Gustavus Adolphus College

The Nobel Conference came into being in 1963 when, emboldened by the smashing success of a gathering on campus of 26 Nobel laureates for the dedication of the Nobel Hall of Science as the first American memorial to Alfred Nobel, President Edgar Carlson and other college officials approached the Nobel Foundation for permission to hold an annual science conference using the Nobel name.

The vision for this conference was twofold:

1. to bring cutting-edge science issues to the attention of an audience of students and interested adults; and
2. to engage the panelists and the audience in a discussion of the moral and societal impact of these issues.

Owing largely to the efforts of our longtime conference director, Chaplain Richard Q. Elvee, in the following 36 years, these conferences have remained true to that original vision. If you look at the topics and panelists on our Web site you'll see the following characteristics:

Science-Based Topics

While occasionally wandering into economics, the social sciences, and even philosophy or aesthetics, most conferences have dealt with the kinds of science issues for which Nobel Prizes are awarded.

World-Class Speakers

Beginning with the help of an advisory committee composed of Nobel laureates such as Glenn Seaborg, Phillip Hench, and Sir John Eccles, the conferences have been consistently successful in attracting the world's foremost authorities as speakers. Fifty-nine Nobel laureates have served as speakers, five of whom were awarded the prize after speaking at our conferences.

Timeliness

One of the enduring features has been the ability of our organizing committees to anticipate important scientific developments. In 1999, Nobel XXXV, "Genetics in the New Millennium," took place in the midst of the race to complete the human genome. In 2000, while demonstrations marked the meeting of the World Trade Organization, we discussed "Globalization 2000: Economic Prospects and Challenges." The conference director is always open to suggestions for upcoming conferences.

Consideration of Societal Impact

In addition to the basic scientific questions, these conferences have also asked questions like: What does it mean? What good is it? Could it be potentially harmful? Or, as Chaplain Elvee once put it: "Where is God in all of this?"

Opportunity for Interaction with Panelists

Following each talk is a panel discussion where questions submitted by members of the audience form part of the dialogue. In the evening following the first day, speakers may be questioned in a more intimate setting at our "Firing Line" sessions.

Tim Robinson, Director
Nobel Conference
Gustavus Adolphus College