Malcolm G. McLaren IV

Bringing people and ideas together was one of Malcolm G. McLaren IV’s hallmarks as a leader. Internationally recognized in the ceramics industry, universities and corporations throughout Europe, China, and Australia sought his guidance. He chaired the United Nations World Health Organization committee on lead poisoning from ceramics glazes on dinnerware and led the effort to create international standards that allowed worldwide trade. After earning three degrees at Rutgers, he joined the faculty and built the university’s small ceramics department into a world-recognized department. He also developed the university-government-industry collaboration that resulted in the Center for Ceramic Research and Fiber Optic Materials Research Program at Rutgers. But his major contribution was to his students. He had a gift for teaching and a loyal following among alumni. In his honor, Corning Inc. and Saint Gobain endowed a Distinguished Chair in Ceramic Engineering at Rutgers. McLaren was also active in Rutgers’ Title IX program to guarantee that women athletes had the same opportunities and facilities as men. He died in 1996, having been a valued member of the Rutgers community for 50 years.