Solon High Gets $15,000 Gift

SOLON, OH — Solon High has received a $15,000 donation from distinguished alumni and college professor Park Nobel. The funds are to be used at the school's discretion.

Solon High Principal Erin Short, and a team of administrators, are discussing how best to use the funds, a Solon Schools spokesperson told Patch. District leaders will use the money to improve student experience at the school, the official added.

Nobel told Solon officials he wanted to give back to the academic institutions that helped him succeed in his career. Solon High was an important stop in his development.

Nobel graduated from Solon High in 1956. A plaque bearing his name and biographical details on his life will be placed next to the high school's collection of National Merit Scholar photos.

Nobel moved to Solon in 1943 and attended the Solon Schools for grades 1-12. He was a National Merit Scholarship winner in 1956 and was one of the first 100 students to receive the prestigious award.

Nobel was valedictorian and president of his 39-member senior class. He was the first president of Solon High's Key Club.

After graduating from Solon High, Nobel earned his Bachelor's Degree in Engineering Physics from Cornell University, a Master's Degree in Physics from California Institute of Technology and a Ph.D in Biophysics from the University of California, Berkeley.

He then became a professor at UCLA and has remained at the university for more than five decades. He is now a Distinguished Professor of Biology Emeritus.

Throughout his career, Nobel wrote or edited 18 books and nearly 400 scientific articles. He has focused specifically on desert plants, particularly agaves and cactic.

"Solon High School is very grateful for Dr. Nobel’s generous support," the district wrote on Nobel's plaque.