John Fritz Medal
Like his friend Asa Packer, John Fritz had little formal education, but possessed a curious mind that created many practical inventions for the steel industry. He also introduced the Bessemer steel making process to the U.S. Fritz Engineering Laboratory, built by Fritz in 1909 to 1910 to test engineering materials and serve as a tool to educate students, tested the steel plates that were installed in the Gatun Locks of the Panama Canal. John Fritz was highly regarded by his engineering peers as the father of the steel industry in the United States. The John Fritz Medal was named in his honor by prominent engineering societies (ASCE, ASME, AIME, and AIEE) in 1902. It was first awarded to John Fritz. Emeritus Professor of Civil Engineering John Fisher (MS '58, PhD '64) was awarded this John Fritz Medal in 2000. In addition to Fisher, two other Lehigh alumni have been awarded the Fritz Medal: Lynn Beedle (MS '49, PhD '52) in 1995 and George Tamaro (MS '61) in 2005.