International Symposium Held in Memory of Vincent Franceschi at Washington State University

Pictured from left are Vince’s brother, Joseph Franceschi, of Sandy, Utah; Vince’s fiancee, Dr. Mechthild Tegeder, of the School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University; and Vince’s sister, Angela Franceschi Worden, of Ormond Beach, Florida.

On June 9–10 Washington State University (WSU) hosted an International Symposium in Memory of Vincent R. Franceschi, who died unexpectedly April 30, 2005 (see the story in the July/August 2005 issue of the ASPB News). At the time of his death, he was director of both the School of Biological Sciences and the Electron Microscopy and Imaging Center. For some months, sentiment had been growing that a symposium would be a suitable way to recognize Professor Franceschi’s accomplishments as a scientist and his service to WSU, where he spent his entire professional career.

The symposium had two full days of sessions featuring speakers who were all Franceschi’s colleagues, collaborators, mentors, or students. A ceremony to rename the Electron Microscopy and Imaging Center after Vince was held on Friday, June 9. The center, located in WSU’s Abelson Hall, is internationally recognized for its teaching and research in modern methods of microscopy. The renaming acknowledges Vince’s internationally recognized research in several areas of plant biology and his expertise in microscopy, as well as his service to Washington State University as teacher, researcher, and mentor.

Gerry Edwards
edwardsg@wsu.edu

To see more photos from the symposium go to http://www.franceschi.wsu.edu.