James E. Hoke has been named the recipient of the 2012 Charles L. Hosler Alumni Scholar Medal given by the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences at Penn State.
Hoke is director of the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center of NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Prediction in Camp Springs, Md.
Hoke earned a bachelor of science degree in physics; and master of science and doctoral degrees in meteorology, all at Penn State. He began his career as a numerical weather prediction meteorologist on active duty with the U.S. Air Force at Offutt Air Force Base near Omaha, Neb.
For over a decade, he was a primary team member working with Norman Phillips, principal scientist of the National Weather Service, to develop, implement, maintain and enhance the Nested Grid Model. This model served as the primary regional-scale weather forecast model for the United States for a number of years following its implementation in 1985.
Hoke served as acting director of the National Weather Service Office of Climate, Water and Weather Services leading efforts to establish operational requirements, to evaluate customer satisfaction and to train the workforce.
Hoke is a long-time member of the American Meteorological Society, National Weather Association, and Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society of North America. He was selected as a Centennial Fellow of the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences in 1996, a Fellow of the American Meteorological Society in 1999, recipient of the Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Executive in 2002 and a Department of Commerce Silver Medal and Bronze Medal Winner.
The Charles L. Hosler Alumni Scholar Medal was established in 1992 to recognize the highest levels of intellectual achievement attained by those educated in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences at Penn State. Hoke’s extensive scientific contributions, administrative leadership at NOAA, and service to his profession, distinguish him as the 2012 Hosler Alumni Scholar.