In 2008 the Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics (ESM) at Virginia Tech is celebrating its 100th year as a department. To recognize this great milestone, ESM is hosting a mechanics conference during May 29-30, 2008. In recognition of the fact that the study of composite materials has contributed so much to the world-wide reputation of the department for almost one-half of a century, Professors Michael Hyer and Carl Herakovich are organizing sessions on composite materials and structures. Several of these sessions will be dedicated to the memory of the ESM Professor Liviu Librescu.