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STANFORD – Stanford University's Linear Accelerator Center last week celebrated 40 years of research into fundamental particle physics and synchotron radiation with a special anniversary event this month. 

More than 1,300 people, including SLAC staff, governmental representatives and research scientists from around the world, gathered Oct. 2 to commemorate the laboratory's accomplishments and contributions to science. 

Founded in 1962, the center is a national laboratory operated by Stanford for the U.S. Department of Energy. Its mission is to design, construct and operate state-of-the-art electron accelerators and related experimental facilities for use in high-energy physics and synchotron radiation research. 

These have been good years for SLAC and I am delighted that this great laboratory is positioning itself today for decades more of outstanding work at the very foundations of physical science,'' said the event's keynote speaker Jack Marburger, III, chief science adviser to President Bush and director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. 

“ The comprehension in human terms, and the interpretation in human metaphors, of a decidedly unhuman universe is the ultimate justification for institutions such as SLAC. It is fitting that we celebrate them on occasions such as this.” 

The anniversary celebration included a series of speeches that highlighted the center's historic contributions to scientific research. 

“ Our 40th anniversary is a tremendous milestone for science,” said SLAC Director Jonathan Dorfan. 

“It's a day for looking back on our accomplishments while enthusiastically embracing the future and looking ahead to expanding our horizons,” he said.