30-01-2025
BU Professor and Nobel Prize winner officially Knighted
WINDSOR, UK (WIVT/WBGH) – Binghamton University Chemistry Professor and Nobel Prize winner Stan Whittingham has added another prestigious honor to his collection, Knight Bachelor of the British Empire. Whittingham was dubbed Sir M. Stanley Whittingham during an investiture ceremony presided over by Princess Anne at Windsor Castle in England on January 15th.
The Princess used the ceremonial sword to make light taps on each of his shoulders while conferring the honor on him. His wife Georgina, who may now use the title Lady, his son Michael and daughter Jennifer also attended the event.
Whittingham, who grew up in Stamford, England, and came to the US in 1968 to attend Stanford University, says he doesn't know who nominated him.
'I'm still a proud citizen of the U.K. as well as the U.S. It was given for contributions to chemistry so it was still science. The other fellow who got a knighthood was for sustainability so they're looking at, I would say, green energy in particular this time around,' Whittingham said.
Whittingham says a third person, a woman, was given the title of Dame that day. He says he made small talk with Princess Anne who was friendly and wanted to know why he didn't return to live in Great Britain.
Whittingham received a special medal that, while it came with a strap, is meant to be worn pinned to the knot of a tie during formal occasions.
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