Pitt’s Nov. 8 Nuclear Night Connects Student Engineers With Industry Leaders

PITTSBURGH—Western Pennsylvania and the Pittsburgh metropolitan region represent the birthplace of the global nuclear energy industry. Student engineers at the University of Pittsburgh can explore why this region is poised to lead the renaissance of the nuclear industry by making connections with representatives from the region’s leading nuclear power industry groups at the University of Pittsburgh’s fifth annual Nuclear Night, to be held 7-9 p.m. Nov. 8 in the William Pitt Union, 4200 Fifth Ave., Oakland. This free event is open to the public and hosted by Pitt’s Swanson School of Engineering.

FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Company President and Chief Operating Officer Peter P. Sena III will be the keynote speaker of Nuclear Night, which will also highlight Pitt’s new Master of Science programs and its nuclear engineering certificate program—the only program of its kind in Western Pennsylvania.

“Nuclear Night has become one of the best opportunities for our students to learn about the tremendous impact of the nuclear industry in our region and the varied career opportunities available,” said Larry Foulke, interim director of the nuclear engineering program and adjunct professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science at Pitt. “FirstEnergy has been a longtime partner with the nuclear engineering program, and our students will benefit from the industry insights of our keynote speaker Peter Sena.”

During his keynote address, Sena will discuss the company’s long-term nuclear improvement initiatives and discuss the future of the U.S. nuclear industry as a whole.

“Nuclear engineering is not about reactors, pumps, and valves, bur rather it’s about the people who make it happen,” said Sena. “As our workforce ages and retires, we’re looking for the next generation of industry leaders. Pitt’s program is unique in what it provides students, and it’s a great resource for our organization.”

For more information on Nuclear Night, contact Danielle Ilchuk at cfenergy@pitt.edu. 

Pitt’s nuclear engineering program, offered through the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, is the only undergraduate and graduate program of its kind in Western Pennsylvania. Established in 2006, the program develops relevant curricula in concert with industry leaders and is supported with grants from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the U.S. Department of Energy. The Pittsburgh region hosts one of the highest concentrations of nuclear-power-related companies and expertise, including FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Company, which operates the Beaver Valley Power Station nuclear power plant in Shippingport; Bechtel Bettis, Inc.; and Westinghouse Electric Company.

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