A Franklin Family Reunion

Members of Rosalind Franklin's family held an impromptu reunion before the ceremony began.

VIP Reception

Prior to the start of the ceremony, Franklin family members had an opportunity to mingle with members of the University family, including President Dr. K. Michael Welch and the Board of Trustees. Also attending were Keynote speaker Dr. Sally Ride and many other honored guests.

Ceremony

During the ceremony, Dr. Welch officially unveiled the University's new identity, and outlined strategic initiatives supported by the University's four brand pillars of education, research, clinical practice, and community service.

Symposium

Immediately following the ceremony was a symposium-style discussion about Rosalind Franklin. Panelists included Dr. Franklin's brother Colin; Raymond Gosling, Ph.D., who worked under Dr. Franklin as a graduate student; Brenda Maddox, author of Rosalind Franklin: The Dark Lady of DNA; as well as several experts in the field of X-ray crystallography, a field pioneered by Dr. Franklin. The symposium was moderated by Dr. Marcia Cohen, a medical correspondent for CNN Headline News.

Declaration Poster

Many students, faculty, members of the Franklin family, and other guests took a moment to add their names to the Life in Discovery Declaration board. The Declaration calls for the incorporation of Rosalind Franklin's role in the discovery of the structure of DNA, and all that she contributed to medicine and science, into science curricula nationwide, starting at the elementary school level. The Declaration reads as follows:

"In 1952, while researching at King's College in London, British scientist Rosalind Franklin took the famous 'Photo 51,' which depicted DNA as unmistakably having a double helical structure. The supporting data and the actual image, conceived of and captured by Rosalind, were never properly attributed to her during her lifetime. Ultimately, it was Photo 51 that led James Watson and Francis Crick to develop the correct DNA model, for which they were awarded the Nobel Prize in 1962.

Sadly, in 1958, at the age of 37, Rosalind Franklin died of ovarian cancer. She never realized the true magnitude of her contribution to medicine, science, and all of humankind.

This declaration serves to honor and recognize Rosalind Franklin for her invaluable discovery and the impact it made on medicine, science and education. Because Rosalind Franklin is a true role model for all students, and to document her contribution to one of the greatest discoveries in modern biology, we believe Rosalind Franklin should be included in science curriculum nationwide for children starting at kindergarten through 12th grade. I sign my name in support of this cause."

Mini Medical School

Children from several Chicagoland middle and high schools were invited to attend a mini medical school held at the University on the afternoon of January 27, 2004. Lori B. Siegel, M.D., Professor of Medicine, Chief of the Rheumatology Division, and Director of Undergraduate Medical Education, gave the children a presentation about the important role DNA plays in science, followed by a tour of the University's newly named Rosalind Franklin Structural Biology Laboratories.

Luncheon

An informal luncheon featuring food and beverages in the style of an English high tea was held following the ceremony and symposium. On their way to the luncheon, guests collected their keepsake items to help commemorate the historic day. Students, faculty and staff also stopped to admire the colorful banners announcing the University's four pillars of education, research, clinical practice and community service.