Nomination deadlines loom for a number of ASME honors and awards

The next few months will bring deadlines for nominations for a bumper crop of ASME medals and awards, including some of the Society's most prestigious. To find out about the procedure for submitting a nomination, members can request a copy of Honors Manual MS-71, or they can look it up on the Web at www.asme.org/honors/ms71/.

Depending on the award in question, nominations should be submitted to ASME headquarters (Three Park Ave., New York, N.Y. 10016-5990) or to a Special Awards Committee. For further information, or to get a copy of that manual, contact Leila Persaud at (212) 591-7735 or persaudl@asme.org. She can also supply contact information for the various Special Awards Committees.

The Soichiro Honda Medal is awarded for an outstanding achievement or significant contribution in the field of personal transportation. In addition to a gold medal and a certificate, it carries a cash award of $7,500 and an expense supplement. Nominations should be sent to the Special Awards Committee by Feb. 1.

The Per Bruel Gold Medal for Noise Control and Acoustics recognizes eminent achievement and extraordinary merit in the field of noise control and acoustics. It comes with $1,000 (and an expense supplement), along with a vermeil medal and a certificate. Nominations are due by Feb. 1 and should be sent to the Special Awards Committee.

The Thomas A. Edison Patent Award is for a patented device or process with the potential to enhance some aspect of mechanical engineering. It includes $1,000 as well as a bronze medal. Send nominations to the Special Awards Committee by Feb. 1.

The James Harry Potter Gold Medal (yes, that's the right name) recognizes an eminent achievement in the science of thermodynamics in mechanical engineering. The vermeil medal and certificate come with $1,500 cash. Nominations should be sent to the Special Awards Committee by Feb. 1.

The Student Section Advisor Award, presented to an ASME member who is a current or former faculty advisor for giving outstanding leadership and service qualities to the program and operations of a student section for at least three years, includes a silver medal and a certificate, along with $1,000 and an expense supplement. The deadline again is Feb. 1; these nominations should be sent to the regional vice president.

The Arthur L. Williston Medal is designed to recognize the best paper or thesis by an undergraduate or junior engineer fostering a spirit of civil service; student members and associate members (graduated not more than two years) are eligible, with an ASME sponsor.

Three prizes are awarded. The first prize carries an award of $1,000 (and an expense supplement) along with a bronze medal and a certificate. Second prize is $500, third prize $250, and both of these also come with certificates. Send nominations to Leila Persaud at ASME headquarters by Feb. 15.

The ASME Medal is awarded in recognition of eminently distinguished engineering achievements. The award includes a gold medal and $15,000. Nominations should be sent to Leila Persaud at ASME headquarters by March 1.

The Henry Hess Award for an original technical paper goes to an author younger than 31 who is an ASME student member or associate member. In addition to a certificate, it includes $1,000 and an expense supplement. Send nominations to Leila Persaud at ASME headquarters by March 1.

The Holley Medal recognizes unique acts of an engineering nature that have accomplished a timely public benefit. It includes $1,000 along with a vermeil medal, a lapel pin and a certificate. Nominations should be sent to Leila Persaud at ASME headquarters by March 1.

Honorary Membership, considered the Society's highest honor, is conferred in recognition of distinguished service that contributes significantly to the attainment of the goals of the engineering profession. No more than five honorary memberships may be awarded per year. Recipients receive a certificate, a lapel pin, and a badge, along with a travel supplement. Nominations go to Leila Persaud at ASME headquarters and are due March 1.

The Charles T. Main Award is given to student members to recognize leadership and service qualities contributing to programs and operations of an ASME Student Section. There are two awards: first prize is $3,000 and a gold medal, second prize $2,000 and a silver medal; both include a certificate and an expense supplement. In addition, up to 11 $500 honorable mentions may be given to qualified candidates. Nominations should be sent to regional vice presidents by March 1.

The Melville Medal is awarded to the author or authors of the best current original paper; one author must be a corporate member of ASME. This is an exception to the usual rule that no one can receive more than one ASME honor for the same achievement — even though a paper may have won some other "best paper" award, it is still eligible for this one. The award includes $2,000 plus expense supplement, a bronze medal and a certificate. Nominations should be sent to Leila Persaud at ASME headquarters by March 1.

Also carrying a March 1 deadline is the Edward F. Obert Award, which recognizes an outstanding paper on thermodynamics. The paper must have been presented at the Congress and have been written during the preceding two years. The award includes a certificate and $5,000 (plus an expense supplement). Send nominations to the Special Awards Committee.

Of course, there are numerous medals and awards not mentioned here, with deadlines that fall at other times of year. All these are listed in the Honors Manual. Any members who believe that somebody they know deserves a medal should download a copy and see how they might help bring this about by visiting ASME.ORG.

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