The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans will be honoring Dr. J. Robert Beyster, retired chairman and CEO of Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), during a ceremony being held April 3 through 5 in Washington, D.C.
“It is a great honor to be acknowledged,” Beyster said. “I am definitely looking forward to attending the ceremony to be formally inducted as a 2008 Horatio Alger Award [winner] and inducted as a lifetime member.”
The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, a nonprofit organization that has honored many Americans for their contributions as well as for overcoming adversity, decided to honor Beyster for his major efforts in triumphing over hardships during his lifetime.
“I became involved with the organization for many reasons that are already well-known, like a belief in what they do,” he said. “I honestly believe that in order to overcome adversity you must have persistence as the main attribute.”
The organization’s 61st annual event takes place in the nation’s capital and will feature visits to the United States Supreme Court, the U.S. Department of State and more. The convention will also offer the opportunity for some of the nation’s top students to learn about the philosophies that helped shape the 2008 Horatio Alger Award recipients.
Born in Detroit in 1924, Beyster joined the Navy and served in World War II. Afterward, he attended the University of Michigan, where he developed a passion for education and earned his master’s and doctoral degrees in engineering, eventually moving to San Diego to chair the Accelerator Physics Department of General Atomics.
In 1969, he mortgaged his home in order to start Science Applications Inc. (SAI), which would later become SAIC, with a few other scientists.
“Staying at SAIC for 35 years did not seem like a very long time when you are building your dream company,” Beyster said.
For information see www.horatioalger.com.