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. Professor Tressler retired as Professor Emeritus of Materials Science and Engineering in 2001 and received the Hosler Alumni Scholar Award from the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences as recognition for his contributions and accomplishments.
Traditionally in the spring semester two Tressler Lectures in Materials are held as part of the Distinguished Lecture Series presented by the Penn State Department of Materials Science and Engineering.