David Dietz
Encyclopedia
David Dietz was a Pulitzer Prize
-winning science journalist and author.
Dietz attended Case Western Reserve University
and received his bachelor's degree
in 1919. In 1921 he took a position as science editor for the Scripps-Howard Newspapers, a job he kept until his retirement
in 1977. From 1927 until his retirement he was a lecturer in general science at his alma mater
.
Dietz was a member of the Publicity Committee of the United States National Research Council
's Division of Medical Science and of Harvard University
's Institute on War Problems, and was a consultant to the U. S. Army Surgeon General from 1944 to 1947. He served as science correspondent
for NBC News
from 1940-1950, and was heard on Morgan Beatty News of the World over 181 stations.
. In 1937, he shared a Pulitzer Prize
for journalism for his coverage of science at the tercentenary of Harvard University. He also received the B. F. Goodrich Award for distinguished public service
(1940), the Westinghouse
Distinguished Science Writers Award (1946), the Lasker Award
for medical journalism (1954), and the James T. Grady Award from the American Chemical Society
(1961).
He received honorary degree
s from Western Reserve (D. Litt.
, 1948) and from Bowling Green State University
(1954).
Pulitzer Prize
The Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City...
-winning science journalist and author.
Dietz attended Case Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University
Case Western Reserve University is a private research university located in Cleveland, Ohio, USA...
and received his bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in 1919. In 1921 he took a position as science editor for the Scripps-Howard Newspapers, a job he kept until his retirement
Retirement
Retirement is the point where a person stops employment completely. A person may also semi-retire by reducing work hours.Many people choose to retire when they are eligible for private or public pension benefits, although some are forced to retire when physical conditions don't allow the person to...
in 1977. From 1927 until his retirement he was a lecturer in general science at his alma mater
Alma mater
Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
.
Dietz was a member of the Publicity Committee of the United States National Research Council
United States National Research Council
The National Research Council of the USA is the working arm of the United States National Academies, carrying out most of the studies done in their names.The National Academies include:* National Academy of Sciences...
's Division of Medical Science and of Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
's Institute on War Problems, and was a consultant to the U. S. Army Surgeon General from 1944 to 1947. He served as science correspondent
Correspondent
A correspondent or on-the-scene reporter is a journalist or commentator, or more general speaking, an agent who contributes reports to a newspaper, or radio or television news, or another type of company, from a remote, often distant, location. A foreign correspondent is stationed in a foreign...
for NBC News
NBC News
NBC News is the news division of American television network NBC. It first started broadcasting in February 21, 1940. NBC Nightly News has aired from Studio 3B, located on floors 3 of the NBC Studios is the headquarters of the GE Building forms the centerpiece of 30th Rockefeller Center it is...
from 1940-1950, and was heard on Morgan Beatty News of the World over 181 stations.
Awards
Dietz was recognized many times during his career for his contributions to science journalismScience journalism
Science journalism conveys reporting about science to the public. The field typically involves interactions between scientists, journalists and the public, and is still evolving.-Aim of science journalism:...
. In 1937, he shared a Pulitzer Prize
Pulitzer Prize
The Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City...
for journalism for his coverage of science at the tercentenary of Harvard University. He also received the B. F. Goodrich Award for distinguished public service
Community service
Community service is donated service or activity that is performed by someone or a group of people for the benefit of the public or its institutions....
(1940), the Westinghouse
Westinghouse Electric (1886)
Westinghouse Electric was an American manufacturing company. It was founded in 1886 as Westinghouse Electric Company and later renamed Westinghouse Electric Corporation by George Westinghouse. The company purchased CBS in 1995 and became CBS Corporation in 1997...
Distinguished Science Writers Award (1946), the Lasker Award
Lasker Award
The Lasker Awards have been awarded annually since 1946 to living persons who have made major contributions to medical science or who have performed public service on behalf of medicine. They are administered by the Lasker Foundation, founded by advertising pioneer Albert Lasker and his wife Mary...
for medical journalism (1954), and the James T. Grady Award from the American Chemical Society
American Chemical Society
The American Chemical Society is a scientific society based in the United States that supports scientific inquiry in the field of chemistry. Founded in 1876 at New York University, the ACS currently has more than 161,000 members at all degree-levels and in all fields of chemistry, chemical...
(1961).
He received honorary degree
Honorary degree
An honorary degree or a degree honoris causa is an academic degree for which a university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations...
s from Western Reserve (D. Litt.
Doctor of Letters
Doctor of Letters is a university academic degree, often a higher doctorate which is frequently awarded as an honorary degree in recognition of outstanding scholarship or other merits.-Commonwealth:...
, 1948) and from Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green State University, often referred to as Bowling Green or BGSU, is a public, coeducational research university located in Bowling Green, Ohio, United States. The institution was granted a charter in 1910 by the State of Ohio as part of the Lowry Bill, which also established Kent State...
(1954).
External links
- David Dietz papers at Syracuse University Special Collections Research Center