Newswise — Calling today's celebration a "momentous occasion in the nearly 170-year-history of Alfred University," Robert R. McComsey, chairman of the AU Board of Trustees, officially renamed the School of Engineering at Alfred University in honor of Dr. Kazuo Inamori, founder and chairman emeritus of Kyocera Corporation.
"This is the first time in nearly 200 years of existence that the Alfred University Board of Trustees has chosen to name one of our schools or colleges," McComsey said earlier today.
It is more than fitting, he said, that the school be named in honor of Dr. Inamori, who led Kyocera as it developed into the world's largest manufacturer of advanced ceramic materials, including those found in many of today's most popular consumer products such as cell phones and cameras.
The decision to name the school for Dr. Inamori arose from a $10 million gift the Kyocera Corporation in Dr. Inamori's honor. The gift will create an endowment for the School of Engineering that will be used to support four faculty members in nanotechnology research. Additionally, the University will create a fine ceramic materials museum to showcase the advances made by Kyocera Corporation in the field of materials.
"When Kyoto Ceramics (forerunner of Kyocera) entered the field about 50 years ago, fine ceramics were a completely new material," said Dr. Inamori. "It was a very small market, literally non-existent, but through determined efforts, we developed new technology and opened new markets."
The fine ceramic market is now three trillion dollars annually, worldwide, he noted, but he believes there are still "limitless possibilities" for still more new products and technologies.
"With the opening of the Kazuo Inamori School of Engineering at Alfred University, it is my hope that Alfred University and the Kyocera Group can together be on the cutting edge in biomaterials, photonics and nanomaterials," said Dr. Inamori.
"Fine ceramics have a broad range of excellent properties and characteristics that give them many possibilities," he said. Together, Alfred University and Kyocera will "continue to further development of new products in the 21st century to solve the energy and global environmental struggles society and mankind are facing.
In comments after the formal ceremony, Dr. Inamori explained how he became interested in Alfred University. He recalled that Kyocera began its manufacturing operations in the United States in 1971, and among the first employees hired were graduates of the ceramic engineering program at Alfred University. "They were very capable and soon played a critical role in manufacturing and research and development."
From his initial contact, the relationship grew. Alfred University awarded him an honorary Doctor of Science degree in 1988, recognizing him for his accomplishments as a scientist and engineer, but also for his efforts to promote contributions for the good of mankind by creating the Kyoto Prizes.
The University invited him to deliver the John F. McMahon Memorial Lecture in 1999, an honor reserved for those who make outstanding contributions to the field of ceramic engineering and materials science.
Dr. Inamori created a scholarship fund that supports students in both engineering and art at Alfred University.
The Kyocera Group and Alfred University "have enjoyed a good relationship for a long time, "not only because both us led the world in fine ceramics, but also because we share a common attitude" that new technology and new products should benefit society and mankind.
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