Bill Nye ’77 explains the finer points of solar noon during his March 15 campus visit in the lobby of Rhodes Hall; the display case behind him tells the story of Nye's father's fascination with sundials and the story of the Bill Nye Solar Noon Clock

‘Science Guy’ Bill Nye ’77 Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom

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Editor’s note: This story was adapted from a report in the Cornell Chronicle.

By David Nutt

Bill Nye ’77, known by millions as the Science Guy and a tireless advocate for science education, received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States’ highest civilian honor, at a White House ceremony January 4.

Nye was among 19 honorees to receive the distinction, including former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, basketball legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson, racial justice activist Fannie Lou Hamer (awarded posthumously), and U2 frontman Bono.

As President Biden presented the medal to Nye, the White House announcer read a citation that praised Nye as “a beloved science educator for the nation.”

“Earning 19 Emmy Awards for his energetic experiments on television as Bill Nye the Science Guy, he also earned the trust of millions of children and families,” the announcer said.

“By sharing the magic of fun and science, he inspires generations of Americans to follow facts and reason and leave the world better than we found it.”

Nye earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering on the Hill in 1977 and took an engineering job at Boeing, where he specialized in hydraulics systems on 747s.

By sharing the magic of fun and science, he inspires generations of Americans to follow facts and reason and leave the world better than we found it.

The White House

After winning a regional Steve Martin lookalike contest, he began venturing out to local comedy clubs and trying his hand at standup. He soon debuted his “Science Guy” persona on a Seattle TV show, which led to his nationally syndicated program, “Bill Nye the Science Guy,” in the 1990s and later a Netflix series, “Bill Nye Saves the World.”

Throughout his career, Nye has remained a popular presence at Cornell, speaking at campus events and convocations, and serving as a Frank H.T. Rhodes Visiting Professor from 2001–05. In 2011, he designed the Solar Noon Clock for Rhodes Hall.

Nye’s dedication to science education continues through his work as CEO of the Planetary Society—a nonprofit co-founded by the late astronomy professor Carl Sagan—and “as a vocal advocate for space exploration and environmental stewardship,” the White House said.

Bill Nye '77 delivers his keynote address at the Sibley 150 event, celebrating 150 years of Mechanical Engineering at Cornell, on April 25, 2024Alex Bayer / Cornell University
Delivering the keynote address at the Sibley School's 150th anniversary celebration in 2024.

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Nye helped design three sundials for the Mars Exploration Rover, working with Cornell professor Steve Squyres ’78, PhD ’81, who serves as NASA’s scientific principal investigator for the mission.

Also receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom this year was renowned primatologist and conservationist Jane Goodall, who was an A.D. White Professor-at-Large on the Hill from 1996 to 2002.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom was established by President John F. Kennedy in 1963.

The first cohort included E.B. White 1921—author of Stuart Little and Charlotte’s Web and co-editor of the updated The Elements of Style, written originally by Cornell professor William Strunk, PhD 1896.

Other Cornellians who’ve received the award:

• Sol Linowitz, JD ’38, who served under President Jimmy Carter by negotiating Panama Canal treaties and Middle East peace agreements, received the medal from President Bill Clinton in 1998;

• Anthony Fauci, MD ’66, received the award from President George W. Bush in 2008 for his research and work on AIDS;

• Nobel laureate Toni Morrison, MA ’55, received the medal from President Barack Obama in 2012; and

• Civil rights worker Michael “Mickey” Schwerner ’61, who—with his colleagues James Earl Chaney and Andrew Goodman—was slain in Mississippi in 1964 by members of the Ku Klux Klan. (Their murders were the subject of the 1988 film Mississippi Burning and their likenesses are immortalized in stained glass in Sage Chapel.) Obama awarded them the medal posthumously in 2014.

Biden called this year’s recipients “heroes of the highest order” and said he was grateful that their work will inspire generations.

Biden called this year’s recipients “heroes of the highest order” and said he was grateful that their work will inspire generations.

“For the final time as president, I have the honor of bestowing the Medal of Freedom … on a group of extraordinary, truly extraordinary people who gave their sacred effort to shape the culture and the cause of America,” he said.

“So let me just say to each of you: Thank you, thank you, thank you for all you’ve done to help this country.”

Blaine Friedlander contributed to this report. Top image: Nye in front of a display case in Rhodes Hall with information about the Solar Clock he designed for the building. (Lindsay France / Cornell University)

Published January 7, 2025

Comments

  1. Andrew Weber, Class of 1977
    12 Jan, 2025

    As a fellow 77 graduate from Cornell proud of achievements of Bill Nye. Hope to inspire my 1 year old grandchild Benny to love science and learning.

    Reply
  2. Bill Condit, Class of 1963
    12 Jan, 2025

    Great Stuff !! Updates on people I have Known and Loved

    Biggest Surprise Of All: William Strunk, class of 1896.

    He governed my Occasional Writing FOR 60 YEARS !!

    Reply

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