Renowned Nuclear Safety Expert To Speak At Kennesaw

KENNESAW, GA —Kennesaw State alumnus and nuclear safety expert Charles Casto, who led the U.S. government’s response to the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan, will discuss leadership principles during a lecture on campus on Monday, Sept. 23.

Casto’s lecture will be from 11 a.m. to noon, followed by a book signing and reception from noon to 1 p.m. at the University Rooms in the Carmichael Student Center on KSU’s Kennesaw Campus.

Casto led a collaborative team of American and Japanese experts who faced the challenges of Fukushima, the most severe nuclear accident since Chernobyl in 1986. He wrote the book "Station Blackout" about the Fukushima nuclear power plant meltdown and recovery.

For his role as the U.S. government’s lead nuclear representative during the crisis, Casto received the Presidential Distinguished Award from President Barack Obama. Casto earned his Doctor of Business Administration from Kennesaw State, and his wife Beverley and daughter Jessica also are KSU graduates.

Kennesaw State’s Honors College will host a lecture and book signing with Casto. He will explain how the attendees, particularly students, can apply in their lives the same leadership principles that were needed during the Fukushima response.

Casto’s lecture is free of charge and open to the public. All KSU students who attend will receive a copy of "Station Blackout."