British crown honors science leaders

LONDON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The director of Britain's National Science Learning Center, known for bringing excitement back into Britain's science classes, was made a knight Thursday.

John Holman, a University of York professor who can now be called Sir John, received the honor for services to education.

"I'm delighted; it's an enormous personal honor and somewhat overwhelming," Holman told BBC News.

"But more importantly I think that it's a recognition of the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics to the future of the UK and to the lives of millions of young people," he said.

Holman is one of 979 people recommended to Queen Elizabeth II for the order of chivalry established June 4, 1917, by King George V, the government said.

More than half the people inducted into the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire were put forward by members of the public, the government said.

Also honored was nuclear physicist Sue Ion, a visiting professor at the Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine in London and chairwoman of the British Fusion Advisory Board. She was named a dame for her services to science and engineering.

Graham Wynne, director of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, was awarded a knighthood for his services to nature conservation. Paul Mellars, professor of prehistory and human evolution at the University of Cambridge, received a knighthood for his services to scholarship.

The complete list can be found at www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_183673.