A native of Chicod, just south of Greenville, Raymond Earl Fornes graduated in 1965 with bachelor’s degree in mathematics. At ECC, Fornes served as president of Phi Sigma Pi, an academic fraternity for those with outstanding scholastic averages. He was also president and vice president of the Mathematics Club, treasurer of Chi Beta Phi, an honorary scientific fraternity, and a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council. His senior year, Fornes was named to Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.
Following graduation from East Carolina College, Fornes began graduate study at N.C. State University, earning a Ph.D. there and then accepting a faculty position in the College of Textiles. At that time, Textiles had begun a new Ph.D. program in fiber and polymer science and recruited Fornes to develop research programs and curricula in polymer physics.
Fornes’ research concentrated on two broad areas: the structure and property relationships of anisotropic polymers, and the environmental effects of polymer systems. Fornes developed the first X-ray laboratory in the N.C. State polymer program and equipped it with both wide and small angle diffractometers. His primary research interest in polymer physics led to more than 120 publications and one edited volume as well as nearly $8 million in research funding. His awards include the Fiber Society’s Distinguished Achievement in Fiber Science Award.
Fornes was promoted to full professor in 1979. From 1982-87, he served as associate dean of the Graduate School. Under his leadership as associate dean, research funding increased fourfold to nearly $30 million annually. In 1984, Fornes’ position was moved to the Physics Department, along with his research program. Over his faculty career, Fornes directed or co-directed 24 Ph.D. students and more than 20 Master’s of Science Students. He also was the principal organizer of the N.C. State Undergraduate Research Symposium, a campus wide event that highlights undergraduate research.
Fornes undertook off-campus assignments at the American Enka Research Laboratories (1973), the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory at the California Institute of Technology (1983), and the Government-University-Industry Research Roundtable (GUIRR) of the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (1997-98). He took a special assignment during 2000-2001 with the Policy Division of the National Research Council. Fornes also served as the N.C. State counselor to the Oak Ridge Association of Universities and as the university liaison to Oak Ridge National Laboratories.
In 2008, the North Carolina State University Board of Trustees conferred the Alexander Quarles Holladay Medal for Excellence – the highest honor bestowed on a faculty member by the trustees and the university – on Fornes in recognition of his outstanding career at N.C. State.
Fornes retired in 2011, after more than 40 years of service. His impressive academic career first at East Carolina and later as a scientist-administrator at N.C. State make Fornes an important alumnus, outstanding scholar, and exceptional North Carolinian.
Sources
Kulikowski, Mike. “Three NC State Professors Receive Prestigious Medals.” NC State University News. May 7, 2008. https://news.ncsu.edu/2008/05/three-nc-state-faculty-will-receive-prestigious-holladay-medals/
“Local Student Is Listed For Special ECC Award.” Rocky Mount Telegram. May 5, 1965. P. 15.
“Raymond Fornes.” https://physics.sciences.ncsu.edu/people/raymond-e-fornes/
“Who’s Who Among Students in America: Raymond E. Fornes.” Buccaneer. 1965. P. 92. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/15316
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Citation Information
Title: Raymond Earl Fornes
Author: John A. Tucker, PhD
Date of Publication: 7/12/2019