Faculty, staff, friends honor Prentice at PHS atrium naming ceremony

Brief

Dr. Ross Prentice during a dedication ceremony at which the PHS Building atrium was named for the former division director. Photo by Todd McNaught

Faculty, staff and friends of the center toasted — and roasted — Dr. Ross Prentice during a dedication ceremony Jan. 24 at which the Public Health Sciences building atrium was named for the former division director. Prentice served as PHS director from 1983 to 2002, overseeing the division's growth from 180 to 900 staff, guiding it to the world-renowned status it enjoys today.

Dr. Lee Hartwell, center president and director; Dr. Robert Day, center director emeritus; Dr. John Potter, PHS Division director; Carl Behnke, chairman of the Board of trustees; and several PHS faculty paid tribute to Prentice's numerous contributions to the division, the center and his research field of biostatistics.

"Without Ross' steady hand, the impressive growth of this division would not have happened," Day said. "He is a person who has been so important in our lives and will impact the lives of people around the world."

With typical humor, Prentice thanked his colleagues for the honor. "This is one of the nicest atria ever to be dedicated in my name," he said. More seriously, he added, speaking to his many colleagues and former students and fellows, "It has been an honor to have been a part of your career plans and your lives."

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