Meteorology alumnus Robert Landis named
Penn State Alumni Fellow

University Park, PA (August 19, 2003)

Robert C. Landis ('63), President of Landis Associates in Alexandria, VA has been selected by the Penn State Alumni Association to receive a 2003 Alumni Fellow Award.

Armed with his B.S. degree in Meteorology from Penn State ('63) and an M.S. degree in Oceanography from Texas A&M University ('66), Bob embarked on an illustrious career in the environmental sciences. In the mid 1970s, while serving as Deputy Chief of Ocean Service Programs within NOAA, he developed the plan for "The Environmental Monitoring System for the Marine Leg of the Trans Alaska Pipeline System."

From 1977 to 1981, as Chief of Program Planning and Evaluation in the Office of Ocean and Atmospheric Services at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Bob provided program oversight and guidance for all marine, ocean, and atmosphere programs under the Office of Atmospheric Services. In the 1980s, he served as Chief of Marine and Applied Meteorological Services of the National Weather Service (NWS) (Silver Spring, MD) and as Director of the NWS Southern Region (Fort Worth, TX.) By 1990, he was Deputy Director of the NWS, responsible for all of its day-to-day operations and supporting functions and the operational planning of its modernization and associated restructuring.

In 1994, Bob became Director of the World Weather Watch, a World Meteorological Organization program with 185 member nations. The World Weather Watch coordinates and supports international efforts in meteorology, climate, and other environmental issues. In 2000, his career with the NWS continued with his appointment as Chief of Meteorological Services. In this position, he directed national programs and policies on the preparation and delivery of all major meteorological services.

Currently, Bob provides consulting services related to meteorological and oceanographic observations and services and is active in classifying published abstracts for the Meteorological and GeoAstrophysical Abstracts. Additionally, he helps to develop, prepare, and organize policy-oriented case studies for AMS policy fora.

Bob is known worldwide for his involvement in developing innovative programs and for his leadership in the National Weather Service and the World Meteorological Organization. A colleague described him perfectly--"Bob Landis is a national and international treasure in environmental services."

Bob is an active member of the board of directors of the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences alumni society, GEMS. In this role he gives countless hours back to Penn State, the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, and the Department of Meteorology. The College of Earth and Mineral Sciences and the Penn State Alumni Society will recognize his career achievements and contributions to Penn State in separate award ceremonies to be held on September 19 and October 9, 2003, respectively.

The Alumni Fellow Award is the most prestigious award given by the Penn State Alumni Association. Since 1973, it has been given to select alumni who, as leaders in their professional fields, are nominated by an academic college and return to the University to share their expertise with students, faculty, and administrators.

Questions or comments? Contact: Lynn Persing (814) 863-8568.