SAMPE NORTH AMERICA ANNOUNCES THE RECIPIENT OF THE 2023 MORT KUSHNER AWARD
Monday, July 3, 2023, DIAMOND BAR, CA – The Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE) North America Board of Directors is pleased to announce Dr. Scott W. Beckwith, FSAMPE, a renowned expert in the field of materials science, has been named as the recipient of the prestigious SAMPE Mort Kushner Lifetime Achievement Award.
The award, which recognizes outstanding achievements and contributions to the field of advanced materials and processes, is named in honor of Mort Kushner, a pioneer in the use of composites for aerospace applications.
Dr. Beckwith's career has spanned over five decades. He has worked tirelessly to provide the global community with solid educational opportunities on new and advanced materials and processing technology. During his years in the U.S. Air Force, Capt. Beckwith worked on solid rocket motor development, including the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (“ICBM”) program’s first-stage propellant defect problems. His work as a civilian consultant has touched on composite downhole drilling, frack-plug and sucker-rod development, deep-sea buoyancy pressure vessels (offshore oil production), arctic downhole methane recovery using heat pipe technology, 2.5-3.5m petroleum tanks for Malaysian Petronas gas stations, filament winding and fiber placement, and the earliest resin infusion development technologies and training. He has held four US Presidential appointments as the US industry-recognized carbon fiber and composites expert for critical technology and export controls.
As SAMPE Global’s Technical Director and long-time member, he has contributed significantly to conferences, exhibitions, and technical forums. He has served as the editor of the SAMPE Journal for over 25 years. He has provided guidance on advanced composite materials and processing methods for making those materials into high-performance products.
Dr. Beckwith is also known for his dedication to education and mentoring. He has taught at several universities and has mentored numerous students who have gone on to make their own contributions to the field. As a SAMPE leader, he is a tireless advocate for student members, oftentimes using personal funds to sponsor SAMPE student chapters and their activities.
The SAMPE Mort Kushner Lifetime Achievement Award is a fitting tribute to Dr. Beckwith's many accomplishments and contributions. His work has paved the way for new innovations and advancements in the field of advanced materials, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of researchers and engineers.
Join us as Dr. Beckwith is presented the SAMPE Mort Kushner Lifetime Achievement at the SAMPE Awards Ceremony on Monday, October 30, 2023, at CAMX in Atlanta, GA.