Scott Kinkead’s contributions to science and national security have been extraordinary. After he graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1974 with a degree in chemistry, he then served five years in the Air Force before retiring with the rank of captain. From there, he enrolled in the chemistry graduate program at University of Idaho in 1979 and completed a Ph.D. in 1984.

The most important contribution of Kinkead’s career has been his commitment to science and technology to protect the U.S. from nuclear threats and terrorist weapons. A major concern leading to the 2003 Iraq War was the potential development of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Kinkead volunteered as a civilian to investigate this topic as a member of the Iraq Survey Group in Baghdad. He participated in efforts to locate nuclear detonators and gauge Iraq’s capacity to develop nuclear weapons. For his efforts in Iraq, Kinkead was awarded a Distinguished Service Medal.

During his career, Kinkead has received significant recognition including the Idaho Academy of Sciences Speakers Award and Sigma Xi (North Idaho Section) Publication Award. The Department of Energy has presented him with two Recognition of Excellence Awards and three Distinguished Performance Awards. Nationally, Kinkead was recognized by the National Academy of Sciences, including receiving the National Academy of Sciences Eastern European Exchange Fellowship. As a leader on the High Explosives Science and Technology group at Los Alamos National Laboratory, he earned the coveted R&D 100 Award, often referred to as the “Oscars of Innovation” and the “Nobel Prize of Engineering” by the technical community.

Kinkead has had an extraordinary career in chemistry, but most significantly, he has dedicated himself to ensuring our nation’s security. He chose to focus his education, talents and abilities to protect the country, minimize nuclear threats and protect our deployed military. He has also used his knowledge and science to address serious environmental issues associated with disposal of contaminated equipment and lead contamination issues affecting both military personnel and civilians.

Although much of Kinkead’s career has involved classified efforts in service to America, he has more than 40 publications, including 33 peer reviewed articles, 9 patents and three book chapters to his credit.

Scott Kinkead is an extraordinary individual and an exceptional graduate of University of Idaho who has represented U of I with honor and distinction throughout his military and civilian career. We are proud to recognize him with our highest honor, the University of Idaho Alumni Association Hall of Fame Award.

Steven Smith’s career path began at University of Idaho where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in zoology in 1968 and continued to flourish in postgraduate work, where he a received a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from UCLA. After studies at University of Bern in Bern, Switzerland and completing a postdoctoral fellowship at Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation in San Diego, California, Smith was recruited to the Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope in Duarte, California as an assistant research scientist. He rose through the ranks and was promoted to full professor of molecular science in the Divisions of Surgery and Urology in 2001. He served eight years as the director of molecular carcinogenesis in the Clinical Cancer Center and for 11 years as the director of cell and tumor biology in the Surgery Division.

In 1996, Smith was recognized by University of Oklahoma for his contributions to the field of DNA methylation, a mechanism that cells use to control gene expression. His service to the scientific community includes serving on several National Institute of Health (NIH) Study Sections, as executive editor of Analytical Biochemistry and the International Institute of Anticancer Research’s Editorial Board of Cancer Genomics and Proteomics.

Smith’s main research since joining the City of Hope has been on the impact of DNA structure on DNA methylation, genetic stability and cancer. His research has been supported by NIH, including almost 30 years of support for structural studies of human DNA methylation. He has more than 100 research publications with an emphasis on the development of methodology such as markers for detection of prostate cancer and nanoparticles for cancer research. He holds seven patents with several more pending.

Smith is an exceptional scientist and much of his work has been ahead of its time. His work in the field of epigenetics (the study of behaviors, environments, developmental processes and aging that can affect how gene action is altered without changes in DNA sequence) has been recognized by the Burroughs Welcome Fund with a Federation of American Societies of Experimental Biologists Visiting Professor Award. Smith is also an Honors Laureate for visionary use of information technology in medicine from Computerworld. He continues to contribute novel findings in recent publications, including work that will add significantly to our understanding of cellular deterioration during aging.

It is our honor to induct Steve Smith into the University of Idaho Alumni Association Hall of Fame.

Lawrence Wasden served Idahoans as Idaho’s attorney general for two decades — the longest-serving attorney general in Idaho history. During his tenure, he didn’t seek headlines or attention to gather support for his elections. Rather, he focused on doing what was right, not what was always popular at the moment. Throughout his career, Wasden exhibited a keen understanding and respect for the U.S. Constitution and Idaho’s Constitution, and always applied the rule of law.

One example of his integrity is when he made the decision that Idaho would not join Texas in a lawsuit challenging the 2020 presidential election results. This decision was not entirely politically popular for his career, but he did what he believed to be right for Idahoans, saying “I defended the state of Idaho, I defended our sovereignty, I defended our Constitution, both the United States’ and the state’s constitution.”

Wasden cares for everyone living in Idaho, including children. He worked on a task force for Internet Crimes Against Children and was recognized by the National Association of Attorneys General for his long-term commitment and leadership in reducing youth tobacco use. His work to help create education and outreach efforts educates youth and adults about the risks and dangers of smoking.

Beyond his commitment of service to Idahoans, Wasden also reached across international borders to support the rule of law in Mexico and Central America. Wasden brought groups of Mexican law enforcement officials to Idaho for training in collaboration with the U.S. Agency for International Development and even hosted a dinner for them at his home. His goal was “to create this understanding that they were not alone, we are standing with them side by side for justice.”

Wasden was also the chair of the National Association of Attorneys General Mission Foundation and co-leader of a project that led more than 28 volunteers to Puerto Rico for two weeks to support public safety efforts following the devastation of Hurricane Maria. In 2022, the National Association of Attorneys General created an award named in part after Wasden, dubbed the Miller-Wasden Unity Award that honors commitment to supporting civility and unity throughout the attorneys general community.

Another former Idaho Attorney General, Jim Jones, said about Lawrence, “There is no leeway for favoring your friends or party when the laws stands in the way. Lawrence characterized his work as honestly ‘calling balls and strikes,’ and he routinely put the interests of the people above his own.”

Forever committed to Idaho, to the United States, to neighboring countries and the rule of law, we are proud to induct Lawrence Wasden into the University of Idaho Alumni Association Hall of Fame.