The University of Illinois College of Engineering has announced the 2013 class of inductees into its Hall of Fame, and its class includes pioneers in physics, medical imaging, materials science, computer programming, and optics. The six newest members will be formally inducted at a Sept. 27 ceremony at the Beckman Institute for Science and Technology. All alumni, faculty, staff, and students are invited to attend the induction ceremony followed by a reception in the Beckman lobby.
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The University of Illinois College of Engineering has announced the 2013 class of inductees into its Hall of Fame, and its class includes pioneers in physics, medical imaging, materials science, computer programming, and optics. The six newest members will be formally inducted at a Sept. 27 ceremony at the Beckman Institute for Science and Technology. All alumni, faculty, staff, and students are invited to attend the induction ceremony followed by a reception in the Beckman lobby.
2013 Hall of Fame members at this year's induction ceremony: (l to r) Donald Scifres, Fontaine Richardson, Charles Slichter, and Ann McCaughan (great niece of William Fry), with Dean Andreas Cangellaris2013 Hall of Fame members at this year's induction ceremony: (l to r) Donald Scifres, Fontaine Richardson, Charles Slichter, and Ann McCaughan (great niece of William Fry), with Dean Andreas Cangellaris
Sidney D. Drell, who received his PhD in physics from Illinois in 1949, has been a leading physicist, researcher and government advisor for more than 60 years. A trusted national security advisor, Drell is an original member of JASON, an independent group of scientists established to advise the United States government on matters of science technology. In February, President Barack Obama presented Drell with the National Medal of Science.
The late William J. "Bill" Fry is credited with the initiation of the field of therapeutic ultrasound, and through the development of some of the earliest medical ultrasound imaging systems; he is credited with introducing ultrasound to detect disease. A long-time member of the Illinois faculty, Fry worked at the Naval Research Laboratory on underwater sound during World War II.
Donald W. Hamer is credited for advancement to the field of materials science and engineering, particularly the area of thick- and thin-film resistors. Hamer, who earned a B.S. degree in ceramic engineering from Illinois in 1945, founded State of the Art, Inc., which became the first manufacturer of quality military-grade chip resistors to "S-level" reliability standards. A noted philanthropist, he funded the establishment of the Hamer Small Business Initiative at the University of Chicago in 2004.
Fontaine K. Richardson, who, in 1968, received just the second PhD in computer science ever awarded from Illinois, has redefined how the field conceptualized, designed and produced millions of products. His dissertation introduced the idea that a computer system could be programmed using control flowcharts. Entitled "Graphical Specification of Computation," the thesis described a flowchart programming language FPL/I that was used for ILLIAC II. He co-founded Applicon, Inc., in 1969, which became an industry leader in computer design systems.
Donald R. Scifres, who earned MS (1970) and PhD (1972) degrees from Illinois, is universally known for his achievements in semiconductor laser research and development. A laser physics business and technology visionary, Scifres helped launch a revolution in the optical communications industry. He holds more than 140 patents and has published more than 300 articles and book contributions. In 2001, he oversaw the largest technology merger to that time, joining a company he co-founded, Spectra Diode Laboratories, with JDS Uniphase Corporation.
Charles P. Slichter joined the Illinois faculty in 1949 and currently serves as professor emeritus. Internationally recognized as one of the world’s top condensed matter physicists, he has been a leading innovator in applying magnetic resonance techniques to understanding the structure of matter for more than 50 years. Through three editions, his textbook, Principles of Magnetic Resonance, has served as a standard in the field for over 50 years. He earned the National Medal of Science in 2007, receiving formal recognition from President George W. Bush.