Dr. Bhakta B. Rath, Associate Director of Research and Head of the Materials Science and Component Technology Directorate at the Naval Research Laboratory, was honored with the degree of Doctor of Science, Honoris Causa, by Ravenshaw University, Orissa, India, at their convocation on March 4th, 2010. He also delivered the commencement address to the 2010 graduating class. Rath was recognized as a research scientist in materials science and engineering and for his long standing efforts to develop research collaborations in the fields of physical and natural sciences between India and the U.S. with funding support from the Department of State.
Ravenshaw University is an institution of pre eminence in India and has had a highly distinguished history since its establishment in 1868. Rath graduated from Ravenshaw College, as it was then known, in 1955, before coming to the U.S. to do his graduate studies at the Michigan Technological University and the Illinois Institute of Technology. Coincidentally, his father also graduated from the same college, in 1918.
The award was presented to Rath by His Excellency Shri Murlidhar Chandrakant Bhandare, Governor of Orissa and Chancellor of Ravenshaw University.