Top National Expert to Head Homeland Security Initiatives at Stevens

HOBOKEN, N.J., Nov. 21, 2003 -- Since 9/11, Stevens Institute of Technology has increased its research, testing and other efforts to find new, effective solutions that address critical Homeland Security concerns. This fall, the university enhances its efforts further by appointing Maj. Gen. Bruce M. Lawlor to head Stevens' Homeland Security initiatives. Current Stevens initiatives are in the areas of wireless security, port security, environmental security and cyber-security.

Lawlor most recently held the position of Chief of Staff and Senior Director for Protection and Prevention in the nation's newest and largest civilian agency, the Department of Homeland Security. In this key role, he worked closely with Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge. Known for years as one of the nation's top experts in security issues, Lawlor was one of the first people posted to the White House to join Gov. Ridge shortly after 9/11. Lawlor comes to Stevens to take on university work for which he is uniquely well prepared. "General Bruce Lawlor is an outstanding choice both to lead the homeland security initiatives that Stevens is already pursuing and to develop new ones," said Stevens' President, Dr. Harold J. Raveche. "Bruce was 'present at the creation' each time America needed a new response to the threats of global terrorism. As a result, General Lawlor's experience, education and accomplishments are unparalleled. We're excited that Bruce has chosen Stevens as the university where he will apply his know-how to cutting-edge initiatives."

Starting in 1998, Lawlor organized National Guard teams to respond to weapons of mass destruction threats and incidents, a major project that resulted in the creation of teams for every state. In 1999, the Army posted him to the U.S. Joint Forces Command to create and organize a joint task force headquarters that would provide command and control of Department of Defense assets during a major attack on the United States.

Shortly after the devastating attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, General Lawlor was detailed to the White House to help the President address national security issues. At the White House Office of Homeland Security he helped create many of the homeland security policies adopted by the Bush administration and was an architect of the legislation proposed by President Bush to create the Department of Homeland Security.

After Congress passed legislation creating the Department of Homeland Security, Lawlor joined Governor Ridge as one of the first of the new department's senior leaders. Lawlor sees his transition to Stevens as a next opportunity to be "present at the creation" as the nation begins to develop major new capabilities -- many in the private sector -- for protecting against terrorist attacks.

In his new role, he will join two others with major national security experience: Dean Jerry MacArthur Hultin, former Under Secretary of the Navy, now Dean of the Howe School of Technology Management, and Dr. Fernando Fernadez, former Director of the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA), now Director of Technology Initiatives at Stevens.

"I am excited about joining an institution like Stevens that is committed to searching for solutions to homeland security challenges," Lawlor said. "For me, this is the most important work one can do for the nation, and because of the nature of the terrorist threat and the complexity of making the nation safe, many solutions will require great science, engineering, and management. These are three things Stevens excels at. It's the right place for me to continue my life's mission."

Stevens' commitment to education involves real-world companies and projects as part of its mission known as Technogenesis(R) (the educational frontier where students, faculty and industry jointly nurture new technologies from concept to realization). Lawlor says the concept was one of the things that attracted him to Stevens.

"There are many new technologies that can be developed by the private sector. Just as in the past, when scientific and business ingenuity led to major breakthroughs in building the American economy, now that same combination will help create the breakthroughs needed to protect the nation. The American economic engine -- the principles that are at the heart of Technogenesis -- can lead us to a much more secure world." A lawyer with a distinguished military career, General Lawlor also earned a doctorate in engineering management from George Washington University, where he focused on security issues. In addition, Lawlor is a Civil War buff with a number of historical articles to his credit; he enjoys reading, writing, sports and travel.

Established in 1870, Stevens offers baccalaureate, master's and doctoral degrees in engineering, science, computer science, management and technology management, as well as a baccalaureate in the humanities and liberal arts and in business and technology. The university, located directly across the Hudson River from New York City, has a total enrollment of about 1,700 undergraduates and 2,600 graduate students. Additional information may be obtained from its web page at http://www.stevens.edu .

SOURCE Stevens Institute of Technology

Web Site: http://www.stevens.edu