Standing ovations in the Audimax: in a ceremony about 800 guests paid tribute to Carl Djerassi who received the honorary doctorate of the Faculty of Culture Studies yesterday (April 23rd). In his laudatory speech Hans Ulrich Gumbrecht, professor for comparative studies at Stanford University, especially appreciated Djerassi’s work as a writer and author of lyrics, short stories, novels and stage plays. Although the prominent chemist, born in Vienna in 1923, is best known as the “Father of the Birth Control Pill”, he has been focusing on his second and also very successful career as a literate for twenty years. Among others, his scientific work already earned him 20 honorary doctorates. But the Dortmund honorary doctorate is still an exception as it is the first one for his literary work and the first one from a German-speaking university. “Therefore this 21st doctorate is very important for me” emphasized Djerassi in his entertaining speech.
Prof. Hans Ulrich Gumbrecht, TU-Rector Prof. Ursula Gather, Prof. Horst Pöttker, Dean Culture Studies, Prof. Carl Djerassi, Prof. Holger Wormer and Prof. Walter Grünzweig (both Culture Studies).
According to his motto “Science-in-Fiction, ”Djerassi’s literary work – drama as well as prose – deals with the world of science as a “Tribe Culture” and the scientists as members of this culture. Thus, his work appeals to a central moment concerning the link between humans and technology, especially with regard to the representation of science and scientists and/or the cultural commitment of science.
Since the mid 90s Carl Djerassi is associated with the Dortmund Faculty of Culture Studies and Technische Universität Dortmund. He visited Dortmund several times, giving speeches and courses; in addition he was available for students in videoconferences and chats. Several state examinations dealt with Djerassi. And the first dissertation concerning his literary work was supervised by the Dortmund Americanist Prof. Walter Grünzweig.
In connection with the award ceremony a symposium regarding his literary work took place on April 24th and 25th. Furthermore, his stage play TABOOS was given in the theater in the Depot in the Northern part of Dortmund on April 24th (7 p.m.). An exhibition with the title “Four Jews on Parnassus: A Photographic Dialogue” showing works of the Austrian artist Gabriele Seethaler regarding Djerassi’s work, takes place in the Chaudoire Pavillion at the south campus of TU Dortmund on April 25th.
In 1973 Carl Djerassi received the National Medal of Science for the first synthesis of a steroidal oral contraceptive (the “Pill”), in 1991 the National Medal of Technology for the development of new methods of insect control. For his research work he was honored with numerous scientific awards. In addition to it, he was awarded the “Austrian Honorary Cross for Science and Art” in 1999, the “Prize of the Society of German Chemists and Writers” in 2001, the “Honorary Medal of the Federal Capital Vienna in Gold” in 2002, the “Federal Cross of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany” and the “Erasmus Medal” of the Academia Europeae in 2003, the Gold Medal of the American Institute of Chemists in 2004 and the “Premio letterario Serono” (Rome) in 2004 as well as the “Lichtenberg Medal” of the Academy of Science in Göttingen. In 2005 an Austrian stamp with Djerassi’s picture was published.