What is the IEEE-USA George McClure Citation of Honor?
At BEI, he led the development and commercialization of intelligent sensors and systems, including the control system for Hubble Space Telescope’s Star Selector — that provided the Hubble with unprecedented pointing accuracy and stability, resulting in remarkable images that have enhanced our understanding of the universe; and the MEMS GyroChip® technology that revolutionized navigation and stability in aerospace, commercial aviation and automotive safety systems.
This technology is used worldwide in more than 90 types of aircraft for guidance, navigation and control, and in more than 80 models of passenger cars for automotive stability and rollover protection (estimated to have saved millions of lives every year). The electronic stability and rollover prevention system has enhanced safety for you every time you drive a car or fly in a plane. The technology is also a fundamental building block for autonomous vehicles, paving the way for a new industry.
Prior to his time at BEI, Madni was Chair, President/CEO with Systron Donner Corporation. While there, he made seminal and pioneering contributions in the development of intelligent RF and microwave systems — significantly enhancing the U.S. Navy, Marines and Coast Guard, and U.S. allies capabilities.
Guru Madhavan, Senior Director of Programs, and Director, Forum on Complex Unifiable Systems at NAE, nominated Madni. Madavan wrote, “Dr. Madni has outstanding accomplishments in both managing research and development, and in personally inventing and innovating technologies at the cutting edge of his field.” He added, “The sheer depth and breadth of his contributions are staggering.”
Madni’s accomplishments go beyond his engineering achievements. Madhavan points out that Madni “has championed diversity, equity and inclusion for underrepresented groups of individuals for more than five decades.” Further, Madni has made major personal financial contributions to establish numerous undergraduate and graduate scholarships; and to establish research and student programs that have significantly benefited IEEE members, women and minority students.
Dr. Dan Goebel, a Fellow and Senior Research Scientist at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, endorsed the nomination; and he quoted Madni: “I never forget that achieving this privilege in my profession makes it incumbent upon me and my family to give back — and help and guide the generation following us, especially the underprivileged.”
Madni is an IEEE Life Fellow and IEEE-HKN Eminent member. He is the recipient of more than 100 awards, including: the IEEE Medal of Honor, National Inventors Hall of Fame, John Fritz Medal, RAEng Prince Philip Medal, Elmer A. Sperry Medal, IEEE Frederik Philips Medal (TFA), IEEE Millennium Medal, ASME Soichiro Honda Medal, Ellis Island Medal of Honor, IET J.J. Thomson Medal; and the UCLA Engineering Alumnus of the Year.
Madni has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Inventors, the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Canadian Academy of Engineering. In 2019, IEEE HKN named its top award “The Asad M Madni Outstanding Technical Achievement and Excellence Award” to recognize and honor his nearly 50 years of technical and philanthropic accomplishments, and visionary leadership.
Professor M.C. Frank Chang, Distinguished Professor Electrical and Computer Engineering, UCLA, also endorsed the nomination, writing, “Dr. Madni has always enriched the lives of others, not just through his technology marvels, but with his wisdom, financial generosity and kindness to help others succeed.”
The IEEE-USA George F. McClure Citation of Honor is given annually in honor of George F. McClure. McClure’s IEEE volunteer activities spanned more than 50 years. He chaired the IEEE Orlando Section and Florida Council. He also served on, or chaired, among others, the IEEE-USA Communications Committee, the IEEE Life Members Committee, the IEEE Foundation, and the IEEE Individual Benefits and Service Committee. McClure’s other IEEE contributions included serving as Technology Policy Editor for IEEE-USA’s Today’s Engineer. He wrote more than 89 articles for that publication, on a wide spectrum of technology, policy and career-oriented subjects.
There will be a virtual awards ceremony for this, and several additional awards, on 28 August. Please register here to view the ceremony. Nominations for the 2024 IEEE-USA Awards are now open, and will be accepted through 15 September.
IEEE-USA Awards: Nominate a Colleague Today
Nominations for the 2024 IEEE-USA Awards are open now, and will be accepted through 15 September 2024. Nominate someone today!
