Dr. Wendy L. Freedman is one of the world’s most accomplished astrophysicists, recognized internationally for her foundational contributions to modern cosmology and for her leadership of scientific projects that have fundamentally transformed humanity’s understanding of the universe. Her career resonates deeply with Clark University’s historic legacy in the physical sciences, particularly as we mark the centennial of Robert H. Goddard’s breakthroughs in liquid-fuel rocketry.
Currently the John and Marion Sullivan University Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics at the University of Chicago, Dr. Freedman is widely known for her leadership of the Hubble Space Telescope Key Project, which produced the first precise measurements of the Hubble constant—the rate at which the universe is expanding—and dramatically refined scientific understanding of the universe’s scale, age, and evolution.
Her work laid the empirical foundation for what is now known as precision cosmology, helping to establish the modern framework through which scientists study dark energy, dark matter, and the dynamics of the cosmos. Through her discoveries, Dr. Freedman has helped humanity answer some of its oldest and most profound questions: How big is the universe? How old is it? And how did it come to be? Few scientists have had a greater impact on our understanding of the universe and our place within it.
Dr. Freedman was named to TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in 2025 and was recognized in Nature’s 10—its annual list highlighting the year’s most significant scientific developments—in 2024. She has also played a central leadership role at major research institutions, including the Observatories of the Carnegie Institution for Science, where she oversaw the development of next-generation telescopes and expanded access to cutting-edge astronomical research. She served as the inaugural chair of the board for the Giant Magellan Telescope Project at Las Campanas Observatory in Chile.
For her extraordinary achievements, Dr. Freedman has been recognized by election to the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the American Philosophical Society. She has also been awarded the National Medal of Science by President Biden.
Professor Michael Boyer will present Dr. Wendy L. Freedman for the degree of Doctor of Science.