Four inducted into Clemson Academy of Engineers and Scientists

Published: May 2, 2011

CLEMSON — The Thomas Green Clemson Academy of Engineers and Scientists at Clemson University inducted four new members for 2011.

"We are very proud of the many accomplishments of the members of the Thomas Green Clemson Academy of Engineers and Scientists and happy to have this opportunity to recognize their careers," said Esin Gulari, dean of Clemson's College of Engineering and Science. "For more than 100 years, the disciplines of engineering and science have been at the heart of Clemson, and the work of individuals like these is what has set this institution apart."

The academy inducted these members at its April 28 banquet:

Terry Gettys, director of research and development for the Michelin Group, who joined the company after earning bachelor's and master's degrees in mechanical engineering at Clemson.

Working his way up the ranks of Michelin, Gettys began as a mechanical design and tire test engineer. In 2002, he became the chief operating officer of Michelin Americas Research Co. Three years later, he led the global introduction of the Michelin's "Tweel" assembly — literally a tire without air — at the Detroit International Auto Show. The Tweel was named "One of the Best Inventions of 2005" by Time magazine and was designated "Best New Product of 2005" by Popular Science.

Walter Fleming Jones became executive director of the Office of Naval Research in 2007. The highest ranking civilian employee in the agency, he directs a work force of 3,000.

Jones has worked in development at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, as an analyst for the Deputy Director of Central Intelligence and for the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, where he managed a multibillion dollar national investment in air, space and intelligence research. As one of two U.S. representatives to the NATO Research and Technology Board, he has personally conducted bilateral research and technology summits between the United States and several NATO-member countries. With three engineering degrees from Clemson, Jones has held faculty positions at Clemson, the University of Florida and the University of Tennessee.

Jay Lathrop, professor emeritus of electrical and computer engineering at Clemson, once held the entire world's supply of integrated circuits in his hands.

After earning undergraduate and graduate degrees at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Lathrop joined the National Bureau of Standard's Tube Lab in 1952, where he established one of the first government research programs on miniature transistor circuits. He joined Texas Instruments in 1958, just in time to witness the invention of the integrated circuit by Jack S. Kilby, who was awarded the Nobel Prize for the discovery. Lathrop joined the Clemson faculty in 1968, working on the development of solar cells, integrated circuits and semiconductors until his retirement in 1989.

John W. "Jack" Miley devoted a 37-year career to Milliken & Co. in Spartanburg, establishing himself as an internationally known polymer chemist and rising to become director of research, development and technology for Milliken's chemical division.

Miley earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry at Clemson and a Ph.D. in organic chemistry at Florida State University, a background he used to develop chemicals such as coloring agents incorporated into the polymer chain to create final products that are much safer for use in the food and pharmaceutical industries and are more environmentally friendly than their additive counterparts. He serves on the advisory board for Clemson's chemistry department and has hosted students from Clemson's Summer University Research Program for more than a decade.

The academy was established to recognize Clemson alumni, faculty or others who have a strong association with Clemson for career success, contributions to society through professional or service activities, and achievement in the fields of engineering and science.

Since 1995, the academy has honored 48 engineers and scientists for their contributions to the field.

The College of Engineering and Science also honored Outstanding Young Alumni at the banquet. Recipients of that honor for 2011 are:

Hugh W. Hillhouse, who holds the Rehnberg Chair in the University of Washington chemical engineering department. His research has led to a series of significant advances in engineering nanomaterials for energy conversion devices. Hillhouse holds an ongoing adjunct appointment at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

John Shea, a leader in the field of wireless communication systems and networks, teaches at the University of Florida. He previously was vice president of engineering for Extemporal Wireless Inc., where he was the lead developer for iPhone applications for technical conferences.

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