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May 31–June 3, 2026
Denver, CO|Sheraton Denver
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From uncertainty to vitality: The future of nuclear energy in Illinois
Nuclear is enjoying a bit of a resurgence. The momentum for reliable energy to support economic development around the country—specifically data centers and AI—remains strong, and strongly in favor of nuclear. And as feature coverage on the states in the January 2026 issue of Nuclear News made abundantly clear, many states now see nuclear as necessary to support rising electricity demand while maintaining a reliable grid and reaching decarbonization goals.
William (Bill) Robert Kimel was elected President of the American Nuclear Society (ANS) in 1978. He served in many positions at ANS including on the Education, Executive, Planning and Steering Committees since 1958 and was a member of the Board of Directors from 1973- 76. He was named a Fellow of ANS in 1969.
He was a pioneer in nuclear engineering education. He was born on May 2, 1922. From 1946-58, Dr. Kimel taught at Kansas State and also served as head of the university’s nuclear engineering department from 1958-68. He organized and headed what would become the first accredited nuclear engineering department in the United States.
In 1969, he moved to the University of Missouri-Columbia, and served there as dean of the engineering department until 1986. He was named dean emeritus and professor emeritus of nuclear engineering upon his retirement.
In addition to his career in education, Dr. Kimel’s experience included industrial work as an engineer for Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, Boeing Airplane, Westinghouse Electric Company, U.S. Forest Products Laboratory and Argonne National Laboratory.
Dr. Kimel participated in two Geneva Atoms for Peace Conferences as a delegate of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission in 1964 and as a representative/reporter in 1971. In 1981, he was given the Bliss Award for the most outstanding contribution to military engineering education, or for promoting recognition of the importance of technical leadership in the National Defense establishment.
He holds a BS (1944) and an MS (1949) in mechanical engineering from Kansas State, and a PhD in engineering mechanics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1956.
Dr. William Kimel passed away on December 5, 2002.
Read Nuclear News from July 1978 for more on William R. Kimel.
