NRC Chairman Jackson Receives Honors from Seven Academic Institutes

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	NRC NEWS U. S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
	Office of Public Affairs	Telephone: 301/415-8200
	Washington, DC 20555-001	E-mail: opa@nrc.gov

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No. 99-103
May 20, 1999

NRC CHAIRMAN JACKSON RECEIVES HONORS FROM SEVEN ACADEMIC INSTITUTES

Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chairman Shirley Ann Jackson is being honored by seven colleges and universities for her outstanding career accomplishments.

The Birmingham-Southern College honored Chairman Jackson with the 1999 Woman of Distinction Award on May 6 at a ceremony held in Birmingham, Alabama, in recognition of her many accomplishments and role model for women and minorities. Some previous recipients of this award include four former First Ladies.

On May 16, Chairman Jackson spoke at the graduation ceremony at Saint Peter's College in Jersey City where previously she received an honorary degree.

Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, conferred an honorary Doctor of Science degree on Dr. Jackson in its commencement exercise held May 19 in New Brunswick in recognition of her many accomplishments in the field of science.

The New Jersey Institute of Technology, a public research university, will confer on Dr. Jackson an honorary Doctor of Science degree at this year's commencement ceremony on May 21 in Newark. The award is in recognition of Dr. Jackson's distinguished and pioneering career as a scientist, dedicated public servant, and educator.

Hood College will confer an honorary degree on Chairman Jackson in a commencement exercise on May 22 in Frederick, Maryland, where she will speak to graduating students. Dr. Jackson, having centered her education and career in math, science, and technology, will encourage women and minorities to pursue their interests in these areas.

On May 23 at a commencement celebration, The University of Massachusetts in Amherst will bestow an honorary Doctor of Science Degree on Dr. Jackson in recognition of her achievements in science and education.

Williams College will confer an honorary degree on Dr. Jackson in its commencement ceremony to be held June 6 in Williamstown, Massachusetts, in recognition of her many achievements in business, education, and government.

A native of Washington, D.C. with a Ph.D. in theoretical elementary particle physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Dr. Jackson holds five additional honorary doctoral degrees from distinguished academic institutes. She is the first African-American woman to receive a doctorate from MIT; she is the first African-American to serve on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission; and she is the first woman and the first African-American to serve as the Chairman of the NRC.