Clarence E. Davies’ achievements as an engineer and an administrator were distinguished. His devotion as an alumnus, trustee, friend, and adviser of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute never faltered. In his life of service to the community, to the engineering profession, and to his alma mater, he was a most worthy son of Rensselaer.

The largest part of his professional life was devoted to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). He joined the Society as associate editor, and in 1934 he became secretary, the chief administrative officer of the Society. He held that position until his retirement in 1957. During the years of his leadership, ASME’s services to mechanical engineers were vastly increased, and extended to the entire engineering profession, both home and abroad. During his last year as secretary, he was a mainspring of the movement to build the United Engineering Center in New York, the home of ASME and 18 other leading engineering societies. His vision was manifold: in 1945, recognizing the future importance of rocket engineering, he brought the fledgling American Rocket Society under the wing of ASME as an affiliate, and nurtured it until history caught up with rocket technology.

In 1971, the Rensselaer Alumni Association conferred its highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award, on Clarence E. Davies ’14. In selecting Davies, the Alumni Award Committee cited him as a distinguished engineer; a pioneering and energetic leader in engineering organizations; a statesman who won international recognition for enhancing good relationships among engineering and scientific societies in many parts of the world; a holder of the Legion of Merit for his military accomplishments; a loyal alumnus who spent many volunteer hours managing the Rensselaer Alumni Office in New York City; and an alumnus whose concern and enthusiasm were a major factor in the success of the Rensselaer Alumni Association.

Clarence E. Davies ’14 was a leader in reorganizing the Alumni Association to serve the needs of Rensselaer. He served as a member of the Rensselaer Development Council and the Rensselaer Alumni Council, and as an advisory member of the Rensselaer Alumni Association Award Committee. He retired as secretary-treasurer of the Alumni Association in 1970, but remained an influential counselor in alumni affairs until his death in 1976.

Honorary Trustee and Life Patroon of Rensselaer, Clarence E. Davies ’14 placed his knowledge, wisdom, and extraordinary competence at the service of his alma mater. If the recipients of the Davies Medal for Engineering Achievement, which was established in his honor, are measured by the standards set by Clarence E. Davies ’14, the award will have been truly earned.