Museum Announces Annual Volunteer Recognition Awards

[Albuquerque, NM] – The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History is proud to announce Steve Moskal as the recipient of the prestigious Maydew-Jeblick Volunteer Award, Jonah Dawson as the winner of the Outstanding Student Volunteer Award, and Brad Irwin as the inaugural recipient of the Rising Star Volunteer Award. These awards were presented recently at the Museum’s annual Volunteer Holiday Party, an event that honors the dedication and contributions of the Museum’s more than 40 volunteers.

Maydew-Jeblick Volunteer Award: Honoring Exemplary Service

The Maydew-Jeblick Award is the highest honor presented to a museum volunteer, established in 2001 to honor the memory of Randall C. Maydew and Harold Jeblick.

This year’s recipient, Steve Moskal, was recognized for 15 years of dedicated and exemplary service, making him the first recipient of this award from the collections department. The museum’s collection includes an astounding 25,904 items, and Steve Moskal has personally cataloged more than 10,000 of them—an achievement worthy of admiration.

His contributions go far beyond cataloging. He double-checks the work of college-level interns, conducts extensive research on photographs, and manages the museum library. A retired Library Director from the LaGrange Public Library system in suburban Chicago, his expertise has been invaluable.

“If there is one thing a museum cannot exist without, it is its collection,” said Jennifer Hayden, President and CEO of the museum. “Steve's work is vital to the true scope of our mission. His dedication, cataloging over 10,000 items, and his commitment to training our interns are extraordinary. We are proud to honor him with the Maydew-Jeblick Award.”

Outstanding Student Volunteer Award

This year’s recipient of the Outstanding Student Volunteer Award is Jonah Dawson. The Museum's education staff nominates students annually for significant contributions that advance the institution and its mission and make a measurable impact on the Museum.

Students nominated for this high honor must be enrolled as full-time high school students, be enthusiastic contributors, actively seek to inspire others, demonstrate leadership qualities and initiative, display compassion for the Museum, and show a high level of commitment.

Jonah Dawson is now in his second year with the Junior Docent Program. A dedicated student, he has demonstrated impressive growth during his time at the Museum. His dependability, kindness, and passion for learning make it clear that his future is full of promise, and we are excited to see all that he will accomplish.

“Volunteers are a treasured part of the museum,” added Hayden. “We are especially pleased to recognize Jonah Dawson as a student who has a passion for STEM education and can serve as an inspiration to his peers.”

Rising Star Volunteer Award

The Museum is also pleased to announce the first recipient of the Rising Star Volunteer Award. This annual award recognizes a volunteer who is relatively new to service but has already demonstrated outstanding promise, enthusiasm, and impact. A Rising Star Volunteer stands out not only for the meaningful contributions they have already made, but also for the clear potential they show to become a future leader and a cornerstone of our volunteer community.

Our inaugural recipient embodies all these qualities. Brad Irwin, a recently retired physicist, volunteers at the museum twice a week, sharing his passion for science with visitors. Most often, you’ll find him at the Geiger Counters Cart—captivating audiences with his ability to both entertain and educate. In fact, many guests have affectionately dubbed him "the Geiger Counter guy."

"Our volunteers are truly the backbone of the Museum," said Volunteer Coordinator Maria Sultemeier. "Their dedication, expertise, and passion—whether they are cataloging artifacts, educating visitors, or assisting staff—are invaluable to advancing our mission. We simply couldn't operate without them."

Years of Service Recognition

In addition to the top honors, the Museum also recognized the following volunteers for their dedication and service milestones:

• 15-Year Recipients: Jeannette Gould and Steve Moskal

About the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History:

The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History, located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, presents, interprets, and preserves the complex history and science of the atomic age in an objective and thought-provoking manner. The Museum is open 361 days a year from 8 am to 5 pm. Visit nuclearmuseum.org for more information.

atomic age in an objective and thought-provoking manner. The Museum is open 361 days a year from 8 am to 5 pm. Visit nuclearmuseum.org for more information