Around the Lab

The Laboratory for Laser Energetics became a leading center for laser research under Dr. Sproull’s leadership. He had the vision to move the Laboratory from the main academic campus to a new building on the University’s South Campus. This was crucial to the growth of the project because the new building was needed to house the next stage in the project: the 24-beam OMEGA Laser System. To support this goal he secured funding through a consortium of federal, state,and industry sources. This system supported nearly 10,000 target shots until it was replaced in the early 1990’s with a new 60-beam system that has already supported nearly 11,000 target shots and will continue to do so well into the next decade. Dr. Sproull firmly believed that LLE would become a venue for training future generations of scientists and researchers, as well as the world-class facility that it is today.

While president, Sproull also served as a member or chairman of many governmental and industrial advisory boards, earning him and the University national recognition.

He was named president emeritus and an honorary trustee of the University upon his retirement in 1984. He continued to consult with a variety of associations and government agencies, including the National Academy of Sciences, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the U.S. Department of Defense where he had previously served as Chairman of the Defense Science Board.

Since his retirement, Sproull has also served as a trustee of the China Foundation for the Promotion of Education and Culture, as a board member of the George Marshall Institute, and has worked with the International Executive Service Corps.