April 3, 2003

Contact: Lisa Eitner, Oread Books, (785) 864-4431.

Author, nuclear engineer Robert C. Hagan to visit KU for book signing

LAWRENCE -- Author and nuclear engineer Robert C. Hagan, 1962 University of Kansas graduate in engineering physics, will read from his book "Joint Eagles," followed by a book signing, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 10, at Oread Books in the Kansas Union at the University of Kansas. The event is free and open to the public.

"Joint Eagles" is a timely suspense novel of terrorist threat against the United States involving nuclear material from Russia. Drawing on his own expertise in nuclear topics, Hagan has used extensive research and consultation with other expert sources to produce a complex and compelling plot involving history, foreign and domestic politics, and criminal activity.

Hagan served as a lieutenant in the Nuclear Navy and earned master's and doctoral degrees in nuclear engineering from the University of Virginia. His subsequent career in nuclear engineering included reactor design and an emphasis on nuclear safety. He taught a graduate radiation biophysics course in nuclear safety for the later-decommissioned KU reactor facility in 1979. He also was involved in the building and operation of the Wolf Creek Nuclear Power Plant in Burlington, serving as director of nuclear services and vice president of quality and engineering. Hagan retired from Wolf Creek in 1996, and he lives in Goddard.