UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Gary L. Messing, distinguished professor of ceramic science and engineering and head of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Penn State, has been named a Distinguished Life Member of The American Ceramic Society (ACerS).
The Distinguished Life Member Award, is the highest honor accorded members of the scientific and technical organization, recognizing an individual’s eminent contributions to the ceramic and glass profession.
Messing has also served as director of the Materials Research Laboratory and co-founding director of the National Science Foundation Industry & University Cooperative Research Program on Particulate Materials. An ACerS member since 1972, Messing was president 2002–03. He has served as chairman of the society’s Basic Science Division, member of the board of directors, coeditor of the Journal of the American Ceramic Society and helped found several awards. He is a Fellow of ACerS and recipient of several significant Society and Division awards.
He also is past president of the International Ceramic Federation, vice president of the World Academy of Ceramics, member at large of the Industrial Science and Technology Section of AAAS, and editor-in-chief of the Journal of Materials Research.
Messing has published more than 300 papers on developing ceramic materials for optical, piezoelectric and structural applications.
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading international professional membership organization for ceramic, glass and materials scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, sales professionals, educators and students. ACerS publishes refereed journals, periodicals and books; organizes meetings and expositions; and offers technical information through Web and print outlets. ACerS’s extensive website (www.ceramics.org) provides online access to its journals, Ceramic Tech Today news blog, ACerS Bulletin membership magazine, videos, student and young professional career resources, and specialized technical knowledge. The society serves 9,000 members from more than 70 countries.