WASHINGTON — The National Academy of Sciences has announced that Neil deGrasse Tyson, most widely known for hosting the recent reboot of Carl Sagan’s popular science show “Cosmos,” will receive their most prestigious award at a ceremony this April.
The Public Welfare Medal was first presented in 1914 and is intended to recognize those who work to promote science for the benefit of humanity.
Tyson will be the first person to receive the award for his efforts in science communication to the general public since Sagan himself won in 1994.
“Through just about every form of media available, Neil deGrasse Tyson has made millions of people around the world excited about science,” Susan Wessler, home secretary for the National Academy of Sciences and chair of the selection committee for the award, said in a statement. “Ultimately, the success of science depends on the public’s understanding of its importance and value. Neil masterfully conveys why science matters — not just to a few, but to all of us.”
