Professor Ward O. Winer (BSE ’58, MSE ’59, PhD ’62) left the academic life at the U-M 29 years ago for that of another prestigious university, but he’s kept close ties over the years and always been grateful for the excellent start he received.

“The U-M made a tremendous difference in my career,” says Winer, who is the regents’ professor and chair of the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering—as well as recently being named the Eugene C. Swaltney, Jr. Chair in Manufacturing Systems—at Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. “It expanded my horizons and the faculty really invested in and mentored me. The U-M opened up many doors for me and I am indebted for those opportunities.”

Now MEAM has honored Winer with the 1998–99 MEAM Alumni Society Merit Award, presented to him on Friday, October 23, 1998, during the All-Alumni Weekend.

Winer’s career at U-M began as an undergraduate. He went on to receive both his master’s and doctorate degrees in Mechanical Engineering at U-M. The Department then helped him find sponsorship to attend Cambridge University in England where he earned a PhD in Physics. He returned to become a MEAM faculty member, rising to the rank of associate professor in 1966.

“The U-M was a natural choice for me because I grew up in Grand Rapids and it was a top quality, in-state school. I have always been happy with this decision. As an undergraduate, it gave me the opportunity to work closely with faculty members, who encouraged me to go to graduate school. My professors were extremely good at mentoring and supporting me. I was treated like an important individual that they cared about.”

Winer also attributes the Department in steering him into tribology, his field of research interest, including thermal phenomena, wear, elastohydrodynamics, theology, and solid lubricants. He’s also interested in fluid mechanics, thermal systems, engineering education, and research policy.

photo: Courtesy of Ward O. Winer

“I didn’t really pick tribology. It picked me,” says Winer. “My PhD work had been in thermosciences and fluid mechanics. As I was approaching completion of my degree, Professor Gordon Van Wylen, then Chair of the Department, approached me about focusing my interest in lubrication. MEAM wanted to add a faculty member in this area and would help me find funds to study. That was a turning point for me.”

Since then, Winer has made a significant contribution to his field and has received numerous honors for his work. He received the Tribology Gold Award from the British Tribology Trust in 1986, the American Society of Mechanical Engineering’s (ASME) Melville Medal in 1975, and the Mayo D. Hersey Award in 1986. He’s also received the Georgia Institute of Technology Faculty of the Year Award in 1986 and the American Society of Engineering Education’s (ASEE) Benjamin Garver Lamme Award in 1995. He was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 1988.

Winer has been very active in the ASME, serving as its vice president of research, chair and member of its Research Committee on Tribology, and member and chair of its Research Policy Board. He has also served as technical editor of Transactions of the ASME, Journal of Tribology.

“It was a great honor to be recognized by the U-M,” says Winer, “and to come back and visit the Department. It’s great to see that the place is better than ever. The U-M has continued to maintain its stature—to expand and improve and to have a strong reputation in many areas. I’m pleased to be a part of it and to be recognized by the Department.”