The Thomas S. Fry Memorial Laboratory

From Vision to Reality The Thomas S. Fry Memorial Fund, honoring Dr. Tom Fry, was established in 2004 to further Dr. Fry's vision of renovating the soil mechanics laboratory in the Department of Civil Engineering. When complete, this modernization project will provide a 21st century platform to educate students and facilitate important research by providing new student workstations, state-of-the-art equipment and geotechnical software. In addition to the laboratory renovation, the Fund will establish an endowment to maintain the facility.

Thomas S. Fry -- Educator, Engineer, Humanitarian

Dr. Thomas S. Fry (1927-2003) received his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering and Soil Mechanics from the University of Illinois. He served in the U.S. Army, worked as a consultant and taught at the University of Missouri-Rolla before joining the University of Memphis in 1969 as Chair of the Civil Engineering Department. During his tenure in the Civil Engineering  Department, Dr. Fry enhanced research activity, expanded enrollment, and earned the University of Memphis' Distinguished Teaching Award in 1997.
Dr. Fry's strong commitment to his students and desire to establish a highly ranked geotechnical engineering program at the University of Memphis had a transformational effect on the evolution of the Herff College of Engineering and the Civil Engineering Department. In addition, Dr. Fry's contributions were far-reaching as he influenced many of the leaders in today's geotechnical industry. Research conducted under his direction provided important data still used by engineers in the Mid-South region.
Dr. Fry was a devoted teacher and a good-natured individual. He was quick to share a joke and words of encouragement, and his door was always open to students. The renovation of the soil mechanics laboratory is dedicated to the memory of this outstanding educator.

Renovation Progress

Phase I of the laboratory renovation has been completed. The HVAC system in the soil mechanics laboratory has been replaced. Phase II of the renovation will begin in June 2009. To see photos of the renovation work, visit our photo album

Your Contribution Will Make a Significant Difference The renovation of the soil mechanics laboratory and the establishment of an endowment to maintain the facility will require $500,000 in private contributions. Your generous gift to the Thomas S. Fry Memorial Fund will ensure Herff College of Engineering students continue to benefit from the educational standards established by Dr. Fry while learning in a state-of-the-art facility. You may be assured that your gift will be used exclusively for the soil mechanics laboratory renovation and endowment in the name and memory of Dr. Fry. Photo Gallery--Thomas S. Fry Memorial Fund Kickoff and Soils Lab Renderings. Download the Fry Fund Brochure