2015 Distinguished Alumni Award

Dr. Gary Hamed, Ph.D. 1978

Gary R. Hamed received B.S. and M.S. degrees in chemical engineering from Cornell University and a PhD. in polymer science from the University of Akron. He, then, was employed for 4 years at the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company before returning to the University of Akron. He retired on June 30 of this year after 35 years of service. Professor Hamed supervised more than 100 graduate students and has published about 100 papers. He has received the following honors: the Sparks-Thomas and the G. Stafford Whitby Awards from the Rubber Division of ACS, outstanding researcher at the University of Akron, fellow of the Adhesion Society, and several best paper awards from the Rubber Division. He has a keen interest in the history of science— especially that of rubber and thermodynamics.