The W. David Kingery Award recognizes distinguished lifelong achievements involving multidisciplinary and global contributions to ceramic technology, science, education and art. The award is open to all people worldwide. There are no limitations regarding nationality, gender or religion and membership in ACerS is not a requirement. A nominee must be living, but in the event of death subsequent to selection but prior to presentation, the award shall be made posthumously.
Nomination Process
Nominations should consist of a letter and completed nomination form giving a full and complete statement of the reasons for proposing the candidate, with a record of the candidate’s professional and industrial achievements in sufficient detail to allow the committee to evaluate the nominee’s worthiness to receive the award. Nominations are active for a total of three years, but the person can then be re-nominated.
The award is a piece of commemorative glassware, a certificate containing a citation of the achievement on which the award is based, and $5,000. The presentation will be made at the ACerS Annual Meeting Awards banquet.
Contact
Erica Zimmerman
ezimmerman@ceramics.org
Award Winners
Katherine T. Faber
Katherine T. Faber has made significant contributions to the field of materials science, particularly in the study of brittle materials, ceramic composites, and cultural heritage science. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Ceramic Engineering from Alfred University, followed by a Master of Science in Ceramic Science from Penn State University, where she studied phase separation in glasses. Faber’s passion for materials science led her to the University of California, Berkeley, where she earned a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering in 1982.
Faber’s professional career is marked by her tenure at several institutions. She started as an Assistant, then Associate Professor of Ceramic Engineering at Ohio State University, where she served from 1982 to 1987. Her career then took her to Northwestern University, where she held multiple roles, including Associate Professor, Professor, and Walter P. Murphy Professor in the Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) Department. During her time at Northwestern, she also served as the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research, department chair for MSE, and co-founded the Northwestern University-Art Institute of Chicago Center for Scientific Studies in the Arts. In 2014, Faber joined the California Institute of Technology as the Simon Ramo Professor of Materials Science.
Faber’s achievements include serving as President of the American Ceramic Society and being named a Distinguished Life Member for her contributions to the ceramic and glass profession. In 2014, she was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, recognizing her outstanding contributions to science and engineering. Her dedication to advancing materials science and her impact on cultural heritage science underscore her distinguished career and lasting legacy in the field.