Comments on: Apollo scientist stresses value of S&T degree

By: Gregory Goldbogen

Gregory Goldbogen — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 16:36:58 +0000

Dr. El-Baz was my instructor in Micro-paleontology when I was a student at MSM 1961-1967. He was a graduate assistant at the time. I was unsure at the time whether to continue studying Geollogy at Rolla, but Dr. El-Baz was instrumental in inspiring me to stay. I owe him a great deal of gratitude!

By: James DeVaney

James DeVaney — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 12:48:17 +0000

That is a solid and very re-affirming talk from Dr. El-Baz. I have to say I wondered about the lumps I took as an AE student back in my time at Rolla but I know they definitely prepared me for my future and that my degree meant something. James D., AE 91

By: Joel Brand

Joel Brand — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 14:38:42 +0000

What an impressive, inspiring career! It is interesting to hear his reflections on learning. And, great job capturing the story, Helen!

By: J. David Rogers

J. David Rogers — Thu, 17 May 2018 18:39:09 +0000

Farouk El-Baz is one of the most recognized scientists in the world, and its no accident. He is essentially the geologist equivalent of brain surgeon Ben Carson: a man who never made any excuses for himself, and excelled at whatever he was assigned to do. His application to NASA was simply a short-term means of returning to the USA after his research interests were squashed by his department chair in Egypt.
That fateful decision to bid goodbye to his native country was their loss and our gain. At NASA he applied himself to educate himself about the moon, and within a few years he became the world’s expert on the Moon, and one of the key figures in planning all of the lunar explorations undertaken by NASA. He did most of this on his own initiative, sorting through myriads of details on thousands of aerial photos taken of the moon’s surface!
He is one of the greatest examples of what can happen when someone possesses the initiative to strive for excellence, without worrying about who gets the credit (prestige) or how much is the pay….all of Missouri S&T’s graduate students should study this man’s career, because his success in several fields of study are no accident; they are the result of diligent and purposed effort. His admonition that students “will use every bit of information they learned at the university at some time in their careers” is spot-on! The more diverse your training is, the bigger your “problem solving toolbox” will become. Don’t be afraid of delving into new challenges. It’s people who rise to the challenges that change the world for the better.