Society Awards and Honors
2004 Awards
Alan Waltar Receives American Nuclear Society 2004 Public Communication Award
Alan Waltar, director of Nuclear Energy at the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, has been named the recipient of the American Nuclear Society's 2004 Public Communication Award. According to ANS, he is being recognized for his exceptional achievements in furthering public understanding of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and will receive the award at the ANS annual meeting, June 15, in Pittsburgh, Penn.
Waltar has more than 30 years experience in the fields of nuclear energy and nuclear communications. He has published more than 70 scientific articles, written two books and has presented lectures throughout the United States and 15 foreign countries. He served as president of ANS in 1994-1995 and was elected a Fellow of the society in 1984.
His latest book, "Radiation and Modern Life: Fulfilling Marie Curie's Dream", will be published in November, 2004.
Additionally, Waltar helped found the Eagle Alliance in 1996, a national educational movement designed to encourage policymakers to endorse nuclear technologies and to support demonstration of its societal benefits.
He earned a bachelors of science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Washington, a masters of science degree in nuclear engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a doctorate degree in engineering science from the University of California at Berkley. Prior to joining PNNL in 2002, Waltar served as professor and head of nuclear engineer at Texas A&M University, overseeing what is now the largest department of nuclear engineering in the nation.
The ANS Public Communication Award was established in 1983 to recognize and honor individuals for outstanding personal dedication and accomplishment in furthering public understanding of the peaceful applications of nuclear technology. ANS (www.ans.org) was established in 1954 and includes more than 10,000 members. (announced 6/15/2004)