School & Community News

International Award Conferred on Edward R. Close, Class of 1955

Here is part of the press release recently issued by the International Society for Philosophical Enquiry:

Dr. Edward Close and Dr. Vernon Neppe were honored on 9 August 2016 with the coveted 2016 Whiting Memorial Award for “expanding boundaries of scientific understanding”. The Whiting Memorial Fund is a philanthropic fund administered by the International Society for Philosophical Enquiry (‘ISPE’) (www.thethousand.com) to “reward individuals and groups, whose accomplishments and goals exemplify the ideals of ISPE”.
This international award is open to anyone worldwide in any discipline, and is given to a person/ persons or organization (outside or within ISPE) who typifies the I.S.P.E. ideal of “someone who strives to benefit society in general through advanced enquiry, original research and/or creative contributions, and who has demonstrated significant progress in these endeavors.” This sought after Prize may be conferred yearly, but historically has been seldom awarded, because it is only conferred when the committee unanimously chooses a worthy nominee.
ISPE’s only mission is “to attract the world’s most intellectually gifted individuals and hopefully direct their achievements for the betterment of all humankind.” ISPE advances no political, governmental, religious, race, gender, ethnic, activist or academic agenda. “This is what ISPE is all about: Making our world better by encouraging profound excellence”, emphasized Stephen Levin, the ISPE President. “This award should have happened a long time ago to Drs Neppe and Close. It’s well-deserved and too long coming.”

The Whiting Prize has not been awarded to an ISPE member since 2008. The ISPE is a worldwide 1 in 1000 intelligence organization currently with about 500 members that emphasizes progression through different levels of accomplishment. Drs Close and Neppe have both attained the highest public level of ‘Diplomate of the ISPE’ (where there are about 2 dozen worldwide).

This is not their first award for their research: In February 2013 in Puebla, Mexico, Dr Neppe and Dr Close received the well-respected ‘Gabino Barreda Award’ and medal for excellence in education after presenting a one-day workshop there.