On November 5, 2007, the Robert S. Strauss Center for International Security and Law announced a $1 million gift from Jon and Rebecca Brumley to create the Jon Brumley Chair in Global Affairs. The chair will be dedicated to developing peaceful ways to ensure that technological and scientific advances do not endanger global security.

The Jon Brumley Chair will convene experts from a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives, including the business, technology and national security communities. The chair will also sponsor high-level conferences, underwrite high-impact research and bring top experts to campus.

The first event sponsored by the Brumley Chair took place on Tuesday, November 20. Dr. Frank von Hippel, a former assistant director for national security in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, discussed changes in the three-decade-old U.S. policy of banning the reprocessing of nuclear waste that may unintentionally aid the proliferation of nuclear weapons.  

United Press International: University of Texas gets $1 million gift
“The University of Texas at Austin will create a chair dedicated to developing peaceful ways to ensure technology and science do not endanger global security.

The chair at the university’s Robert Strauss Center for International Security and Law will be funded by a $1 million gift from Jon and Rebecca Brumley.

University officials said the Jon Brumley Chair in Global Affairs will explore a fundamental dilemma: Technology produces enormous benefits, but it also creates new dangers. For example, nuclear technology can generate energy or detonate bombs and gene-splitting can produce life-saving drugs or lethal biological weapons.

The gift will also support activities examining future challenges created by advances in fields ranging from genetics to nanotechnology.

Jon Brumley earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the university in 1961. He is now chairman of the Encore Acquisition Co. Rebecca Brumley earned a master’s degree in education at the school and is currently chairwoman of the Red Oak Foundation in Fort Worth, Texas.” (“University of Texas gets $1 million gift,” United Press International, 11/5/07)
http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Science/2007/11/05/university_of_texas_gets_1_million_gift/1166/

Austin Business Journal: UT creates global security chair
“A $1 million gift to the Robert S. Strauss Center for International Security and Law at The University of Texas will create a chair aimed at ensuring global security in light of scientific and technological advancements.

The chair, called the Jon Brumley Chair in Global Affairs, will fund programs that study efforts “to reconcile technological advances with security needs.” The chair will also fund conferences, research and visits from experts.

“˜The spread of technology is one of the most important aspects of globalization,’ says James Lindsay, Strauss Center director. “˜But many technologies have a dark side. In the wrong hands they can wreak havoc. The Jon Brumley Chair in Global Affairs tackles a critical global challenge, and it will be a vital part of the Strauss Center.'”(“UT creates global security chair,” Austin Business Journal, 11/6/07)
http://southflorida.bizjournals.com/austin/stories/2007/11/05/daily10.html?t=printable

Fort Worth Business Press: Donation creates security chair
“A $1 million gift from Jon and Rebecca Brumley to the Robert S. Strauss Center for International Security and Law at the University of Texas at Austin will create a chair dedicated to developing peaceful ways to ensure that technological and scientific advances do not endanger global security, the school announced Nov. 7.

“˜The Strauss Center and the Brumley Chair give the University of Texas an opportunity to shine in the world arena, an arena where UT will be a leader in global thought and global peace,’ Jon Brumley said, in a release. “˜It is fun for us to share in the vision of Bob Strauss.'” (Robert Francis, “Donation creates security chair,” Fort Worth Business Press, 11/26/07)
http://www.fwbusinesspress.com/display.php?id=6721

Austin American-Statesman: University of Texas speaker to critique plan to reprocess nuclear fuel
“A Bush administration plan to reprocess spent nuclear fuel is a bad idea, according to a Princeton University professor who will speak at UT on Tuesday. Frank von Hippel, a professor of public and international affairs, will deliver a lecture titled “Managing Nuclear Waste: The Illogic of Reprocessing” at 5 p.m. in the Texas Governors’ Room, Texas Union 3.116.

Von Hippel contends that reprocessing the highly radioactive fuel from commercial reactors could contribute to the proliferation of nuclear weapons. The lecture is sponsored by UT’s Robert S. Strauss Center for International Security and Law.” (“University of Texas speaker to critique plan to reprocess nuclear fuel,” Austin American-Statesman, 11/16/07)