Published: Oct. 21, 1997

The University of Colorado at Boulder will sponsor a program of memorial events Friday, Oct. 24, in honor of Keith Roberts Porter, founder and first chair of CU’s department of molecular, cellular and developmental biology.

Porter died May 2, in Bryn Mawr, Pa., from complications of Parkinson’s disease. He was 84.

A pioneer of modern cell biology, Porter took the first photographs of tissue cells using an electron microscope. Later, he built the MCD biology department at CU-Boulder into a nationally recognized department. The Porter Biosciences Building on campus bears his name.

Porter came to CU from Harvard in 1968 and remained on the faculty until 1981. He was awarded the National Medal of Science in 1977 by President Jimmy Carter.

The memorial program will include the following events:

• Memories of Keith R. Porter as teacher, mentor, colleague and friend - 3 p.m., Old Main Chapel

• Dedication of a display in Porter’s honor - 5:45 p.m., CU Heritage Center, Old Main

•Reception - 6-7 p.m., CU Heritage Center, Old Main

• Lecture, “From Cytokinesis to Single Molecule Mechanics,” by James A. Spudich, department of biochemistry, Stanford University - 8 p.m., Ramaley Biology Building, room 250.