December 2, 2004
Purdue professor confirmed as National Science Foundation director
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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Arden L. Bement Jr., a Purdue University nuclear engineering professor, has been appointed by President George W. Bush as director of the National Science Foundation, the federal agency that supports fundamental research and education in science and engineering.
Bush nominated Bement (buh-MENT) in September to become the NSF director, and the U.S. Senate confirmed the appointment on Nov. 20. Bush then officially appointed Bement to the post on Nov. 24, making him the 12th director in NSF history. He had been acting NSF director since Feb. 22 after Purdue alumna Rita Colwell, a 1956 graduate, stepped down as NSF director.
Bement has been on unpaid leave from Purdue's School of Nuclear Engineering since becoming director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology in December 2001. During the time he was acting NSF director, he also was director of NIST, which is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce.
"The foundation has a rich history of strong and independent directors, and I look forward to continuing that tradition," Bement said. "Although NSF faces significant challenges in the near future due to federal budget issues, I am committed to the policies and operations that have stood the test of time and have helped make NSF an extraordinary agency.
"This is an inspiring honor for me – and one that I feel very humble in accepting."
Bement will serve a six-year term as NSF director, overseeing the foundation's annual budget of about $5.5 billion.
He is no stranger to the national spotlight. Bement served on the National Science Board, the 24-member policy body for NSF and adviser to the president and Congress on science and engineering issues, from 1989 to 1995.
"We at Purdue have been proud of Dr. Bement for many years, and we're happy that his great leadership skills are again being recognized at the national level," said Purdue Provost Sally Mason. "His appointment as NSF director is a testament to the quality of Purdue faculty and the university's strong science and engineering programs."
Bement is the David A. Ross Distinguished Professor of Nuclear Engineering and former head of Purdue's School of Nuclear Engineering. He also has held Purdue appointments in the School of Materials Engineering and the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
He joined the Purdue faculty in 1992 after a 39-year career in industry, government and academia. These positions included: vice president of science and technology for TRW Inc. (1980-92); deputy undersecretary of defense for research and engineering (1979-80); director, Office of Materials Science, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (1976-79); professor of nuclear materials, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1970-76); manager, Fuels and Materials Department and the Metallurgy Research Department, Battelle Northwest Laboratories (1965-70); and senior research associate, General Electric Co. (1954-65).
Bement holds an engineer of metallurgy degree from the Colorado School of Mines, a master's degree in metallurgical material engineering from the University of Idaho and a doctorate in metallurgical material engineering from the University of Michigan. He was awarded an honorary doctorate in engineering from Cleveland State University, is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and was this year named a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Writer: Emil Venere, (765) 494-4709, venere@purdue.edu
Source: Bill Noxon, NSF Media Contact, (703) 292-7750, wnoxon@nsf.gov
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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