NASA GRC NEWS RELEASE 99-13

News Release 99-13

For Release: March 5, 1999 Lori J. Rachul (Bus: 216/433-8806) Campbell Named Laboratory Director Of The Year NASA's Glenn Research Center Director Donald J. Campbell has been named the 1998 Laboratory Director of the Year by the Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC) for Technology Transfer. The award, presented by the consortium annually, honors laboratory directors who have made exemplary contributions to the overall enhancement of technology transfer for economic development. Campbell will receive the award on April 21, 1999, at the organization's 25th anniversary national meeting in Salt Lake City, UT. "I'm honored to have been chosen to receive this award," said Campbell. "I believe the technologies developed at Glenn are leading-edge and can be used to improve the quality of life and provide meaningful return on taxpayers' dollars. I accept the award on behalf of the center's employees who work so diligently in transferring their technologies for commercial applications." Campbell, Glenn's first African-American center director, was selected to receive the award in recognition of his successful efforts to broaden the commercialization of Glenn's technologies. In the last five years, at least 20 new products have been created due to Glenn-developed technologies. Under Campbell's leadership, the Lewis Incubator for For Technology was established to help entrepreneurs and start-up companies gain financial and marketing assistance as they commercialize NASA-developed technologies. In addition, the newly created Garrett Morgan Commercialization Initiative helps to increase the competitiveness of small businesses and small disadvantaged businesses in Ohio and the Great Lakes region through the use of NASA technologies. Campbell also has been instrumental in providing a hands-on educational experience to African-American and Hispanic students each year through the Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Aerospace Academy (SEMAA). The program, a collaborative effort between Glenn and Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland, OH, has proven to be extremely successful. Since its inception, SEMAA has been replicated twice, with plans for seven additional sites in major cities. "I'm very happy to be able to recognize Don Campbell's contributions to technology transfer and support for the FLC," said Dr. Jagdish Mathur, principal scientist, Marconi Aerospace and chairman, National Advisory Group, FLC. "Don is an outstanding and dedicated individual who has demonstrated leadership and personal commitment to work with American industry and the community for economic development and growth. His efforts have made a difference." More than 600 of the largest federal government research laboratories and centers, representing 16 federal departments and agencies, are presently members of the FLC. The mission of the FLC is to promote and facilitate the rapid movement of federal laboratory research results and technologies into the mainstream of the U.S. economy. Campbell is a native of Lima, OH. He earned a bachelor's degree at Ohio Northern University and a master's degree at Ohio State University, both in mechanical engineering. He holds honorary doctorate degrees from Wilberforce University and Ohio Northern University. He is also a member of the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honorary Society. NOTE TO EDITORS: A photo of Mr. Campbell is available by calling the Glenn Research Center at 216/433-8806. # # # 99-13 -end-