also served on the boards of numerous philanthropic organizations and foundations in the civic, social, cultural, and educational spaces, including the Mellon Foundation, the Commonwealth Fund, the MacArthur Foundation, the Rand Corporation, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, the Smithsonian Institution, the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, and many others. Awards and honors Massey has received forty-one honorary degrees during his career. He is a recipient of the Distinguished Service Citation of the American Association of Physics Teachers for his exceptional contributions to the teaching of physics, and was a member of the National Commission on Mathematics and Science Teaching for the 21st century, a commission established by Senator Glenn to recommend methods for improving science and math teaching in the United States. In 1987, Massey was awarded the Order of Lincoln, the State of Illinois' highest honor. In 1992, Massey received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement presented by Awards Council member and Nobel Prize laureate Leon Lederman. In 1999, the Georgia State Senate passed resolution SR 113 "recognizing and commending Dr. Walter E. Massey, President of Morehouse College." In May 2016, Massey received Illinois Humanities' Public Humanities Award, which "recognizes individuals and organizations that have helped transform lives and have strengthened communities through the humanities." In 2012, he received the Chicago Historical Society, Making History–Enrico Fermi Award in science and technology. Massey was a member of both the American Philosophical Society and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. References 1938 births Living people African-American businesspeople African-American educators African-American scientists Morehouse College alumni Presidents of Morehouse College Washington University in St. Louis alumni Washington University physicists People from Hattiesburg, Mississippi BP people Directors of Bank of America American scientists Clinton administration personnel George H. W. Bush administration personnel Members of the American Philosophical Society African-American physicists Fellows of the African Academy of Sciences Associate Fellows of the African Academy of Sciences Fulbright alumni