Kevin Greenaugh facts for kids

Kevin Charles Greenaugh (born May 15, 1956 – died December 17, 2023) was an important American nuclear engineer. He worked as a senior leader at the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) in Washington, D.C., USA.

His Early Life and School

Kevin Greenaugh was born in the United Kingdom. He grew up in a military family, moving around a lot. He lived in Berlin during the Cold War, a time of tension between different countries.

Later, his family moved to Augusta, Georgia, in the United States. Here, they faced the difficulties of segregation, which meant people were kept apart based on their race.

Kevin went to school in Berlin. He later made history by becoming the first African American to earn a doctorate degree in nuclear engineering from the University of Maryland. He also earned other degrees, including a bachelor's in chemistry from Mercer University and master's degrees from the University of New Mexico. He also studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

His Important Work

Kevin Greenaugh held key roles at the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). This agency helps keep the United States safe by managing nuclear weapons and preventing their spread. He was a senior advisor, helping the NNSA Administrator with important decisions.

He often spoke to members of the US Congress. He explained how nuclear science and systems work to keep the country safe. This helped lawmakers understand complex topics.

Kevin also helped manage the Planetary Defense Coordination Office. This office studies objects in space that come close to Earth. Their goal is to find ways to protect our planet from potential impacts. He also did research on energy and how to stop nuclear weapons from spreading, working at places like MITRE Corporation and Los Alamos National Laboratory.

For over 25 years, Kevin was a professor at Howard University. He taught engineering students there. He also shared his knowledge at the US Air Force Academy.

Awards and Honors

Kevin Greenaugh received many awards for his achievements. Mercer University named him a Distinguished Alumnus, which is a special honor for former students.

In 2006, he won the Black Engineer of the Year award for his work in government. This award recognized his success and contributions. He also received the Centennial Award for Science in 2011.

To honor his amazing work, the A. James Clark School of Engineering created the Kevin C. Greenaugh Award. This award is given to people who show great leadership, professional success, and make a big impact in technology.

Remembering Kevin Greenaugh

Kevin Greenaugh passed away on December 17, 2023. He had been battling pancreatic cancer for nine months.