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B. Site Selection
In early 2005 Pacific Lutheran University (PLU, Tacoma, WA) expressed an
interest in hosting NORM 2009 for the Puget Sound Section. A bid was presented by
PLU at NORM 2005 in Fairbanks, AK, which was accepted by the NOR Board.
The Puget Sound Section: Advantages of the Puget Sound area included the following
parameters. The Puget Sound Section has approximately 1800 members. It is home to
nearly a dozen four-year colleges and universities, including the University of
Washington, and an acclaimed and broad network of community colleges. The Puget
Sound area is a hub for industry, as well, including Amgen, Boeing, Weyerhaeuser, and
many others. It is also well-connected to government laboratories. NOAA has a
laboratory in the area, and many scientists in the Puget Sound Section enjoy ties with
Pacific Northwest National Laboratories (PNNL) in Richland. The Puget Sound Section
has the ability to draw participation and involvement from academic, government, and
industrial members of our section.
Pacific Lutheran University: The PLU campus was well-suited to host NORM 2009.
Several new or renovated venues were available for the meeting.
The most important venue was the Morken Center for Learning and Technology
(MCLT), which opened in Spring 2006. It is a state-of-the-art facility for instruction and
meetings. All concurrent sessions of NORM 2009 were held in Morken. It was also the
location of the vendor exhibition and poster sessions. Vendors benefited from the fact
that concurrent sessions surrounded the exhibition area. Box lunches were also served in
the vendor area.
Leraas Hall (180 seats) in Rieke Science Center, adjacent to the Morken Center
for Learning and Technology, was the venue for NORM 2009 plenary lectures. Rieke
Science Center. Leraas Hall was nearly full for the plenary lectures. It provided a
comfortable and well-functioning space for the keynote addresses.
The Scandinavian Cultural Center within the University Center, which has
banquet facilities and a small stage, was the venue for the Women Chemists Committee
(WCC) Luncheon. Tthe “Madame Curie” one-woman dramatic presentation by Carole
Berg followed the WCC luncheon immediately. .
Off-site lodging was available at the Puyallup Best Western and Holiday Inn
Express, as well as the Tacoma Shilo Inn. Blocks of rooms were reserved a year in
advance.
C. Organizing Committee
General Chair – Craig Fryhle (Pacific Lutheran University)
Program Chair – Dean Waldow (Pacific Lutheran University)