Bring your buns back to TU. - TUAlumni.com

Ed Rybicki M r . H o m e c o m i n g
This year’s Mr. Homecoming is well known across the
TU campus – but his reputation also reaches into outer space.
Edmund Rybicki, chair of the Department of Mechanical
Engineering and the Harry H. Rogers Endowed Chair in
Mechanical Engineering, has been a member of the TU faculty
for 27 years.
In that time, he has mentored hundreds of undergraduate
and graduate students, published or presented hundreds of
scholarly papers, conducted hundreds of hours of research in
fracture mechanics, composite materials, thermal spray coatings,
welding and erosion/corrosion – and served on enough
University committees to fill two pages of a hefty 73-page academic
vita.
But the most unusual achievement in a career filled
with accolades is undoubtedly Rybicki’s role as the namesake
for a NASA computer, the “RYBICKI.” Housed at Langley
Research Center near Hampton, Virginia, the “RYBICKI” is
used to analyze the fracture mechanics of the metal and composite
materials used in spacecraft (as well as tennis rackets, golf
clubs and many other products). The software NASA uses for
this critical analysis is based on Rybicki’s research findings.
While his scholarly work has led to the development of
stronger, safer spacecraft, Rybicki has also made the world a
better place close to home.
His service to TU includes membership on the United
Way campaign committee, the TU faculty athletics committee,
and the TU Alumni Association Board of Directors, to name
only a few. He also founded the Industrial Advisory Board for
the Department of Mechanical Engineering and co-founded
TU’s Erosion/Corrosion Research Center.
His commitment to the University runs in his veins.
“I know he’s always there,” says Professor John Henshaw,
a fellow faculty member in the Department of Mechanical
Engineering. “Ed has a deep loyalty to TU. He bleeds blue.”
A native of a farming community near Cleveland, Ohio,
who holds a doctorate in engineering from Case Western
Reserve University, Rybicki was a senior scientist at the Battelle
Columbus Lab for a decade before joining the TU faculty. As a
practicing engineer, he brought to TU an emphasis on research
and development that continues to strengthen and guide the
Department of Mechanical Engineering.
For his many achievements as a scholar, educator and
scientist, Rybicki has been honored as a Fellow in three
international technical societies: the American Society of
Mechanical Engineers, the American Welding Society, and the
American Society of Metals. He was also recognized in 2005
by the Oklahoma Society of Professional Engineers as the
Outstanding Professional Engineer of the Year.
Rybicki’s biggest supporter, his wife, Sandy – along with
their children and grandchildren – will all be present when he
is recognized as Mr. Homecoming during TU’s Homecoming
activities on September 14-16.
Fortunately, it’s one award that doesn’t require a trip to
outer space.
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