July 21, 2004

MEDIA CONTACT:
Eric Solomon: (202) 994-3087, [email protected]

     GW DOCTORAL CANDIDATE JOHN HNATIO BECOMES FIRST STUDENT TO WIN THE NAVIGATOR AWARD FOR HIS WORK IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY

WASHINGTON -- John Hnatio, a doctoral candidate at The George Washington University Graduate School of Education and Human Development, has become the first student to win the Navigator Award for his work in science and technology policy. Currently a member of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Hnatio is completing his dissertation research on the study of complex adaptive systems and the improved human management of complex situations and events.

"I am deeply honored to receive this award," said Hnatio. "To be included among the group of Navigator Award winners over the years who have had such a profound impact on the direction of science and technology is a very humbling experience."

Navigator Awards are presented annually by The Potomac Institute for Policy Studies to members of the U.S. Congress (one from the Senate and one from the House), a representative from the current presidential administration and an individual from the private sector. This year, The Potomac Institute teamed with Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars to conduct a nationwide search selecting a student who had a proven track record in academia and as a new professional. The institute honors these people for their accomplishments to ensure the continued understanding of science and technology and its growing impacts on government and society.

"Potomac is very proud to elect someone of John's contributions and track record," said Dennis McBride, president of The Potomac Institute. "GW obviously has a very solid academic standing, which is keenly appreciated by the professional community."

Hnatio joins Sen. Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Calif., CIA Deputy Director for Science and Technology Donald Kerr and Potomac Institute Senior Fellow Charles Herzfeld as this year's Navigator recipients. The 5th annual Navigator Awards were presented at a ceremony on July 13 at the Willard InterContinental Hotel in Washington, D.C.

In his career with the federal government, Hnatio held a variety of key national security positions and responsibilities. Prior to his current assignment with the NNSA, he served as the Department of Energy chair and a professor of strategic leadership and decision making at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, National Defense University.

Hnatio received a bachelor of science degree awarded summa cum laude from the State University of New York College at Buffalo in 1974. He earned a master's degree from Georgetown University in 1992. In 1996, he received a Ph.D. awarded honoris causa from the Urals Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

For more information about the Navigator Awards, visit www.potomacinstitute.org.
For more news about GW, visit the GW News Center at www.gwnewscenter.org.

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