperity of the Jewish People. Over a hundred thousand students have graduated since that day, and the Technion has become one of the world’s leading universities.”

Honorary Fellowship honorees, L-R: Avraham Ashkenazi, Murray Dalfen, Cathy and James Deutchman, David Hankin, Moriel Matalon

Technion President Prof. Uri Sivan welcomed the members of the Technion Board of Governors, and said, “the Technion has been pushing the boundaries of possibility and defying expectations since it opened its doors on the historic campus, in the winter of 1924, a quarter of a century before the Declaration of Independence. No one then could have anticipated the impact that the Institute would have on Israel’s economic development and global intellectual and scientific advancement. The Technion’s constitution of 1953, tasked the institute with pursuing its objectives, expanding human knowledge, education, and service to the State of Israel, ‘without discrimination against any person on the grounds of race, religion, nationality, or gender.’ This is the spirit and these are the values that have guided us for over a century. In these hundred years we watched the Ottoman Empire crumble, the British Empire dock in this harbor and then leave, two world wars transformed our globe, and the State of Israel rose from the ashes. There is an important lesson in this piece of rugged history of the 20^th century: the importance of guiding values and principles in peaceful times and even more so, when sailing into the eye of a storm.”

Moriel Matalon addressing the audience

Chairman of the Board of Governors, Mr. Scott Leemaster said, “Israel is a country in a desert, a democratic island amid a sea of non-democratic states, and the Technion plays an important role in that. We owe the Technion not only Israel’s technological success, but also its social wellbeing, its democratic spirit, the integration of different populations and the promotion of inclusivity and liberty, which form the foundation of a healthy society. A year has passed since the last Board of Governors meeting, and it has been a year of growth and prosperity.”

Chairman of the Board of Governors Mr. Scott Leemaster

The ceremony was held in the presence of Technion President Prof. Uri Sivan, Chairman of the Board of Governors Mr. Scott Leemaster, members of the Technion’s management and Faculty deans. Prof. Wayne D. Kaplan, Vice President for External Relations & Resource Development, acted as Master of Ceremonies and welcomed guests and honorees. Dr. Orit Wolf, who has led the “Music, Science, Inspiration” lecture series through the year, partnered with Mr. Natan Datner, Israeli actor and singer, to give a special performance titled “Elvis and Frank”.

Gilad Dobrecki (percussion), Orit Wolf (piano), Natan Datner (vocals)

Honorary Fellowship recipients – Citations

Avraham Ashkenazi receiving the honorary fellowship from President Uri Sivan

Avraham Ashkenazi

In honor of your life-long connection with and devotion to Israel and the Technion, from which you hold two degrees; for leading by example at the American Technion Society and as a member of the Technion Board of Governors; with gratitude for your many contributions as a Technion alumnus and Guardian in support of graduate students and defense research.

Murray Dalfen receiving the honorary fellowship from President Uri Sivan

Murray Dalfen

In appreciation for your long-term dedication to the Technion and for continuing your family’s legacy of support; in recognition of your many years of devoted service to Technion Canada; with gratitude for your contributions as a Technion Guardian, including your generous support of water research; and in honor of your philanthropic activities in Canada, the United States, and Israel.

Cathy and James Deutchman receiving the honorary fellowship from President Uri Sivan

Cathy and James Deutchman

In honor of your lifelong devotion to and support of the Technion, Israel, and education; with appreciation for your furthering a multi-generational legacy of support for the Technion; in gratitude for your numerous contributions as Technion Guardians; and in recognition of your active leadership in the American Technion Society at both the local and national levels.

David Hankin receiving the honorary fellowship from President Uri Sivan

David Hankin

In honor of your inspirational contribution to the Alfred Mann Institute at the Technion and for your impassioned commitment to the integration of Technion biomedical technology within Israel and throughout the world; in admiration of your support of Technion faculty and students striving to translate scientific knowledge into life-saving technology; and for promoting ambitious biomedical innovation in Israel.

Moriel Matalon receiving the honorary fellowship from President Uri Sivan

Moriel Matalon

In recognition of your longstanding support in the development of the Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and the Rappaport Family Institute for Research in the Medical Sciences, and for your unreserved support in establishing the Bruce and Ruth Rappaport Cancer Research Center, which is the realization of an academic, Zionist, and global vision.

Janet Shatz Snyder receiving the honorary fellowship from President Uri Sivan

Janet Shatz Snyder

In gratitude for your contributions as a second-generation Technion Guardian, support which spans a wide range of areas that assist Technion researchers in conducting their groundbreaking work; in acknowledgement of your outstanding dedication to the Technion as a leader and mentor in the American Technion Society; and in recognition of your service as a member of the ATS National Board and the Technion Board of Governors.