Oregon State University Libraries, Special Collections & Archives Research Center
Special Collections & University Archives Research Center
121 The Valley Library
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR 97331-4501
Phone: 541-737-2075
Email: scarc@oregonstate.edu
Web: http://scarc.library.oregonstate.edu
MSS Ringle
Ringle, John C. (John Clayton)
John C. Ringle Papers
1960-2012
1966-1985
5.4 cubic feet
17 boxes, including 1 3.5" floppy disk (346 kB) and 42 photographs
The John C. Ringle Papers are comprised of materials generated and assembled by John C. Ringle a professor of Nuclear Engineering at Oregon State University. The collection, which contains
material spanning 1960 to 2012, includes correspondence, publications by Ringle, research and instruction materials, documentation from the American Nuclear Society and other professional organizations, and records from the
OSU Department of Nuclear Engineering and the OSU Radiation Center. The Ringle Papers document John Ringle's career, the history of OSU's nuclear engineering program, and the controversial issue of nuclear power in the
United States during the 20th century.
Materials in English.
Biographical Note:
John C. Ringle was born in Kokomo, Indiana in 1935. After graduating from high school, he enrolled in the electrical engineering program at the Case Institute of Technology where he earned his BS in 1957 and his MS in 1959.
Ringle then began work in the nuclear engineering doctoral program at the University of California, Berkeley. While attending the University of California, Ringle designed instrumentation for Project Pluto, a missile-based
nuclear reactor. He also worked as a physicist at the Air Force Cambridge Research Labs where he created instrumentation for use in satellites. Ringle earned his doctorate in 1964.
In 1966, Ringle accepted a position as Associate Professor in the Oregon State University Department of Nuclear Engineering. There, he taught courses in nuclear reactor engineering, nuclear safety, kinetics, reactor analysis,
and reactor operation. Notably, he also served as the Assistant Reactor Administrator from 1966 to 1980. He oversaw the final construction of OSU’s TRIGA reactor, operated and maintained both the TRIGA and AGN-201 reactors,
supervised upgrades to the TRIGA reactor and the decommissioning and dismantlement of the AGN-201 reactor, and provided training and supervision to student and civil service reactor operators. Ringle also maintained a
vigorous research agenda and produced numerous papers and presentations on nuclear reactor safety, the environmental impact of nuclear power, nuclear waste storage, and the operation of research reactors. In July 1980,
Ringle was appointed Assistant Dean of the OSU Graduate School and, in 1981, became Associate Dean of the Graduate School. His duties included oversight of graduate programs, monitoring progress of graduate students,
assisting in the development of programs within the school, and acting as an administrative liaison for students and faculty members.
John Ringle is now a Professor Emeritus of Nuclear Engineering & Radiation Health Physics at Oregon State University.
The John C. Ringle Papers are comprised of professional correspondence; meeting minutes, administrative records, and correspondence from the American Nuclear Society and its Oregon and OSU Student chapters; informational
materials related to Oregon nuclear power legislation and newsclippings documenting nuclear power in the Pacific Northwest; meeting notes, curricular development materials, schedules, Radiation Center records, promotional
materials, and other administrative documents from the OSU Department of Nuclear Engineering. The collection also includes extensive lecture materials and course readings from Ringle's Low Level Waste, High Level Waste, and
Nuclear Reactor Shielding courses and documentation from several OSU training programs for employees of TaiPower (Taiwan's state-owned electric power utility) and other international students. The collection also includes
records related to Ringle's employment with OSU including instruction and research records, curriculum vitae, department memoranda, and his reactor operator licenses.
The collection contains nearly all materials published by Ringle including technical reports, theses, journal articles, speeches, and newspaper articles. Some materials, including a report regarding the Tory II-A reactor,
predate Ringle's association with OSU. However, much of the material is contemporary to Ringle's position as Assistant Reactor Administrator at OSU and relates to reactor safety and work with the TRIGA reactor. Included in
the publication files are correspondence, research materials, and other supporting documentation.
The John C. Ringle Papers are arranged in four series: Series I: Correspondence, 1965-2001; Series II: Research & Publications, 1960-2012; Series III: Professional & Civic Activities, 1969-2007; Series IV: OSU
Department of Nuclear Engineering Records, 1963-2008.
Collection is open for research, with the exception of materials in Series IV that include personally identifiable information.
John C. Ringle Papers (MSS Ringle), Oregon State University Libraries Special Collections & Archives Research Center, Corvallis, Oregon.
The John C. Ringle Papers were donated to the OSU Libraries Special Collections & Archives Research Center by John Ringle in August 2013.
Related Materials
Other materials pertaining to nuclear energy research and technology at OSU and beyond include the Barton C.
Hacker Papers, Barton C. and Sally L. Hacker Nuclear Affairs Collection, Charter Heslep Papers, Ava Helen and Linus Pauling Papers, E. Dale
Trout Papers, Radiation Center Records (RG 202), "How OSU Grew Nuclear Science" Oral Histories, and the History of Atomic Energy Collection.
American Nuclear Society.
Oregon State University. Department of Nuclear Engineering.
Oregon State University. Radiation Center.
Taiwan dian li gong si.
Nuclear energy--Environmental aspects--United States.
Nuclear energy--Law and legislation--United States.
Nuclear engineering--Oregon.
Nuclear engineering--Study and teaching--Oregon--Corvallis.
Nuclear physics--Research--Oregon.
Nuclear reactor kinetics.
Nuclear reactors--Oregon--Corvallis.
Nuclear reactors--Shielding (Radiation)
Nuclear reactors--United States--Safety measures.
Radioactive waste disposal.
Photographic prints.
Slides.
Floppy disks.
Colleges and Universities
Electronic Records
Laws and Legislation
Pollution
Public Utilities
Science
Technology
Corvallis
Oregon
Photographs
Series I
Correspondence
1965-2001
Series I is comprised of correspondence between Ringle and students and colleagues in the fields of nuclear energy research and engineering. Subjects include consulting work, ongoing research programs, professional
meetings, and publications.
1.1
Correspondence
1965-1969
1.2
Correspondence
1970-1974
1.3
Correspondence
1975-1979
1.4
Correspondence
1980-1984
1.5
Correspondence
1985-1989
1.6
Correspondence
1990-1994
1.7
Correspondence
1995-2001
Series II
Research & Publications
1960-2012
Series II consists of publications generated by John C. Ringle and include articles in newspapers, magazines, and professional journals, interviews, conference papers, and technical reports. The series also contains
correspondence, research materials, and other supporting documentation related to Ringle's publications. Topics include reactor safety, the environmental impact of nuclear power, nuclear waste management, and
operation and upkeep of TRIGA research reactors.
1.8
"Tory II-A Memorandum: Calorimetric Power Computer"
August 1960
1.9
"A Technique for Measuring Neutron Spectra in the Range 2.5 to 30 MeV Using Threshold Detectors"
October 1963
2.1
"Reactor-Produced Electron Flux in the Trapped Radiation Belt"
April 1964
2.2
"Electron and Proton Fluxes in the Trapped Radiation Belts originating from an Orbiting Nuclear Reactor," Nuclear Science and Engineering
1965
2.3
"A Miniature Pulsed Light Source and Applications to Particle Detector Design," The Review of Scientific Instruments
February 1970
2.4
"Design and Calibration of a Deep Ocean Nuclear Probe for Sediment Water Content (U)"
May 1970
2.5
"Recent Developments in the Nuclear Technology Program at Oregon State University," American Society for Engineering Education Annual Meeting
June 1970
2.6
"Design and Calibration of a Deep Ocean Nuclear Moisture Meter," American Nuclear Society Annual Meeting
June 1971
2.7
"Why Nuclear Engineering Anyhow?" Oregon State University Engineer
November 1971
2.8
"Cooling System Up-Grading from 250KW to 1 MW," TRIGA Owners' Conference
February 1972
2.9
"Experiences with Radioactive Releases," TRIGA Owners' Conference
February 1972
2.10
"Environmental Impact of a Nuclear Power Plant," Atomic Energy Commission Summer Workshop
August 1972
2.11
"Siting and Safety Aspects of Nuclear Power Plants," Atomic Energy Commission Summer Workshop
August 1972
2.12
"The Role of a Nuclear Engineering Technology Curriculum in the Nuclear Power Era"
December 1973
2.13
"A Spare-Parts Inventory Program for TRIGA Reactors," TRIGA Owners' Conference
February 1974
2.14
"Preliminary Investigations of a Mixed Standard FLIP Core for a TRIGA Mark II," TRIGA Owners' Conference
February 1974
2.15
"Impact of Proposed Research Reactor Standards on Reactor Operation," TRIGA Owners' Conference
February 1974
2.16
"Economic Utilization of Waste Heat in Greenhouses"
October 1974
2.17
"Power, Water, and Land," 5th Thermal Power Conference
October 1974
2.18
"A Systems Analysis of the Economic Utilization of Warm Water Discharge from Power Generating Stations," OSU Engineering Experiment Station Bulletin no.
48
November 1974
2.19
"Preparation of an Environmental Report as a Class Project," American Nuclear Society Meeting
November 1974
2.20
"Nuclear Engineering Technologists in the Nuclear Power Era," Engineering Education
December 1974
2.21
"An Integrated Waste Heat Complex"
1974
2.22
"Environmental Effects of Coal-Fired Powerplants," Energy Resources and Electric Power Generation Summer Workshop
August 1975
2.23
"Total Energy Use in an Urban-Agricultural Power Plant Complex," Proceedings of the Grenoble Symposium, International Association of Hydrological
Sciences
August 1975
3.1
"Future Developments in Waste heat Utilization," OSU Engineering Experiment Station Bulletin no. 49
September 1975
3.2
"Interfuel Substitution and Conservation in Self-Consistent Electrical Energy Forecasts," American Nuclear Society Winter Meeting
November 1975
3.3
"An Analytical Model of Underground Soil Warming," Commissariat a L'Energie Atomique
December 1975
3.4
"Stuck Fuel Element Experience at the Oregon State University TRIGA Reactor"
March 1976
3.5
"Safety Analysis Calculations for a Mixed and Full FLIP Core in a TRIGA Mark II," 4th Biennial TRIGA Reactor Conference
March 1976
3.6
"Compliance with Federal and State Regulations Regarding the Emergency Response Plan and Physical Security Plan at the Oregon STATE TRIGA Reactor"
March 1976
3.7
"Simulation of Self-Consistent Energy Forecasts," IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man and Cybernetics
October 1976
3.8
"Environmental Impact of Integrated Nuclear-Hydrogen Electrical Generation Parks," American Nuclear Society Annual Meeting
1976
3.9
"Physical Security and Transportation Requirements for a FLIP Fueled TRIGA," TRIGA Owners' Conference
February 1977
3.10
"Interaction Between Utilities and the University," American Nuclear Society Annual Meeting
June 1977
3.11
"Utilization of the Oregon State University Research Reactor," American Nuclear Society Annual Meeting
November 1977
3.12
"University Goals in Radiation Protection Training," American Nuclear Society Annual Meeting
November 1977
3.13
"Flux Measurements in the FLIP-Fueled OSTR," TRIGA Owners' Conference
February 1978
3.14
"Comparisons of Significant Parameters for a Standard 20% Enriched and FLIP 70% Enriched TRIGA Core," TRIGA Owners' Conference
February 1978
3.15
"Facility Modifications Made in Conjunction with the FLIP Fuel Upgrading," TRIGA Owners' Conference
February 1978
3.16
"Ten-Year Utilization of the Oregon State University TRIGA Reactor (OSTR)," TRIGA Owners Conference
February 1978
3.17
"Transportation of Radioactive Materials from TRIGA Reactors--Operational Considerations and Regulatory Problems: The Situation at the Oregon State University TRIGA Reactor," TRIGA
Owners' Conference
February 1978
3.18
"OSU Faculty Members Debate Nuclear Safety," Corvallis Gazette-Times
September 1978
3.19
"Calculated Atmospheric Radioactivity from the OSU TRIGA Research Reactor using the Gaussian Plume Diffusion Model"
August 1979
3.20
"Self-Protection of FLIP Fuel: Calculational Techniques," TRIGA Owners' Conference
March 1980
3.21
"Self-Protection of FLIP Fuel: Experimental Measurements," TRIGA Owners' Conference
March 1980
3.22
"Oregon State TRIGA Reactor (OSTR) Console Upgrading," TRIGA Owners' Conference
March 1980
3.23
"Iodine and NOBLGS: A Modified Version of Emerald for Accident Analysis in PWR's," OSU-NE Report
July 1980
4.1
"Neutron and Gamma Radiography of U)2 and TRIGA Fuel"
1980
4.2
"Low-Level Radioactive Waste Packaging: A Study of the Impacts of the Alternatives Proposed in the Strategy Planning Document Entitled 'Managing Low-Level Radioactive Waste'," OSU-NE
Report
February 1981
4.3
"Operational Experience Using the OSTR FLIP Fuel Self-Protection Program," TRIGA Owners' Conference
March 1982
4.4
"Sourcebook on Atomic Energy," Notes and Correspondence
1982
4.5
"STIRN: A Program to Calculate Water-Steam Properties Using an Interpolation Routine," OSU-NE Report
January 1985
4.6
"A Remark on Near Critical Flow Computation with Thermal Hydraulic Codes," American Nuclear Society Annual Meeting
June 1985
4.7
"Retran Predictions of Safety Valve Discharge Transients," American Nuclear Society International Topical Meeting on Reactor Thermal Hydraulics
October 1985
4.8
"Abridged Nuclear Waste Glossary: A Layperson's Guide to Technical Terms," OSU-NE Report
August 1991
4.9
"The Oregon HLW Transport Public Information and Involvement Program," American Nuclear Society Summer Meeting
1991
4.10
"Public Information Implications of a Teacher's Summer Course on Radioactive Waste," Waste Management Symposium
March 1992
4.11
"Results of a Radioactive Waste Course for High School Teachers," American Nuclear Science Transactions
1992
4.12
"Nuclear Waste Site Should Be Tested," Corvallis Gazette-Times
May 29, 1992
4.13
"Region Suited for Biotech Growth," The Oregonian
March 10, 1994
4.14
"Action Needed Soon on Nuclear-Fuel Storage," The Oregonian
August 6, 1994
4.15
"Foreign Waste Sheds Light on U.S. Problem," The Oregonian
May 22, 1995
4.16
"Unsupported Claims Slow Glacial Process of Storing N-Waste," The Seattle Post-Intellingencer
June 28, 1995
4.17
"U.S. Needs Sensible Nuclear Waste Policy," The Everett Herald
July 1, 1995
4.18
"We Need One Nuclear Waste Site, Not 110," The Denver Post
August 19, 1995
4.19
"A Win-Win: Turning Kilotons to Kilowatts," The Oregonian
December 7, 1996
4.20
"Powering the Battle Against Global Warming,"
August 1997
4.21
Nuclear Trade with China Article
1998
4.22
"Nuclear Power to Cool the World"
June 1999
4.23
"Commentary on Power Supply"
January 2001
4.24
"Nuclear Energy a Solid Choice," The Oregonian
February 25, 2001
4.25
"Imported Oil Threatens Energy Security"
October 2001
4.26
"Energy Security is Attainable," Statesman Journal
November 14, 2002
4.27
"It Is Time to Support Yucca Mountain Decision"
2002
4.28
"The Case for a New Generation of Nuclear Power Plants," The Oregonian
May 12, 2003
4.29
"Climate Change and Nuclear Power," The Oregonian
September 23, 2003
4.30
"Energy Bill is on Right Track," Statesman Journal
December 15, 2003
4.31
"U.S. Must Not Rely on Natural Gas for Electricity," Statesman Journal
July 21, 2004
4.32
"Produce Electricity While Eliminating Nuclear Warheads," Statesman Journal
December 14, 2004
4.33
"Key to Oregon's energy Future? Go Nuclear," The Oregonian
April 20, 2005
4.34
"Nuclear-Fuel Reprocessing Could Make Our World Safe," Statesman Journal
March 15, 2006
4.35
"Our Energy Futures," The Oregonian
July 5, 2006
4.36
"Combat Global Warming by Developing Nuclear Power," Statesman Journal
November 15, 2006
4.37
"Nuclear Plants Vital for Energy Needs," The Columbian
March 12, 2007
4.38
"The Time Has Come to Deal with Emissions from Coal Plants," Statesman Journal
September 21,2007
4.39
"We Can Break Reliance on Oil," Statesman Journal
April 2, 2008
4.40
"U.S. Would Benefit from Nuclear Power," Statesman Journal
August 21, 2008
4.41
"Nation Must Make a new and Strong Commitment to Nuclear Power," The Oregonian
January 17, 2009
4.42
"Nuclear Power is Part of Carbon-Free Energy Solution," Statesman Journal
September 24, 2009
4.43
"Nuclear Power Needs to be Part of Energy Solution," Statesman Journal
January 30, 2010
4.44
"The Oil Industry Should Go Nuclear," The Oregonian
July 19, 2010
4.45
"Reintroduction of Reactors in U.S. a Major Win," Statesman Journal
November 13, 2010
4.46
"Feds Should Utilize Salt Beds for Waste," Statesman Journal
April 20, 2012
4.47
"Application of Anisn Code to Investigate Shielding Effectiveness of Electrical Penetration"
undated
5.1
"GWSCREEN: A Semi-Analytical Model for Assessment of Groundwater Pathway from Surface or Buried Contamination," A.S. Rood
undated
Series III
Professional & Civic Activities
1969-2007
Series III is composed of materials relating to Ringle's participation as an officer of the American Nuclear Society including meeting minutes, correspondence, budget reports, membership lists, promotional materials,
and other administrative documentation from the national organization and the Oregon and OSU Student Chapters. Series III also contains photographic slides and negatives documenting meetings of the Corvallis
Engineers' Club (materials which were compiled from SCARC holdings by Ringle). The series also includes informational literature regarding Oregon ballot measures on nuclear power from 1976-1992, and more than four
decades of newsclippings related to nuclear power in the Pacific Northwest. All arrangement of newsclippings by topic was completed by John Ringle.
5.2
American Nuclear Society correspondence
1969-1972
5.3
American Nuclear Society correspondence
1973-1976
5.4
American Nuclear Society correspondence
1977-1980, 1985
5.5
American Nuclear Society National Event and Promotional Materials
1969-1972
5.6
American Nuclear Society--Oregon Section Administrative Documents
1969-1983
5.7
American Nuclear Society--Oregon Section Meeting Notices and Minutes
1970-1984
5.8
American Nuclear Society--Oregon Section Newsletters
1976-1979
5.9
American Nuclear Society--OSU Student Chapter Correspondence
1970-1979, 1988
5.10
American Nuclear Society--OSU Student Chapter Administrative Documents
1969-1978
5.11
Corvallis Engineers' Club Photographs
undated
5.12
Oregon Ballot Measure No. 9
1976
6.1
Oregon Ballot Measure No. 7
1980
6.2
Oregon Ballot Measure No. 14
1986
6.3
Oregon Ballot Measure No. 4
1990
6.4
Oregon Ballot Measures No. 5 and 6
1992
6.5
Newsclippings re: Nuclear power waste
1970-1979
6.6
Newsclippings re: Nuclear power waste
1980-1989
6.7
Newsclippings re: Nuclear power waste
1990-1999
6.8
Newsclippings re: Nuclear power waste
2000-2010
6.9
Newsclippings re: Nuclear technology
1968-1971
7.1
Newsclippings re: Washington Public Power Supply System (WPPSS)
1981, 1994
7.2
Newsclippings re: Nuclear power editorials and columns
1968-1989
7.3
Newsclippings re: OSU nuclear reactor
1967, 1984-1985
7.4
Newsclippings re: Trojan Nuclear Power Plant
1969-1993
7.5
Newsclippings re: Nuclear energy
1974-2007
8.1
Newsclippings re: nuclear power
1976-1980, 1998
Series IV
OSU Department of Nuclear Engineering Records
1963-2008
Series IV consists of OSU Department of Nuclear Engineering records including meeting minutes, inter-office correspondence, program and curriculum development materials, promotional content, and library records
(including one floppy disk containing the master copy of the Radiation Center library catalog) and several photographs of the OSU Radiation Center. The series also contains course materials generated by Ringle for
nuclear engineering instruction, administrative materials from training courses for international students, and miscellaneous documents relating to OSU employment contracts, guidelines, and record-keeping.
Access to original documents that include personally identifiable information is restricted.
Subseries 1
OSU Nuclear Engineering Program Records
1963-2008
8.2
Department Meeting Notes and Inter-Office Correspondence
1972-1974
8.3
Department Meeting Notes and Inter-Office Correspondence
1975-1979
8.4
Department Meeting Notes and Inter-Office Correspondence
1980-1984
8.5
Department Meeting Notes and Inter-Office Correspondence
1985-1989
8.6
Department Meeting Notes and Inter-Office Correspondence
1985-1989
8.7
Department Meeting Notes and Inter-Office Correspondence
1990-1994
9.1
Department Meeting Notes and Inter-Office Correspondence
1995-1999
9.2
Department Meeting Notes and Inter-Office Correspondence
2000-2004
9.3
Department Meeting Notes and Inter-Office Correspondence
2005-2006
9.4
Program and Curriculum Development Materials
1967-1973
9.5
Program and Curriculum Development Materials
1967-1975
10.1
Program and Curriculum Development Materials
1968-1979
10.2
Course Schedules
1971-1989
10.3
Course Schedules
1990-2008
10.4
Radiation Center Memoranda
1985-2000
10.5
Radiation Center Library Records (includes floppy disk)
1999-2001
10.6
Radiation Center Library Records
2006
10.7
Radiation Center Photographs
circa 1970
11.1
OSU Safety Analysis Report Data, Notes, and Reference Materials
2004
11.2
OSU Safety Analysis Report Correspondence
2004
11.3
OSU Safety Analysis Report, Chapter 13
2004
11.4
"Nuclear Engineering Department History"
1991
11.5
Promotional Materials
1963-1985
11.6
Promotional Materials
1965-1993
Subseries 2
Instructional Materials
1969-2003
11.7
NE 542: Low Level Waste Lecture Notes
2003
12.1
NE 542: Low Level Waste Lecture Notes
2003
12.2
NE 542: Low Level Waste Lecture Notes
2003
12.3
NE 542: Low Level Waste Lecture Transparencies
2003
12.4
NE 542: Low Level Waste Lecture Transparencies
2003
12.5
NE 542: Low Level Waste Lecture Transparencies
2003
12.6
NE 542: Low Level Waste Reading Materials
2003
13.1
NE 542: Low Level Waste Reading Materials
2003
13.2
NE 542: Low Level Waste Reading Materials
2003
13.3
NE 549: Low Level Waste Lecture Notes
2000
13.4
NE 549: Low Level Waste Coursework
2001
13.5
NE 543: High Level Waste Course Materials
2000
13.6
NE 543: High Level Waste Course Materials
2000
13.7
NE 543: High Level Waste Lecture Transparencies
2002
13.8
NE 543: High Level Waste Lecture Transparencies
2002
14.1
NE 543: High Level Waste Reading Materials
1998
14.2
NE 543: High Level Waste Reading Materials
1998
14.3
NE 543: High Level Waste Reading Materials
1998
14.4
NE 543: High Level Waste Reading Materials
2002
14.5
NE 543: High Level Waste Reading Materials
2002
15.1
NE 551: Nuclear Reactor Shielding Lecture Notes
1970
15.2
"Radioactive Waste Cleanup at Hanford: The First Step" Lecture Transparencies
1990
15.3
"Risks: Actual and Perceived" Lecture Materials
1991
15.4
Manhattan Project Lecture Materials
2004
15.5
OSU-TaiPower Training Program
1969-1970
15.6
OSU-TaiPower Training Program
1970-1971
15.7
OSU-TaiPower Training Program
1971-1972
15.8
OSU-TaiPower Training Program
1972-1973
15.9
OSU-TaiPower Training Program
1973-1974
15.10
OSU-TaiPower Training Program
1975-1977
15.11
OSU-TaiPower Training Program
1977-1978
15.12
OSU-TaiPower Training Program
1978-1979
16.1
Taipower student transcripts and grades
1969-1978
16.2
Taipower student psychological and physical health evaluations
1977-1978
Redacted copies of documents with personally identifiable information are open for research. Original documents are restricted and housed separately in box 17.
17.1
Taipower student psychological and physical health evaluations
1977-1978
Unreadacted documents with personally identifiable information are restricted. Redacted documents are open for research and housed in box 16.
16.3
OSU-Venezuela Training Program
1977
16.4
OSU-Tun Ismail Atomic Research Center Training Program
1977-1978
Subseries 3
Employment Records
1964-1990
16.5
Employment Records
1965-1971
16.6
Employment Records
1968-1972
16.7
Employment Records
1973-1980
16.8
Employment Records
1976-1990
16.9
Reactor Operator Licenses
1966-1984