My fellow members, to be a chairperson of a Chapter of ASM International is an honor to which any member may properly aspire. As this mark of distinction can be conferred upon only a comparative few, all officers should consider themselves signally favored in having an opportunity to serve on the Executive Committee. Our immediate past Chair, Stu Weiss lead the Hartford Chapter to Five Star recognition for the 2002-3 year. He will be signally recognized for this achievement at Past Chair Night on February 10, 2004 . On this night we honor all individuals who have also served in this office. They are our guests for the evening and are asked to proudly wear their Past Chair Name Badges. Please ask them about their year as chair.

Our February meeting is also Trustee Visit Night. Dr. Reza Abbaschian, FASM, 2001-2004 ASM Trustee, will talk on the impact of advanced materials on society. As historically fascinating as is all the changes that materials have enabled, it arouses the imagination to higher plains to think what wondrous applications we will realize in the near future. Dr. Abbaschian’s wisdom will be made the most of during his visit. His schedule includes meeting with our officers in the afternoon. On Wednesday, he will give a seminar at 10:30 AM in IMS 20 at UConn as well as meet with the ASM/TMS Student Chapter and faculty of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. I encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to meet with the students and faculty.

Both our January 13 and March 9, 2004 meetings afford opportunities to garner insights into advance materials research at the Institute of Material Science at the University of Connecticut . In January, Dr. Martin Blackburn will stimulate our thoughts on the development and applications of Titanium and Aluminum Metallic Glasses. These awesome materials challenge conventional approaches used to study, develop, and process materials. In March, come and witness the accumulation of years of research, months of preparation and weeks of competition by UConn ASM/TMS Student members for the privilege of presenting to ASM Hartford. Only three, out of an over seventy possible projects can be selected. These two technical programs demonstrate why UConn is the number one public University in New England.

To help achieve our mission of providing technical knowledge, education, networking and professional development we are introducing the ASM Hartford Apprenticeship/Mentor Program. Individuals, companies and the Chapter will benefit from the broad knowledge of materials issues and contacts obtained through this program. We are presently building a list of tours and workshops that will be part of the program. More details are found on our web site. Contact Jack Piela or me to add your company for at tour or workshop or to be part of this program.

The ASM Hartford fall meetings were rousing successes. Special thanks to Stu Weiss, who worked with the Society of Plastic Engineers to organize the October 1 meeting on Ceramic, Metal and Plastic Biomaterial Implants for Human Body Repair, and Al Hutwagner, who arranged to have Dr. Marshl speak at our November 11 meeting on A Combined HIP and Heat Treat Process for Aluminum Castings. Their efforts enabled me to focus on, coordinating with the Southern Connecticut Chapter, ASM International and the Eli Whitney Museum, the events of October 21. On that day, the Eli Whitney Armory was recognized it as an ASM Historical Landmark. Please visit our website for details on these assemblies and look in ASM News section of the February AM&P for an article on the Eli Whitney Armory recognition.

A joint Hartford / Southern CT committee are developing preliminary plans for Materials Week, April 12-16, 2004 . They are pursuing a day of displays and presentations highlighting unique applications of materials in two competitive sports in a venue in south central Connecticut that will reach young minds as well professionals. Please contact me to be part of this team.

The Hartford Chapter 2004 Annual Golf Outing will be another Classic. Rebecca Gatzen has booked a shotgun start at Blackledge Country Club in Hebron for September 15, 2004 .

Networking to help you succeed through ASM Hartford,
Arnie Grot
Executive Committee