Based on an impressive pool of candidates, The Pittsburgh Section of The American Ceramic Society is delighted to award two recipients of the 2026 J. Earl Frazier Memorial Scholarship. This unprecedented occurrence recognizes Evan Moffett of Wattsburg, Pa, as the primary recipient, and Jacob Akana of Avondale, Pa, as the secondary recipient. Evan is a junior at Penn State University in the Materials Science and Engineering Department. Jacob is a sophomore enrolled in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Case Western Reserve University. Both students deserve this honorary title and scholarship.
The scholarship, dating back to 1985, honors the scientific leadership of J. Earl Frazier, who also served as a president of The American Ceramic Society. The award is given annually to an undergraduate student at one college or university working toward a degree in ceramic engineering, glass engineering science, or materials science and engineering with a concentration or relevant coursework in the field of technical ceramics or glass and whose home residence falls within Ohio, Pennsylvania, or West Virginia.
Evan is a Dean’s List student and a member of various technical societies, including ACerS. He supports polymer research at Penn State University by conducting rheological measurements of low viscosity materials. Specializing in glass science, Evan will join Corning Inc. in the summer of 2026 as an optical fiber engineering intern focusing his work on optical fiber manufacturing. Congratulations Evan!
Jacob is a Dean’s High Honors student and started researching Sn-doped BaTiO3 during his freshman year at Case Western Reserve University. His skills in research methodologies and data analysis led him to a presentation of his work during MS&T25. Congratulations Jacob!
We are excited to support these two outstanding candidates.
Evan Moffett, Penn State University
Jacob Akana, Case Western Reserve University
