Applauding 50 Years of IEEE Fellows

By Rosann Marosy

In 2014, IEEE will mark its 50th Fellow Class. It represents decades of honoring IEEE Fellows whose extraordinary accomplishments have changed the world. The IEEE grade of Fellow was born in 1964 out of the merge of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers (AIEE) and the Institute of Radio Engineers (IRE). The emphasis on the elevation was and still is reserved for select IEEE members who have contributed importantly to the advancement of engineering, science, and technology, bringing the realization of significant value to society.

Only one-tenth of one percent of the total voting membership can be elevated in any one year. Over the last fifty years, IEEE has elevated roughly 10,000 members to this honor. This is a very small percentage compared to the total membership. Unquestionably, Fellows are the crown jewels of the organization. One can only imagine what the next fifty years will bring, and the new technology that will be developed, discovered, or taught, and what new IEEE Fellows will be recognized for their achievements.

Throughout the year, various celebrations will take place to honor those who have achieved this distinction. If you know an IEEE Fellow, congratulate him/her again for receiving this honor. You can recognize them personally, or you can acknowledge them publicly at region meetings, society meetings, section meetings, and/or conferences.