Bateman scholar Kevin Knobloch, '78, to address strategy for low-carbon future

Kevin Knobloch, president of the Union of Concerned Scientists and the spring Eleanor Bateman Alumni Scholar in Residence, will speak on “Needed: Skillful capitalists to lead us to a low-carbon future,” on Tuesday, March 12 at 4 p.m. in the Bernie Dallas Room, Goodell Building,

In his talk, Knobloch will explain the processes by which he achieved results on a wide range of environmental and national security issues—such as renewable energy, nuclear weapons, forest management and corporate responsibility—by working with scientists, legislators, industry leaders and delegations to the United Nations. All are welcome to attend this free event with a reception and refreshments following the presentation.

Knobloch graduated in 1978 with a bachelor's degree from in Journalism. He also holds a master's degree in public administration with a focus on natural resource economics and environmental management from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

Knobloch was named president of UCS in December 2003, after four years as the executive director. Earlier in his career, from 1989-92, he served as UCS’s legislative director for arms control and national security. He currently oversees all of the organization's programs and operations.

He has served as chair of the Green Group, a coalition of the CEOs of 32 national environmental organizations, and served as co-chair of the Green Group Climate and Energy Committee for seven years. He led UCS delegations to the United Nations International Climate negotiations in Montreal in 2005, Bali in 2007, Poznan in 2008 and Copenhagen in 2009.

During six years on Capitol Hill in the 1980s, Knobloch was the legislative director for U.S. Senator Timothy Wirth (D-Colo.) and legislative assistant and press secretary for U.S. Representative Ted Weiss (D-N.Y.).

The Eleanor Bateman Alumni Scholar in Residence program connects students with alumni who exemplify achievement of the university's mission through professional accomplishments and/or public service. The Alumni Association designs a visit in conjunction with schools and colleges befitting the scholar's field of expertise. The multi-day visit typically includes lectures, workshops and seminars for undergraduate and graduate students, and a lecture to the campus community followed by a reception hosted by the Alumni Association. The program aims to promote face-to-face interaction between students and accomplished alumni in an informal setting.

The program was established in 1989 through an endowment from the trustees of the University of Massachusetts Building Association, and was named after Eleanor Bateman ’23, a founding member. A dedicated and loyal alumna for over 70 years, Bateman supported the university in a number of leadership positions.