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John Jefferies Becomes Emeritus Astronomer (1Dec92)
(from the Director's Office, NOAO Newsletter No. 32, 1 December 1992)

A gathering on the Tucson patio in late September marked the occasion
of John Jefferies receiving emeritus status in the National Solar
Observatory. Goetz Oertel and Sidney Wolff spoke to commend Jefferies
on behalf of AURA and NOAO for his distinguished service to the
organization. They noted that, as the first Director of the newly
founded NOAO, he successfully employed his vision and abilities to
combine its disparate elements into an organization with identity and
shared purpose. He dealt unflaggingly with the difficulties presented
by decreasing institutional funding, and created an organizational
structure with lasting vitality and increasing effectiveness. He was
recognized for undertaking a challenging job with energy and
dedication, for which the national astronomical community is grateful.
They also reminded the group that it was Jefferies' vision and drive
that opened the unique opportunities of observing from Mauna Kea to the
astronomical world.

Jefferies' version of retirement will be to devote ALL his energies to
research and new projects. He is actively involved with a small
explorer proposal and continues his work with solar infrared research,
eclipse studies, and theoretical investigations of spectral line
formation in magnetic fields. At NSO and NOAO we are pleased to have
the association of a colleague continuing to make a distinguished
contribution to his field as John Jefferies moves into this new stage
of his career.

Richard F. Green

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