Honors from one’s peers are always sweeter. The IEEE Third Millennium Medals — presented in the year 2000 with nominations now open — are such a sweet celebration.
Not since the 1984 IEEE Centennial Medal has the IEEE given an Institute-wide award to honor such a select and special group of members. Now the IEEE will mark the end of one millennium and the beginning of another with such an award. The Third Millennium Medals will honor 3,000 outstanding members.
World reknowned sculptor Gladys Gunzer created the medals. Her work includes the 1984 IEEE Centennial Medal and the 1980 Winter Olympics Medallions. The design will include a world map symbolizing the global nature of the IEEE and the words “In Celebration of the Third Millenium.” Each award is customized with the recipient’s name.
“I would like to see hundreds of celebrations next year, each one honoring special members while marking a special year,” said IEEE President-elect Bruce Eisenstein. He has called upon sections, societies and major boards to nominate their most deserving members to receive this prestigious award.
Letters were sent out to the societies, sections and major boards and it is now up to them to decide who among their peers should receive this honor. “The reaction I’ve gotten is very positive,” said Eisenstein.
The criteria for members to be named a Third Millennium Medal recipient includes outstanding contributions to a section, community, chapter, area of technology or outstanding contributions to their board. Eisenstein said he favors a more open criteria to enable each entity to decide for themselves who should be selected. “It’s hard to dictate from the top what would be good for everyone,” he said. Each entity will use their own awards processes to name nominees.
The number of awards alloted to the societies and sections is based on its population, excluding students and associate members. (Each of the six boards will be given five medals.) This allows each entity to receive a proportionate amount of awards. Also, the Awards Department has established a database that will track, among other things, whether the same member is nominated twice and further ensure equitable distribution.
The IEEE Centennial Medals were presented in 1984 to 1,984 members to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the IEEE’s earliest predecessor society, the American Institute of Electrical Engineers in 1884. In 1984 the Institute had a little over 260,000 members. Today, the Institute boasts a membership of over 335,000 members and 3,000 medals will be given out.
One of the few differences with the Third Millennium Medals is that this time the sections, societies and major boards are asked to keep in mind the GOLD members, the future of the IEEE, when making their selections.
The nominating group must submit a form to IEEE Awards/ Fellows Activities by 1 Oct.