ASNT Newsroom

(Columbus, OH) The American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) announces the recipients of the Research Recognition for Innovation and Research Recognition for Sustained Excellence.   

Research Recognition for Innovation  

The Research Recognition for Innovation is awarded to Megan McGovern, PhD for highly distinguished individual breakthroughs in research in the field of nondestructive testing/evaluation (NDT/E) within the past five years. McGovern is a senior researcher in the Manufacturing Systems Research Lab at General Motors (GM) Global Research and Development. She joined GM in 2016, where she uses her NDE skill set to provide manufacturing solutions to internal customers. She leads research projects to develop manufacturing inspection systems that are crucial for first-time quality, especially in low-volume applications where launches are quick and highly customized. McGovern received her bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in systems engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Her research interests include in-line and post-manufacturing inspection solutions; NDE of materials, components, and structures; digital signal and image processing; process monitoring; and prognosis of materials and components. She uses several NDT methods and techniques, including UT, IR, X-ray DR/CT, and laser UT. 

Research Recognition for Sustained Excellence  

The Research Recognition for Sustained Excellence is presented to an ASNT member for outstanding sustained contributions in NDT/NDE research by a single individual. This year’s winner is Steven Shepard, PhD. Shepard is president of Thermal Wave Imaging (TWI) Inc. in Madison Heights, Michigan. Shepard earned his PhD in physics from Wayne State University. He founded TWI in 1992 and has since played a leading role in making thermography a mainstream NDT method used by companies and institutions worldwide. Shepard has received more than 20 patents in the field of thermographic NDT and is the inventor of the thermographic signal reconstruction (TSR) method. TWI is widely known for its turnkey solutions to both military and civilian segments of the aerospace, power generation, and automotive industries. 

“ASNT is committed to recognizing high-quality NDT/NDE research in areas that are critically shaping the industry, and these recognitions bring attention to the accomplishments of those conducting NDT/NDE research,” said ASNT Executive Director Neal J. Couture, CAE. “Congratulations Dr. McGovern and Mr. Shepard, and thank you for your dedication and contributions to the field of NDT/NDE.“ 

About ASNT 

Serving more than 22 000 members and certificate holders worldwide, ASNT, based in Columbus, Ohio, is the largest technical society for NDT professionals. ASNT certification and standards programs, publications, conferences, education, membership, and professional development programs are the foundation for expanding awareness of advancements in NDT. Governed by a volunteer group of officers and directors, ASNT is organized by councils representing interests relating to certification, engineering, research, education, and section operations. 

(Columbus, OH) The American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) announces William Prosser, PhD, as the recipient of the Ward Rummel Engineering Excellence Award. This award is named in honor of Ward D. Rummel for his pioneering work in nondestructive testing (NDT) engineering, the creation of the ASNT Engineering Council, and for inspiring engineering concepts. The award recognizes outstanding sustained contributions in NDT engineering by a single individual.  

Prosser joined NASA in 1987 as an aerospace technologist in the NDE Sciences Branch. In 2005, he was selected as discipline expert for nondestructive evaluation (NDE) and in 2007 was named a NASA Technical Fellow. Prosser's research has been in the field of UT and AE sensing techniques. His work contributed to the successful development and implementation of a system to detect impacts on the Space Shuttle wing leading edge in response to the Columbia accident. He has led NASA, industry, university, and government agency teams to implement NDE and structural health management systems for a variety of NASA programs, including the Space Shuttle, International Space Station, X-33, and Aerospace Vehicle Systems Technology Program.  

Prosser was the 1997 recipient of the NASA Floyd Thompson Fellowship, a 2003 recipient of a NASA Superior Accomplishment Award for efforts during the Columbia accident investigation, and a 2005 recipient of NASA's Exceptional Achievement Medal. He is a Fellow of the Acoustic Emission Working Group and is also the scientific editor of Structural Health Monitoring: An International Journal. Prosser received his BS from William and Mary and his MS and PhD from Johns Hopkins University. He has been a member of ASNT since 1996. 

“Dr. Prosser has made so many significant engineering contributions to the aerospace industry driving innovation and providing inventive solutions to complex challenges,” said ASNT Executive Director Neal J. Couture, CAE. “He is most deserving of this award.” 

About ASNT 

Serving more than 22 000 members and certificate holders worldwide, ASNT, based in Columbus, Ohio, is the largest technical society for NDT professionals. ASNT certification and standards programs, publications, conferences, education, membership, and professional development programs are the foundation for expanding awareness of advancements in NDT. Governed by a volunteer group of officers and directors, ASNT is organized by councils representing interests relating to certification, engineering, research, education, and section operations.

(Columbus, OH) The American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) announced that it received two APEX Awards of Excellence in two categories from Communications Concepts, an organization that advises publishing and marketing professionals on best practices to improve their publications and communications programs. 

APEX is the Annual Awards for Publication Excellence Competition. It is open to communicators in corporate, nonprofit, and independent settings. APEX 2022 is the 34th annual APEX, which began in 1988. The APEX Awards are based on excellence in graphic design, editorial content, and the ability to achieve overall communications excellence. Of more than 1200 entries in APEX 2022, a total of 100 Grand Awards were presented in 14 major categories.

Neal J. Couture, CAE, Jill Ross, and Cara Markland won an Award of Excellence for “An Existential Crisis for NDT” in the Editorial and Advocacy Writing category. The article appeared in the December 2021 issue of Materials Evaluation. Debbie Segor, CAE, and Haley Cowans also won an Award of Excellence for Chat NDT with ASNT in the Electronic Media – Apps and Podcasts category.

“We are thrilled to be recognized by APEX,” said ASNT Executive Director Neal J. Couture, CAE. “I am extremely proud of our entire team for the work they create. These awards are a testament to their hard work and dedication to promoting the nondestructive testing industry.”

About ASNT

Serving more than 22 000 members and certificate holders worldwide, ASNT, based in Columbus, Ohio, is the largest technical society for NDT professionals. ASNT certification and standards programs, publications, conferences, education, membership, and professional development programs are the foundation for expanding awareness of advancements in NDT. Governed by a volunteer group of officers and directors, ASNT is organized by councils representing interests relating to certification, engineering, research, education, and section operations.

(Columbus, OH) The American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) announced that it was recognized at the 42nd Annual EXCEL Awards—the largest and most prestigious program recognizing excellence and leadership in association media, publishing, marketing, and communication. Each year, the EXCEL Awards recognize the journalistic efforts and publishing produced by associations and industry. The awards competition, which is open to nonprofit and for-profit associations, presented 220 awards across 83 categories.

ASNT took home the Silver in the Onsite Convention Daily category for ASNT Daily, led by Director of Publications Jill Ross, with contributors Cara Markland, Haley Cowans, and Cynthia (Cindi) Leeman, and designed by Synthia Jester. ASNT also won Silver in the Brochure category for the ASNT One Sheets, written by Debbie Segor, CAE, and edited by Cara Markland.

“It is an honor to be recognized by our peers in the association publishing field, and we are thrilled to receive these recognitions for the excellent journalistic efforts of our staff,” said ASNT Executive Director Neal J. Couture, CAE. 

About ASNT

Serving more than 22 000 members and certificate holders worldwide, ASNT, based in Columbus, Ohio, is the largest technical society for NDT professionals. ASNT certification and standards programs, publications, conferences, education, membership, and professional development programs are the foundation for expanding awareness of advancements in NDT. Governed by a volunteer group of officers and directors, ASNT is organized by councils representing interests relating to certification, engineering, research, education, and section operations.

(Columbus, OH) The International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) has awarded the American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) the prestigious Accredited Provider accreditation. With IACET accreditation, ASNT joins the exclusive ranks of elite continuing education providers who meet the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard. The accreditation period extends for five years and includes select programs offered or created during that time.

“IACET accreditation means that ASNT can ensure quality learning programs, from webinars to e-courses, conference seminars to Refresher courses, based on ASNT's compliance with strict policy and procedure guidelines,” said ASNT Executive Director Neal J. Couture, CAE. “Our accreditation with IACET demonstrates our commitment to quality learning experiences and high standards for all our programs. We are very pleased to join such a prestigious organization and an elite group of organizations that offer excellent continuing education and training programs.”

To achieve Accredited Provider accreditation, ASNT completed a rigorous application process and successfully demonstrated adherence to the ANSI/IACET 2018-1 Standard for Continuing Education and Training by addressing the design, development, administration, and evaluation of its programs. ASNT has pledged its continued compliance with the standard and is recognized as offering the highest quality continuing education and training programs.

“As an accrediting and certifying organization, ASNT understands the importance of being held up to the highest standards in everything we do. Part of ASNT’s new five-year strategic plan is to greatly expand professional development offerings,” said Barry Schieferstein, ASNT Learning and Events Director. “We felt that earning the IACET accreditation would keep us on track to do this in a way that is the highest quality and recognized around the world.”

“Overall, the IACET accreditation process was very intensive, comprehensive, and rigorous,” said Bob Conklin, ASNT Educational Materials Developer. “By passing the final interview, ASNT’s Learning and Events Department can rest assured that we are on the right track for planning, developing, implementing, and delivering a range of quality events and courses of value to the NDT community.”

“We are pleased to recognize and celebrate the achievement of ASNT as an Accredited Provider,” stated Casandra Blassingame, CEO of IACET. Blassingame added, “ASNT proudly joins nearly 500 organizations around the globe that have matriculated through a rigorous peer-reviewed process by experts in continuing education.”

About ASNT

Serving more than 22 000 members and certificate holders worldwide, ASNT, based in Columbus, Ohio, is the largest technical society for NDT professionals. ASNT certification and standards programs, publications, conferences, education, membership, and professional development programs are the foundation for expanding awareness of advancements in NDT. Governed by a volunteer group of officers and directors, ASNT is organized by councils representing interests relating to certification, engineering, research, education, and section operations.

About IACET

The International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) is a nonprofit association dedicated to quality continuing education and training programs. IACET is the only standard-setting organization approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for continuing education and training. The ANSI/IACET 2018-1 Standard for Continuing Education and Training is the core of thousands of educational programs worldwide.

(Columbus, OH) The ASNT Industry Sector Qualification – Oil & Gas (ISQ – O&G) program is one of many programs that ASNT provides to demonstrate technician capabilities and competency to the NDT industry. As part of the ISQ program, ASNT has compiled feedback on gaps identified from exam pass/fail results and reporting. The document—ISQ Industry Feedback and Gap Analysis—highlights observations and recommendations based on statistical data from all exams since the exam rollout in 2019.

This is the first industry qualification exam analysis provided to the industry. The intent is to focus ultrasonic testing (UT) trainers and service providers on identifying gaps in the training of UT technicians and helping improve the quality of NDT. To learn more about the ISQ program, visit certification.asnt.org/certification/isq-oil-and-gas.

About ASNT Certification Services

ASNT Certification Services LLC was established to manage and operate the certification and accreditation programs of the American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT). With more than 33,000 certifications issued to NDT professionals worldwide, ASNT Certification Services currently administers four certification programs: ASNT NDT Level III, ASNT NDT Level II, ASNT Central Certification Program (ACCP), and Industrial Radiography Radiation Safety Personnel (IRRSP), and manages the Employer-Based Certification (EBC) Audit Program and the Industry Sector Qualification – Oil & Gas (ISQ – O&G) program.

(Columbus, OH) The recent collapse of a bridge in Pittsburgh illustrates the wisdom of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) which provides $1.2 trillion for improvements in America’s infrastructure. Major improvements to bridges, roads and mechanical systems are clearly needed.

Yet the new legislation continues the federal government practice of affording states wide latitude in how they prioritize projects. Too often, this results in an increased emphasis on new high-profile projects while maintenance of what is already in place is minimized.

If this is going to be the case, then even before new projects are undertaken, a significant commitment to enhanced testing and structural evaluation must be mounted to avoid failures similar to what occurred in Pittsburgh. New construction requires a great deal of time. Meanwhile, older structures remain in service perpetuating ongoing risks in the absence of thorough, sophisticated, yet readily available testing and evaluation.

A class of technologies referred to as Nondestructive Testing (NDT) provides an immediate option for structural assessment. NDT is a process of inspecting, testing, or evaluating materials, components, or assemblies – such as bridges - for discontinuities, or differences in characteristics without destroying the serviceability of the part or system. In other words, when NDT testing is performed, a clear and unambiguous assessment of the integrity of a structure is obtained.

It is unknown if the Pittsburgh bridge was evaluated using visual inspection, which is all that is required by law, but its failure demonstrates the need for similar structures to be evaluated using more advanced methods such as NDT. Additionally, certification using the type of definitive documentation extensively required in NDT protocols, are severely lacking in the in-service bridge inspection industry’s specifications and standards.

To better understand and clearly document the structural integrity of America’s bridges, a more urgent commitment to the application of nondestructive testing is required.

The American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) stands ready to assist government officials and others who will be assessing future preventative measures in their efforts to ensure similar failures can be avoided.

About ASNT

Serving more than 22 000 members and certificate holders worldwide, ASNT, based in Columbus, Ohio, is the largest technical society for NDT professionals. ASNT certification and standards programs, publications, conferences, education, membership, and professional development programs are the foundation for expanding awareness of advancements in NDT. Governed by a volunteer group of officers and directors, ASNT is organized by councils representing interests relating to certification, engineering, research, education, and section operations.

For questions about this statement, email ASNT Marketing and Communication Director Garra Liming at gliming@asnt.org.

(Columbus, OH) The American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) announces that four leaders in the field of nondestructive testing (NDT) have been selected for the 2021 Class of Fellows. Induction of the new Fellows occurred during ASNT Celebrates at ASNT 2021: The Annual Conference in Phoenix, Arizona on 17 November 2021. 

The selection of ASNT’s new Fellows follows a rigorous review of the individual’s contributions to the field of NDT. A Fellow of ASNT is an individual member of the Society who is of outstanding professional distinction, has made significant contributions to the advancement of nondestructive evaluation (NDE) and NDT, and has demonstrated tangible impact to the Society and participation at the local and/or national level.

“I am very pleased to welcome ASNT’s 2021 class of Fellows,” said ASNT Executive Director Neal J. Couture, CAE. “The caliber of this year’s class of ASNT Fellows is outstanding and each of our distinguished fellows is recognized for their expertise in NDT.” 

Presenting the 2021 Class of Fellows:

1. David S. Forsyth

Mr. Forsyth is NDE Principal Scientist at Texas Research Institute Austin and has almost 30 years of experience in NDE, specializing in studying NDE reliability and risk assessment. He is a member of NASA’s Engineering Safety Center Technical Discipline Team for NDE. He’s been a member of ASNT since 2005 and has published five book chapters and 30 refereed journal articles, presented more than 130 conference papers, holds one patent, and has one patent pending. He currently serves as Chair of ASNT’s NDT Reliability Studies Committee and as a member of the Research Council. 

2. Stephen D. Holland, PhD

Dr. Holland is an Associate Professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering and Center for Nondestructive Evaluation (CNDE) at Iowa State University. At CNDE, he serves as the research group leader for the thermal NDE program. Dr. Holland is internationally renowned for his work in the modeling of vibrothermography NDT and in model-based inversion for flash thermography. He is also pioneering “digital twin” methods for NDT data integration and holds a patent for leak detection using structure-borne noise. Dr. Holland has been an ASNT member for 12 years and serves as Vice Chair of the ASNT Iowa Section.

3. Victoria A. Kramb, PhD

Dr. Kramb is Senior Research Engineer at the University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI) where she serves as the Program Manager for UDRI’s research program “Damage and Materials Property Characterization for Materials State Awareness” and is the group leader for the NDE Engineering research group conducting nondestructive inspection and mechanical behavior studies of metallic and composite materials for industrial and government customers. Dr. Kramb’s current research efforts include NDE method development and high temperature mechanical testing for hypersonic materials. A member of ASNT for more than 20 years, Dr. Kramb has been an inspirational volunteer and mentor with the ASNT Miami Valley Section and frequent presenter at ASNT’s conferences and symposia.

4. C. Deal Moore

Mr. Moore is Vice President of NDT Seals Inc. in Houston, Texas. He is a successful entrepreneur in the NDT manufacturing sector with more than 26 years of innovation and service to the industry. His contributions to NDT include supporting and encouraging women to join the industry, coordination of the first NDT Engineer for a Day for the Duke TIP Academic Adventures program in Houston, coordination of the first NDT Mentoring Program at Aldine High School also in Houston, and participation with the Association of Plant Inspection Professionals in a Texas Workforce Commission–funded Texas Training Consortium supporting NDT education in local community colleges. He’s been an ASNT member for nearly 25 years and an active volunteer at the national level and at the Greater Houston Section, where he has sponsored and helped organize numerous events. He recently completed his term as director at large on the ASNT Board of Directors.

About ASNT

Serving more than 22 000 members and certificate holders worldwide, ASNT, based in Columbus, Ohio, is the largest technical society for NDT professionals. ASNT certification and standards programs, publications, conferences, education, membership, and professional development programs are the foundation for expanding awareness of advancements in NDT. Governed by a volunteer group of officers and directors, ASNT is organized by councils representing interests relating to certification, engineering, research, education, and section operations.