Fall 2009

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Read Dr. Battikhi's award acceptance remarks

Anwar M. Battikhi (PhD ’77 soil physics) presented the below remarks upon being awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest honor given to alumni by Iowa State through the ISU Alumni Association.

I am pleased, honored, and humbled to accept the prestigious Distinguished Achievement Award from Iowa State University, awarded through the ISU Alumni Association.

Since I was first contacted regarding the award, I have been reflecting on the journey of my life, and what it means to me to be recognized for my achievements from an institution of an academic excellence which I have always considered to be the bridge which helped me cross to a distinguished world of knowledge and wisdom.

Standing behind this podium, many memories are flooding my mind, taking me back thirty-five years ago, specifically to August 1974, when my wife, Sahar, and I arrived to Ames for the first time. Both of us were carrying our dreams and hopes, aiming for success, yet feeling a bit anxious to experience a new world, and trying to expect how such transition would affect our lives and future.

Looking at all what I have achieved since then, I cannot but credit my ISU professors for preparing me for my career in the academic arena, for giving me the opportunity to give back to my home country, for instilling in me the love of science, continuous learning, and searching for the truth, for giving such life-changing education, to which I shall always be grateful, and finally, for recognizing my achievements through honoring me tonight with this Award.

At this moment, I can say that I have fully comprehended Sir Isaac Newton’s famous quote, "If I have seen farther than others, it is because I was standing on the shoulders of giants." And I can also relate to Dan Rather’s, “The dream begins with a teacher who believes in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you to the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a sharp stick called "truth."”

 

Ladies and gentlemen,

Thinking of the skills I have acquired and sustained throughout my course of studying at Iowa State University, Dr. Black should take the lead in reinforcing my thinking skills, among many other critical skills. I still remember when he brought a pile of papers on the first day of school. My eyes were wide open when he pointed at the pile and said, “This is your final exam. You would better sit now for the finals because what you know now will be more solid than what I am going to teach you during the course. Our science is teaching you how you should use your thinking, and then think and think and think until you reach a point when you become more confused than enlightened. That is why you will do better in the finals now than at the end of the course.”

I can never forget Dr. Fenton who taught me how to be more specific with details, and who passed his calmness to my soul.

Dr. Kirkham, showed us the characteristics which best identify a scientific person. He highlighted ethics like humbleness, flexibility, respect, especially towards students, teamwork, calmness, and patience. He encouraged our ability to work with the minimum available resources, and taught us that science does not necessarily form a constant fact, and that it changes, while stubbornness has no place in the scientific mind. He encouraged us to listen more, and talk less, to never stop pursuing knowledge, to learn from exams as well as from lectures and seminars, and explained to us that no matter how much we learn, it would always be little.

 

Ladies and gentlemen,

During the course of my life, I have traveled to many places, and met with different types of people. The conclusion I have come up with after all these years, is that humans are much alike in their dreams, hopes, and ambitions, and in what they yearn for and what they loath. It is our mission, as scientists and people of knowledge, to make this world a better place for them to live in.

I believe that through the power of knowledge and science, we can unite to create a more coherent and happier world for us to live in. What if all resources wasted in wars and killing are invested in to further develop humanity? Our Earth has become a small village, so what if peace and understanding become the domineering power that holds it together. In fact, and from my position as a soil physicist, nurturing Earth and going back to our earthy roots, as well as caring for our natural resources, promoting agriculture and its related activities, combating desertification and better exploiting Sahara lands in establishing developmental projects, among many other activities that focus on vivification rather than destruction should be our center of attention during the coming period. This will help us see beyond our differences, and focus on the value of the human being.

At this moment, and while surrounded by an elite group of scientists and scholars, whose achievements have significantly contributed to the welfare of their communities, I do express my confidence that tomorrow will hold better advancement opportunities to the man-kind, and that the power of science will be promoted as means to reach better understanding among the international community. Science for
Peace. Science for Combating Poverty.

Finally, allow me to express my gratitude to the academic institution, which through its distinguished academic staff paved the way for me to contribute to this world and be a person of distinguished achievements. I also would like to take this opportunity to thank all who were engaged in the nomination process for selecting me for this honor.
Kindly allow me, at the end, a note of personal privilege and the opportunity to publicly thank my wife, who is accompanying me tonight, and whose selfless generosity and pride in me, in my accomplishments, encourage, and sustain me to continue with my endeavors. I would like also to thank my two sons and daughter, who have always shared my beliefs and gave me inspiration. And to thank my late parent whom I awe them a lot , finally my thanks to my family who is attending with me this celebration and whom could not come.
My thanks again to the Iowa State University for this award and for supporting and highlighting my works and accomplishments, and my congratulations to my colleagues who are being honored tonight for their outstanding achievements in their fields of specialty..
Thank you all. Thank you very much.