Background
Gordon, William Edwin was born on January 8, 1918 in Paterson, New Jersey, United States. Son of William and Mary (Scott) Gordon.
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William Edwin Gordon
Edit Profileacademic administrator educator physicist electrical engineer
William Edwin Gordon, American physicist, electrical engineer, academic administrator, educator. Achievements include research in radio scattering. Recipient Balth. Vander Pol award for distinguished research in radio science, 1966; 50th Anniversary medal American Meteorological Society, 1969, Arktowski medal, 1984, Arecibo Telescope award, 2001; Guggenheim fellow, 1972-1973.
Education
Bachelor, Montclair State College, New Jersey, 1939. Master of Arts, Montclair State College, New Jersey, 1942. Master of Science, New York University, 1946.
Doctor of Philosophy, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, 1953.
Career
Consultant radio engineer Stromberg Carlson General Electric Airforce, NAVY, Atlantic Richfield Company, from 1950. Associate professor Cornell University, 1953-1959, professor, 1959-1965. Walter R. Read professor engineering Arecibo Ionospheric Observatory, Puerto Rico, 1965.
Professor electrical engineering and space physics and astronomy Rice University, Houston, 1966-1986, dean engineering and science, 1966-1975, dean School Natural Sciences, 1975-1980, provost, vice president, 1980-1986, distinguished professor emeritus, 1986—2010. Foreign secretary National Academy of Sciences, 1986-1990. Conceived, directed design and early operation of Arecibo Observatory and 1000 foot antenna, 1960-1965 (named Milestone in Electrical Engineering and Landmark in Mechanical Engineering 2001).
Chairman board trustees Upper Atmosphere Research Corporation, 1971, 73-78, University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, 1979-1981, 86-89, 91-92. Trustee Cornell University, 1976-1980. Advisory board Arecibo Observatory, 1977-1980, 90-93.
Consultant in field.
Achievements
Membership
Board directors Taping for the Blind, Houston, 1994-2002. Captain United States Army Air Force, 1942-1946. Fellow Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (chairman professional group on antennas and propagation 1964-1965), American Geophysical Union.
Member American Association for the Advancement of Science, National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, American Academy Arts and Sciences, International Science Radio Union (vice president 1975-1981, president 1981-1984, honorary president 1990-2010), International Council of Scientific Unions (vice president 1988-1993), American Meteorology Society, Philosophical Society Texas, Cosmos Club, Sigma Xi, Tau Beta Pi, Kappa Delta Pi, Sigma Kappa Nu, Phi Kappa Phi.
Connections
Married Elva Freile, June 22, 1941 (deceased February 2002). Children: Larry Scott, Nancy Lynn. Married Elizabeth Bolgiano, August 31, 2003.
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Born
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Died
February 16, 2010 (aged 92) -
Nationality
American
Education
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1939
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1942
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1946
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1953
Awards
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Recipient Balth. Vander Pol award for distinguished research in radio science, 1966. 50th Anniversary medal American Meteorological Society, 1969, Arktowski medal, 1984, Arecibo Telescope award, 2001. Guggenheim fellow, 1972-1973.Recipient Balth. Vander Pol award for distinguished research in radio science, 1966. 50th Anniversary medal American Meteorological Society, 1969, Arktowski medal, 1984, Arecibo Telescope award, 2001. Guggenheim fellow, 1972-1973.