WASHINGTON, DC and STRASBOURG, FRANCE – Dr. Michael Simpson, President of the International Space University (ISU), in collaboration with the Arthur C. Clarke Foundation, announced the establishment of the Arthur C. Clarke Fellows Program at ISU.
In recognition of Arthur C. Clarke’s landmark book and film, “2001: A Space Odyssey”, an endowment goal of $2.001 million has been established to enable this fellowship program.
Once fully funded, the Arthur C. Clarke Fellows Program will award up to 5 fellowships annually to candidates seeking the Masters degree at ISU; those selected will be designated as Arthur C. Clarke Fellows. Acknowledging one of Clarke’s long-term interests, special consideration will be given to candidates from developing nations.
Dr. Simpson remarked that “this program will yield an ‘enduring presence’ at ISU for Sir Arthur, the visionary thinker and renowned author who played an extraordinary role in the establishment of this university and whose vision will continue to inspire generations to come.”
“There is no better way to capture the spirit and memory of Arthur C. Clarke, the founding Chancellor of ISU, than to create a fellowship fund there in his name,” said Joseph Pelton, founder of the Arthur C. Clarke Foundation, and a former Dean of ISU.
“Arthur, who had his eye on space from boyhood, would have reveled in the chance to have attended the International Space University and had the chance to study the Cosmos together with students from all over the world,” said Fred Clarke, Arthur’s brother.
“Clarke’s guidance and stature, coupled with the vision, passion, and persistence of ISU’s three young founders — Peter Diamandis, Todd Hawley, and Bob Richards — produced a unique institution of learning, the ‘gold standard’ in interdisciplinary space education,” said Steven Brody, ISU’s Vice President for North American Operations.
An inaugural event for this endowment campaign will be held February 27, 2009 at
George Washington University
Jack Morton Auditorium
805 21st Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20052
Beginning at 5 p.m., the event will include the debut of a short video honoring Arthur C. Clarke’s life followed by the acclaimed short film “Orphan’s of Apollo”, to be presented in person by the film’s director and ISU alumnus, Michael Potter of Los Angeles. To attend the event, please contact Steven Brody of ISU; members of the press are welcome. (See contact information.)
Potential donors and others interested in being associated with the creation of this enduring legacy in Arthur C. Clarke’s name are invited to contact ISU or the Clarke Foundation.
The International Space University is a graduate school that conducts programs at its central campus in Strasbourg, France, and at locations around the world. ISU offers a unique core curriculum covering all disciplines related to space programs and enterprises – space and earth sciences, engineering, satellite applications, policy and law, business and management, and space and society. ISU also provides short courses for professional development and life-long learning.
Since its founding in the U.S. on the campus of MIT in 1987, ISU has graduated more than 2700 students from 100 countries, many now in senior positions with commercial and government space-related organizations throughout the globe.
For more information on ISU’s programs and activities:
For more information about the Arthur C. Clarke Foundation:
