Evelyn Mazur

Location of Interview
Collection Name

American Meteorological Society Oral History Project

Description

The American Meteorological Society Oral History Project (AMSOHP) aims to capture the history of the atmospheric sciences as told by scientists, administrators, and others working in the field. The collection is especially rich in interviews that capture the memories of scientists who launched much of the innovative meteorological research in post-war America.

To browse this collection and others, please visit the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Archives: https://aspace.archives.ucar.edu/

Interviewer
Date of Interview
04-01-1999
Audio
Abstract

On March 31, 1999, Laura Cochran interviewed Evelyn Mazur about her 46-year career with the American Meteorological Society (AMS). Mazur discusses her entry into AMS in the 1950s, initially managing subscriptions for meteorological and geophysical abstracts sponsored by the U.S. government. She describes the growth of AMS publications, the expansion of the society’s membership and international reach, and the increasing importance of hydrology and radar research. Mazur highlights the evolution of AMS’s annual meetings from small gatherings to large conferences with extensive exhibits and proceedings, reflecting the organization’s pivotal role in advancing meteorological science. Mazur elaborates on AMS’s job placement services, certification programs for consulting meteorologists and broadcasters, and divisions such as industrial meteorology and broadcast meteorology, which grew with the advent of television in the 1950s. She reflects on the society's transition from its original Joy Street location to its historic Beacon Street headquarters, underscoring AMS’s expansion in staff and services, including a Washington office focused on education and advocacy. Mazur recalls influential figures, including AMS founder Charles Brooks, whose passion for weather science and community engagement shaped the society’s early years. She also reflects on Carl-Gustav Rossby’s legacy as a transformative figure in meteorology. Mazur concludes by discussing AMS’s adaptations to technological advancements, such as online publications, and its commitment to serving the scientific community through collaboration, information dissemination, and education.


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