Lawrence H. Van Vlack, posthumously
Citation: "For outstanding accomplishments as an engineering educator
and administrator, author of seminal introductory materials textbooks,
and major contributor to the understanding of non-metallic inclusions
in steels."
Biography: It is with great honor that TMS presents this award
posthumously to Lawrence Van Vlack for his outstanding contributions
as an educator. His daughter, Laura R. Van Vlack-Ailes accepted the
award.
Lawrence Van Vlack held positions as department chair and professor
emeritus at the University of Michigan from 1953–1999.
Dr. Van Vlack earned a B.S. in ceramic engineering at Iowa State University
in 1942 and a Ph.D. in geology-mineralogy at the University of Chicago
in 1950. He started his career in the steel industry working at various
locations for U.S. Steel Corporation. He was a visiting professor at
Zhejian University (1984), Monash University (1973), Indian Institute
of Technology (1969), University of Melbourne (1967), and University
of California (1961).
Dr. Van Vlack was a fellow of the American Ceramic Society, ASM International,
the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the American
Society for Engineering Education. Over the course of his career, he
received the following honors and awards: ASM International Gold Medal,
A.E. White Distinguished Teaching Award, Sauveur Lecturer, University
of Michigan College of Engineering Distinguished Faculty Award, Iowa
State University PACE Award, New York Library “100 Book list”, Phi Lambda
Upsilon Teaching Award, Tau Beta Pi Outstanding Professor of the Year,
American Foundrymen’s Society Silver Anniversary Award, and Tau Beta
Pi R.C. Porter Award. Dr. Van Vlack was chairman of various educational
and advisory committees, including the TMS Education Committee. He authored
12 books, over 100 technical papers, and presented 5 keynote talks.
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