ALUMNI IN FOCUS
Landis ’39 is Awarded the
Lafayette Medal
William Landis ’71 (right) accepts the Lafayette Medal on behalf of John Landis ’39. Presenting the award is Trustee Riley Temple ’71.
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John W. Landis ’39 is the eighth recipient of the College’s premier award for volunteers, the Lafayette Medal for Distinguished Service. Commissioned in 1987 by the Board of Trustees, it is given to those who have a demonstrated record of voluntary service in a variety of areas with noteworthy achievement in each. Trustee chair Alan R. Griffith ’64 awarded the medal at the 172nd Commencement in May. It was accepted by Landis’ nephew, William L. Landis ’71.
The retired president of Gulf General Atomic Co. and Stone & Webster Engineering Corp., John Landis was recognized nationally for his engineering knowledge and leadership with election to the National Academy of Engineering. He was president of three international technical societies and chair of the American National Standards Institute, U.S. Energy Research Advisory Board, and Fusion Power Associates. His numerous awards include the Winston Churchill Medal of Wisdom and Henry DeWolf Smyth Nuclear Statesman Award.
In recognition of his contributions to the development of nuclear power, Lafayette awarded him an honorary Doctor of Science degree in 1960. He served on the College’s Board of Trustees for 18 years, becoming a trustee emeritus in 1988. He received the Joseph E. Bell ’28 Alumni Distinguished Service Award in 1995 and in 1972 won the George Washington Kidd, Class of 1836, Award, which is presented to alumni who have achieved distinction in their fields.
The oldest of five brothers to attend Lafayette, Landis graduated with a degree in engineering physics summa cum laude. He received the Pepper Prize and was elected to both Phi Beta Kappa and Tau Beta Pi, the national engineering honorary society.
He and his late wife, Muriel Souders Landis, shared a devotion to civic, community, educational, and charitable causes through six decades of marriage. They supported the Landis Community Outreach Center, the Landis Lecture Series on issues related to technology and international cooperation, the renovation of an engineering laboratory, student financial aid, and construction
of the Landis Atrium in Farinon College Center. Landis is a member of the College’s Société d’Honneur, Marquis Society, Fleck Consistent Giving Society, and James Madison Porter Society.
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