Title: Engineering National Security

Date:  Sept. 20
Place: AU Hotel and Dixon Conference Center Seminar Room 
Time:  10:00 a.m.

Admiral Kirk Donald
Director, Naval Propulsion

Admiral Michael DonaldOriginally from Norlina, N.C., Admiral Donald graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1975 with a bachelor of science in ocean engineering. He also holds a master's degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix and is a graduate of Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government Senior Executive Fellows Program.

After completing his initial nuclear power and submarine training, he served in USS Batfish (SSN 681), USS Mariano G. Vallejo (SSBN 658), and USS Seahorse (SSN 669).

Adm. Donald was Commanding Officer, USS Key West (SSN 722), from October 1990 to February 1993. He served as Commander, Submarine Development Squadron Twelve from August 1995 to July 1997. From June 2002 to July 2003, he was assigned as Commander, Submarine Group Eight; Commander, Submarine Force Sixth Fleet (CTF 69); Commander, Submarines Allied Naval Forces South; and Commander, Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarine Force (CTF 164) in Naples, Italy. Most recently, he served as Commander, Naval Submarine Forces; Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet; Commander, Allied Submarine Command; and Commander, Task Forces 84 and 144 in Norfolk, Va.

His shore assignments include the Pacific Fleet Nuclear Propulsion Examining Board and the staff of the Director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion. He also served at the Bureau of Naval Personnel, on the Joint Staff, and as Deputy Chief of Staff for C4I, Resources, Requirements and Assessments, U.S. Pacific Fleet. Adm. Donald assumed his current duties as Director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion, on 5 November 2004.

Adm. Donald is authorized to wear the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with four gold stars, and the Meritorious Service Medal with one gold star, in addition to several other personal and unit awards.

ABSTRACT

Engineering National Security
Since its inception more than 50 years ago, the U.S. Navy has been at the forefront of nuclear engineering. Many of the lessons learned during this time are directly applicable to civilian power systems. This transfer of information is especially critical given our nation's current energy situation and the resulting increased interest in nuclear power as an energy source. 

As nuclear energy grows in importance, the demand for engineers from a variety of engineering disciplines with a solid foundation in engineering fundamentals is predicted to increase.  

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