William M. Murray Lecture

2012 William M. Murray Award: Gary Cloud

In recognition of his distinguished contributions uniting optical and electronic techniques to solve significant problems in mechanics.

A complete curriculum vita for Dr. Cloud is available on the web at www.egr.msu.edu/~cloud.

Dr. Gary L. Cloud is University Distinguished Professor in the Mechanics Group of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, and Founding Past Director of the MSU Composite Vehicle Research Center. He received BS and MS degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Mechanics from Michigan Technological University. The Doctorate in Engineering Mechanics was earned in 1966 at Michigan State with J. T. Pindera as dissertation advisor.

Professor Cloud studied applied optics as an NSF Fellow at Imperial College in London, England in 1976-77. He was lecturer at University of Zambia (Africa) in 1969; National Research Council Senior Research Associate at the Air Force Materials Lab (Ohio) in 1975-76; and Summer Associate at Lawrence Livermore Lab (California) in 1965. Professor Cloud spent three summers doing glacier research and lecturing for the Foundation for Glacier Research in Alaska. During summer 1997, he lectured at Universita' degli Studi di Palermo in Palermo, Sicily.

Dr. Cloud has participated fully as a dedicated scholar, researcher, engineer, and teacher for his entire 45 years as a faculty member. He was named University Distinguished Professor, the highest faculty rank at MSU, in 2007. He is a Registered Professional Engineer (Michigan), a Chartered Scientist, and a Chartered Physicist (Institute of Physics). He is a Fellow of the Society for Experimental Mechanics and a Fellow of the Institute of Physics (London). He has been selected by the Society for Experimental Mechanics to give the prestigious Murray Lecture in 2012. In 2006 he received the "F.G. Tatnall Award"; from the Society for Experimental Mechanics, having in 2000 received the prestigious "M.M. Frocht Award" from the same Society. In 1990, he won the "D.E. Harting Award" for "Best Paper of the Year" published in the journal Experimental Techniques. In 1994 he was honored with the "Distinguished Faculty Award" from Michigan State University. He received the "Withrow Senior Distinguished Scholar Award" from the MSU College of Engineering in 1995 . He is a two-time recipient of the "John and Dortha Withrow Excellence In Teaching Award," and he is the only faculty member to have won the award in two different departments. In 1992 he received the "Outstanding Engineer Award" from the Michigan Society of Professional Engineers for his work in engineering education. His teaching performance consistently receives top marks from graduate and undergraduate students. Since 1995, he has been Faculty Advisor of the MSU Formula SAE Racing Team, and he has worked to bring significant improvements in professionalism and performance to the team. In his honor, team alumni founded in 2005 the "Gary L. Cloud MSU Formula Racing Team Endowment." In 2008, the "Carroll Smith Mentor's Cup" was bestowed on Prof. Cloud by SAE and the Sports Car Club of America in recognition of his performance as FSAE Faculty Advisor.

Professor Cloud is Past-President of the Society for Experimental Mechanics ('93-94), having been Vice President (91-92) and President Elect (92-93). He served the Society as Technical Editor of the scientific-engineering journal Experimental Mechanics from 1985 to 1988 after having been Associate Editor for eight years. He also has served SEM as paper reviewer, Chair of the Editorial Council, Board Member, and in many other posts. He has been a member of SEM for 48 years. In 2008, his past students and associates founded the "Dr. Gary L. Cloud SEM Scholarship Endowment" to assist students who intend to make a career in experimental mechanics. Dr. Cloud served on the International Editorial Board of the journal Measurement Science and Technology for several years. He holds membership in several other technical and honorary organizations, including the Society of Photo-optical Instrumentation Engineers, the Society of Automotive Engineers, the British Society for Strain Measurement, and the Institute of Physics; and he is listed in several biographical reference volumes.

Research interests involve bringing together optical and electronic techniques to solve interesting problems in geomechanics, biomechanics, composites, fracture mechanics, fastening, and nondestructive evaluation. He has authored and coauthored about 200 papers, and has published in 24 different archival journals. His book Optical Methods of Engineering Analysis was published by Cambridge University Press in 1995 and is now revised and in its second printing (1998). Reference contributions include chapters in the Handbook of Experimental Mechanics (2008) and the Marks Mechanical Engineering Handbook (2007). He has delivered many oral presentations to technical and lay groups. More than 50 research contracts have been completed under his direction. Dr. Cloud has served as consultant to approximately 60 firms and agencies in product design, measurements, and liability. He holds 2 patents and has another patent application in process.

Gary and wife Libby have been married for 38 years and have two daughters, Sarah and Abigail, and one grandchild. Gary studied voice for more than 20 years and has performed regularly in classical solo recital and ensemble programs. He currently sings in a semi-professional arts chorale. He also enjoys playing squash, fishing, competitive shooting, camping with his family, reading, and working in his shops.