National Lab's Collegiate Affiliates Named

Aiken, SC (03/15/2019) — The University of South Carolina Aiken College of Sciences and Engineering announced two new affiliates, thanks to a unique partnership with the Savannah River National Laboratory.

Dr. Carol Jantzen will be help with projects in the disciplines of geology and materials science.

"She has had a tremendous career and is a pioneer in her field," said Dr. Chad Leverette, interim dean of the College of Sciences and Engineering.

"She is already super active with the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center. We are so glad she is joining us and helping us with our efforts," he said of the 2016 recipient of the South Carolina Governor's Award for Excellence in Scientific Research.

Dr. Frank Smith will assist with USC Aiken's growing industrial process engineering program. He is a chemical engineer and a graduate of M.I.T., Cal. Tech., and the University of Louisville.

"He has had a distinguished career with SRNL and has even taught as an adjunct in the USC Columbia School of Engineering," Leverette said.

"He brings a wealth of experience to us and will help us as we continue to grow our engineering program."

Last semester, through a partnership with the Savannah River National Laboratory, USC Aiken launched the USC Aiken-Savannah River National Laboratory Collegiate Affiliate Program. Through this initiative, SRNL and USC Aiken work together to connect retiring scientists from SRNL with STEM-related efforts at USC Aiken.

"These activities range from helping with our new Aiken Scholars Academy and the outreach opportunities at the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center to providing career guidance and research advice to our STEM majors," Leverette said.

"There are lots of potential ways for our affiliates to interact with us and our students."

The affiliates will work in the newly created Learning Commons area in the Gregg-Graniteville Library, also made possible in part thanks to a generous gift from SRNL. As scientists near retirement at SRNL, they have the opportunity to apply for the program.

"Based on their discipline, our college forms a committee to review each application. Once accepted by that committee, the dean's office works to connect our affiliates with university opportunities," Leverette explained.

"Right now, we have the ability to have up to five university affiliates per year. Each affiliate agrees to serve an initial two-year term."

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