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Special issue: The Jack Vinson Symposium, July 6th, 2004
Composites: Part A 36 (2005) 1327–1328 www.elsevier.com/locate/compositesa
Editorial
Special issue: The Jack Vinson Symposium, July 6th, 2004
The Jack Vinson Symposium was held on July 6th, 2004 at University of Delaware to celebrate the numerous and lasting contributions made by Jack to the field of composite materials in the last 35 years. The University of Delaware newspaper, Udaily published an article which summarized the event and would give the readers a good introduction to the manuscripts contained in this special issue contributed mainly by most of the invited speakers of the symposium. The Jack Vinson Symposium featured invited talks by renowned experts in the science and technology of advanced composite materials. This special issue honors Dr Vinson for his contributions and accomplishments in Composite Materials. While not all the authors of papers in this special issue could attend the Symposium, many have included a tribute to Jack at the beginning of their paper. Many thanks to Mike Hyer for doing a great job as a guest editor of this special issue. I would like to end by quoting an article that appeared about Jack in our local newspaper which is a fitting introduction to this special person 1359-835X/$ - see front matter q 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.compositesa.2005.04.004
When Jack Vinson put forth his vision to create a “mecca for composite materials research and education” at the University of Delaware (UD) in 1974, he never dreamed that he would be celebrating the 30th anniversary of that Mecca with a symposium that also honored his 40 years of service to UD. But that’s exactly what happened on July 6, 2004, when 85 representatives of academia, industry, and government converged on Clayton Hall for the Jack R. Vinson Research Symposium. But anyone who knows Vinson was not surprised at the Center’s decision to commemorate its three decades of history with an event honoring Jack. Vinson’s contributions are so numerous and varied that even forty years seems insufficient for him to have accomplished all that he has: seven seminal texts on composites authored or edited, hundreds of papers written, some 60 graduate students advised, thousands of students taught in the classroom. Consultant to over 40 corporations, expert witness for 94 law firms, and ASME/AIAA/ASC/ICCM session organizer par excellence. The list goes on, but Vinson’s “career descriptors” were perhaps best enumerated by former CCM colleague R. Byron Pipes at the symposium: “vision, enthusiasm, cheerleader for composites, global reach, longevity, and legacy.” Vinson pioneered research in areas ranging from laminated plates and shells to adhesive joints, high strain rate effects, and sandwich construction. One of his colleagues, in fact, refers to him as “the Earl of Sandwich.” The Symposium agenda comprised 13 technical talks by recognized experts in the field of composites from academia and government agencies including NASA, ONR, and AFRL (see sidebar). The program reads like a current “Who’s Who” of the composites world. Many of these distinguished speakers contributed not only papers but also tributes to Vinson, including such accolades as role model, inspiration, heart and soul of the department, beloved teacher, and prolific scholar. In his opening remarks, ME Department Chair Tom Buchanan referred to Vinson as a “professor in the best sense of the word.” The foreword to the proceedings was written by four of Vinson’s students who earned
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Editorial / Composites: Part A 36 (2005) 1327–1328
their doctoral degrees in the early 1970s. The four mention Vinson’s legacies, thank him for his “teaching, mentoring, guidance, and friendship,” and note how fortunate they were to have been part of his life. Without Vinson’s vision and dedication, it is doubtful that the Composites Center would have been established. However, the Center not only got off the ground but also thrived to celebrate three decades of research, education, and service to the composites industry. In welcoming attendees to the symposium, University Provost Daniel Rich referred to the Center as “a model—by design, not accident—for interdisciplinary research at UD. Its success has paralleled that of University research.” So a commemoration of the longevity of a man with vision and that of the Center he helped found brought together individuals with a wealth of knowledge about the ever-evolving field of advanced composites. Attendees heard about the latest research
on topics ranging from fatigue, failure, and mechanics to advanced processing techniques and new engineered materials. And they also celebrated the accomplishments and contributions of one very special pioneer in the field. Suresh Advani, Associate Director of CCM and Symposium chair, summed up the tributes that echoed through out the day, “I think it is fitting that we are celebrating Jack Vinson’s career and his legacy because he always found the time to celebrate the achievements, no matter how small, of those around him”. Diane Kukich, Udaily, July 2004
S.G. Advani* Department of Mechanical Engineering and Center for Composite Materials, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19711, USA
* Tel.: C1 302 831 8975; fax: C1 302 831 8149.
Editorial
Special issue: The Jack Vinson Symposium, July 6th, 2004
The Jack Vinson Symposium was held on July 6th, 2004 at University of Delaware to celebrate the numerous and lasting contributions made by Jack to the field of composite materials in the last 35 years. The University of Delaware newspaper, Udaily published an article which summarized the event and would give the readers a good introduction to the manuscripts contained in this special issue contributed mainly by most of the invited speakers of the symposium. The Jack Vinson Symposium featured invited talks by renowned experts in the science and technology of advanced composite materials. This special issue honors Dr Vinson for his contributions and accomplishments in Composite Materials. While not all the authors of papers in this special issue could attend the Symposium, many have included a tribute to Jack at the beginning of their paper. Many thanks to Mike Hyer for doing a great job as a guest editor of this special issue. I would like to end by quoting an article that appeared about Jack in our local newspaper which is a fitting introduction to this special person 1359-835X/$ - see front matter q 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.compositesa.2005.04.004
When Jack Vinson put forth his vision to create a “mecca for composite materials research and education” at the University of Delaware (UD) in 1974, he never dreamed that he would be celebrating the 30th anniversary of that Mecca with a symposium that also honored his 40 years of service to UD. But that’s exactly what happened on July 6, 2004, when 85 representatives of academia, industry, and government converged on Clayton Hall for the Jack R. Vinson Research Symposium. But anyone who knows Vinson was not surprised at the Center’s decision to commemorate its three decades of history with an event honoring Jack. Vinson’s contributions are so numerous and varied that even forty years seems insufficient for him to have accomplished all that he has: seven seminal texts on composites authored or edited, hundreds of papers written, some 60 graduate students advised, thousands of students taught in the classroom. Consultant to over 40 corporations, expert witness for 94 law firms, and ASME/AIAA/ASC/ICCM session organizer par excellence. The list goes on, but Vinson’s “career descriptors” were perhaps best enumerated by former CCM colleague R. Byron Pipes at the symposium: “vision, enthusiasm, cheerleader for composites, global reach, longevity, and legacy.” Vinson pioneered research in areas ranging from laminated plates and shells to adhesive joints, high strain rate effects, and sandwich construction. One of his colleagues, in fact, refers to him as “the Earl of Sandwich.” The Symposium agenda comprised 13 technical talks by recognized experts in the field of composites from academia and government agencies including NASA, ONR, and AFRL (see sidebar). The program reads like a current “Who’s Who” of the composites world. Many of these distinguished speakers contributed not only papers but also tributes to Vinson, including such accolades as role model, inspiration, heart and soul of the department, beloved teacher, and prolific scholar. In his opening remarks, ME Department Chair Tom Buchanan referred to Vinson as a “professor in the best sense of the word.” The foreword to the proceedings was written by four of Vinson’s students who earned
1328
Editorial / Composites: Part A 36 (2005) 1327–1328
their doctoral degrees in the early 1970s. The four mention Vinson’s legacies, thank him for his “teaching, mentoring, guidance, and friendship,” and note how fortunate they were to have been part of his life. Without Vinson’s vision and dedication, it is doubtful that the Composites Center would have been established. However, the Center not only got off the ground but also thrived to celebrate three decades of research, education, and service to the composites industry. In welcoming attendees to the symposium, University Provost Daniel Rich referred to the Center as “a model—by design, not accident—for interdisciplinary research at UD. Its success has paralleled that of University research.” So a commemoration of the longevity of a man with vision and that of the Center he helped found brought together individuals with a wealth of knowledge about the ever-evolving field of advanced composites. Attendees heard about the latest research
on topics ranging from fatigue, failure, and mechanics to advanced processing techniques and new engineered materials. And they also celebrated the accomplishments and contributions of one very special pioneer in the field. Suresh Advani, Associate Director of CCM and Symposium chair, summed up the tributes that echoed through out the day, “I think it is fitting that we are celebrating Jack Vinson’s career and his legacy because he always found the time to celebrate the achievements, no matter how small, of those around him”. Diane Kukich, Udaily, July 2004
S.G. Advani* Department of Mechanical Engineering and Center for Composite Materials, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19711, USA
* Tel.: C1 302 831 8975; fax: C1 302 831 8149.