PULLMAN, Wash. — Thomas M. Maloney, director emeritus and professor emeritus of Washington State University’s Wood Materials Engineering Laboratory in the College of Engineering and Architecture, has been recognized for his extraordinary career contributions to the wood science and technology profession.
Maloney received the Distinguished Service Award from the International Society of Wood Science and Technology at its joint conference with the International Forest Products Society in Baltimore, Md.
Maloney was director of the wood laboratory from 1972 to 1996. He led research and development in wood composites for four decades and strengthened the laboratory’s international programs. He also expanded research from specializing in products that increase efficient use of forest materials, such as particleboard and other wood composite materials, to adhesives, adhesion and wood engineering. Maloney started the annual International WSU Particleboard/Composite Materials Symposium, which attracts about 500 people from as many as 30 countries to Pullman each spring. Maloney also oversaw construction of new laboratory facilities, completed in 1988.
He has been honored with the Forest Industries annual award (1988), Washington State University’s Faculty Excellence Award for Public Service (1983) and Alumni Achievement Award (1999), and the National Continuing Education Association Division of Conference and Institutes’ Faculty Service Award (1994). Maloney was also elected to the International Academy of Wood Scientists. He is the author of “Modern Particleboard and Dry-Process Fiberboard Manufacturing,” which is used throughout the world.
