The Indianapolis Chapter of the ASM International was initiated as a chapter of the Steel Treating Research Society on January 2, 1919. On September 14, 1920 the Steel Treating Research Society consolidated with the American Society for Steel Treating into one organization. The first annual convention was held in Indianapolis in September, 1921.

The first educational series was inaugurated by Mr. H. B. Northrup in 1924. A comprehensive course covering Metallurgy of Iron and Steel from the ore to the finished product as well as heat treating was welcomed by industry.

On January 1, 1934, the American Society for Steel Treating changed its identification to American Society for Metals. Since that time, the Indianapolis Chapter has grown in stature and developed to become one of the leading ASM Chapters.

The 25^th Anniversary celebration was held in November 1944 at the Murat Temple. James Worthington was chairman; National President Kent R. Van Horn and National Secretary and ASM founder Bill Eisenman were guests of honor at the affair, which enjoyed an attendance of over 500 persons.

Outstanding honors were bestowed on this Chapter in those years, including the awarding of the Sauveur Achievement Award to W. R. Chapin in 1936, and the election of Dr. A. E. Focke to the National Presidency in 1949.

The activities of the Indianapolis Chapter continued to become more diversified. Under the guidance of C. Sundberg, in 1952-53, duties and responsibilities of committees were outlined in detail to increase activity. Greater emphasis was placed on the chapter budget with the result being a steady buildup in the reserve. The 1957-58 administration inaugurated a Year Book to keep members better informed.

Emphasis was placed on education throughout the 1960's. In 1963 the Chapter joined with the Indianapolis Engineering Societies in inaugurating Career Guidance Day, where high school students are informed about careers in engineering. The Chapter regularly honored young local winners of Science Achievement Awards.

1964 marked the formation of the first 'Metals Engineering Course'. With a title of 'Elements of Metallurgy', the chapter had hoped to assist industry with a subject for non-metallurgists, thus providing an education forum not available in Central Indiana. Class space at Butler University had been arranged by ASM organizers Tom Tsareff and Vito Mitkus. Hoping for 25 students, they were surprised with over 60. Hurriedly arranging for a second class room and some sharing of texts, each taught a class. This was the start of one of the major programs of the Indianapolis Chapter.

Chapter membership continued to grow. Joint meetings with the Purdue Chapter were well received. Plant tours of local industries became popular.

The high point of the 1968-1969 year was the 50th Anniversary of the Indianapolis Chapter. Scott Nichols was Chapter Chairman. Many local and national guests attended the festivities held at the Marott Hotel.

Honors continued by Mr. Dean K. Hanink's election to the ASM Board of Trustees. Dr. Robert Meyerhoff received the ASM Presidents Award for superb contributions to Student Affairs. In 1970, Thomas C. Tsareff received one of three national ASM Awards of Merit for services to the Chapter and the Society.

National honors continued to come to the Chapter. In 1970, four ASM members; T. G. Harvey, Dr. A. E. Focke, G. Shubat, and C. 0. Sundberg were named Fellows of ASM for distinguished contributions to the materials field. Chapter members Don Betner and Wayne Hepfer were co-winners of the Francis F. Lucas Award for their superior metallographic exhibit at the Metals Congress.

In the 1974-76 period, Dean Hanink was elected as National President of ASM. Further national recognition was gained when Wayne Hepfer received the Engineering Assistant's Award.

Several Chapter members served on national committees in this period. These included Betner on the Handbook Committee, Heath on the MEI Committee, and Siegel on the committee on Materials Availability. Noble York, a member of the Academy for Metals and the Materials Committee, served on the MEI committee.

All-day seminars on various Materials and Materials Engineering subjects were prominent among Chapter educational activities. MEI courses benefitted many.

Emphasis on service and education has continued into the present decade. Chapter Scholarship program was initiated in 1981, with the first recipient being the Metallurgical Engineering Department at Purdue University.

Ensuing years showed a progression of excellent technical programs, seminars and other educational programs. With the primary theme of providing educational pursuits for industry, a series of early morning seminars allowed individuals that couldn't make evening programs to attend presentations from both Indianapolis industry and yearly Purdue University students.

History was made in the 1988-89 period. Recognized that engineering was not just a male occupation, Linda Cox Freund was elected as the first lady major officer.

During the 1990-91 period, Murray Siegel was appointed as Financial Committee Chairman with responsibilities of optimizing Chapter Investments. The technical program was highlighted by Chairman Chuck Antony's arranging a visit from NASA Astronaut Col. Schreiber. The Chapter could now witness ASM from space as well as on the surface of Planet Earth.

The 1991 plant tour of the Nucor continuous-cast steel mill in Crawfordsville, arranged by chairperson Linda Freund, provided a glimpse of the technical efficiencies required for competitiveness in today's global marketplace. Feedstock for this facility is 100% scrap material. The annual chapter yearbook also was reinstituted under Linda after a short absence.

Past chapter chairman Thomas Taylor was named an ASM Fellow in 1992. Under chairperson Deborah Doan, student scholarships were increased in value. The chapter studied the organization of foreign based industry.

Crowning the 1993-1994 activities was the celebration of the Chapter's 75^th anniversary with a gala celebration at the Westin Hotel. With two musical ensembles, a champagne dinner, and dancing, members celebrated "ASM Day", as proclaimed by the mayor Goldsmith's office, in grand fashion. Major addresses were given by John Simon (President, ASM International), Ed Langer (Managing Director, ASM International), Art Focke (Chapter Chairman Emeritus, 1932-34 and former National President, 1949) and our enthusiastic Chapter Historian, 'Welcome to the wonderful world of Metallurgy' Tom Tsareff. Chairman Bill Boyland, Russel Heath and the entire Gala committee planned a truly memorable event.

Science and technology continued to be keywords of the Indianapolis Chapter in 1994-95. Chairman Michael Leslie arranged many diverse and interesting programs, including two student-built non-polluting competition cars (both cars actually attended the Chapter meetings). Over 125 attended the plant tour of United Airlines Maintenance Facility where 737 aircraft are inspected and refurbished. Chapter outreach was expanded by conducting joint meetings with Muncie and Lafayette Chapters as well as with ASME. Further national honor came to the Chapter with the election of Dr. Kishor Kulkarni as an ASM International Trustee.

The 1995-1996 year began with some major revision to the Chapter Bylaws, allowing the Chapter to obtain not-for-profit status with the State of Indiana. Chairman Charles Teague arranged excellent technical programs and an impressive plant tour at the Caterpillar Large Engipe plant in Lafayette, IN. With space donated by a local ISP, Chapter Secretary Jim Woodruff established the Indianapolsi Chapter as one of the first with a web site on the Internet. The Chapter's Home Page featured all of the 1995-1996 activities, with links to and from the National Home Page.

Chairperson Robin Elizabeth Parsley put together an excellent program year for the 1996-1997 year using mostly local talent and operating the Chapter well within budget. The level of scholarships awarded by the Chapter was increased to $2000 and it was decided to add to that any golf outing profits to attract further sponsorship.

The 1997-1998 program year began with the Chapter arranging its September meeting as part of the National '97 ASM International Annual Event, which was held in Indianapolis. Many of the Directors and Officers of ASM International attended to hear Dr. Nicholas F. Fiore present an Outlook for the Materials Industry in the 21st Century. Another well-known speaker was metallographer George Vander Voort, who presented metallurgical investigation of the failed Three Mile Island nuclear reactor. Chairperson Laura Stocker retained the Chapter's coveted 5-star rating.

In 1998-1999, Chairman Jim Woodruff focussed on three goals; involvement from the south, outreach to education, and affordabilty for members . Two highly successful MEI courses were presented, and two extremely worthy students were presented Chapter scholarships. The lecture series included numerous and diverse subjects. Certainly, having the President of ASM International visit from Sandia National Laboratories discussing micromachines and their potential led us into the future. It was almost unbelievable to see a dust mite running on a working microgear nearly its own size.

This 1999-2000 year was most notable for the completion of the merger with the Purdue/Lafayette/Kokomo Chapter, increasing the roles of the Indianapolis Chapter to nearly 600. Chairman William Jarosinski, involved speakers from Haynes International in the merged area, and arranged a bus tour to see the Purdue Material Engineering facilities. Two scholarship, two MEI courses, and a short seminar on financial investing also highlighted the year. Ann Bolcavage did a great job of filling in for Secretary Carolyn Merritt who resigned to move away early in the year.
With sadness, the Chapter noted the death of it's most distinguished 75-year member and former ASM National President, Dr. Arthur Focke on August 20, 1999. Dr. Focke lived to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of his national presidency (1949-50), and 67^th anniversary of his Indianapolis Chapter Chairmanship (1932-33).

During the 2000-2001 chapter year Chairman Fred Baldwin launched the Chapter into the new century with a full set of technical programs and two highly successful MEI courses. His program demonstrated that not just engineering is important to ASM principles, but also that the furtherance of education and networking is necessary. Other interests were presented, such as the need for engineering thought in the activities of the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, preparation of savings plans for eventual retirement, and (since May marks the Greatest Spectacle in Racing), a presentation on non-destructive testing of high speed racing equipment components and the analysis of race car accidents contributing to safer cars. The plant tour was of Praxair Surface Technologies in Speedway, Indiana (recently proclaimed an official historic site in the field of metallurgy). Becomming more acquainted with the members of the former Purdue Lafayette/Kokomo Chapter was a highlight of the year for members who regularly attended the meetings.

The excellent performance of the officers and executive committee has continued to further the ideals and principles of ASM International and the long history of the Indianapolis Chapter in 2001-2002. Dr. Robert Tucker, FASM, was successfully nominated for Vice-president of ASM International. Dr. Thomas Taylor, FASM, was accepted as a member of the Election Committee. Assistance to the Purdue University Student Chapter has continued. The chapter website has been continuously maintained and improved by webmaster Jim Woodruff. The MEI education program has continued with excellent results. Efforts have been coordinated with ASM International to further membership procurement and retention. Two social events were held to encourage participation of spouses and members.

The joint meeting with the Central Indiana Chapter of the American Foundry Society was re-established in 2002-2003 after a long hiatus. In October, former Indianapolis Chapter Chairman Dr. Robert C. Tucker, FASM, was elected Vice President of ASM International. Scholarships were awarded to two local high school seniors, and plans were set in motion to include a Student Chapter Liaison position on the Executive Committee for the upcoming 2003-2004 Chapter year. A successful Chapter program was realized despite the difficult economic conditions in the area. Due to everyone’s efforts, the Indianapolis Chapter maintained its vibrant 5-star status/

2003 - 2004 found another progressive year added to the illustrious history of the Indianapolis Chapter, ASM International. A member of the Indianapolis Chapter, Dr. Robert Tucker, was elected President of ASM International.
Under the tutelage of Chairman George Meng, with the assistance of an excellent executive committee, the financial situation has improved. Updating of normal operations has produced more efficient format of the monthly newsletter and yearbook. Various cost-cutting studies have been effective, Technical programs and educational programs continue to enhance knowledge for industry participants. Our skilled webmaster, Mr. James Woodruff , rapidly assimilates program material and Chapter schedules into the Chapter Website. Educational programs included a highly successful Metals Engineering Institute course covering Thermal Spray Technology. Several past chairmen in advisory positions have worked with Dr. Meng for an efficient changeover for the incoming officers. The ensuing year will offer other challenges and all ASM participants look forward to further enhancing ‘ASM – the Wonderful World of Materials and Material Sciences’.

Economic changes in local and national affairs created a need for decision making by the Executive Committee. Throughout the 2004-2005 Chapter Year the thought was prevalent that two issues were at stake. Programs and activities needed to be developed to continue education efforts for the older, established members. Science and technology doesn't move rapidly, but rather it does move continually. Speakers were needed to cover the new material, items that individuals might not have had time to investigate. But at the same time, the influx of new, younger individuals needed a different approach. Two approaches were followed. The always excellent Metals Engineering Institute program "Induction Heating" was successfully presented. Student's Night with fine presentations by two members of Purdue University proved interesting. Then the decision to have Past Chairman's Night combined with a visit to the McKenzie Career Center proved valuable to both the Past Chairmen and to the faculty of the Center. It also provided the Chapter opportunity effort to show their continued interest in education. Chairman Dr. Heng Huang concluded his year with success and the Chapter was turned over to Incoming Chairman Stephen Maus.

The 2005-2006 again proved to be a banner year. The efforts of the officers assisted in maintaining a 5-star chapter. Chairman Steve Maus and others studied activities of past years and adopted the lessons learned from successful programs. The new ASM Indianapolis year with new officers were charged by the outgoing officers to learn from the past but face the future with increased enthusiasm using information gained toward the progress being made in the Materials and Sciences Field. Once again it was recognized that the metallurgical world is a changing one. MEI courses will continue to serve not only those persons just entering the field but also those individuals with other subject credentials that need an acquaintance with the Materials Fields. Close support with the National Organization was instituted to form a partnership, not just a relationship

One of the strong points of any ASM chapter is the ability to maintain a constant progress toward the ideals of education and the development of engineers and technicians. With the continuing industrial movement of personnel, the 2006-2007 leaders of the Indianapolis Chapter were able to continue forward when key officers departed to new locations. A solid Executive Board that assumed extra work until other members became available to fill various slots kept interest and programs operating. Certainly, the presentation of Metals Engineering Courses with at times past chairmen as mentors as well as other members with expertise in specific subjects continues to be financially and technically rewarding leading to our goal of education progression.

Social periods prior to technical sessions were well received giving members and guests a chance to become acquainted with diverse thoughts and knowledge of technical advances. Family social nights were also well planned and enjoyed. Excellent programs starting with Nanotechnology and concluding at years end with Metal Forming of materials for U.S. Marine Corps programs were interesting and informative. With incoming officers the Indianapolis Chapter continues on its every thought to increase membership and further inform the populace that ASM International is a vital, ever progressing organization moving forward toward the advancement of science and technology .

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