Stephen P. Timoshenko Medal Acceptance Speech

Abstract

Presented at the ASME Applied Mechanics Division Banquet, IMECE’19, Salt Lake City, UT, Nov. 12, 2019.The Timoshenko Medal was established by ASME in 1957 to recognize the enormous and distinguished works and legacy of Stephen P. Timoshenko as a researcher, teacher, and mentor in the field of applied mechanics. The first recipient was Timoshenko himself, an individual who is considered to be the father of modern mechanics in the United States of America, one who has contributed enormously to the prestige and strength of mechanics as a discipline in this country, and a legend whom I tried to emulate very closely. I want to express my sincere appreciation and gratitude to the Applied Mechanics Division and ASME for bestowing this honor, which has a very special meaning for me, as I will explain shortly. I consider it to be the most significant professional honor of my life, even more than the membership in the National Academy of Engineering and one for which I will be eternally grateful. I will do my best to continue to uphold the legacy of S. P. Timoshenko and live up to the high standard exemplified by the past recipients of the Timoshenko Medal—many of whom are present here tonight. My sincere and deepest respects to them; I feel deeply honored to be included among them. I have been fortunate over the years to have met and be inspired by the works of several previous recipients of the Timoshenko Medal.