Students, faculty and researchers in the department are fortunate to have access to a variety of endowed lectures and on-campus visits from materials scientists at the top of their fields. Many of these special events also serve to honor Materials Science and Engineering alumni who served the department, University and entire materials community with great honor.
Nelson W. Taylor Lecture in Materials
The Nelson W. Taylor Lecture Series in Materials Science and Engineering honors the memory of Professor Nelson W. Taylor (1869-1965) who was head of Penn State’s Department of Ceramics from 1933-1943.
David Ford McFarland Award
The David Ford McFarland Award for Achievement in Metallurgy was established in 1948 by the Penn State Chapter of the American Society for Metals (now ASM International) to honor graduates who have honorably distinguished themselves in some field of metallurgy. The award was named in honor of David Ford McFarland, Ph.D.—former professor and department head.
Traditionally in the spring semester, the David Ford McFarland Award for Achievement in Metallurgy is held as part of the Distinguished Lecture Series presented by the Penn State Department of Materials Science and Engineering.
Richard E. Tressler Lectures in Materials
The Richard E. Tressler Lectures in Materials honors the very important work of Professor Richard E. Tressler who was head of Penn State's Department of Materials Science and Engineering from 1991-2001. During Professor Tressler's tenure as department head, he sought to enhance Penn State's reputation for excellence in materials by hiring over 15 new faculty members and by reorganizing the department from an option-focused organization into a global materials organization being emulated by the leading materials departments across the world.