It is with personal regret but warm wishes that I announce the retirement of Don Wall, effective June 13, 2019. Don’s departure marks the end of an era for the WSU Nuclear Science Center (NSC) As Director of the NSC, he has been an asset to WSU and to the faculty, staff, and students with whom he worked.
Don established the reactor training program here, which has resulted in approximately 60 granted licenses to date. He mentored numerous undergraduate and graduate students as well as post-doctoral researchers in nuclear chemistry. Many of them have gone on work at Los Alamos and other National Laboratories.
During his time at WSU, Don brought more than $10 million in grant funding to the university. He holds a patent for a new type of nuclear reactor target assemblies. Much of the funding he secured enabled security enhancements and system upgrades for the NSC. Importantly, he obtained a facility operating license renewal which will keep the reactor operating as a WSU research and teaching asset until the year 2031. Don’s collaborations outside of the university are extensive and he has represented WSU to Congress, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the Washington State Senate. He recently became a member of the Radiation Advisory Committee of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Don’s efforts have assured WSU’s success well into the future. We are indebted to his vision and commitment that have helped propel us to our present position in the industry. We will honor Don for his contributions in a farewell reception to be held on the Pullman Campus in the Lighty Atrium from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21. Please join me in extending best wishes to Don in his new endeavors.
Christopher J. Keane, Vice President for Research
For more information, please contact Lisa Brown-Haas at lisa.brownhaas@wsu.edu
