ERDC/CRREL Retiree Has Point in Antarctica Named in His Honor

16 June 05--HANOVER, N.H.--A retired sea ice researcher formerly with the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center's (ERDC) Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) was recently recognized for his many years of sea ice work in Antarctica by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.

Stephen F. Ackley, a sea ice researcher previously with CRREL's Snow and Ice Division for approximately 30 years, was recently notified of the U.S. Board on Geographic Names approval of the Antarctic geographic name Ackley Point following the recommendation of the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names (ACAN).

Individuals' names are assigned based on the level of a person¿s contribution to Antarctic research or history, and on the type of geographic feature. The U.S. Board on Geographic Names states¿ "[Ackley] is a sea ice specialist who worked in McMurdo Sound and diverse parts of the Southern Ocean for more than 25 years, dating from the 1976-77 austral season."

In 2002, Ackley was selected by his peers at CRREL as a Distinguished Employee. For approximately 11 years during his career at CRREL, he served as both a researcher and Chief of the Snow and Ice Branch. The plaque states, "His management philosophy was simple ¿ 'Do good work'¿ and he set an example by doing and facilitating good research himself. Steve deserves a large measure of credit for the preeminent status that CRREL enjoys today. He left a legacy of research excellence and strong leadership that continues to reverberate."

CRREL is one of ERDC's seven laboratories. The ERDC is the premier research and development facility for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with more than 2,000 employees, $1.2 billion in facilities, and an annual research program approaching $700 million. It conducts research in both military and civil works mission areas for the Department of Defense and the nation. CRREL is the only Department of Defense laboratory addressing problems and opportunities unique to the world¿s cold regions. Located in Hanover, N.H., CRREL also has field offices in Fairbanks and Anchorage, Alaska.