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Conference Spotlight
2026 Annual Conference
May 31–June 3, 2026
Denver, CO|Sheraton Denver
Standards Program
The Standards Committee is responsible for the development and maintenance of voluntary consensus standards that address the design, analysis, and operation of components, systems, and facilities related to the application of nuclear science and technology. Find out What’s New, check out the Standards Store, or Get Involved today!
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Latest News
What’s the most difficult question you’ve been asked as a maintenance instructor?
Blye Widmar
"Where are the prints?!"
This was the final question in an onslaught of verbal feedback, comments, and critiques I received from my students back in 2019. I had two years of instructor experience and was teaching a class that had been meticulously rehearsed in preparation for an accreditation visit. I knew the training material well and transferred that knowledge effectively enough for all the students to pass the class. As we wrapped up, I asked the students how they felt about my first big system-level class, and they did not hold back.
“Why was the exam from memory when we don’t work from memory in the plant?” “Why didn’t we refer to the vendor documents?” “Why didn’t we practice more on the mock-up?” And so on.
Dr. Larry R. Foulke has been a member of the American Nuclear Society since 1967. He is currently an adjunct full professor who has an earned doctorate in nuclear engineering, PE registration (nuclear) in the State of Pennsylvania, and extensive experience in nuclear science and technology from a 40-year career in the nuclear industry.
Dr. Foulke has held many ANS leadership positions including Chair of the Accreditation Policies and Procedures Committee, Public Policy Committee and PE Exam Committee.
In 2006, Foulke retired from his career assignments at the U.S. Army Nuclear Power Field Office, Westinghouse Nuclear, and the Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory. He served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers coming out as Captain in 1968. Dr. Foulke has been active in the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) serving as Chair of the Technology Accreditation Commission in 1992-93, and member of the Engineering Accreditation Commission. He was made a Fellow of ABET in 1995.
Serving as the founder and director of the Nuclear Engineering Certificate Program at the University of Pittsburgh from 2006 to 2012, he created a series of courses in nuclear engineering for both undergraduate and graduate students. One course in particular entitled, “A Look at Nuclear Science and Technology” reached over 30,000 students in 179 countries in 2013 and 2014.
Dr. Foulke received his BS and MS in Nuclear Engineering from Kansas State University and his PhD in Nuclear Engineering from MIT. He served as a Fulbright Fellow at the University of Oslo/Institute for Atomenergi in Norway in 1961-62. Recognized in 2003 by Kansas State University, he was as a Distinguished Member of the College of Engineering Hall of Fame. Dr. Foulke currently resides in Pleasant Hills, PA.
Read Nuclear News from July 2003 for more on Dr. Foulke.
