For Immediate Release
Radiation Safety & Control Services, Inc. (RSCS), headquartered in Seabrook NH, established an Endowment Fund for the University of Massachusetts Lowell and made the first $10,000 installment payment towards this perpetual scholarship fund for undergraduate and graduate students within the Radiological Sciences Program. The establishment of this fund continues a legacy of support by RSCS, whose Principles, Jay Tarzia, Fred Straccia, and Eric Darois, are alumni of the Health Physics Programs of the University. In the past 10 years, RSCS has supported the University through equipment donations and internship programs, some of which have led to long-term employment for interns with the company. In addition, RSCS supported thesis research projects for two UML Masters-degree candidates. The first of these was in the development of an instant-developing radon-in-air detector and the second was the development of a radiation detector for identifying a nuclear criticality event. For both of these projects, RSCS provided the students with intellectual and financial support which led to the completion of their degrees and successful entry into the workforce.
“Thanks to the generous support of RSCS, UMass Lowell will establish a new endowed scholarship for students in the Radiological Sciences Program of the Department of Physics and Applied Physics. UML is nationally-recognized for its programs in radiological sciences, and this scholarship will allow us to attract and support talented students. We are fortunate to have alumni like Jay, Fred, and Eric who understand the critical importance of developing talent and who are taking a leadership role in building the pipeline of future professionals in the field.”
-Noureddine Melikechi, Dean of the Kennedy College of Sciences at UML
In the past year, RSCS has also partnered with the University to provide a nuclear industry AP3 approved training facility for radiation technicians to undergo evaluations of their competencies for standard nuclear power outage tasks. This collaboration streamlines the process by which rad techs obtain their qualifications to work at nuclear utilities, relieving the burden of site-specific training and allowing better utilization of this over taxed work force. This is another example of RSCS committing to develop the skills and qualifications of this labor pool that the industry desperately needs.
“We are proud to support UMass Lowell’s Radiological Sciences Program, as we rely upon this program for the next generation of Health Physicists who are in great demand. As the average age in the nuclear work force exceeds 50 years old, we need to be cultivating these young professionals to ensure the viability of nuclear power as a clean energy source. In addition, health physicists and radiation technicians are needed to support the variety of operational and safety needs of all licensees of radioactive material in industrial, research and medical facilities.”
-Eric Darois, Executive Director, RSCS
For more information, contact Jennifer Collins at [email protected]
Radiation Safety & Control Services, Inc. * 93 Ledge Road, Seabrook NH 03874 * 603-778-2871