RELEASE NO: 00-99

Dr. Darrel Williams, Head of the Biospheric Sciences Branch at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., received the NASA Exceptional Service Medal. The award will be presented on Monday, August 14 at 2 p.m. in the Building 8 auditorium during the 2000 NASA Honor Awards Ceremony.

Williams received the award for advancing the science of satellite remote sensing and ensuring the scientific integrity of the Landsat 7 mission. Serving as the Landsat Project Scientist, Williams has made many contributions to remote sensing of the Earth. Williams is also recognized for his scientific leadership of the Landsat program along with his hard work and dedication to the mission.

The NASA Exceptional Service Medal is awarded for significant achievement or service characterized by unusual initiative or creative ability that clearly demonstrates substantial improvement in engineering, aeronautics, spaceflight or space-related endeavors, or administration and support of these endeavors which contribute to the programs of NASA.

Williams attended Penn State University, and received both his bachelor's and master's degrees in forest science in 1973 and 1974, respectively. He began his career at NASA in 1975, enrolled in a doctorate program at the University of Maryland in 1984 and earned his Ph.D. in physical geography in 1989.

A native of Punxsutawney, Pa., Williams is the son of Mrs. Annie Laurie Williams and the late Leon Williams. Williams lives in Bowie, Md., with his wife Bonnie and their son Brad.