PURPOSE
The purpose of this award is to recognize accomplishments in applying nuclear technology, advancing education in nuclear technology, increasing public awareness of the benefits of nuclear technology and in promoting and defending the safe and effective use of nuclear technology.
DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM
CNTA presents this award to a person who has made significant contributions in the advancement of nuclear. The award has a very broad reach with all-inclusive consideration outside of traditional scholarly, academic nuclear science and technology, to include non-technical fields. Areas of considerations are many, including but not limited to education, training, management, leadership, applied engineering, medicine, energy, health protection, public relations, journalism, communications, safety, environmental impact and remediation, national security, and workforce development. Candidates may also make contributions in multiple areas over an extended period of time.
The award is presented annually at the fall CNTA Teller Lecture & Banquet.
2025 Call for Nominations
The 2025 call for nominations for this award can be found at CNTA Nuclear Service Award- Call for Nominations 2025. More details on the nomination process, selection criteria etc. can be found in the CNTA Nuclear Service Award Description.
Eligibility requirements for candidates are:
• Candidate residence preferably should be or should have been in the Southeast region, defined as Georgia or South Carolina, at the time of the accomplishment(s)
• The award emphasizes recognition of accomplishment(s) benefiting, or having an impact on, the CSRA
• Accomplishment(s) could include sustained contribution over an extended period of time, or a single outstanding accomplishment
• Candidate can be either actively employed or retired
• There are no education or degree requirements
Nominations are due to CNTA by Friday, August 1st, 2025.
2024 Nuclear Service Award Recipient
Kent Rosenberger
Citizens for Nuclear Technology Awareness (CNTA) is pleased to announce that the winner of the 2024 Nuclear Service Award is Kent Rosenberger. This prestigious award was formally announced on October 24, 2024, at the 33rd Annual Teller Lecture held in Grovetown, Ga.
The Nuclear Service Award recognizes accomplishments in applying nuclear technology, advancing education in nuclear technology, increasing public awareness of the benefits of nuclear technology and in promoting and defending the safe and effective use of nuclear technology.
Rosenberger currently serves as the Deputy Director of Environment, Safety, Health, and Quality (ESH&Q) at Savannah River Mission Completion (SRMC). He has a 34-year track record marked with distinguished accomplishments that have advanced the nuclear industry, not only at the Savannah River Site (SRS) but across the nation.
Some of the most notable among Rosenberger’s extensive list of accomplishments benefitting the nuclear industry include:
- Being instrumental in the development of the regulatory framework and Performance Assessments supporting successful operational closures of SRS radioactive waste Tanks 5, 6, 12, 16, 18 and 19;
- Developing the necessary Waste Determination and supporting Performance Assessment leading to Department of Energy (DOE) and Nuclear Regulatory Commission approvals for disposal of salt solution as low-level waste in the SRS Saltstone Facility;
- Creating the SRS Radiological Technology Center (RTC), which was tasked with monitoring new technologies, equipment, and technical information; disseminating and implementing the information at SRS; conducting facility tours; and supporting vendor demonstrations; and,
- Pioneering the first successful DOE Order 435.1 high-level waste interpretation leading to low-level waste disposal of samples from SRS waste Tank 22. Because of this successful effort, he was then chosen as the primary technical resource and contractor interface of the second evaluation and shipment of contaminated SRS equipment.
Further, Rosenberger has served key roles on the DOE Low-Level Waste Disposal Facilities Federal Review Group, Program Advisory Committee for the Waste Management Symposia, and the Savannah River Chapter of the Health Physics Society (past president).
Joel Cantrell, SRMC’s ESH&Q director, said Rosenberger possesses a towering intellect.
“Kent is the top subject matter expert in the DOE complex for spatial-temporal contaminant groundwater modeling and results interpretation,” Cantrell said. “His effective and transparent communication of results are appreciated by both his peers and by regulators.”
Allison Hamilton Molnar, CNTA executive director, said it was a clear choice for CNTA to honor Rosenberger for this year’s Nuclear Service Award.
“Kent’s leadership in the innovative solutions to some of our nation’s most significant radioactive waste management challenges is quite impressive,” Hamilton Molnar said. “CNTA is pleased to be able to honor his nuclear service with this recognition.”