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CIBA-GEIGY
Poster Series Honors
Exceptional Black
Scientists

"It is necessary to develop all of our human resources as fully as possible. We cannot afford to have even one young black girl or boy fail to develop as a scientist just because she or he never dreamed that a black person could have a substantive career in the sciences." That's why Dr. Augustus A. White, III, orthopaedic surgeon-in-chief at Boston's Beth Israel Hospital, has described the goals of the CIBA-GEIGY Exceptional Black Scientists Poster Series. Dr. White, who is honored in the 1982 series, added that the poster program "also recognizes that there is a need for more balance in the types of role models presented to our black youth."

Since the program was begun in 1980, more than 125,000 posters have been distributed to schools, colleges, libraries and other organizations and individuals throughout the United States and even overseas. The posters are displayed in CIBA-GEIGY's booth at national conventions of the National Science Teachers Association, NAACP and National Urban League, among others, and the scientists are frequently on-hand to meet visitors and autograph their posters.

Several of the scientists' portraits, which were painted by noted artist and illustrator Ernest Crichlow, have been presented to leading research and educational institutions in the past three years. The portrait of Dr. W. Montague Cobb, medical educator and president of the NAACP, was presented to the NAACP at its 1981 national convention by A.M. MacKinnon, president of CIBA-GEIGY. Later that year, the portrait of chemist Dr. Percy Julian, who was honored in the 1980 series, was presented to the National Institutes of Health.

During 1982 three more portrait presentations were made. The portrait of Dr. Lloyd N. Ferguson, professor of organic chemistry at California State University at Los Angeles, was given to that university prior to the National Urban League Convention. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology received the portrait of Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson, who serves on MIT's board of trustees and has actively recruited minorities to that institution. On the first anniversary of his death, the portrait of Dr. Samuel L. Kountz was presented to the Harlem Hospital Center during ceremonies dedicating a hospital pavilion in his name. A kidney transplant surgeon, Dr. Kountz is honored in the 1983 poster series. 

More portrait presentations are planned in 1983 to other educational institutions attended by the scientists. Across America thousands of young people are learning about these exceptional individuals who overcame social and educational barriers to make lasting contributions in science, mathematics and medicine. 

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