The David W. Richerson Educational Outreach Award was established through a gift from David W. Richerson, Richerson & Associates. David Richerson is a leading expert in the field of ceramics. He is an early pioneer in the development of high-strength silicon nitride, introducing grain boundary engineering and the use of fracture surface analysis to improve materials. The award aims to foster a culture of educational outreach and community engagement. It recognizes the importance of inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators in the ceramic and glass materials field.
The Award is given annually to honor up to two undergraduate or graduate student members of the ceramic and glass materials community who have made a significant impact in outreach to primary and secondary school students. The awardee(s) will receive a certificate, a $2,000 award honorarium, and registration waiver to attend the ACerS Annual Meeting. The award will be presented at the ACerS Annual Meeting Awards Banquet.
Nomination Process
Nominations should consist of a concise description of the outreach activities (200 word maximum) that outlines its significance in terms of inspiring younger students to consider a career in the ceramic and glass materials field. Supplementary documents such as a maximum of 2 one-page letters of recommendation or evidence of outreach activities, that would aid in the evaluation process are also requested. Nominations not selected will be considered for a total of five committee reviews.
Contact
Erica Zimmerman
ezimmerman@ceramics.org
Award Winners
Paul Brune
Paul Brune grew up in Brinktown, Missouri on a family-owned farm. Throughout his early education, several of his teachers went the extra mile in their lessons to not only prepare him for the future but also instilled in him the drive to give back to the community.
He attended Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, Missouri eventually graduating with a PhD in ceramic engineering in the spring of 2024. During his time at MS&T, he became protégé to professors like Drs. Mary Reidmeyer, Kelley Wilkerson, and Richard Brow, who built the foundation for materials science educational outreach at the university. Their efforts gave way for the opportunity to travel to local middle and high schools and meet with young students in the classroom to share his passion for materials. He was also able to give technical demonstrations on UHTCs for multiple summer camps for high school juniors and seniors. Through opportunities like these and so many others, Paul was able to grow as an educator and, hopefully, make an impact on the lives of younger students both in Missouri and across the country.
Now that he has graduated, Paul is currently a ceramic engineer working for Kratos SRE in Birmingham, Alabama, where he hopes to build upon his efforts in educational outreach in partnership with local universities.
Nathan McIlwaine
Nathan grew up in the small town of Ashland, Virginia, just north of Richmond. He competed on his high school’s robotics and soccer teams before going on to study Materials Science and Engineering at Virginia Tech. As an undergraduate, he conducted research on optical fibers with Professor Gary Pickrell and interned at Canon Virginia Inc., inspired by a growing interest in camera lens glass. His passion for ceramics developed through a senior design project on ultra-high temperature ceramics with Professor Carolina Tallon and continued into his PhD research at Penn State with Professor Jon-Paul Maria, where he focused on thin film growth and high-hardness coatings.
A recipient of the NDSEG Fellowship, Nathan has also spent seven years with the ACerS President’s Council of Student Advisors (PCSA), focusing on educational outreach and serving as Council Chair during his final year. He was active in both Material Advantage and Keramos, and helped lead several outreach initiatives, including planning and running a STEM outreach workshop for Penn State graduate students, volunteering the last four years at the COSI Sci Fest with the CGIF booth, and extensive work with the CGIF Mini Materials Kits, including demonstrating the kit at the 2024 NSTA National Conference.
Nathan’s career path has been shaped by a strong commitment to outreach and mentorship—values inspired by his late robotics mentor Daniel Bartels, his undergraduate advisor Dr. Herbert Bruce, and the guidance of peers and mentors through the PCSA. Nathan’s involvement in the ceramics community is shaped by the Virginia Tech motto Ut Prosim, meaning “That I May Serve.”