Astrophysicist Stephen Hawking Retires From Cambridge University

[Paroxysm]

Cosmologist Stephen Hawking will retire from his prestigious post at Cambridge University next year, but intends to continue his exploration of time and space. Hawking, 66, is Lucasian Professor of Mathematics, a title once held by the great 18th century physicist Isaac Newton. The university said Friday that he would step down at the end of the academic year in September, but would continue working as Emeritus Lucasian Professor of Mathematics.
"We look forward to him continuing his academic work at the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, playing a leading role in research in cosmology and gravitation," said Professor Peter Haynes, who heads the department.
Hawking became a scientific celebrity through his theories on black holes and the nature of time, work that he carried on despite becoming paralyzed by motor neurone disease.
University policy is that officeholders must retire at the end of the academic year in which they become 67. Hawking will reach that milestone on Jan. 8.

http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/10/24/hawking-retires.html

It's strange that at the age of 67 a Professor must retire. Why 67?

Anyways, props to Hawking.

 

[Ghostvirus]

The fact that he lived long enough to retire is amazing!

 

[Majic Walrus]

It's obvious.... To let Data take the position.

Oh damnit... that won't happen for another few hundred years.

 

[Suirou]

. The university said Friday that he would step down at the end of the academic year in September, but would continue working as Emeritus Lucasian Professor of Mathematics.

.

But yeah, congrats to Hawkins.
The sheer fact that he still lives just amaze me.

 

[E-Man]

Dammit! I was at the bookstore earlier, and I meant to pick up one of his books. Oh well, congrats to him for having such a long an amazing career.

 

[Aesop Rocks]

.

 

[katie_girl09]

Wha? You gotta admit that it's kind of an unintentionally ironic use of language.

 

[Maximum Carnage]

Suirou.. don't worry.. I laughed to myself when I read that.. lmfao!

 

[Aesop Rocks]

Wha? You gotta admit that it's kind of an unintentionally ironic use of language.

guess so.

 

[Gilpesh]

It's funny because Stephen Hawking is such a stand up guy in the Astrophysics community and for him to step down is a big leap in the area. I mean... it's like he sees that he can finally just get out of the way and take a load of and sit this one out and let the other people run on with his work.

 

[AlteredEgo]

really? nothing?

you have no soul!

 

[SuperFerret]

I :heart: Gilpesh.

 

[Wolfwood]

Guess it's time to submit the ol' resume.

 

[Majic Walrus]

It's funny because Stephen Hawking is such a stand up guy in the Astrophysics community and for him to step down is a big leap in the area. I mean... it's like he sees that he can finally just get out of the way and take a load of and sit this one out and let the other people run on with his work.

Good work bro.

 

[BillyZaned]

He retired now to give himself 3 years to live the way he wants before 2012.... see, he knows....

 

[LouFerignoDemon]

It's very sad to know he's stepping down from his position, but he'll probably still contribute here and there in the community. It still makes me feel like a little candle has been put out.

However, as I'm sure he feels, he's not absolutely critical to the advancement of science, and work will move on without him. But it's still sorta like playing a team based game, and one of your star players quit.

 

[terry78]

Part man. Part machine. All tenured.

 

[chamber-music]

The fact his still alive is amazing enough.

 

[The Battousai]

The fact that he lived more than just a few years after developing ALS is incredible in itself - living another 30+ years beyond that? Almost unbelievable

 

[The Battousai]

He retired now to give himself 3 years to live the way he wants before 2012.... see, he knows....

 

[The Guard]

Kind of makes you wonder what the hell he's been doing all these years after the stuff that put him on the map. Just hanging out?

 

[Wolfwood]

Appearing on Futurama and the Simpsons.

 

[SuperFerret]

Kind of makes you wonder what the hell he's been doing all these years after the stuff that put him on the map. Just hanging out?

More like just sitting around.

 

[enterthemadness]

well, at least he didn't walk out on the university.

OH SNAP, SON!

 

[SuperFerret]

has officially become the Patron Smiley of Bad Jokes.