Witherell also gave certificates of appreciation to the eight other people who were nominated for the award by the Office of Education: Orlando Colón, Curt Danner, Geoff Eargle, Terry Kiper, Don Lincoln, Paul Nienaber, Arnold Pompos, and Jerry Zimmerman.

The director spoke of the relevance of science education as a national issue, and said it's important that the laboratory "do what we can do" at the local level. He also said outreach is important for the laboratory's standing with the surrounding communities.

"How lucky Fermilab is to have a large group of scientists and engineers who are willing to do this work, and education specialists like Marge [Bardeen] who make sure students get the most benefit from it," Witherell said.

In her thank-you address to volunteers, Office of Education head Marge Bardeen said, "Fermilab's educational programs have been rated world-class, most recently in the lab's peer review, and that's because of you."

The Director's Award, established this year, is supported by an anonymous donor to the Fermilab Friends for Science Education fund.

Anyone who is interested in volunteering -- which can mean anything from mentoring to spending a half hour answering visitors' questions -- should contact x3092.

You will recall that a nationwide vaccine shortage arose in early October. As a result, Fermilab management took a strong position to observe public health recommendations and limit vaccinations to those at greatest risk. The number of Fermilab flu shot clinics was subsequently reduced from three to one and overall 300 Fermilab employees were inoculated.

Since Argonne National Lab was unable to obtain flu vaccines this year, Fermilab sold them the remaining 500 doses. Like Fermilab, Argonne also limited vaccination to those in greatest need. About 200 vaccinations were administered at Argonne in clinics held on October 28 and 29. Additional opportunities for inoculation were scheduled for the following week. If Argonne has any vaccines left over, they will sell it to Brookhaven National Lab, who were also unable to obtain flu vaccines this year.

...The city has budgeted roughly $5 million for various electrical-related costs, including the transmission substation project with Fermilab and several power line extensions.
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