I grew up in Akron, OH, which is in the Midwest NOT the North.. Knowing it is COLD in the outside world, I stayed in school as long as I could, bouncing from Georgia Tech to Pitt to Edinboro State to N. C. State.

From 1976-1982, I was an Instructor in the Department of Textile Materials & Management at N. C. State. From 1982-2002, I was a professor in the Department of Textiles & Apparel at Cornell University, where now I am Professor Emeritus. Currently, I am Professor and Head of the Department of Polymer & Fiber Engineering at Auburn University. My research areas include fiber and fabric properties and mechanics of fibrous structures, especially composite materials.

My major outside interest is the "Late Unpleasantness," especially the battles at Gettysburg and Sharpsburg/Antietam. I am a Brevet Major In the "Useless Mess" and a High Private in Co. E, 33rd Alabama Volunteer Infantry.