彼得·麦格拉思
科学 Applications International Corporation
前行业副总裁
B.S. 机械工程
1965
"Too few of our bright students are pursuing careers in the sciences and engineering. When I was entering college the national attention and public pressure were on how we could catch up to and surpass the Russians in science and engineering."
1969年，博士. 彼得·麦格拉思 began working and conducting research on nuclear energy 在德国的卡尔斯鲁厄 . As he became internationally known for work on nuclear reactor safety and environmentally safe storage of radioactive wastes, he also hoped that 一个 day nuclear energy would become the primary power source for industry and homes 在美国.S. as it is in other European countries.
"I have always believed that nuclear power should have a prominent position in our installed electric generating capacity. Public acceptance has been a major hurdle 到目前为止. At present about 20% of our electricity is from nuclear, while in France 大约是75%. I don't see any reason why we could not do the same."
Dr. 麦格拉思's concern about energy sources 在美国.S. 反映了一个更大的问题 him: the competitive position of the U.S. on an international scale, especially with regard to engineering students today. Having studied three languages, French, German, 俄罗斯博士. 麦格拉思 believes that good engineering students must also be good leaders who have an international sensibility.
目前,博士. 麦格拉思 sees challenges to the U.S. maintaining its technology supremacy: "Too few of our bright students are pursuing careers in the sciences and engineering. When I was entering college the national attention and public pressure were on how we could catch up to and surpass the Russians in science and engineering."
Although Russia is no longer the main competitor, China and India now are, and the skills students need to acquire to make them globally competitive, according to Dr. 麦格拉思, go beyond the classroom. He advises students to use to the fullest extent possible the activities college life offers: "Get out of the library and the classroom 和参与. While GPA is important, it should not be the sole focus. 参与 in college activities will help develop vital skills to be successful in any career, 包括工程. Spend time learning to write and speak in public forums."
当博士. 麦格拉思 attended 圣何塞州立大学 , graduating 机械工程 in 1965, he not only excelled academically but was also involved in many extracurricular organizations that h一个d his leadership skills. He served as Sophomore Class President, Junior and Senior Class Representative to the Student Council, and as a member on several student-faculty committees. He was also a member of several leadership fraternities and an officer and member of Sigma Phi Epsilon.
Another invaluable resource Dr. 麦格拉思 credits are the mentors he had at San José 状态 . There were three influential people, whom he vividly remembers to this day: Rod Diridon was his roommate of several years; his "advice and active pushing helped bring a raging introvert like me out of my shell."
Dean of Students Stanley Benz, whom Dr. 麦格拉思 got to know well through his involvement in student government, taught him how to negotiate non-technical problems, or, as Dr. 麦格拉思 puts it, "real-world problems."
Finally, Professor Robert Clothier went beyond his classroom responsibilities by encouraging Dr. 麦格拉思 to attend graduate school, helping locate financial support, and steering him to the field of nuclear engineering. His influence was profound, and Dr. 麦格拉思 获得博士学位.D. in Nuclear 工程 from the University of Wisconsin in 1969. "It was the friendship, advice and encouragement I received from these three people that prepared me for my career. To these people I am forever indebted."
Having earned numerous awards, Dr. 麦格拉思 is the former Senior Vice President of 科学 Applications International Corporation (SAIC). During his career, he has also worked at Sandia National 实验室 and the Environmental Protection Agency, and 曾在美国空军服役.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Dr. 麦格拉思's international technical and business expertise put him in an ideal position 评估未来. He believes the actions of individuals still matter and can 有重大影响. "In hindsight, yesterday's problem or issue appears to have been easier to address, while those we are currently facing appear to be insurmountable. Either you set yourself to effect change or some一个 else or event will do it for you. I, personally, prefer to strive to influence my future rather than simply accept what 出现."
