PREPPING FOR PH.D.S

Last week, John J. Flynn was named first dean of the Richard Gilder Graduate School at the American Museum of Natural History. Flynn is chairman and Frick Curator of Fossil Mammals, Division of Paleontology. The Gilder Graduate School was established in October 2006, following approval by the New York State Board of Regents for the creation of a Ph.D.-granting program in comparative biology within the museum. This was the first time that an American museum was granted the authority to award its own Ph.D. degree. Pictured cutting the ribbon for the new graduate school are, from left to right, Ellen V. Futter, president of the museum; Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer; John J. Flynn, dean of the Gilder Graduate School; Michael J. Novacek, senior vice president and provost and curator, division of paleontology; Kate Levin, New York City Commissioner of Cultural Affairs; and Lewis W. Bernard, chairman of the museum's Board of Trustees.