Hans Neurath
The Bial-Neurath Family
In 1976, when the University of Washington decided to inaugurate a series of lectures by outstanding faculty, Hans was asked to be the first speaker. On October 7, 1976 he gave a talk on the topic “Quality vs. Equality: The Dilemma of Universities.” In this talk Hans discussed the effect that the movement toward egalitarianism has had on university life and how universities can reconcile the conflicting claims of quality and equality. He was not speaking against equality as a human right, particularly equality of opportunity, which he considered one of the pillars of our democratic society. “Having witnessed in my student days political strife and brutal suppression of minorities, I can claim as much sympathy and understanding for the expectations of ‘the excluded’ as anyone who defends their cause.” Hans did not take issue with the call for equality but rather with the ways in which these legitimate demands had been answered. “In trying to serve everyone, we have come dangerously close to not serving anyone very well.”
Hans continued to be an educator and academic leader throughout his career. Over the years, he trained more than 100 graduate students and postdoctoral research fellows. A dozen of its present and past faculty members have been elected to the National Academy of Sciences and three, Professors Edmond Fischer and Edwin Krebs and Dr. Martin Rodbell, have received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
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| Edmond Fischer | Edwin Krebs | Martin Rodbell |