Oak Ridge National Laboratory Director Thom Mason announced recently that he will step down from that position effective July 1, the 10th anniversary of his taking the post.
Major developments directly involving UT during Mason’s time working at and leading ORNL include the launch of the Spallation Neutron Source, the Bredesen Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Education, and IACMI—The Composites Institute, and the hiring of all but one of the 15 current UT-ORNL Governor’s Chairs.
Tennessine was recently officially added to the periodic table in honor of the valuable work being done at ORNL, UT, and other institutions in the state.
As a sign of the importance of the collaboration, Mason was awarded an honorary doctorate in science during UT’s May 2016 commencement.
Mason’s relationship with UT began in 1998 when he joined the Department of Physics and Astronomy as an adjunct associate professor, becoming an adjunct professor in 2003.
Mason has earned several notable awards in his career, including being named a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the United Kingdom Institute of Physics, the American Physical Society, and the Neutron Scattering Society of America. He serves as chairman of the board of directors for Innovation Valley and the Oak Ridge Public Schools Education Foundation.
A full release on his stepping down can be read at ORNL.