1. PURPOSE

These plaques are to honor deceased faculty who made major contributions to the development and growth of the AFIT School of Engineering.

2. RATIONALE

Successful organizations all have a history of persons who were significant contributors to the building, development and continued growth of that organization. The AFIT School of Engineering is such an organization and it is fitting that former faculty be appropriately honored. Memorial Plaques, with engraved portraits and brief biographical statements displayed where students, faculty, and visitors can see them, serve this purpose. These plaques help to tie the past to the present and remind current faculty, students, and visitors that all stand on the shoulders of some who preceded them. Such recognition may help provide inspiration for future growth; hence, connecting past and present with the future.

3. BACKGROUND

a. Colleagues and friends of Dr. Albert B. Carson, upon his death in March of 1990, decided that a memorial plaque was an appropriate way to honor him. Discussions with AFIT authorities provided moral support for such actions. Solicitation of funds from Dr. Carson's colleagues, friends, and family provided financial support. Dr. Carson's plaque was dedicated 9 August 1990. Following a similar procedure, plaques for Dr. Downing, Dean Graetzer and Prof. Lubelfeld have been displayed.

b. An informal group of retired faculty, referred to here as the Committee of Retired Faculty, has handled all selections and arrangements to date.

4. GUIDELINES FOR SELECTION OF MEMORIAL PLAQUE RECIPIENTS

a. A. proposed recipient must be a deceased former faculty member of the School of Engineering.

b. The major portion of a proposed recipient's career must have been spent on the School of Engineering Faculty (typically 20 years or more). He/She should be either retired from the Faculty or have died while serving on the Faculty.

c. The proposed recipient must have made contributions to the School of Engineering degree programs and/or the engineering profession. These contributions must have clearly enhanced the status and reputation of the School of Engineering as an educational institution. The award of Professor Emeritus upon retirement might demonstrate sufficiency of contributions, but is not a necessary condition.

d. Any present or retired AFIT/EN faculty member can submit a letter of nomination for a plaque to the AWARDS COMMITTEE Chairman.

e. Evaluation of such nominations will be made by the AWARDS COMMITTEE of the EN Faculty augmented by three retired School of Engineering faculty members. These additional three will be selected by the DEAN, AFIT/EN, in consultation with the Committee of Retired Faculty.

f. After an examination of the nominee's contributions the enlarged AWARDS COMMITTEE will inform the DEAN of the School of Engineering of the results for his/her action.

g. All plans and procedures relating to the plaque shall be coordinated with the recipient's family: to obtain their approval of the idea of a plaque; to permit them to submit or select an appropriate photograph; to obtain their approval of the final art work; to obtain their wishes regarding any related ceremony; and to invite them to make a donation to the plaque fund. This coordination will normally be provided by a member or members of the Committee of Retired Faculty.

5. FINANCES

The cost of such a plaque shall be supported by a plaque fund administered by the Committee of Retired Faculty. Periodically, as the need arises, donations will be solicited from active and retired faculty members. It is anticipated that a major portion (perhaps two thirds) of the cost will be borne by the family survivors of the recipients.

6. PUBLICITY

A member of the Committee of Retired Faculty will develop an article for publication in an appropriate Journal such as THE EDUCATOR announcing the award of an AFIT Memorial Plaque to a deceased member of the AFIT Faculty.

7. PLAQUE REMOVAL

A record of family survivors of plaque recipients will be maintained. In the event AFIT/EN discontinues the displaying of memorial plaques or, for other reasons, it becomes necessary to remove an individual's plaque, it will be returned to a surviving family member.

--This document approved by the AFIT/EN Faculty Council, June 1991--