DES PLAINES, IL (August 12, 2002) - - The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) Foundation recently established the "James A. Oppold Accreditation Fund", which will provide financial assistance to institutions seeking certification of their safety and health programs by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). The fund was established in memory of ASSE's ABET Board representative James A. Oppold, CSP, Ph.D., of Raleigh, NC, who passed away this April.

The ASSE Foundation's accreditation fund will provide financial assistance to colleges, universities and other institutions that are applying for ABET accreditation of occupational safety, health and environmental programs both at the graduate and undergraduate levels. There are currently 72 institutions in the U.S. with ABET accreditation offering various safety-related programs and degrees.

An ASSE member emeritus, Oppold, 70, was actively involved with ABET and ASSE, participating in the certification and accreditation of university and college safety, health and environmental programs. Oppold served as director of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the state of North Carolina before retiring in 1992. He also worked for the Center for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, GA, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in Morgantown, WV, and the Tennessee Valley Authority in Chattanooga, TN, and Florence, AL. Oppold received a B.S. in Physics from Loras College, Dubuque, IA, a M.S. from the University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, and a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Florida. In addition, he was a member of the American Industrial Health Association and the Health Physics Society.

The ASSE Foundation will accept donations for the accreditation fund from members, chapters, regions, corporations or any individual who would like to honor the memory of James A. Oppold. To donate to this fund, simply earmark the contribution "Oppold Fund" and send it to: American Society of Safety Engineers, Attn: Foundation, 1800 E. Oakton Street, Des Plaines, IL 60018.

Through its programs the ASSE Foundation is committed to ensuring the future of the occupational safety and health profession by providing financial resources to individuals and organizations. Chartered in 1990, the ASSE Foundation has raised nearly $320,000 over the past year from corporate and individual donors for applied safety research, scholarships, fellowships, internships and professional development.

Founded in 1911, ASSE is the oldest and largest professional safety organization and is dedicated to protecting people, property and the environment. Its over 30,000 members manage, supervise, and consult on safety, health and environmental issues in industry, insurance, government and education. For more information visit ASSE's website www.asse.org.

     

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