The Lamp of Knowledge Award, established in 2005, recognizes an organization, company or
individual that has contributed substantially to increasing the opportunities for higher
education in fire protection engineering. This year's presentation was made to SimplexGrinnell
at SFPE's annual awards and honors banquet in Elliott City, Maryland.
"We are deeply honored to have been selected by SFPE for the David A. Lucht Lamp of Knowledge
Award," says Dean Seavers, President of SimplexGrinnell. "The commitment to education is an
important part of our heritage, and a cornerstone of the approach we take today as a fire and
life-safety company. All of us at SimplexGrinnell thank the Society for recognizing the
company's ongoing support in educating fire protection engineers and advancing the protection
of life and property."
David Evans, P.E., FSFPE, Executive Director of SFPE, says: "Education is core activity for
SFPE, and SimplexGrinnell has an exemplary record of supporting higher education opportunities
for fire protection engineers. SimplexGrinnell helps to foster fire protection engineering
education and activities of SFPE that help to keep people and property safe from fire."
The Perspective of David Lucht
The Lamp of Knowledge Award is named after David A. Lucht, the recently retired founding
director of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) graduate degree program in fire
protection engineering. During his 42-year career in fire safety, Professor Lucht spent over
25 years building and growing WPI's Fire Protection Engineering Program and the Center for
Firesafety Studies.
"SimplexGrinnell exemplifies the ideals of the Lamp of Knowledge, and is
certainly a fitting recipient for the 2006 award," Lucht said. "It's important to note that
the fire protection engineering program we built at WPI would not have been possible without
the relationships that were established with business and industry. All of us involved in fire
protection engineering appreciate the exceptional commitment SimplexGrinnell has made to higher
education and the industry as a whole."
Long-Standing Relationships
SimplexGrinnell's selection for the Lamp of Knowledge Award reflects the strong relationships
the company has cultivated over the years with some of the nation's leading institutions for
fire protection engineering education and graduate research, including WPI and the University
of Maryland. SimplexGrinnell's involvement with those two universities, and fire protection
and safety engineering technology academic institutions such as Oklahoma State University, has
included financial contributions, hands-on internship opportunities, donation of fire alarm and
suppression equipment, support for student research projects, and the provision of lecturers
for specialized courses.
About SFPE
The Society of Fire Protection Engineers, established in 1950 and incorporated as in independent
organization in 1971, is the professional society representing those practicing the field of
fire protection engineering. The Society has approximately 4,500 members in the United States
and abroad, and 59 regional chapters. The purpose of the Society is to advance the science and
practice of fire protection engineering and its allied fields, to maintain a high ethical
standard among its members, and to foster fire protection engineering education. For additional
information, visit www.sfpe.org.
About SimplexGrinnell
SimplexGrinnell, a business unit of Tyco Fire & Security, provides a comprehensive array of
fire alarm, fire sprinkler, fire suppression, integrated security, sound and healthcare
communications systems and services. With half a million customers, 11,500 employees, 150 local
offices, and over 200 years of history in the fire business, SimplexGrinnell is the leader in
the fire and life-safety industry. For additional information, visit
www.simplexgrinnell.com.
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