AIME Robert Lansing Hardy Award

Established through The American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers (AIME) by Arthur C. Hardy, this award is in memory of his son, Robert Lansing Hardy, a young man of great promise in the field of physical metallurgy and Junior Member of AIME, who died suddenly at the age of 25.

This award recognizes a young person in the broad fields of metallurgy and materials science for exceptional promise of a successful career, rather than for any specific accomplishment. The broad fields of metallurgy and materials science include minerals processing, extractive, physical or adaptive metallurgy, and metal processing.

It consists of the Hardy Medal, an engraved plate in a walnut frame and a $500 cash award donated by Ford Motor Company through the TMS Foundation.

The award began with Arthur C. Hardy’s donation to AIME, in memory of his son Robert, to create a medal “as an inspiration to many young men in their formative years.” As an educator most of his life, Arthur Hardy was keenly aware of the importance of motivating young professionals to strive for superior achievement. He provided the photograph of his son for use on the medal and those who knew Robert say the portrait captured his earnest look as he was about to embark on this chosen career.

Robert Hardy was born November 22, 1929, as an only son. He attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and graduated with a degree in General Engineering. He divided his studies between physical metallurgy and the aspects of mechanical engineering that deal with the strength of materials. His senior thesis was entitled “The Effect of Sudden Heating and Cooling on Steel.” He continued his studies at MIT and received his master’s degree in mechanical engineering and in 1954 after submitting a thesis entitled “Strain Hardening in Compression.” Shortly thereafter, he went to work as a Physical Metallurgist at the Watertown Arsenal. He was a member of several professional organizations but AIME was his favorite and he attended local meetings regularly. On Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1954, Robert was suddenly taken ill and passed away on December 29. This award honors his memory by celebrating others who show promise of the bright future Robert Hardy would surely have had.

For more information on this award, view the bylaws.

Criteria

1. May not reach his/her 35th birthday by December 31 of the year in which the initial nomination is made.
2. Must be a member of TMS.
3. Display exceptional promise for a successful career.

How to Nominate

Please submit the following documents to complete the nomination process:

1. Completed nomination form.
2. Nominator's Supporting Statement: This statement is to be included within the principal nominator's cover letter of endorsement. The supporting statement should outline the qualifications of the nominee for the specific honor/award. The nominator's supporting letter should be no more than two pages.
3. A minimum of two, maximum of five, letters of endorsement. Each letter should be no longer than one page. No more than one letter of endorsement may be from the same affiliation as the nominee. The nominator’s letter may be counted in the total number required.
4. Current resume or curriculum vitae, no more than 5 pages.

Send complete nomination packet to TMS Awards.