—-By Dwight Bachman, Public Relations Officer Eastern Connecticut State University—-
‘You are all stars; you really are!” That is what Dr. Cato T. Laurencin (M.D. and Ph.D.), the world-renowned Albert and Wilda Van Dusen Distinguished Endowed Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Connecticut (UConn), told more than 1,200 enthusiastic young inventors who had reached the state finals of the Connecticut Invention Convention (CIC) on Saturday, May 4th at Gampel Pavilion.
The students were at Gampel Pavilion after already becoming winners of competitions at more than 300 local schools from across Connecticut. Winners on Saturday head to the national competition in Dearborn, MI later this year.
Laurencin is also professor of chemical engineering, professor of materials science and engineering and professor of biomedical engineering at UConn and world renowned as an inventor and pioneer in the field of regenerative engineering. Imagine hearing from a man who once walked across the stage from Harvard School of Medicine one week to pick up his medical degree, and only a week later, do the same at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he earned his Ph.D. in Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology! It’s mind-boggling to just write about it! Every child in America should hear this brilliant scholar.
At Gampel, Laurencin was “just what the doctor ordered.” In exhilarating form, he delivered the goods. In a short, sweet, spell-binding, colorful presentation crafted for just such an audience, Laurencin, one of the top surgeons, scientists and inventors in the field of medicine in the world, challenged the students to “remember to cherish each day, take on challenges as opportunities and build what I call your spiritual armor.”
Citing several prominent individuals, Laurencin said, “Finally, look to those who have gone before you for inspiration and guidance!” The students LOVED Laurencin! When he finished his presentation, the K-12 students stood up and celebrated Laurencin with thunderous applause and roaring, “We Are Inventors, twice!”
Two weeks before the CIC annual meeting, Laurencin was elected to the historic and prestigious American Academy of Arts and Sciences for his extraordinary and compelling achievements in academia, business, government and public affairs.
For more on this genius, read his bio at: http://facultydirectory.uchc.edu/profile?profileId=Laurencin-Cato
Laurencin is the real deal…
