Contribute to the Alvin Weinberg Memorial Fund
The Alvin Weinberg Memorial Fund was created to promote the memory and the contributions of Dr. Weinberg, who gave much of his life to the advancement of nuclear energy. As director of Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) for 18 years and director of Oak Ridge Associated Universities’ Institute for Energy Analysis for 10 years, Weinberg saw nuclear energy as a key to growth and promoted the development of new ideas and practical applications. He strongly believed that the use of radioisotopes in medicine and research was the most important contribution of ORNL.
A number of memorials have been proposed to commemorate Weinberg’s contributions to Oak Ridge and the nuclear industry. To make a contribution to the memorial efforts listed below, please go to our memorial fund contributions page today. All contributions are tax deductible.
Film Biography
Weinberg was recognized for his ability to foresee events and national needs. His writings helped lay the foundation for nuclear science and its applications. He had broad influence on environmental issues. He also had a positive impact on the careers of a number of people. To date, sadly, there is no coherent, comprehensive summary of his career for either the public or scientific professionals.
An hour-long, biographical documentary covering Weinberg’s career by award-winning filmmaker Keith McDaniel (Secret City: The Oak Ridge Story; The Clinton 12) is planned. It will contain interviews with family members, professional associates and leading scientists, along with film footage of Weinberg, historical and current footage of Oak Ridge, and historical photos.
The film will be produced in high definition with a nationally known narrator and will be of sufficient quality to be shown nationally on PBS and the History Channel. It will be distributed to university libraries, selected public libraries, museums and high schools. The DVD version will be sold online through Amazon.com and TheSecretCityStore.com, in the American Museum of Science and Energy Discovery Shop, and elsewhere locally. The cost of production is $160,000. All contributors will be recognized, and those contributing $20,000 or more will be mentioned as underwriters at the beginning of the film.
Lecture and Workshop Series
During his career, Weinberg had a close working relationship and friendship with Senator Howard H. Baker, Jr., of Tennessee. The Howard Baker Center for Public Policy at the University of Tennessee features education and research in public policy areas to which Alvin made important contributions, including energy, the environment, big science, and the integration of science and technology with social and economic needs.
An annual Alvin Weinberg Distinguished Lecture and Workshop series is planned that will concentrate on topics relevant to his career and to the needs of the Baker Center. The events will be national and international in scope and participation, and the Baker Center will publish the materials and products.
Funding of $20,000 is needed for the first annual event. Subsequent events will be supported by the Baker Center as regular programs.
The Weinberg Tennis Courts
Weinberg was an enthusiastic and highly skilled tennis player. During decades of active play, he developed lasting friendships within the tennis community. Those friends are enthusiastic about renaming the Jackson Square courts in his honor, and many have said they will help support the cost.
A 28-inch wide by 79-inch tall, single-sided, sandblasted commemorative sign with aluminum backing and painted aluminum posts, in compliance with the city of Oak Ridge sign ordinance, will cost $1,420 installed. The approval process for renaming the courts has been discussed with the Oak Ridge Recreation Department, and approval is expected.
Bronze Relief Plaques
During his early career, Weinberg collaborated with Eugene Wigner on the design of the Graphite Reactor, a National Historic Landmark at ORNL. To honor his contribution, bronze relief plaques will be designed for display at the Graphite Reactor and at the American Museum of Science and Energy. The plaques will present a likeness of Weinberg and include text detailing his achievements.
Two large, hand-sculpted bronze plaques will cost approximately $20,000.