Delaware News

Governor Markell Names DSU Professor to be Delaware’s Ambassador to Mars

Former Governor Jack Markell (2009-2017) | Office of the Governor | Date Posted: Friday, November 18, 2011



Dr Melikechi w Proclamation and GuideDover, DE – Governor Jack Markell named Dr. Noureddine Melikechi, the Vice President for Research at Delaware State University (DSU), Delaware’s “Ambassador to Mars,” in recognition of his achievements and role in the launch of NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory planned for November 25th.

“As Delaware’s new Ambassador to Mars, we would very much appreciate it if you could let any Martian tourists or investors know that Delaware is conveniently located on the East Coast with a great port, strong community, excellent workforce and top-notch research facilities,” wrote Markell in a letter to Dr. Melikechi.  “We have beautiful beaches, important historic sites and, of course, tax-free shopping.”

2012 Delaware Travel GuideThe Governor provided a copy of Delaware’s new State Travel Guide to Dr. Melikechi.  Although the guide is available at www.visitdelaware.com, Melikechi will bring a paper copy in case Martian operating systems are not compatible with our technology.

DSU held a “send-off” today for Dr. Melikechi, who is also DSU’s Dean of the College of Mathematics, Natural History and Technology.  He will be traveling to Cape Canaveral where he and his colleagues will be working in preparation for the launch.

The Governor was unable to make the event, but invited Dr. Melikechi and his colleagues to visit his office for a debriefing.

“We are so proud to see your research featured so prominently. While we are joking today about what might be out there, the hard work you are doing right here in Delaware is having a dramatic impact,” wrote Markell. “We appreciate your commitment to scientific excellence, your significant contributions to our state’s reputation as a cradle of innovation, and the esteem your work is bringing to the First State.”

Tribute to Dr MelikechiThe full text of the letter and a photo of the proclamation are included below:

November 18, 2011
Dear Dr. Melikechi,

Thank you very much for your contributions to interplanetary research and relations.

As Delaware’s new Ambassador to Mars, we would very much appreciate it if you could let any Martian tourists or investors know that Delaware is conveniently located on the East Coast with a great port, strong community, excellent workforce and top-notch research facilities.  We have beautiful beaches, important historic sites and, of course, tax-free shopping.

This new Delaware State Travel Guide could prove useful.  It is available online at visitdelaware.com, but—just in case their mobile operating systems are not compatible with ours—we’ve also provided this hard copy.

We are so proud to see your research featured so prominently. While we are joking today about what might be out there, the hard work you are doing right here in Delaware is having a dramatic impact. We appreciate your commitment to scientific excellence, your significant contributions to our state’s reputation as a cradle of innovation, and the esteem your work is bringing to the First State.

Good luck on your mission!  When you return to Delaware, I would like to invite you to visit our office for a debriefing.

Thank you and best regards,
Jack Markell
Governor of Delaware

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Governor Markell Names DSU Professor to be Delaware’s Ambassador to Mars

Former Governor Jack Markell (2009-2017) | Office of the Governor | Date Posted: Friday, November 18, 2011



Dr Melikechi w Proclamation and GuideDover, DE – Governor Jack Markell named Dr. Noureddine Melikechi, the Vice President for Research at Delaware State University (DSU), Delaware’s “Ambassador to Mars,” in recognition of his achievements and role in the launch of NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory planned for November 25th.

“As Delaware’s new Ambassador to Mars, we would very much appreciate it if you could let any Martian tourists or investors know that Delaware is conveniently located on the East Coast with a great port, strong community, excellent workforce and top-notch research facilities,” wrote Markell in a letter to Dr. Melikechi.  “We have beautiful beaches, important historic sites and, of course, tax-free shopping.”

2012 Delaware Travel GuideThe Governor provided a copy of Delaware’s new State Travel Guide to Dr. Melikechi.  Although the guide is available at www.visitdelaware.com, Melikechi will bring a paper copy in case Martian operating systems are not compatible with our technology.

DSU held a “send-off” today for Dr. Melikechi, who is also DSU’s Dean of the College of Mathematics, Natural History and Technology.  He will be traveling to Cape Canaveral where he and his colleagues will be working in preparation for the launch.

The Governor was unable to make the event, but invited Dr. Melikechi and his colleagues to visit his office for a debriefing.

“We are so proud to see your research featured so prominently. While we are joking today about what might be out there, the hard work you are doing right here in Delaware is having a dramatic impact,” wrote Markell. “We appreciate your commitment to scientific excellence, your significant contributions to our state’s reputation as a cradle of innovation, and the esteem your work is bringing to the First State.”

Tribute to Dr MelikechiThe full text of the letter and a photo of the proclamation are included below:

November 18, 2011
Dear Dr. Melikechi,

Thank you very much for your contributions to interplanetary research and relations.

As Delaware’s new Ambassador to Mars, we would very much appreciate it if you could let any Martian tourists or investors know that Delaware is conveniently located on the East Coast with a great port, strong community, excellent workforce and top-notch research facilities.  We have beautiful beaches, important historic sites and, of course, tax-free shopping.

This new Delaware State Travel Guide could prove useful.  It is available online at visitdelaware.com, but—just in case their mobile operating systems are not compatible with ours—we’ve also provided this hard copy.

We are so proud to see your research featured so prominently. While we are joking today about what might be out there, the hard work you are doing right here in Delaware is having a dramatic impact. We appreciate your commitment to scientific excellence, your significant contributions to our state’s reputation as a cradle of innovation, and the esteem your work is bringing to the First State.

Good luck on your mission!  When you return to Delaware, I would like to invite you to visit our office for a debriefing.

Thank you and best regards,
Jack Markell
Governor of Delaware

image_printPrint

Related Topics:  ,


Graphic that represents delaware news on a mobile phone

Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.

Here you can subscribe to future news updates.