Caltech Names Two Distinguished Alumni

Caltech has announced that Regina E. Dugan (PhD '93) and Alexei V. Filippenko (PhD '84) are this year's recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Award.

First presented in 1966, the award is the highest honor the Institute bestows upon its graduates. It is awarded in recognition of a particular achievement of noteworthy value, a series of such achievements, or a career of noteworthy accomplishment. Presentation of the awards will be given on Saturday, May 20, 2017, as part of Caltech's Reunion Weekend and Seminar Day.

The 2017 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients are

Regina E. Dugan (PhD '93)

Vice President of Engineering, Facebook

For her sustained record of leadership and innovation in technology and business. Throughout her career—as the first woman to become the director of the U.S. Department of Defense's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and as an executive in technology—Dugan has spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives in the fields of cybersecurity, social media, and advanced manufacturing methods.

Alexei V. Filippenko (PhD '84)

Professor of Astronomy, UC Berkeley

For his contributions to astronomy and his work to enhance the public's interest in science. Filippenko contributed significant research that led to the discovery of cosmic acceleration. A prolific author, mentor, and noted speaker, Filippenko is one of the most recognized and cited astronomers working today.