The President’s Distinguished Lecture Series invites notable leaders of world-renowned research organizations, universities and other industries to share their expertise with the University of Missouri community. The topics and guests will span various disciplines with each lecturer leading a discussion about the grand challenges facing society — and how Mizzou is poised to address them through our mission of teaching, research and outreach.
Mr. William D. Magwood, IV
Join President Mun Y. Choi, University of Missouri President, at a President’s Distinguished Lecture featuring Mr. William D. Magwood, IV, Nuclear Energy Agency Director General, on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at 10 a.m. at Monsanto Auditorium, Bond Life Sciences Center.
President Mun Y. Choi
invites you to the
President’s Distinguished Lecture
featuring
MR. WILLIAM D. MAGWOOD, IV
Nuclear Energy Agency Director General
“The Next Nuclear Energy Era: Opportunities and Challenges”
Wednesday, May 13, 2026 | 10 a.m.
Monsanto Auditorium, Bond Life Sciences Center
1201 Rollins St.
University of Missouri
For questions, contact University Events:
events@missouri.edu | 573-882-3807.
Biography
Magwood took up his duties as director general of the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) on Sept. 1, 2014. He has extensive experience in both the regulatory and developmental aspects of nuclear energy, including at the international level.
From 2010 to 2014, he served as one of the five commissioners appointed by the U.S. president and confirmed by the U.S. Senate to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). While a commissioner, he advocated the importance of nuclear regulatory independence and the necessity of maintaining strong, credible and technically sound nuclear regulation in the United States and all countries that use nuclear power.
Prior to his appointment at the NRC, from 2005 to 2010 he provided independent strategic and policy advice to U.S. and international clients on energy, environment, education and technology policy issues. From 1998 to 2005, Magwood was director of the U.S. government’s civilian nuclear energy program at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). During his tenure, he established the Idaho National Laboratory; created activities that reversed the decline of U.S. nuclear technology education; and launched important initiatives such as the Generation IV International Forum (GIF) and the U.S. “Nuclear Power 2010,” which helped restart nuclear plant construction in the United States. He was also actively involved in the work of the NEA, serving as a Steering Committee Bureau member from 1999 to 2005, including a term as chair of the Steering Committee from 2004 to 2005.
Prior to his experience at the DOE, Magwood managed electric utility research and nuclear policy programs at the Edison Electric Institute in Washington, D.C., and was a scientist at Westinghouse Electric Corporation in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Magwood, a U.S. national, holds bachelor’s degrees in physics and English from Carnegie Mellon University and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Pittsburgh.
Event Contact
For questions, contact University Events: events@missouri.edu | 573-882-3807.