NSF Directors, Terms and Fields of Science

Director
Term
Field of Science
Dr. Alan T. WatermanApril, 1951 -
June, 1963
Physics
Dr. Leland J. HaworthJuly, 1963 -
June, 1969
Physics
Dr. William D. McElroy+July, 1969 -
January, 1972
Biochemistry
Dr. H. Guyford SteverFebruary, 1972 -
August, 1976
Physics
Dr. Richard C. Atkinson
   (Acting)
August, 1976 -
May, 1977
Psychology
Dr. Richard C. AtkinsonMay, 1977 -
June, 1980
Psychology
Dr. Donald N. Langenberg
   (Acting)
July, 1980 -
December, 1980
Physics
Dr. John B. SlaughterDecember, 1980 -
October, 1982
Physics
Dr. Edward A. KnappNovember, 1982 -
August, 1984
Physics
Mr. Erich BlochSeptember, 1984 -
August, 1990
Engineering
Dr. Frederick M. Bernthal
   (Acting)
September, 1990 -
March, 1991
Nuclear Chemistry/ 
   Physics
Dr. Walter E. MasseyMarch, 1991 -
April, 1993
Physics
Dr. Frederick M. Bernthal
   (Acting)
April, 1993 -
October, 1993
Nuclear Chemistry/ 
   Physics
Dr. Neal F. LaneOctober, 1993 -
August, 1998
Physics
Dr. Rita R. ColwellAugust, 1998 -
February, 2004
Microbiology
Dr. Arden L. Bement, Jr.
   (Acting)
February, 2004-
present
Engineering

+By presidential order, Dr. Louis Levin, Executive Associate Director, also served as Acting Director from July 1,1969 to July 14, 1969 (until Dr. William McElroy's swearing-in on July 14, 1969).


[Download Director's List - Acrobat PDF format]

[View List of NSF Deputy Directors]

[Return to the O/D Home Page]