Festschriften Honor Exceptional Scientific Careers, Scholarly Influences

TREND-SETTER: Engineer Y.K. Lin's popular festschrift conference became an annual event.

A scientist often wears several hats-teacher, mentor, administrator, and researcher. While many prominent awards honor the research role, a festschrift volume uniquely recognizes the many facets of an outstanding and influential scientist. Meaning in German "celebratory writing," a festschrift is a unique publication devoted to the lifelong ideas and influences of an exceptional scholar.

EDITOR'S ROLE: Justine Cullinan notes that festschrift editors separate the "schmoozing" aspects of the meeting from the science.

"The idea behind a festschrift is to honor the teacher," says Justine Cullinan, managing editor of the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. A festschrift usually includes a symposium or celebration, followed by publication of a book of essays and papers contributed by the honoree's students and colleagues. Even family members occasionally contribute. Alternatively, an issue of a technical journal may be devoted...