Penn State professor emeritus named ASME president

Sam Y. Zamrik, Ph.D., a resident of State College, Pa., and professor emeritus of engineering mechanics at The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, has become the 126th president of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).

ASME made the announcement at the society’s 2007 summer annual meeting in Toronto. Zamrik, a member of ASME for more than 34 years and recognized technical authority in pressure vessels and piping, will serve a one-year term to June 2008.

His goals as president include promoting programs and activities aimed toward women and early career engineers, while maintaining a commitment to expanding the Society’s knowledge resources globally.  

A fellow of ASME, Zamrik has served in a number of leadership positions, including as a member of the ASME board of governors from 2002 to 2005, and as vice president of materials and structures from 1999 to 2002.

Zamrik also served on the ASME board of professional development from 1995 to 2001 and the board on pressure technology codes and standards from 1994 to 2004. He has published more than 180 technical papers and reports on fatigue analysis, life prediction, biaxial loading, thermal analysis, and other subjects related to pressure vessels and piping.

Instrumental in the formation of the former ASME Pipeline Systems Division and the Pressure Vessels and Piping (PVP) Division, Zamrik served as chair of the PVP Division (1990-1991) and received the ASME Pressure Vessels and Piping Medal in 1996. He served as editor of the ASME Journal of Pressure Vessels Technology from 1993 to 2005, which led the PVP Division to establish the “Sam Zamrik Literature Award” for outstanding achievement.

Throughout his service in ASME, Zamrik has been active in student outreach, codes and standards workshops, and volunteer training. He also has been involved in global initiatives, both within the society and as a visiting professor at American University in Cairo, Egypt.

In addition to ASME, he is a member of the American Society of Metals International, American Society for Testing and Materials, Welding Research Council, Pressure Vessel and Research Council, and International Council on Pressure Vessels Technology.

Zamrik attended the University of Texas, receiving a B.A. in mathematics in 1956, and a bachelor’s of science degree in mechanical engineering in 1957. He continued his education and training at Penn State University, earning M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in engineering mechanics in 1962 and 1965, respectively.

Among many honors and recognitions, Zamrik was recently named a recipient of the Penn State Engineering Society’s Distinguished Service Award for his service on the Engineering, Science and Mechanics Industrial and Professional Advisory Council and for teaching and mentoring countless students and then providing them with guidance through their professional careers.

Founded in 1880 as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASME is a not-for-profit professional organization promoting the art, science and practice of mechanical and multidisciplinary engineering and allied sciences. ASME develops codes and standards that enhance public safety, and provides lifelong learning and technical exchange opportunities benefiting the engineering and technology community. For more information, visit www.asme.org.