Breaking News - General:

President Nominates Arden Bement, Jr. To Head NSF

On Sept. 15, the White House announced President Bush's plans to nominate Arden Bement, Jr. to be the director of the National Science Foundation (NSF). Bement is the current Acting Director of the NSF following the resignation of Rita Colwell; he is also director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

Before coming to NIST, Bement was the David A. Ross Distinguished Professor of Nuclear Engineering, and he headed Purdue University's School of Nuclear Engineering. He holds a Ph.D. in metallurgical engineering from the University of Michigan, and is a member of the National Academy of Engineering. He also served on National Science Board, the independent policy body established by Congress to oversee the NSF.

Bement's nomination must first be approved by the Senate. For more information, visit the NSF Web site at www.nsf.gov/od.