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Radiations 

The official publication of Sigma Pi Sigma 

FALL 

2012 

Former astronaut and 2012 PhysCon plenary 

speaker John Grunsfeld, during the final repair 

mission to the Hubble Space Telescope in 2009.

FALL 2012 VOLUME 18, ISSUE 2 

CONTENTS 

10 Sigma Pi Sigma Convenes at PhysCon 2012 

Exploring the theme "Connecting Worlds through Science and Service," 800 

are expected at the quadrennial congress in Orlando, FL. — Elizabeth Hook 

page 11 

Speaker Profile: John Grunsfeld (p. 11) 

—Rachel Kaufman 

Speaker Profile: Mercedes Richards (p. 12) 

— Rachel Kaufman 

13 A Crisis of Perception 

page 12 

The public believes that science is all about developing technology. What does 

this mean for science? — Allen O. Scheie 

page 13 

page 16 

page 32 

16 Elegant Connections in Physics: Science 

and Service, Appreciation and Awareness 

We can use our science in the service of connecting worlds, and in making 

this world a better place. — Dwight E. Neuenschwander 

Departments 

3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Director’s Space 

4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Message from the President 

5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Society News 

24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Initiates List 2011-12 

31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Spotlight on Hidden Physicists 

32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Puzzle Corner 

34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Get Involved 

ON THE COVER 

Former Astronaut John Grunsfeld, Hubble 

repair mission specialist and a 2012 PhysCon 

plenary speaker, is positioned on a foot 

restraint on the end of the Space Shuttle 

Atlantis' remote manipulator system, as he 

participates in the final session to refurbish 

and upgrade the Hubble Space Telescope. 

Image courtesy of NASA. 

Correction: The authors of two stories on page 17 of the Spring 2012 issue were 

incorrectly identified. The “How Do You Serve?” story in column one about the 

NEWTON Ask A Scientist program was written by Robert Q. Topper, and the 

story in column two about the North Carolina Science Olympiad Storm the Castle 

event was written by Bill Yeager. This has been corrected in the online version at: 

www.sigmapisigma.org/radiations. We apologize for the error.

The Director's Space 

Connections in Space 

by Toni Sauncy 

For those who have followed Radiations for a while, 

you might be looking in this spot for a corner. Well, 

the “Director’s Corner” is now empty space, other 

than the 1025 or so nitrogen, oxygen, and small assortment 

of other gas molecules per cubic meter that 

now move about without randomly colliding with 

former director Gary White i . There is a new director 

in the nearby space, but as I assumed that position, I 

chose to leave the Director’s Corner empty, except for 

the dancing air molecules. Honestly, I’d rather not be 

in the Director’s Corner, or any other corner for that 

Toni Sauncy. AIP photo. matter, because I spent a fair amount of time there in 

my family home during my formative years. 

Outside of the corner, I am displacing air molecules as needed in order to fill the 

Society of Physics Students (SPS) director’s space. My recent occupation of this space 

implies that another space had to be emptied. So, about ten weeks ago, the approximately 

30 m 3 room that I formerly occupied was vacated. Other than the suspended 

dust particles and a similar collection of air molecules that I no longer displace, 

my former space, an office in the Vincent Nursing and Physical Science Building 

at Angelo State University in West Texas, is now empty. Like my faculty position, 

my former space might be thought of as “on sabbatical”, with the air molecules and 

dust particles in that space free to move about without randomly colliding with 

me. Physically speaking, the transition from that space to this new space was just a 

change in the location at which I displace some collection of air molecules with my 

presence. But there are several other physical features that are uniquely different here 

in this new space—the rapidly varying gradient of the surfaces surrounding my new 

space when compared with the vast expanse of small gradient surfaces that one finds 

in the landscape of West Texas; the view of the horizon, which in my current space 

is obstructed by tall, leafy plants called trees; and the fact that this new space is just 

above sea level (approximately 20 m), while the flatland I left behind is elevated 

about 550 m above sea level. The space in which I live has certainly changed, but the 

reason I am here comes from a constant, connecting influence over the course of my 

career, that of the SPS. 

In making this transition in space, I began to think about all the different spaces 

and stations that I have occupied since my introduction to SPS as a student member 

and a Sigma Pi Sigma inductee. Like the blanket of assorted air molecules that 

at once covers each of those different spaces I have occupied, the constancy of the 

impact and influence of SPS and Sigma Pi Sigma on the course of my career is a connection 

between all the points in space and over time. My first phone call to the SPS 

national office was as an inexperienced graduate student looking for a ray of hope in 

what at the time seemed to be a dark sea of dismal news for physics PhD graduates. 

Since that time I have found the people, the programs, the support network, and 

the opportunities made possible by the existence of this unique group, whose sole 

purpose is to serve students, to be inspiring. My initial connection came through 

two influential mentors: esteemed former director Dwight (Ed) Neuenschwander, 

and tireless former zone 13 councilor Mary Beth Monroe. With Monroe’s encouragement, 

I requested that Dr. Neuenschwander, SPS director at the time, visit my 

school and give a talk in a session that focused on physics careers as part of the 

biannual Joint Texas Physics Meeting ii . I was just an ordinary frustrated graduate 

student, but the SPS director accepted without hesitation. It was the positive experi- 

continued on page 30 

Radiations 

ACTING EDITOR 

Toni Sauncy 

ASSISTANT EDITOR 

Tracy M. Schwab 

EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS 

Elizabeth Hook 

Kendra Redmond 

COPY EDITOR 

Cynthia Freeman 

ART DIRECTOR 

Tracy M. Schwab 

SIGMA PI SIGMA PRESIDENT 

William DeGraffenreid, 

California State University, Sacramento 

SPS PRESIDENT 

David Donnelly, 

Texas State University 

SIGMA PI SIGMA/SPS DIRECTOR 

Toni Sauncy 

SIGMA PI SIGMA/SPS 

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR 

Thomas Olsen 

Radiations (ISSN 2160-1119) is the official 

publication of Sigma Pi Sigma, the physics honor 

society. Published twice per year by the American 

Institute of Physics, One Physics Ellipse, 

College Park, MD 20740-3841. Printed in the 

USA. Standard postage paid at Mechanicsburg, 

PA. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: 

Radiations Magazine, Sigma Pi Sigma, One 

Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740-3841. 

Sigma Pi Sigma is an organization of the American 

Institute of Physics. It was founded at Davidson 

College, Davidson, North Carolina, December 

11, 1921. Member, Association of College 

Honor Societies. Contact us at: email: sps@aip. 

org; telephone: (301) 209-3007; fax: (301) 209- 

0839. 

Copyright © 2012, American Institute of Physics. 

Title registered in the US Patent Office. All rights 

reserved. 

Fall 2012 Radiations 3

Message from the President 

A Unique Path 

by William DeGraffenreid, California State University, Sacramento 

The American Institute of Physics is an organization 

of 10 physical science societies, representing more 

than 135,000 scientists, engineers, and educators and 

is one of the world's largest publishers of scientific 

information in physics. AIP pursues innovation in 

electronic publishing of scholarly journals and offers 

full-solution publishing services for its Member Societies. 

AIP publishes 13 journals; two magazines, including 

its flagship publication Physics Today; and the 

AIP Conference Proceedings series. AIP also delivers 

valuable resources and expertise in education and student 

services, science communication, government 

relations, career services for science and engineering 

professionals, statistical research, industrial outreach, 

and the history of physics and other sciences. 

Governing Board 

*Louis Lanzerotti (Chair), Barry Barish, Malcolm R. 

Beasley, G. Fritz Benedict, *J. Daniel Bourland, Robert 

L. Byer, Timothy A. Cohn, *Beth Cunningham, 

Bruce H. Curran, Robert Doering, *Michael D. 

Duncan, *H. Fred Dylla (ex officio), David Ernst, 

Janet Fender, *Judith Flippen-Anderson, *Brian J. 

Fraser, Jaime Fucugauchi, *A. Jeffrey Giacomin, 

Mark Hamilton, Paul L. Kelley, Angela R. Keyser, 

James T. Kirby, Kate Kirby, *Rudolf Ludeke, Jill 

Marshall, *Kevin B. Marvel, Christine McEntee, 

Elizabeth A. Rogan, *Charles E. Schmid, *Joseph 

Serene, *Benjamin B. Snavely (ex officio), David 

Sokoloff, Scott Sommerfeldt, Gene Sprouse, Gay 

Stewart, Hervey (Peter) Stockman, Michael Turner 

*Executive Committee 

Management Committee 

H. Fred Dylla, Executive Director and CEO; Richard 

Baccante, Treasurer and CFO; Theresa C. Braun, 

VP, Human Resources; Catherine O’Riordan, VP, 

Physics Resources; John Haynes, Senior VP, Publishing; 

Benjamin B. Snavely, Corporate Secretary 

Member Societies 

American Physical Society 

Optical Society of America 

Acoustical Society of America 

The Society of Rheology 

American Association of Physics Teachers 

American Crystallographic Association 

American Astronomical Society 

American Association of Physicists in Medicine 

AVS—The Science & Technology Society 

American Geophysical Union 

Other Member Organizations 

Sigma Pi Sigma, Physics Honor Society 

Society of Physics Students 

Corporate Associates 

I have to say, becoming the president of Sigma Pi 

Sigma just a few months before the Quadrennial 

Physics Congress has been really cool. While I attended 

the two previous congresses while serving on 

the Society of Physics Students National Council, I 

wasn’t involved with their planning. Seeing things 

come together in their final shape the past couple of 

months has been exciting. The 2012 Congress Organizing 

Committee has been working hard since 2008 

to put together a program to remember—they have 

succeeded! For those unfamiliar with the congress, 

it brings together physicists from across the generations 

to share ideas, discuss discoveries, and enjoy the 

William DeGraffenreid 

Photo by Sacha Purnell. fellowship of our peers. Students, faculty, researchers, 

and even retirees have come to enjoy this opportunity. 

This is the largest meeting of physics undergraduates in the United States; we 

anticipate approximately 800 attendees this year, including over 600 undergraduates. 

I look forward to seeing the student attendees become engaged and energized as they 

hear talks from our plenary speakers and participate in the workshops. As you read 

about the congress in this issue of Radiations, my guess is that you’ll understand why 

I am so excited about this year’s program. 

The theme for the 2012 congress is “Connecting Worlds Through Science & 

Service.” This theme reflects the way that science is commonly done in the 21st 

century. While Isaac Newton was able to make huge contributions working by 

himself, rarely is anything done in such a vacuum today. Large collaborations made 

up of geographically scattered and diverse groups of scientists are making remarkable 

contributions to our understanding of the universe. The first papers about the discovery 

of the particle consistent with the Higgs boson illustrate this. The author list 

is comparable to the length of the text: each of the two papers has roughly thousands 

of authors. In total, hundreds of institutions from six continents contributed to this 

new body of knowledge. 

While the theme reflects the connections made in the pursuit of science, it also 

suggests the importance of sharing our knowledge with the wider community. 

If you recall your own induction into Sigma Pi Sigma, you may remember these 

words from the charge to new members: “Within the common thread of this shared 

background in physics, Sigma Pi Sigma promotes a spirit of professional community 

among its members and encourages them to offer their collective wisdom and 

perspective in the service of the larger society.” Taking an active role in educating the 

public and participating in dialog with policymakers is a responsibility that we need 

to make part of our lives. 

As I reflect over the nearly twenty years since my induction into Sigma Pi Sigma 

as a physics major at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, I can’t help 

but feel that it was this event that really made me feel like I was part of this community. 

I remember our faculty advisor, Professor Roger Morehouse, reading the words 

of the charge to me and my fellow initiates and thinking that I was really on a very 

interesting path. Where has this path taken me? From my Southern California roots 

I moved cross country to Maryland for graduate school, spent time in Brazil and 

France, moved “around the Beltway” to NIST, back across the country to Sacramento, 

and most recently, I’ve taken more flights than my wife would like between 

Sacramento and DC. Whom have I encountered on this path? I’ve had the great 

pleasure of working closely with people from across many of these United States, 


4 Radiations Fall 2012

Society News 

The AIP Career Pathways Project: A Preliminary Report 

by Thomas Olsen, Assistant Director, Sigma Pi Sigma 

The United States faces a 

pressing need to increase the 

size and the diversity of its science, 

technology, engineering, 

and mathematics (STEM) 

workforce. Some students 

with the potential to become 

excellent members of the 

STEM workforce may choose 

to pursue degrees in other majors 

due to a lack of awareness 

of the nature and the financial 

remuneration available for 

those equipped with a bachelor’s 

degree in physics. This is 

especially true for careers that 

are well suited for students 

with a physics background but 

lie outside of academe. These 

are issues of great interest 

and concern to the American 

Institute of Physics (AIP) and 

are critically important to the 

students served by AIP’s organizations 

for physics students 

and alumni: the Society of 

Physics Students (SPS) and 

Sigma Pi Sigma. The AIP 

Statistical Research Center 

(SRC) has monitored the demographics 

of the education 

and careers of physicists for 

decades, and SPS, housed in 

the AIP Education Division, 

has developed programs such 

as the Careers Using Physics 

website, the Hidden Physicists 

project, and the Future Faces 

of Physics endeavor to address 

this ignorance and encourage 

the physics community 

to be more welcoming to all 

students. 

The National Science 

Foundation (NSF) shares 

these concerns and on 13 

September 2010 awarded a 

grant of nearly $200,000 to 

fund a joint project of the 

SRC and the Education Division 

entitled, “Expanding the 

STEM Workforce by Equipping 

Physics Bachelors Degree 

Recipients and their Departments 

to Address the Full 

Range of Career Options,” 

AKA “Career Pathways.” 

Fig. 1: The status of recipients of bachelor’s degrees in physics 

one year after graduation. See www.aip.org/statistics. 

Image courtesy of the AIP Statistical Research Center. 

SPS 2011 Career Pathways Intern 

Amanda Palchak. 

Photo by Tracy M. Schwab 

(See http://www.nsf.gov/ 

awardsearch/showAward. 

do?AwardNumber=1011829 

for details.) 

Historically, physics has 

often been perceived as a very 

narrow major, largely preparing 

specialists for academic careers 

in physics. However, the 

scope of physics is the study of 

the entire physical world. The 

study of physics provides a 

foundation from which bachelor’s 

degree graduates often 

move directly into STEM 

positions in fields from engineering 

to nongovernmental 

service organizations, to information 

technology services, 

to a wide variety of industrial 

positions. Figure 1 illustrates 

that of all the students who 

graduate with a bachelor’s 

degree in physics, approximately 

40% find employment 

within a year of graduation, 

while most of the remainder 

immediately pursue further 

studies. As Fig. 2 demonstrates, 

nearly three quarters of 

these graduates find positions 

in STEM fields. In speaking 

with physics faculty, we have 

learned that while many consider 

themselves well prepared 

to advise their students on 

further academic study, fewer 

deem themselves prepared 

to advise their students on 

SPS 2012 Career Pathways Intern 

Shouvik Bhattacharya 

Photo by Tracy M. Schwab 

seeking STEM employment. 

The Career Pathways Project 

seeks to aid students directly 

and indirectly through their 

faculty mentors and departmental 

support networks. 

Over the course of three 

years, the Career Pathways 

team is conducting site visits 

to physics departments with 

strong records of preparing 

students with bachelor’s 

degrees in physics and placing 

them into careers in STEM 

fields. The goal is to discern 

and disseminate successful 

practices for the preparation 

of physics undergraduates 

for STEM career pathways. 

This information is being 

used to establish a basis for 

the development of “effective 

practices” that may be used 

as a reference by departments 

across the country. Key components 

of the project include 

a pilot program of alumni 

advisory boards, preparation 

of summary materials for 

distribution on the web, and 

regional workshops at SPS 

zone meetings for faculty 

and current undergraduates. 

This program seeks to break 

through misconceptions of 

the opportunities available 

to those who have earned a 

bachelor’s degree in physics, 

draw more students into the 


Society News 

major from all demographic 

groupings, and help generate 

a better, larger, and more 

diverse STEM workforce. 

Eight departmental visits 

have been completed, covering 

public and private primarily 

undergraduate institutions as 

well as public research universities. 

The news from the 

field is exciting. Many schools 

have innovative seminars, 

courses, and degree tracks that 

equip students well for STEM 

positions upon graduation. 

No universal recipe for success 

in preparing graduates with a 

physics bachelor’s degree for 

STEM careers has emerged, 

but a number of factors 

appeared frequently at the 

schools visited by the project 

team. The most common 

factors have included a faculty 

committed to students at all 

levels of performance (at larger 

schools this often means that 

each range of students has an 

advocate), readily available 

undergraduate research opportunities, 

curricular flexibility 

as manifested by multiple 

tracks to the degree, and a 

strong student community 

often epitomized by a student 

lounge/SPS Chapter Room. 

Many successful departments 

had a strong experimental/ 

laboratory curriculum at 

6 Radiations Fall 2012 

both the introductory and 

advanced level, while some 

had strong relationships with 

career development and/or admissions 

offices or a seminar 

that directly addressed issues 

of careers in physics. At the 

larger research universities, the 

success appears to be institutional, 

although the effectiveness 

and outgoing nature of 

the undergraduate advisor 

seems to be quite significant. 

Many of the smaller schools 

could identify a moment of 

crisis and change in the culture 

of the department, with 

one or two faculty members 

playing a significant role in 

establishing a new departmental 

culture. 

There has been strong student 

input to the project. Undergraduates 

Amanda Palchak 

of the University of Southern 

Mississippi and Shouvik 

Bhattacharya of Minnesota 

State University at Moorhead 

served as SPS Career 

Pathways interns during the 

summers of 2011 and 2012, 

respectively. Each brought 

a unique perspective on the 

career concerns of physics 

undergraduates. They examined 

existing career websites, 

developed materials on career 

searching for the SPS website, 

sampled and wrote about 

Fig. 2: A synopsis of the fields in which physics bachelor’s degree 

graduates find employment within a year of graduation. 

Image courtesy of the AIP Statistical Research Center. 

the job fair experience, and 

developed assessment tools to 

enable physics undergraduates 

to better present the skills that 

they offer to potential employers. 

These will be valuable 

tools for the project’s student 

workshops. 

The first public event of 

the project will occur at the 

upcoming 2012 Quadrennial 

Physics Congress hosted 

by Sigma Pi Sigma. Roman 

Czujko of the AIP Statistical 

Research Center will lead a 

workshop on “Connecting 

Students with the ‘Right’ 

Career Path.” This workshop 

will focus on helping students 

to assess their career-ready 

skills and learn which effective 

practices of physics 

departments attendees would 

most like to see their departments 

act upon. Beyond the 

congress, plans are underway 

to organize a number of 

three-hour faculty/student 

Career Pathways workshops in 

conjunction with the regional 

spring 2013 SPS zone meetings. 

The Career Pathways 

Project has attracted the favorable 

attention of the American 

Association of Physics 

Teachers (AAPT). There will 

be a Career Pathways Faculty 

Workshop at the Summer 

2013 AAPT Meeting in 

Portland, Oregon (as well as a 

session of talks on the project), 

and AAPT plans to cosponsor 

a session of talks on the 

project at the 2013 American 

Physical Society (APS) April 

Meeting. 

The third piece of the Career 

Pathways Project is a pilot 

program, the Alumni Board 

on Careers, that would interact 

with faculty and students 

on careers and career-related 

issues. Current efforts are focused 

on aiding participating 

schools in recruiting board 

members and setting agendas 

for board activity. 

A commitment to a more 

diverse STEM workforce is 

central to the project. Earlier 

this year, a special opportunity 

arose. In the absence of an annual 

meeting of the National 

Society of Black Physicists 

(NSBP), the NSBP recommended 

that its student members 

attend the 2012 Quadrennial 

Physics Congress, 

precisely the meeting at which 

the first results of the Career 

Pathways Project would be 

made public. This should be 

an excellent opportunity to recruit 

students for the upcoming 

Career Pathways regional 

workshops, both to attend 

and to recruit their classmates 

to attend, especially students 

from historically black colleges 

and universities (HBCUs). In 

collaboration with the NSBP 

leadership, the principal investigators 

requested and received 

a supplementary grant from 

NSF to support the attendance 

of forty students from 

HBCUs. At the congress and 

in the regional workshops to 

follow, the project will be able 

to equip significant numbers 

of students from groups traditionally 

underrepresented in 

STEM careers with information 

to better prepare them to 

enter the STEM workforce. 

While this remains a time 

of economic uncertainty, 

STEM careers continue to 

be available to those with 

scientific training and the 

tools to effectively apply 

for such positions. Many 

physics departments have 

found effective practices to 

equip their students for these 

STEM positions. The Career 

Pathways Project is poised to 

make these practices widely 

known. We look forward to 

ever-greater success for physics 

undergraduates seeking to 

enter rewarding, meaningful 

STEM careers. r

Society News 

Honorary Member Douglas D. Osherof 

by Thomas Olsen, Assistant Director, Sigma Pi Sigma 

ABOVE 

SPS zone 18 presents Nobel Laureate Douglas Osheroff with a plaque upon his induction as 

an Honorary Member of Sigma Pi Sigma. From the left: Zone Councilor Doug Singleton, SPS 

Fresno chapter treasurer Jerry Martinez, Doug Osheroff, SPS Fresno chapter president Jessica 

Hernon and Thomas Olsen. 

Photo courtesy of Fresno State University. 

Douglas Osheroff has led an extraordinary 

life of discovery and service. On 

Friday, 27 April 2012, Sigma Pi Sigma 

recognized Dr. Osheroff as its newest 

honorary member for his enormous contributions 

to the advancement of human 

knowledge of the natural world and the 

nurturing of physics students and young 

scientists. Honorary membership may 

be bestowed only by a vote of the SPS 

National Council. 

Doug Osheroff grew up in the scenic 

Pacific Northwest logging town of Aberdeen, 

WA, the son of medical professionals 

who encouraged his interests that 

progressed from gardening and photography, 

to riskier mechanical, chemical, 

and electrical projects. He had the privilege 

of studying at CalTech when Richard 

Feynman taught the introductory 

physics course, now immortalized in the 

Feynman Lectures on Physics. Pursuing 

condensed matter studies in graduate 

school at Cornell University, diligent 

effort, along with the unusual circumstances 

of a skiing accident, positioned 

him perfectly to be the first person to 

observe superfluidity in helium-3, at 

2:00 in the morning. There, he also met 

his life partner, the brilliant biochemist 

Phyllis Liu-Osheroff. 

After graduate school, the Osheroffs 

moved to New Jersey, where Phyllis 

conducted research at Princeton University 

and Doug joined the staff of Bell 

Laboratories. In that highly collaborative 

environment, he continued his studies 

of helium-3, first in the liquid state and 

later in the solid, mapping out the phase 

diagram and identifying the microscopic 

states. The couple moved back to the 

West Coast, where Phyllis joined biotech 

powerhouse Genentech and Doug joined 

the physics faculty of Stanford University. 

He proved to be an outstanding 

teacher and mentor, in addition to being 

a premier research scientist. In 1996, Osheroff, 

his thesis supervisor David Lee, 

and Cornell colleague Robert Richardson 

received the Nobel Prize “for their 

discovery of superfluidity in helium-3.” 

Since winning the prize, Dr. Osheroff 

has crisscrossed the world sharing 

his scientific breakthroughs and his 

experiences as a scientist and a scientific 

citizen. He was a member of the 

National Task Force on Undergraduate 

Physics, which issued the SpinUP report 

on the effective practices of thriving 

physics departments. Physics enrollments 

that were at a low point when the 

report was released, have since climbed 

to record levels. He also served on the 

Columbia Accident Investigation Board, 

convened after the space shuttle Columbia 

disintegrated during re-entry in 

2003. He has partnered with AIP and 

SPS in a program bringing Nobel laureates 

to minority serving institutions and 

SPS zone meetings across the nation. 

His first purchase with Nobel funds was 

a new camera, and he continues to enjoy 

his childhood passion for photography 

personally and by teaching a first-year 

seminar on photography. 

The Osheroffs brought their spirit 

of scientific adventure and service to the 

SPS spring zone meeting for California, 

Nevada, and Hawaii (via teleconference), 

held at the California State University at 

Fresno. On Friday night, Doug spoke to 

a large community audience about the 

Columbia investigation, and on Saturday, 

to the SPS students about discoveries 

in science, including his own experiences. 

The opening event of the meeting 

was Dr. Osheroff’s honorary membership 

recognition. His citation reads: 

For his discovery of the superfluid 

state of helium-3, his work to advance 

physics education as a member of the 

National Task Force on Undergraduate 

Physics, his crucial scientific contributions 

as a member of the space 

shuttle Columbia Accident Investigation 

Board, and his commitment to 

welcome all persons to the profession 

of physics as expressed by his selfless 

service in a program bringing Nobel 

1aureates to physics student meetings 

on the campuses of minority serving 

institutions, Douglas D. Osheroff 

is elected an Honorary Member of 

Sigma Pi Sigma, its highest recognition. 

r 


Society News 

Congratulations to the Newest Sigma Pi Sigma Chapters 

Trinity College, Hartford, CT, 

22 April 2011 

Six undergraduates were received as 

members of Sigma Pi Sigma at Trinity 

College. It was the first reception at 

Trinity in 38 years. SPS/SPS Assistant 

Director Thomas Olsen presided at the 

reactivation of the chapter. 

Thomas Olsen, on the right, joins with Trinity 

College students to celebrate their success. 

Photo by David Branning, Trinity College 

Department of Physics 

Augustana College, Sioux Falls, SD, 

4 May 2011 

Twelve undergraduates and two professors 

formed the charter Sigma Pi 

Sigma class at Augustana College. Past 

President of Sigma Pi Sigma Steve Feller 

presided at the installation. 

Steve Feller (left), and Chapter Advisor Drew 

Alton (fifth from right). Photo courtesy of 

Augustana College Physics Department. 

University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 

20 November 2011 

Five undergraduates formed the charter 

Sigma Pi Sigma class at the University at 

Buffalo. Sigma Pi Sigma President Diane 

Jacobs presided at the installation. 

Kenyon College, Gambier, OH, 

9 December 2011 

Eight undergraduates and two professors 

formed the charter Sigma Pi Sigma 

class at Kenyon College. Sigma Pi Sigma 

President Diane Jacobs presided at the 

installation. 

Diane Jacobs (left), and Chapter Advisor Tom 

Giblin (right), in the blue blazer. Photo by 

Charles Jacobs. 

Massachusetts College of the Liberal 

Arts, North Adams, MA, 13 April 

2012 

Nine undergraduates formed the charter 

Sigma Pi Sigma class at the Massachusetts 

College of the Liberal Arts. SPS 

Program Coordinator Kendra Redmond 

presided at the installation. 

Kendra Redmond (second from left), and 

Caroline Bartlett, who led the effort to 

establish the chapter is fourth from the left. 

SPS Intern for 2012 Ryan Barley appears third 

from the right. Photo by Caroline Bartlett. 

Gordon College, Wenham, MA, 

16 April 2012 

Thirteen undergraduates formed the charter 

Sigma Pi Sigma class at Gordon College. 

SPS/SPS Assistant Director Thomas 

Olsen presided at the installation. 

California State University - Fresno, 

Fresno, CA, 27 April 2012 

Fourteen undergraduate and graduate 

students were received as members of 

Sigma Pi Sigma at the California State 

University at Fresno. It was the first 

reception at Cal State Fresno in 23 years. 

SPS/SPS Assistant Director Thomas 

Olsen presided at the reactivation of 

the chapter. The celebration was held 

in conjunction with the SPS Zone 18 

Meeting, and keynote speaker and Nobel 

Laureate Douglas Osheroff was received 

as an Honorary Member of Sigma Pi 

Sigma. 

New Members and guests learn the history 

of Sigma Pi Sigma. Photo by Thomas Olsen. 

National University of Singapore, 

Singapore, 6 June 2012 

Twenty-five undergraduates formed the 

charter Sigma Pi Sigma class at the National 

University of Singapore. National 

University became the first Sigma PI Sigma 

chapter outside the United States, inaugurating 

the society’s international era. 

The event was celebrated in conjunction 

with seminars on and observations of 

the Transit of Venus that day. Sigma Pi 

Sigma Chapter Advisor Phil Chan (of the 

At-Large chapter, 1991) presided at the 

installation of the chapter. r 

Diane Jacobs (center), and Department Chair 

Hong Luo (right). Alec Cheney, the driving 

force to establish the chapter is third from 

the left. Photo courtesy of the University at 

Buffalo Physics Department. 


Chapter Advisor Dale Pleticha, SPS Chapter 

President Jesse Thompson, and Thomas 

Olsen share in the presentation of the new 

chapter’s charter. Photo by Thomas Olsen. 

SPS Chapter Advisor, Dr. Cindy Ng S.C. is 

seated at the top left corner while Teaching 

Assistance (TA), Dr. Ng Wei Khim, is seated at 

the bottom right corner. Photo courtesy of 

the National University of Singapore Physics 

Department.

Society News 

Three Angelo State Faculty Noted for 

their Service to Sigma Pi Sigma 

During the spring 2012 Sigma Pi Sigma 

induction ceremony at Angelo State 

University, San Angelo, TX, three 

former physics faculty members were 

honored. Dr. H. Ray Dawson, Dr. 

David H. Loyd, Jr., and Dr. C. Varren 

Parker were presented with Sigma Pi 

Sigma Outstanding Service Awards for 

their outstanding dedication and support 

of Sigma Pi Sigma at Angelo State 

University and their commitment to the 

success of the Angelo State Department 

of Physics. 

These individuals were thanked for 

their long-term dedication as professors—their 

summative service to the 

department is well over one hundred 

years. As faculty, they took the extra 

time to excite physics students to go 

beyond what was expected, evidenced 

by a long list of successful graduates in 

a wide variety of career paths. In their 

commitment to the longevity and success 

of the physics department, these 

professors taught many service courses 

voluntarily, on top of their full load of 

majors courses, in an effort to sustain 

the major. 

These three men, exhibiting unparalleled 

foresight, created the environment 

and curriculum that has made the 

ASU physics department so successful. 

In addition, they dedicated extra hours 

to the local Society of Physics Students 

(SPS) chapter and Sigma Pi Sigma 

chapter in order to plant the seeds that 

have grown over the years into the wellfounded 

culture that characterizes the 

department today. Angelo State SPS and 

Sigma Pi Sigma are among the most active 

in the nation. 

The three awardees were each 

presented with a framed certificate from 

the SPS national office. A plaque with 

the service award and their names is on 

permanent display in the Angelo State 

physics student study lounge. r 

LEFT 

2012 Sigma Pi Sigma 

Inductees at Angelo 

State University 

honor faculty 

emeriti. 

Photo by Terry 

McCracken. 

Chapters are encouraged to recognize noteable alumni with the 

Sigma Pi Sigma Outstanding Service Award. For more information, 

see: www.sigmapisigma.org/awards/outstanding_service.htm. 

9 Radiations Spring 2012 


Sigma Pi Sigma 

Convenes for PhysCon 2012 

by Elizabeth Hook, SPS Communications Specialist 

The 2012 Quadrennial Physics 

Congress (PhysCon) this November 

in Orlando, Florida, is 

the latest in of a long line of congresses 

hosted by Sigma Pi Sigma. Congresses 

have played an integral role in the development 

of Sigma Pi Sigma as an honor 

society, and, while the meeting has 

evolved over the years, its core purpose 

has stayed the same: to provide direction 

and vision to Sigma Pi Sigma. 

The first congress was held in 1928 

at Davidson College in North Carolina, 

and six chapters attended. They 

elected national officers, including 

Marsh White who became a lifelong 

active participant in Sigma Pi Sigma. 

In 1934, the third congress was held at 

the University of Kentucky, attended by 

nineteen chapters. During this congress 

Sigma Pi Sigma transitioned from a 

fraternity to an honor society and set the 

standard that membership was dependent 

on academic excellence. In 1967, 

RIGHT 

The first Sigma Pi 

Sigma national 

convention, held on 

the campus of the 

founding chapter, 

Davidson College, 

NC. Six chapters were 

represented, national 

officers were elected, 

and life-long leader 

Marsh White (first 

row, far left) became 

Secretary/Treasurer. 

Photo courtesy of 

American Institute of 

Physics. 


a special congress saw ninety chapters 

vote to merge Sigma Pi Sigma with the 

American Institute of Physics, a move 

that gave birth to the Society of Physics 

Students. 

In 1992 Sigma Pi Sigma hosted the 

first congress in 25 years, in Dayton, 

Ohio, often called the first modern 

congress. The 1996 congress addressed 

the theme “Looking Back, Looking Forward” 

in Atlanta, Georgia, with exciting 

speakers such as Dr. Robert Ballard 

and Dr. Alan Lightman, and began the 

tradition of small group discussions or 

“breakout sessions.” The 2000 congress 

in College Park, Maryland, fully implemented 

breakout sessions, celebrated 

the unique creativity of Sigma Pi Sigma 

members, and featured a large-scale 

discussion on the state of diversity in 

physics. Attendees didn’t just talk about 

important issues; they made recommendations 

to the physics community 

at large about the state of physics and 

physics education through the National 

Task Force on Undergraduate Physics. 

The 2004 Congress, held in Albuquerque, 

New Mexico, set the direction 

for future congresses. It included tours 

of the Trinity Test Site in the Jornada 

del Muerto Desert, and developed ten 

recommendations related to ethical conduct 

for Sigma Pi Sigma and the Society 

of Physics Students. Breakout sessions 

became full-fledged workshops where 

attendees discussed important topics 

such as “Career Choices & Weapons 

Research” and “Professional Integrity in 

Research & Authorship,” for example. 

Four years later at Fermilab in 

Batavia, Illinois, the 2008 Congress addressed 

the theme of “Scientific Citizenship: 

Connecting Physics & Society.” 

Over 600 people attended this congress, 

setting forth recommendations that led 

to a renewed commitment by Sigma 

Pi Sigma and the Society of Physics 

Students (SPS) to encourage diversity 

in physics. These recommendations led 

to the creation of the Future Faces of 

Physics initiative, which includes a $300 

award for SPS chapters to hold events 

that cross cultural divides. The 2008 

congress also included an art contest, 

where attendees displayed and shared art 

connected to science. 

Each congress helps guide the next, 

and the 2004 theme on ethics fed the 

2008 theme on scientific citizenship. 

The theme developed for the 2012 Quadrennial 

Physics Congress, “Connecting 

Worlds Through Science & Service,” 

fed off the energy and direction of past 

congresses. Service has been an integral

ABOUT THIS IMAGE: A 180-degree aerial panorama over the north end 

of the space shuttle landing strip at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. 

Photo: © Edward S. Fink. Used with permission. 

http://BigEyeInTheSky.com. 

LEFT 

John Grunsfeld during the May 

2009 servicing mission to the 

Hubble Space Telescope. 

NASA Photo. 

part of Sigma Pi Sigma since the 1934 

congress, when it was written into the 

society’s mission. Many members and 

chapters are extremely active in their 

community, and former president Diane 

Jacobs said it best: “On the brochure 

students receive when they are invited 

to join Sigma Pi Sigma are printed the 

following words: honor, encouragement, 

fellowship, and service. These are 

the cornerstones of our physics honor 

society. ” Sigma Pi Sigma members take 

their responsibility to serve their community 

to heart, and the 2012 congress 

theme is an extension of that dedication. 

Sigma Pi Sigma’s Quadrennial Congress 

has become the largest and most 

unique meeting targeted at undergraduate 

physicists in the country, bringing together 

undergraduate and graduate physics 

students, faculty, alumni, and others. 

In addition to exciting plenary talks, 

attendees engage in productive and important 

discussions on relevant physics 

topics. The 2012 Physics Congress (now 

dubbed PhysCon) will focus on “Connecting 

Worlds Through Science & 

Service” through six plenary talks, two 

lunch talks, six workshops, two poster 

sessions, an art contest, tours of NASA’s 

Kennedy Space Center, networking opportunities, 

and an exhibit hall packed 

with graduate school representatives, 

physics professional societies, and other 

organizations. These events help provide 

an atmosphere for attendees to grow and 

develop as members of the community, 

as well as providing important guidance 

for Sigma Pi Sigma and SPS. r 

The astronaut who ate peanut butter and raspberry jelly sandwiches 

during shuttle flights and has been known to wear a baseball cap 

emblazoned with Curious George wearing a spacesuit is now trading 

an orange jumpsuit for suits and ties as an administrator at NASA’s 

headquarters. 

When NASA 

administrator 

Charles 

Bolden chose John 

Grunsfeld to lead NASA’s 

Science Mission Directorate, 

some people didn’t 

know what to think. After 

all, Grunsfeld’s reputation 

hinges on his success as 

the “Hubble repairman”-- 

an astronaut who flew on 

three of the five Hubble 

Space Telescope servicing 

missions. 

But before he was 

an astronaut, Grunsfeld 

was a scientist, studying 

high-energy particles. He 

may be the only person 

on earth who has both 

touched Hubble and used 

its data. And now his 

passion for understanding 

the world will be translated 

into helping NASA 

achieve its scientific goals, 

on time and on budget. 

“From the viewpoint 

of a space-telescope person 

— as an astronomer 

and an astronaut — it is 

an incredible time because 

the agency is still formulating 

its exploration plans 

for humans,” Grunsfeld 

told Nature News in January. 

Grunsfeld was born in 

Chicago and grew up near 

the famed Museum of 

Science and Industry. “It 

was a great place to grow 

up; I came to the museum 

all the time,” he said in 

an interview with the 

museum in 2009. “I never 

could tire of exploring 

the museum, there were 

always new things to see.” 

But he thought he’d be an 

adventurer, not a physicist, 

until he was assigned 

to write a biography of 

Speaker Profile 

John Grunsfeld 

by Rachel Kaufman 

Enrico Fermi in the third 

grade. 

Grunsfeld, who was 

unable to comment for 

this article due to scheduling 

constraints, told 

Nature Jobs that initially, 

“I was crushed. I had no 

idea who he was. But I 

soon learned that he was 

both an extremely creative 

physicist, straddling the 

line between experimental 

and theoretical physics, 

and an adventurer. That 

appealed to me greatly. I 

unwittingly locked onto 

Fermi as a model.” 

In high school, the 

budding scientist would 

take instruments home 

to “fix” (and then keep a 

few months longer than 

necessary). He went on to 

study physics at MIT and 

received his PhD in highenergy 

astrophysics at the 


University of Chicago. His 

doctoral thesis involved a 

cosmic ray experiment that 

flew on the space shuttle 

Challenger. 

Three years later, 

NASA called and asked if 

he wanted to be an astronaut. 

No question. Speaking 

to Nature News in 

2010, Grunsfeld said, “My 

mentor, Bruce Margon, 

reminded me that I would 

only get one chance to be 

an astronaut, and that I 

could be an astronomer 

any time.” 

In 1995 Grunsfeld 

flew in space for the first 

time. Four years later, he 

was assigned to STS-103, 

the third Hubble servicing 

mission. 

“It was like finding 

the Holy Grail,” he said in 

a 2008 interview. “As an 

astronomer this was a huge 

deal for me and the kind of 

thing I had dreamed about 

since I was 6 years old. 

When I finally got there in 

December of 1999, I was 

on the end of the robotic 

arm and within about a 

meter of Hubble and I 

really had one of those 

moments where I was…was 

kind of so thrilled that I 

just couldn’t believe it and 

found myself reaching out 

to touch Hubble -- and I 

literally did that with my 

finger -- to touch Hubble, 

to see if it was real.” 

No spacewalk is easy, 

but some of Grunsfeld’s activities 

seem to defy logic, 

requiring him to perform 

repairs on parts of the 

telescope that weren’t even 

visible. During the final 

Hubble servicing mission 

in 2009, he had to reach 

around a corner to unfasten 

some of the 100 screws 

that needed replacing. 

“It’s kind of like wearing 

a couple of pairs of winter 

mitts. But...when I’m in a 

spacesuit I feel very comfortable, 

almost as if I’m 

working in shirtsleeves,” he 

told NASA. 

Indeed, space may be 

where Grunsfeld is most 

comfortable. Speaking to 

the Australian Broadcasting 

Corporation in an 

interview aired in 2011, 

he said that upon reaching 

space, “I just felt this is 

my home. If I could live in 

space, I would definitely do 

that.” 

After retiring from 

NASA in 2009, Grunsfeld 

began work as deputy 

director of the Space Telescope 

Science Institute in 

Baltimore, MD, the science 

operations center for both 

Hubble and the forthcoming 

James Webb Space 

Telescope. Two years later, 

he rejoined NASA as a 

scientist, not an astronaut. 

He now manages 

NASA’s spaceflight 

programs as well as the 

agency’s Earth science, 

planetary science and heliophysics 

experiments. No 

problem. “The last time I 

looked, Earth was a planet. 

Venus is a planet. Mars is 

a planet,” he told Nature 

News. “The Sun is a star; 

Hubble studies stars. We 

tend to stovepipe things 

into budget lines, but there 

are very few scientists who 

also don’t see it as a continuum.” 

r 

Speaker Profile 

Mercedes Richards 

by Rachel Kaufman 

Photo courtesy of Kutztown 

University. Used with permission. 

Mad Mercy’s classmates thought 

it was crazy to study astronomy. 

But that didn't stop her from 

pursuing her dream to the stars. 

Her name, of course, wasn't 

really "Mad Mercy." And 

Mercedes Richards' high 

school classmates only thought 

she was loopy. After all, they were 

going to be doctors, engineers, and 

lawyers. Where was the money in 

astronomy? 

But as any scientist knows, it's 

not about the money. It's about discovery. 

Richards has certainly done 

a lot of that. As an expert on binary 


RIGHT 

Astronaut John 

Grunsfeld, 

Hubble repair 

mission specialist, 

is positioned on 

a foot restraint 

on the end of the 

Space Shuttle 

Atlantis' remote 

manipulator 

system, as he 

participates in 

the final session 

to refurbish and 

upgrade the 

Hubble Space 

Telescope. 

Image courtesy 

of NASA. 


A Crisis of Perception 

by Allen O. Scheie, Grove City College 

The public believes that science is all about developing 

technology. What does this mean for science? 

Irecently had an interesting conversation 

with an executive engineer from 

a spaceflight company. Our conversation 

began with satellites and rockets but 

soon came around to the Higgs boson 

discovery at CERN. With a concerned 

expression, he bluntly told me he did not 

understand why anybody would spend 

billions of dollars just to see a tiny particle 

that exists only for an instant. 

I was taken aback. Here was a man 

who had spent his whole life as an engineer—surely 

he should appreciate the 

value of scientific discovery, especially 

something as fundamental as the explanation 

for mass. Apparently, he did not. 

That attitude seems increasingly 

common today. Traditionally, the goal 

of science has been elucidating nature 

and discovering its laws. However, 

the public now seems to view science's 

primary goal as developing technology 

and creating products.[1] Earlier this year 

Steven Weinberg, a Nobel laureate in 

physics, wrote about that change of attitude 

in both politicians and the public. 

[2] During a congressional briefing in 

June, Craig Mello, winner of the 2006 

Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, 

also pointed out the trend.[3] And in July 

Lawrence Krauss, a prominent theoretical 

physicist, remarked that the public 

values science because of "the practical 

applications."[4] 

If Weinberg, Mello, and Krauss are 

right—if the public truly thinks that science 

is all about innovation—what will it 

mean for the discipline? What will be the 

ramifications? 

Basic research could lose funding 

Science-policy people usually talk about 

two types of research: basic and applied. 

Basic research is conducted to investigate 

nature, whereas applied research is conducted 

to develop a specific technology 

or product. Although the line separating 

the two is often fuzzy, companies 

and governments usually differentiate 

between them for budgeting purposes. 

Historically, strong funding has been 

allocated for both. However, under the 

mindset that science is about "making 

the world a better place," inquiry would 

be valuable only if it eventually led to 

new technologies. When funding is 

limited, as in recent years, it will flow to 

research that yields direct, timely results. 

What manufacturer would have paid Albert 

Einstein to develop special relativity? 

Basic research, although it can be an 

expensive and uncertain undertaking, 

is the foundation for all future applied 

R&D. If we do not conduct basic 

research today, there will be no applied 

research tomorrow. And basic research 

needs funding. 

Leslie Tolbert, senior vice president 

for research at the University of Arizona, 

is concerned that applied research is 

already receiving funding priority. In her 

testimony before the US House Committee 

on Science, Space, and Technology, 

she warned, "In recent years, federal 

financial support for research has not 

kept pace with what is needed. . . . Simultaneously, 

private-sector companies that 

do research and development (R&D) 

increasingly have tightened their focus to 

more applied research and development, 

leaving the universities and national 

labs most of the fundamental (or 'basic') 

research."[5] 

Fundamental theories may not 

be pursued 

Science is all about fundamental theories—explaining 

how the natural world 

works. One observes the facts, develops a 

hypothesis, makes predictions based on 

that hypothesis, and tests the predictions. 

If the predictions are correct, then 

the hypothesis is probably right. But in a 

world where science is all about deliverables, 

such speculation would have no 

place. 

Imagine ancient researchers observing 

falling objects and wanting to 

Allen Scheie is a physics and philosophy 

major at Grove City College in Grove 

City, Pennsylvania. Allen was one of 

nine Society of Physics Students (SPS) 

Summer Interns during the summer 

of 2012, where he worked on the US 

House of Representatives' Committee 

on Science, Space, and Technology as a 

Mather Public Policy Intern. 

SPS internships are broad-based 

learning opportunities that offer 

undergraduate physics students 

experience in policy, outreach, and 

research in the Washington, DC, area. 

For more information on the SPS 

Summer Internship Program, visit 

www.spsnational.org/programs/ 

internships/. 

harness the phenomenon to develop new 

technology—say, a catapult. They note 

that objects tend to fall at the same rate, 

regardless of weight. They are developing 

not only an experiment but also equations 

that accurately predict an object's 

trajectory. If you asked them why all 

objects fall in that manner, they would 

probably say they don't know. All that 

matters for the catapult is that its makers 

be able to predict—not explain. 

The preference for application is a 

problem because inductive explanation is 

fundamental to science. Why do objects 

fall to the ground? Why do some compounds 

react with others? How do atoms 

hold themselves together? Prediction is 

important, but the real breakthroughs 

come with revolutions in explanation. 

Consider Max Planck. He theorized 

the existence of quantized energy to explain 

an oddity in electromagnetic waves, 

an oddity noticed only after theories 

failed to fully explain radiation. From 

Planck's equation, scientists developed 

quantum theory, which has radically 

reshaped our understanding of the world. 

Photo by Tracy M. Schwab. 


Niels Bohr, Erwin Schrödinger, and 

other quantum pioneers would not have 

spent decades developing something as 

elegant and comprehensive as quantum 

theory if all they cared about had been 

creating products. Planck had no idea 

that his theory would underlie a new 

age of electronic computing; he was just 

looking for an explanation. To develop 

something like quantum theory, somebody 

needs to be looking for a fundamental 

theory. If we aren't looking for 

the laws of nature, we won't find them. 

Certain disciplines could 

disappear 

Theoretical astrophysics, cosmology, and 

high-energy particle physics can tell us 

a lot about the universe, but they don't 

necessarily lead to better smartphones 

or more innovative medical procedures. 

Rather, researchers in those fields are 

motivated by a desire to understand 

the universal principles that govern the 

world.[6] Occasionally, they may come 

up with spinoff technologies from the 

machines used in their experiments, but 

funding the experiments for the technology 

alone would be horribly inefficient. 

Science in the US is already seeing 

funding cuts, as Weinberg reported 

earlier this year: 

In the past few years funding has 

dropped for astrophysics at NASA. 

In 2010 the National Research 

Council carried out a survey of 

opportunities for astronomy in the 

next ten years, setting priorities for 

new observatories that would be 

based in space. . . . No funds are in 

the budget for any of these.[7] 

Things are not much better in particle 

physics. The US canceled its funding for 

a new particle accelerator almost three 

decades ago.[8] 

Where real discoveries come from 

To see the true foundation of discovery, 

we must consider the history of science. 

[9] Isaac Newton, possibly the greatest 

scientist the world has ever known, pursued 

the link between mathematics and 

the physical world. He did that not to 

create machines and develop technology 

but to "afford some light either to this or 


some truer method of [natural] philosophy,"[10] 

as stated in his Principia. 

The scientists who make the real 

breakthroughs are still the ones who 

are looking for the laws of nature. John 

Mather, who won the Nobel Prize in 

Physics in 2006 for his measurements 

of the cosmic microwave background 

radiation, said he was compelled by "one 

of the most exciting endeavors of the 

twentieth century: the quest to understand 

how the universe began and how 

it has evolved since. That humans could 

even contemplate supplying answers to 

such questions filled me with awe."[11] 

Craig Mello, credited with the discovery 

of RNA interference, bluntly detailed his 

group's motivation for biology research: 

"We're not trying to make a drug. We're 

trying to discover how the darn cell actually 

works."[12] 

Even in corporate-sponsored labs, the 

motivation behind major discoveries was 

inquisitiveness rather than innovation. 

Bell Labs, which once was a powerhouse 

of research and discovery, produced dozens 

of devices that remain familiar today. 

Nevertheless, as Jon Gernter noted in his 

history of the labs, "The teams at Bell 

Labs that invented the laser, transistor 

and solar cell were not seeking profits. 

They were seeking understanding. Yet 

in the process they created not only new 

products but entirely new—and lucrative—industries."[13] 

Why public perception matters 

Fortunately, the mindset that "science is 

about technological advancement" has 

not yet infiltrated the scientific community. 

Most scientists still understand 

that science is really about discovery. It 

is vital, however, that we pay attention 

to what the public thinks. The public's 

perception of science will define the direction 

of the discipline, for two reasons. 

First, public perception determines 

where the money goes. Corporations 

and governments fund research based 

on what they think its purpose is. We 

see that happening today. The Research 

Council of the UK lists its priorities for 

scientific research in terms of economic 

and social benefits.[14] Likewise, China 

recently announced that its focus for 

scientific research will be on "translating 

research into technologies that can power 

economic growth and address pressing 

national needs."[15] Any purely basic 

research will be hard to defend or initiate 

under such paradigms. 

Consider, too, Weinberg's chilling 

example of the cancellation of the Superconducting 

Super Collider: "During the 

debate over the SSC, I was on the Larry 

King radio show with a congressman 

who opposed it. He said that he wasn't 

against spending on science, but that 

we had to set priorities. I explained that 

the SSC was going to help us learn the 

laws of nature, and I asked if that didn't 

deserve a high priority. I remember every 

word of his answer. It was 'No.'"[166] If 

the sponsors believe that science's value 

lies in technological innovation, they will 

fund only research that yields products 

and technology. 

The second reason public perception 

is so important is that the applied-first 

mindset will eventually seep into science 

itself. Whereas today's scientists might 

still believe in the quest for understanding, 

tomorrow's scientists will grow up 

in a world that tells them that science is 

about delivering more tangible benefits 

to society. 

Science for its own sake 

In light of recent trends, Weinberg predicted 

in May 2012, "In the next decade 

we may see the search for the laws of 

nature slow to a halt, not to be resumed 

again in our lifetimes."[17] His prediction 

is sobering. Yet despite all the frightening 

possibilities, it is not too late. In 

2010 82% of surveyed Americans agreed 

that the federal government should support 

scientific research "even if it brings 

no immediate benefits."[18] 

In an age of satellites, laptops, and 

smartphones, one can easily be swept 

away by the amazing technology that 

results from scientific research. We 

must not lose sight, however, of science's 

foundation: inquisitiveness about creation. 

Science teachers, researchers, and 

science writers must take advantage of 

that foundation and explain to the public 

the value in the quest for understanding, 

the thrill of discovery, and the incredible 

privilege of searching for the secrets of 

the universe. 

So how did I respond to the spaceflight 

engineer who said the Large

Hadron Collider was a waste of money? 

I replied that the goal of the experiment 

was not just to see a flash of a particle. 

It was to explain mass—one of the most 

fundamental yet mysterious aspects of 

our world. Whether or not the Higgs 

discovery yields technological advances, 

we are a step closer to understanding the 

vast and mysterious workings of the cosmos. 

I do not know if I convinced him, 

but I hope I gave him a taste of what the 

scientific endeavor really is. 

Even if scientists do not develop products 

or help the economy, it is a glorious 

honor to discern the order of the universe. 

Let's not lose sight of that, and let's 

pass that inquisitiveness on to the next 

generation. The universe is a beautiful 

place, and there is still so much to learn. 

r 

Mercedes Richards 

continued from page 12 

star systems, she has spent her career trying 

to understand what goes on between 

these twinned stars. She may even help 

discover whether their planets host life. 

Richards was born in Kingston, 

Jamaica, a place where the stars shine so 

beautifully at night that you can't help 

but become interested in them. "Even 

today with all the light pollution, you go 

outside and boom! you can really see a 

lot of stars," Richards says. "I didn’t have 

a telescope, and my father didn't know 

about stars, so we were just looking up 

and engaged in how many stars there 

were." By about 7th grade, though, she 

was certain she wanted to know more 

about the universe. 

After completing her master's at York 

University in Toronto, Richards began 

studying binary star systems at the University 

of Toronto. Her thesis focused 

on a particular class of binary star pairs 

where one star is consuming the other. 

These stars, Richards says, behave a lot 

like twins. "They were born at the same 

time, but you can have twins who have 

slightly different weights. So one of the 

stars in our binary system is a little bit 

heavier than the other. The heavier one 

matures faster and, if the stars are really 

close to each other, one star will start 

dumping gas onto the other." 

This article originally appeared in Physics 

Today Online’s Points of View column on 

August 13, 2012, www.physicstoday.org/ 

daily_edition/points_of_view/a_crisis_of_ 

perception. Reprinted with permission. 

References 

[1] M. Smith, Yahoo Voices, 26 September 2008, http:// 

voices.yahoo.com/start-supercollider-renews-fears-raises-1955634.html?cat=15. 

[2] S. Weinberg, New York Review of Books, 10 May 

2012,http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2012/ 

may/10/crisis-big-science/?pagination=false. 

[3] C. Mello, "Silencing human disease with RNA 

interference," Congressional Biomedical Research Caucus 

2012 Briefing Series, Washington, DC, 20 June 2012, 

http://blip.tv/congressional-biomedical-research-caucus/ 

silencing-human-disease-with-rnainterference-6221265. 

[4] C. Santa Maria, Huffington Post, 18 July 2012, http:// 

www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/18/lawrence-kraussuniverse-from-nothing_n_1681113.html. 

[5] L. Tolbert, testimony before the House Committee 

on Science and Technology, Subcommittee on Research 

and Science Education, Washington, DC, 27 June 2012, 

p. 2, http://democrats.science.house.gov/sites/democrats. 

science.house.gov/files/documents/Tolbert%20Testimony. 

pdf. 

The nearest pair of stars exhibiting 

this behavior is about 100 light-years 

away, relatively close, but it is hard to 

get a good picture of what is happening 

in these star systems. "Even with our 

largest telescopes you can't take a picture 

of most of them. From here they would 

look like a dot," Richards says. "We're 

able to make pictures of galaxies that are 

much much farther away--millions of 

light years away--and yet we have stars 

inside our own galaxy that are just 100 

light years away, and we can't take images 

of them because they are so small." 

Using a technique called tomography, 

which was developed for the 

medical industry, Richards was able to 

"see" the gas moving between stars and 

determine the properties of the binary 

system. Tomography takes 2-D pictures 

of sections or "slices" of a three-dimensional 

object and then reconstructs 

them into a full 3D model. Richards's 

tomograms used the Doppler shifts of 

light leaving stars to reconstruct how gas 

flows among and between stars. 

Why bother exploring these systems? 

For one thing, "most of the stars in the 

sky are actually binary or multiple. We 

need to understand the dynamics of 

what's going on to get a better sense of 

what's really happening all over in our 

galaxy," Richards says. Also, with the 

confirmed discovery last year of giant 

planet Kepler 16b, which orbits a binary 

[6] Ref. 2, p. 3. 

[7] Ref. 2, p. 4. 

[8] Ref. 2, p. 2. 

[9] For a fascinating discussion of this historical foundation, 

see N. R. Pearcey, C. B. Thaxton, The Soul of 

Science, Crossway Books, Irvine, CA (1994). 

[10] G. Gamow, The Great Physicists from Galileo to 

Einstein, Harper & Brothers, New York (1961), p. 54. 

[11] J. Boslough, J. Mather, The Very First Light: The 

True Inside Story of the Scientific Journey Back to the 

Dawn of the Universe, Basic Books, New York (2008), 

p. 5. 

[12] See Ref. 3. 

[13] J. Gertner, New York Times, 25 February 

2012, http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/26/opinion/sunday/innovation-and-the-bell-labs-miracle. 

html?pagewanted=all&_r=1&. 

[14] Department for Business Innovation and Skills,The 

Allocation of Science and Research Funding, London, 

December 2010, p. 9, http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/ 

biscore/science/docs/a/10-1356-allocation-of-science-andresearch-funding-2011-2015.pdf. 

[15] J. Qiu, Nature 470, 15 (2011), http://www.nature. 

com/news/2011/110201/full/470015a.html. 

[16] See ref. 2, p. 3. 

[17] See ref. 2, p. 4. 

[18] National Science Board, Science and Engineering 

Indicators 2012, National Science Foundation, Arlington, 

VA (2012), chap. 7, p. 7, http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/ 

seind12/c7/c7s1.htm 

star system, learning how binary stars 

interact could point astronomers toward 

the discovery of more planets in similar 

systems. "We thought at first this [type 

of planetary system] could not be stable, 

that the gravitational forces of the stars 

would rip the planets apart. But it seems 

there are now a lot of binary systems 

that are parents to these planets. It's important 

for us to know what's going on 

and how that might affect the planetary 

systems that form around them." 

Richards says, also, that she is motivated 

by pure curiosity. "I just want to 

see what it looks like," she says. "What's 

going on up there? I just want to see it 

up close. This is how I get to see it up 

close." 

And if someone were to develop 

a super-fast spaceship that would let 

Richards really see the stars up close? No 

thanks. "I get seasick all too quickly. No 

small places, thank you. But if somebody 

wanted to go and take a picture 

and send it back, that would make my 

day." r 

To read profiles of all 

six PhysCon plenary 

speakers, see the 2012 

Quadrennial Physics 

Congress Program at: 

www.spscongress.org. 


Elegant Connections in Physics 

Science and Service, 

Appreciation and Awareness 

By Dwight E. Neuenschwander 

We take it for granted now that science has a social responsibility. That idea would not 

have occurred to Newton or to Galileo. They thought of science as an account of the 

world as it is, and the only responsibility that they acknowledged was to tell the truth. 

The idea that science is a social enterprise is modern ... –Jacob Bronowski [1] 

“But you were always a good man of business, Jacob,” faltered Scrooge ...”Business!” 

cried the ghost, wringing its hands again. “Mankind was my business! . . . The 

dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of 

my business!” –Charles Dickens [2] 



This November Sigma Pi Sigma 

will host its quadrennial national 

convention, the “Sigma 

Pi Sigma Congress.” The organizers of 

the 2012 Congress selected the theme 

“Connecting Worlds Through Science 

and Service.” The “connecting worlds” 

motif fits well with the meeting’s 

location in Orlando, Florida, about an 

hour’s drive from the Kennedy Space 

Center on Cape Canaveral. For half a 

century, the Cape’s launch pads have 

connected Earth to other worlds. 

“Service” forms one of the four 

pillar values—Honor, Encouragement, 

Service, and Fellowship—articulated 

in the Sigma Pi Sigma Mission Statement. 

What does “connecting worlds 

through science and service” mean 

in my daily life as a Sigma Pi Sigma 

member? 

Benjamin Franklin set a tone early 

on for connecting nations through science 

and service.[3] Everyone who has 

taken a high school course in American 

history knows that Franklin represented 

the fledgling USA to France 

during the American Revolution. 

Two decades earlier, he represented 

the Pennsylvania Colonial Assembly 

before the British Parliament. A high 

school student may wonder why the 

British Parliament and the French royal 

court would respect the credentials 

of a printer from Philadelphia. As a 

point of fact seldom emphasized in the 

11th-grade history courses, Franklin 

was one of the most respected “natural 

philosophers” in the world. His Experiments 

and Observations on Electricity, 

Made at Philadelphia in America, 

published in 1751, placed him among 

the pioneering leaders in the study of 

electrostatics. Franklin was the first 

American to be elected to membership 

in the Royal Society, which awarded 

him its Copley Gold Medal in 1753. 

In 1772 the French Academy of Science 

elected him a Foreign Associate, 

of which there could be only eight 

members at one time. Thus when 

Franklin presented his credentials to 

the court of Louis XVI in 1776, the 

king’s ministers already knew him as 

one of the world’s premier scientists. 

Examples of like-minded engagement 

from our own era include 

Richard Feynman’s service on the 

Rogers Commission that investigated 

the tragic explosion of the space shuttle 

Challenger in 1986 [4] and Steven 

Chu’s service as the present Secretary of 

Energy. We have the Union of Concerned 

Scientists. Behind the scenes are 

the physicists among the Jasons, an elite 

group of minds that conduct in-depth 

Modern society depends on technologies that humans created—and on natural 

phenomena we did not create. But how many people feel connected to their machines— 

or to Nature? A vision for "Connecting Worlds through Science and Service" might build 

on the dual values of appreciation and awareness. Theses photos show scenes from 

the author's "engine cadaver lab," where students take apart, examine, and reassemble 

one-cylinder lawn mower engines. This exercise is followed by a two-part discussion, 

explicitly emphasizing appreciation (historical legacies, automobiles as art, urging that 

the performance and reliability of modern cars should not be taken for granted); and 

awareness (costs to our culture, landscape, and ecosystem from hundreds of millions of 

engines operating daily). Most students emerge from this experience with more respect for 

their personal car—and a desire to reduce their dependence on it. I offer this experience 

as an example of "connecting worlds through science and service" by enhancing the 

complementary values of appreciation and awareness in a particular medium. 

Photos by Dwight E. Neuenschwander. 

technical studies for the US government. 

All of us can relate to the tasks 

of countless physicists who spend long 

hours in tiresome 

Benjamin 

Franklin set 

a tone early on 

for connecting 

nations through 

science and 

service. 

committee meetings, 

composing 

recommendations 

and drafting 

white papers 

on education, 

aerospace, defense, 

medicine, 

energy, technology, 

climate 

change, environmental 

sustainability, and so on. 

Within living memory, in the 

flood of federal funding that came 

to physics following World War II, 

many people worried that the research 

agenda could be hijacked. Describing 

the conditions necessary for robust 

inquiry, in 1952 Melba Phillips wrote: 

“Scientists must bear some of the blame 

for the present-day negation of these 

conditions. If, in the public mind, there 

is a widespread tendency to identify 

science with destruction . . . it is in part 

because scientists have largely forgotten 

their duty, as educators, to the public. In 

England, France, and Germany, there 

sprang up in the nineteenth century a 

tradition of the scientist’s obligation to 

interpret his philosophy and his results 

to the nonscientific public to which, in 

the broadest sense, he owed his support. 

At the present time, Albert Einstein is 

an outstanding exemplar of this tradition, 

which was notably supported in 

the past by [Michael] Faraday, [Louis] 

Pasteur, [Thomas] Huxley, and [Henri] 

Poincaré, among others. Most American 

scientists have retreated so far into the 

remote reaches of specialization that they 

have largely forgotten their obligation to 

the public. It is not altogether the fault 

of the man in the street if he is relatively 

unaware of the traditionally humanitarian 

role of science and of conditions 

necessary for maintaining it.”[5] 

Michael Faraday famously conducted 

public lectures with demonstrations 

of his discoveries in electro- 



chemistry, electricity, and magnetism. 

After Albert Einstein became an 

international celebrity in 1919, he used 

his fame well, to speak out on behalf 

of humanitarian causes and become 

an activist for social justice.[6] More 

recently, other physicists, such as Andrei 

Sakarov, 

Fang Lizhi, 

I am not called 

to fix all the 

world’s problems, 

but I am called 

to do what I can, 

wherever I am. 


and Alexander 

Solzhenitsyn, 

spoke truth to 

power, even at 

considerable 

risk to themselves. 

They 

knew that 

evidence-based 

reasoning and 

ideologies of 

tyranny are incompatible, and they did 

something about it personally and with 

integrity.[7] 

Most of us will not have opportunities 

to present our credentials to 

royalty, serve on federal commissions, 

be a cabinet secretary, or defy dictators. 

But as people trained in physics, each 

of us can make a contribution toward 

connecting worlds through science 

and service, contributions that would 

not be made otherwise. For instance, 

close to home we find colleagues who 

participate in school textbook selection 

committees, judge science fairs, 

volunteer in science museums, provide 

expert testimony in court, conduct 

after-school tutoring programs, deliver 

science-related presentations to community 

groups, and so on. I am not 

called to fix all the world’s problems, 

but I am called to do what I can, wherever 

I am. 

“Service” in Sigma Pi Sigma 

Culture 

Although the Sigma Pi Sigma Mission 

Statement was formally adopted in 

1995,[8] three of its four articulated 

values—Honor, Encouragement, and 

Fellowship—have been a recognized 

part of Sigma Pi Sigma from the 

moment of the society’s founding at 

Davidson College in 1921. The five 

undergraduate founders envisioned 

an organization that would “recognize 

superior scholarship in physics, 

encourage and stimulate [students] in 

their scientific work, and bring those 

interested in physics into a closer association.”[9] 

These values were preserved 

through the merger in 1968 between 

Sigma Pi Sigma and the AIP Student 

Sections to form the Society of Physics 

Students (SPS). Sigma Pi Sigma was 

preserved intact but linked to the new 

society, with shared governance and 

administration. The SPS/Sigma Pi 

Sigma constitution reaffirms the honor 

society’s original purpose. Within 

article II, we find that the objectives 

of the Society of Physics Students 

include “recognize high scholarship 

and potential achievement in physics 

among outstanding students by means 

of Sigma Pi Sigma membership.”[10] 

“Service” had always been encouraged 

by the culture of Sigma Pi Sigma, 

but, to my knowledge, it was articulated 

explicitly in archival documents less 

frequently than the other values. How 

did Service come to be included in the 

Mission Statement? 

The Sigma Pi Sigma Congress held 

in Dayton, Ohio, in 1992, was the first 

Congress to take place after a 25-year 

hiatus. Frequent Sigma Pi Sigma national 

conventions had earlier been the 

norm. The first was hosted by Davidson 

College in 1928. The second was 

held at the University of Kentucky in 

1931, and the third took place at Purdue 

University in 1934. By 1965 Sigma 

Pi Sigma boasted 118 chapters, and the 

administration of the society, which for 

decades had proceeded from the office 

of Marsh White at Pennsylvania State 

University, was outgrowing his filing 

cabinets. The main action item at the 

Sigma Pi Sigma National Convocation, 

held in 1967 at Purdue, was to consider 

the proposed merger. It was narrowly 

approved, and the documents were 

signed in 1968.[9] 

At the 1992 Congress, various 

committees generated proposals for 

revitalizing Sigma Pi Sigma and 

brought motions to the assembly floor 

for consideration as action items. 

One motion asked that the Sigma Pi 

Sigma administrators seek an arrangement 

with a credit card vendor so that 

purchases made with, say, a Sigma Pi 

Sigma Visa would benefit the society 

while offering members a distinctive 

emblem to pack in their wallets.[11] 

While a perfectly reasonable suggestion, 

it raised a deeper question in the 

minds of some about what an honor 

society is supposed to mean. As the 

years fly by and the induction ceremony 

becomes a fuzzy memory, would a 

piece of logo-bearing plastic intended 

for commerce be the one surviving 

artifact to mark the crossing of paths 

between the inductee and the society? 

Although an honor society is founded 

to benefit its own members, does the 

meaning of Sigma Pi Sigma end with 

what it does for me? 

In a 1995 Radiations editorial the 

question was raised this way: “As the 

induction ceremony recedes into the 

distance with the passage of years, 

what becomes of the mission of ΣΠΣ 

for us personally? Is an academic honor 

society such as ΣΠΣ supposed to ‘do’ 

anything, or is it merely supposed to 

‘be’?”[12] 

When facing a decision, one tries to 

identify principles that form the basis 

for weighing competing values. The 

principle that led to the inclusion of 

the Service component in the Mission 

Statement is elementary: To whom 

much is given, much is expected. 

Sigma Pi Sigma members are justly 

recognized for their accomplishments 

in physics, but developing our abilities 

required more than hard work from 

us. It also required an environment 

with an infrastructure and supportive 

relationships where our interests and 

talents were given a chance to bloom. 

One of my wise friends observed, “The 

real tragedy occurs when you die with 

the music still inside you.”[13] Fortunately 

for Sigma Pi Sigma members, 

the music was not allowed to die 

within us. Sigma Pi Sigma members 

somehow found the freedom to invest 

the years necessary to complete our 

educations. For that to happen, someone 

had to believe in us and offer us 

encouragement. Books and computers,


laboratories and classrooms—and the 

guidance of mentors—were available 

to us.[14] With discipline and diligence 

we did our part, but we walked 

through doors built by others. 

The 1995 editorial continued, “No 

matter where life had led us individually, 

each of us, at least for a time, 

immersed ourselves in the culture and 

tradition of physics, and we demonstrated 

that we could excel at it. What 

cuts across [our] generational and 

professional lines, and ties us together, 

is our interest in physics and the taste 

of success that we have enjoyed in it. 

With this common thread running 

through such rich diversity, there is 

vast potential for service, through 

networking, advice, contacts, and 

the sharing with various communities 

our collective wisdom.”[12] That 

same year, the Mission Statement was 

drafted, vetted, and approved by the 

National Council. 

Besides acknowledging our debt to 

others by conducting our “business” 

with proactive competence, what images 

can we use to make “mankind our 

business” in effective ways that honor 

the spirit of physics? If I may, I would 

suggest that achieving the aspirations 

of the 2012 Congress theme could 

be enhanced if attempts done in its 

name strive to increase two qualities 

in people’s minds: appreciation, and 

awareness. They are two sides of one 

coin. 

llustrating Two Sides of the 

Coin 

An example is called for, and the more 

familiar and abundant the subject, the 

better. Consider a familiar, abundant 

item—the automobile. I have been 

astonished over the past two decades 

to learn how few of my students 

visualize, in any way, what occurs 

under the hood of their car. Most are 

clueless, lacking even a mental picture 

about how their car works, even 

though they are utterly dependent on 

its technology every day. There are 

the occasional car enthusiasts in the 

class who share with me a refreshing 

interest in things mechanical, but they 

are the exceptions. My strategy for 

enhancing the automotive appreciation 

of everyone else is to have them 

complete the “engine cadaver lab” (the 

few experienced mechanics take the 

role of TAs). Here I have the students 

take apart, examine, and reassemble 

retired one-cylinder lawn mower 

motors.[15] For most participants the 

experience is an epiphany. Now they 

can visualize how the piston, connecting 

rod, and crankshaft convert linear 

motion to rotary motion, similar to 

pedaling a bicycle. Now they know 

what spark plugs and air filters are for. 

Seeing with their own eyes how the 

piston and crankshaft, camshaft and 

valves, magneto and flywheel all work 

together to bring the machine to mechanical 

life—getting their own hands 

inside the engine, and feeling the 

torque on a wrench themselves—are 

moments where you can see the coin 

drop and the light come on. I should 

let a student or two speak for themselves. 

Their weekly class assignment 

is a personal “letter,” written as if they 

were on a journey and corresponding 

with someone at home:[16] 

“ ... I must admit, I have never heard an 

engine called a cadaver until this class. I 

gained a new respect for mechanics . . . 

I had never thought of automobile work 

as a form of skill comparable to that of a 

doctor, but now I do. The motor is just 

the patient instead! I bet that almost 

LEFT 

Paying respects to what’s 

left of a 1954 Cadillac Sedan 

deVille, having re-assembled 

its scattered parts as best we 

could, in the abandoned mining 

town of Dalamar, Nevada. I 

have never understood the 

mentality of those who take 

delight in gleefully destroying 

something they do not know 

how to make for themselves. 

Such an attitude seems all too 

prevalent in our consumerist 

society. Before we can abuse 

a machine, a species, or an 

ecosystem, we must first 

detach ourselves from it, and 

see it as having no value. 

Does “connecting worlds” 

include doing whatever we 

can to reduce detachment and 

enhance caring? 

Photo by Dwight E. 

Neuenschwander. 



99% of the world overlooks the complexity 

of their machines as I caught myself 

doing. I wonder how people might live 

differently if they knew their technology 

on a more personal level. ...”–Aubrey J. 

“How can I abuse or break something 

that I myself have no idea how to make? 

I would venture to say that just about 

everything that I own or use is something 

that I do not know how to make myself. 

The truck I drive, the phone that I have, 

and the laptop that I am typing on now 

are ... absolutely amazing in how they 

work ... Last week [our professor] had 

the whole classroom split up into small 

groups and each group took apart a small 

lawnmower engine. The purpose of this 

exercise was not only to show us how an 

engine is made but to help each of us 

realize how complex [it] is. I wouldn’t say 

that I abuse or break things on purpose 

... However, there have been times when 

I did not take care of a machine ... and 

because of that the machine broke down 

and I was upset at it. I did not have a 

right to be mad at the machine because 

RIGHT 

Within the hardware 

of any particular 

automobile resides 

a long history of 

concepts and skills 

that have been 

honed into this 

machine that serves 

us so faithfully. As 

an individual, each 

automobile deserves 

appreciation. But 

what are the 

consequences for us, 

for other lives, and 

for the ecosystem, of 

hundreds of millions 

of these marvelous 

machines operating 

every day? Does 

“service” include 

raising appreciation 

and awareness? 

Top photo by Dwight 

E. Neunschwander. 

Bottom photo by 

CanStockPhoto. 


I did not hold up my end of the deal by 

taking care of it while using it ...” 

–Nathaniel S. 

To have in your service at all times this 

marvelous machine that will carry you 

in comfort across the country at 70 

miles per hour—not even the pharaohs, 

King Solomon, or Louis XVI 

could order up such a wonder! And 

one does not need to own a Ferrari, a 

lovingly preserved brass-and-leather 

antique, or a handbuilt custom street 

rod to know that cars can also be 

breathtaking works of art. Such are the 

realizations of appreciation. 

As Nathaniel heard me say in class, 

I cannot watch a “car bash” at the high 

school homecoming party. It is a philosophical 

issue. Personally, I do not understand 

how anyone can take delight 

in gleefully destroying something that 

they cannot build themselves. That 

attitude, in my opinion, shows colossal 

disrespect to the machine and to the 

people who designed it, who built it, 

and who took care of it. 

More important, that wanton 

attitude is highly transferable from 

machines to living creatures and entire 

ecosystems. The contagion also targets, 

all too readily, other people who are 

“not like us.” From car bashes to the 

Holocaust, the “other” must first be 

objectified as a thing of low value, so 

that one can feel justified in ignoring 

it or heaping on it other forms of 

contempt.[17] But if I practice respect 

toward all that lives, how can I possibly 

lend an ear to those who would have 

me ignore the suffering of other lives 

with whom we share this planet? I will 

be less susceptible to the charms of 

those whose agendas include stomping 

on other peoples and cultures.[18] 

The flip side of appreciation is 

awareness. In the automotive example, 

although each individual car is a 

marvelous machine, to accommodate 

the sheer numbers of them that our 

modern society and economy has come 

to require, we pay a stiff price. So does 

other life on this planet. We bulldoze 

and pave over vast landscapes; we 

pump gigatons of carbon dioxide annually 

into the atmosphere; we tolerate 

rampant urban sprawl and commuting 

stresses; we are content to insulate 

ourselves in cocoons of glass and metal 

to make our detachment from nature 

seem complete;[19] to maintain stable 

oil supplies we are complicit in the support 

of corrupt oppressive regimes and 

in wars fought under false pretenses; 

we buy into the franchising of America 

with its drive-through, fast-food, 

shopping-mall culture where each city 

looks like every other; instead of cities 

being built to be beautiful and adapting 

the cars to the cities, the cities are 

adapted to the cars. There is no place 

too pristine to be immune from the destruction 

that follows the cutting of a 

road. We pay a very high price, indeed, 

for throwing ourselves so unreflectively 

on this altar of the god of convenience. 

To question that is ... awareness. 

What does my ranting have to do 

with “connecting worlds through science 

and service?” We who have been 

trained in physics have learned to ask 

questions in ways that cut through


the ulterior motives of somebody else’s 

agenda. To get at the punch line in 

the example of automobile appreciation 

and awareness, try the following 

experiment the next time you are 

socializing with friends at the coffee 

shop and the conversation turns to the 

price of gasoline. Ask your companions 

how long the eight billion barrels 

of oil thought to be under the Arctic 

National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) 

could supply the United States. In how 

much time does the USA run through 

eight billion barrels of oil? Take a few 

sips of your coffee and wait for an answer, 

then continue. Our present rate 

of consumption is about 20 million 

barrels a day,[20] so in this country 

we go through eight billion barrels of 

oil every 400 days—about 13 months! 

To hear the politicians tell it, the oil 

in the ANWR offers an answer to our 

dependence on foreign oil. Maybe so— 

for 400 days—but what happens after 

that? Clearly, this is not sustainable. 

[21] 

In the long view, the volume of oil 

under the ANWR is negligible. One 

wonders, amid the recurring arguments 

about drilling or not drilling 

there, why doesn’t someone with 

the microphone point out how these 

reserves represent a mere 400-day 

supply? Ah—at $100 per barrel, the 

ANWR oil represents almost a trillion 

dollars circulating in the economy. 

That is an important consideration. It 

would create many jobs for a season. 

But to tout the ANWR oil as our 

ticket to “energy independence” is 

laughable. If we as a nation decide, 

after informed discussion, to drill in a 

wildlife refuge, let’s at least be honest 

about our reasons and our values. 

To raise another point of automotive 

awareness, here is a second question 

worth asking: For every gallon of 

gasoline burned, how many pounds of 

carbon dioxide are pumped into the 

atmosphere? The relevant chemical 

reaction is the combustion of octane 

with oxygen to produce water and 

carbon dioxide. After balancing the 

chemical reaction, 

C 8 

H 18 

+ 12.5O 2 

8CO 2 

+ 9H 2 

O 

one finds a 3-to-1 weight ratio of the 

eight carbon dioxide molecules to the 

octane molecule. Gasoline weighs 

about 6 pounds per gallon, so each 

gallon burned pumps some 18 pounds 

of CO 2 

into the air. If my pickup truck 

gets 18 miles per gallon, it emits 1 

pound of CO 2 

per mile! Drive it for 

200,000 miles, and it cranks out 100 

tons of greenhouse gas. If fuel consumption 

were expressed in units of 

pounds of carbon dioxide per mile, society 

might look more attentively at the 

role of human-produced greenhouse 

gases in climate change. 

Beyond the Illustration 

One does not have to understand 

quantum physics to divide 8 billion 

by 20 million to get 400, and any 

diligent high school chemistry student 

could work through the carbon dioxide 

question. But the issues are rarely, if 

ever, framed this way. Instead, in our 

economy and throughout society, we 

see ourselves as detached from nature. 

We forget that we are part of nature, 

not above it. We forget that the Earth 

does not need us. 

Having a physics-trained mind may 

lead one to rephrase a question in ways 

that offer some clarity. Such gestures, 

if offered with the right attitudes of respect 

and humility and the willingness 

to listen, are a service through which 

we might make connections between 

the world of physical reality on the one 

hand, and the very different world of 

politics and consumerism and obsession 

with convenience on the other. As 

Richard Feynman observed after the 

Challenger calamity, “For a successful 

technology, reality must take precedence 

over public relations, for nature 

cannot be fooled.”[22] 

If something we see daily, such 

as our own automobile, can be so 

underappreciated, what else exists in 

our world, that we do not see ourselves, 

that suffers from lack of appreciation? 

If we are so accepting of ruined landscapes 

and political duplicity just to 

keep the oil flowing, what else do we 

accept for lack of reflective awareness? 

We lament the relentless growth of 

light pollution, the diminishing sanctuaries 

of silence, the loss of uncluttered 

landscapes. These are the effects 

of a society detaching itself from 

nature, but 

they are also 

symptoms of 

the attitudes 

that made 

detachment 

possible in the 

first place. If 

our profession 

is one of 

understanding 

and respecting 

We forget that 

we are part of 

nature, not above 

it. We forget that 

the Earth does 

not need us. 

nature, this should bother us. The real 

tragedy is, few people realize what they 

are missing because they do not look 

up. Perhaps no one was there to show 

them what was worth seeing. 

Why should I be surprised that the 

public gets more agitated about National 

Football League replacement referees 

than it does about deforestation 

(about ½ acre per second globally)?[23] 

As an example, a Home Depot clerk recently 

told me that nobody before had 

ever asked where the mahogany for a 

door I was looking at came from. Why 

should the public show concern about 

the loss of wildlife habitat when the 

road-striping crew paints over the flattened 

bodies of road-kill victims?[24] 

After having fusion bombs deployed 

in its wheat fields without opportunity 

for public comment beforehand, why 

does society now let pass with little 

comment the Air Force’s insistence 

on stationing weapons in low-earth 

orbit?[25] Do we count the hidden 

costs of our new necessities, such as the 

abuse of child miners in other lands 

who extract the palladium needed in 

our cell phones? Do we give a passing 

thought to the mutilated meat packers 

and terrorized cattle who are caught in 

the high-tech machine whose priority 

is moving the fast-food lines at a rapid 

clip for impatient drivers waiting in 



RIGHT 

As physicists know, nature’s 

timescales are unfathomably 

longer than the timescales of 

human events. On a timescale 

of a hundred million years, 

Sevier Lake and Notch Peak in 

western Utah are as ephemeral 

as the clouds. How can such a 

perspective be made meaningful 

to our fellow citizens who are 

caught in a culture of instant 

gratification? 

FAR RIGHT 

Why is silence so difficult to 

find in our society? How can 

the value looking at the stars 

and listening to one’s own 

thoughts be made relevant to 

a society addicted to nonstop 

entertainment? 

Photos by Dwight E. 

Neuenschwander 

SUVs with engines running?[26] 

Why do we marvel that K-12 

education leaves so much to be desired, 

when state legislators, who never 

taught a single class personally in their 

entire lives, can proceed unchallenged 

year after year in forcing teachers to 

teach to a test only because it gives 

a number?[27] The tragedy is, the 

idealism and commitment that young 

teachers bring with them is sucked dry 

by a bureaucracy that values test scores 

more than personal growth, and values 

teacher conformity more than teacher 

passion. Hypothesis: If we create 

environments in public K-12 education 

where passion is enabled to flourish, 

the learning and understanding 

will take care of themselves. I would 

like to see the experiment done that 

would give this hypothesis a fighting 

chance. Third graders ask questions 

like, “What holds the moon up when 

it’s on nothing?”[15] Our Newtons and 

Einsteins never stopped asking such 

questions, but by the seventh grade, 

sometimes by the fourth grade, few 

students continue asking them because 

(and here I quote the teachers themselves), 

“It’s not on the test.” 

The two sides of appreciation and 

awareness can be loosely correlated 

with a metaphor, Freeman Dyson’s 

“Six Faces of Science:” 


“The generation that is now young has 

three good reasons for turning away from 

science. Science is presented to our young 

people as a rigid and authoritarian discipline, 

tied to mercenary and utilitarian 

ends, and tainted by its association with 

weapons of mass murder. These three reasons 

for hating science are real and serious. 

It is useless to pretend to our children 

that these three ugly faces of science do 

not exist. Children will not be fooled. If 

we try to fool them, they will turn away 

from science even more. Our task as educators 

is to show our children that science 

is a hexagonal mountain with six faces, 

with three beautiful faces in addition to 

the three ugly faces. The three beautiful 

faces of science are, science as subversion 

of authority, science as an art form, and 

science as an international club. The way 

to attract young people into science is to 

show them all six faces and give them 

freedom to explore the beautiful and the 

ugly as they please.”[28] 

As scientists and technologists, 

whose works have made possible the 

blessings and curses of our amazing 

technologies, what are our obligations? 

We might seek ways to enhance 

the level of society’s appreciation for 

the technologies that were yesterday’s 

luxury and are today’s necessity. We 

might seek ways to enhance awareness 

about what our tools and toys genuinely 

cost, including hidden costs in 

the degradation of human and other 

lives and the environment, and in our 

diminishing ability to do things for 

ourselves.[29] In a culture where so 

many are content to not understand 

how their car works (not to mention 

their computer and smart phone), how 

do we make relevant and understandable 

the complicated issues behind 

climate change, energy consumption, 

environmental sustainability, weapons 

proliferation, technological invasions 

of privacy, infrastructure deterioration, 

and educational policies? 

From personal experience, the 

good news is that people do care about 

these challenges—once they come to 

their attention. We do, however, have a 

signal-to-noise problem. To get above 

the noise, we need to be relevant and 

authentic, drop the jargon, and be listeners 

as well as talkers. We must meet 

people where they are. As a networked 

group of explicit and hidden physicists, 

Sigma Pi Sigma members have some 

useful expertise and habits of mind to 

offer. Conversations that are open and 

humble, and characterized by mutual 

respect, can be productive, whether 

they occur in the classroom, the boardroom, 

a public venue, or the coffee 

shop.


We can use our science in the 

service of connecting worlds, and in 

making this world a better place. 

“...There is no more new frontier 

We have got to make it here...” 

– from “The Last Resort” by The Eagles 

“That everyone shall exert himself in 

that state of life in which he is placed, to 

practice true humanity toward his fellow 

men, on that depends the future of mankind 

. . . Judging by what I have learned 

about men and women, I am convinced 

that there is far more in them of idealist 

will power than ever comes to the surface 

of the world ...” –Albert Schweitzer[30] 

r 

Acknowledgment 

Deep thanks to the students in my 

“Science, Technology, and Society” 

classes at Southern Nazarene University 

(1986-present). We learn from one 

another. They keep me going. Thanks 

to Thomas Olsen for reading and commenting 

on a draft of the manuscript. 

Notes and References 

[1] Jacob Bronowski, The Ascent of Man 

(Little, Brown, and Co., Boston, MA, 

1973), Ch. 8. 

[2] Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol 

(1843). 

[3] Walter Isaacson, Benjamin Franklin: 

An American Life (Simon & Schuster, New 

York, NY, 2003). See also “Benjamin Franklin: 

Natural Philosopher, Statesman, and 

America’s First Physicist,” Radiations (Spring 

2006), 5–8. 

[4] Richard P. Feynman, “An Outsider’s Inside 

View of the Challenger Inquiry,” Physics 

Today (February 1988), 26–37. 

[5] Melba Phillips, “Dangers Confronting 

American Science,” Science 116 (October 

24, 1952), 439–443. 

[6] Fred Jerome and Rodger Taylor, “Einstein 

Addressing Race and Racism,” Radiations 

(Spring 2010), 8–11; see also “Taking 

Einstein’s Ethics Into the 21 st Century: 

‘Remember Your Humanity,’” SPS Observer 

(Summer 2006), http://www.spsobserver. 

org/2006/observer_einstein.pdf. 

[7] Solzhenitsyn, famous for The Gulag 

Archipelago, taught physics in Kazakhstan 

after he was released from Stalin’s prison 

camps. See “Physicists and Dissent: The 

Obligation of Scientific Citizenship,” 

Radiations (Fall 2008), 10–21. This article 

includes a glimpse of Mikhail Gorbachev. 

He wanted to study physics but was not 

allowed to because his town had been occupied 

by the Nazis during WWII, which 

prevented him from getting the necessary 

security clearances. So he went into law 

instead. However, he cultivated the habit 

of evidence-based reasoning, which had 

consequences later in the USSR. As General 

Secretary, he outlined his views in Perestroika: 

New Thinking for Our Country 

and the World (Harper & Row, New York, 

NY, 1987). He set a tone on pages 62–63: 

“What was needed was assessments of 

phenomena and an analysis of processes 

and tendencies.” 

[8] Adopted by the National Council on 

September 31, 1995, and first published in 

Radiations (Spring 1996), p. 20. 

[9] Peggy Dixon, Sigma Pi Sigma Historical 

Highlights 2001–2003 (American 

Institute of Physics, College Park, MD, 

2003), p. 5. 

[10] http://www.spsnational.org/governance/constitution/ 

[11] The administrators considered this 

suggestion, but the cost-benefit ratio to the 

society was unfavorable. 

[12] “Cutting Across the Lines,” Radiations 

(Spring 1995), 1, 7. 

[13] Thanks to my friend Jim Cullumber 

of Chandler, AZ. Jim’s comment has 

inspired me more than once. 

[14] See “Jean Keeley, Jean Valjean, and 

the Mentors Who Transformed Us,” 

Radiations (Spring 1999), 6–7. 

[15] I also described the engine cadaver lab 

in “Motorcycle Maintenance and the Art 

of Physics Appreciation,” Radiations (Fall 

2007), 5–11. 

[16] From the course “Science, Technology, 

and Society” at Southern Nazarene University, 

NS 3043, Fall 2011. These letters are 

dated November 1, 2011. 

[17] If no cars were destroyed, we would be 

engulfed by them. But whenever a machine 

has to be discarded, a house demolished, or 

a horse “put down,” let it be done in a manner 

that shows respect. 

[18] Such thoughts are articulated more 

eloquently and completely in the writings 

of greater minds than mine. See Albert Schweitzer, 

Out of My Life and Thought (Holt 

and Co., New York, NY, 1949), Ch. XIII; 

Marvin Meyer and Kurt Begel, Eds., Reverence 

for Life: The Ethics of Albert Schweitzer 

for the Twenty-First Century (Syracuse University 

Press, Syracuse, NY, 2002); Joseph 

Marshall III, The Lakota Way: Stories and 

Lessons for Living (Penguin Compass, New 

York, NY, 2001), 44–55, “Remembering 

Respect.” 

[19] This reminds me of Robert Pirsig’s 

observation, “You see things vacationing on 

a motorcycle in a way that is completely different 

from any other. In a car you’re always 

in a compartment, and because you’re used 

to it you don’t realize that through that car 

window everything you see is just more 

TV.” From Zen and the Art of Motorcycle 

Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values (Wilcontinued 

on page 31 


Congratulations 

to the newest members of Sigma Pi Sigma 

Abilene Christian University 

Boles, Andrew K., ‘12 

Castillo, Ryan, ‘12 

Holz, Kristin R., ‘12 

Miller, Andrew J., ‘12 

Nikalaus, Walker K., ‘12 

Pinson, Ryan E., ‘12 

Schuetze, Travis K., ‘12 

Adelphi University 

Kvashnin, Yevgeniy, ‘12 

Mohacsi, Monika, ‘12 

Olsen, James, ‘12 

Shrestha, Sajan, ‘12 

Sofferman, Danielle, ‘12 

Watchmaker, Evan, ‘12 

Alabama-Huntsville, 

University of 

Baxley, Joseph E., ‘11 

Hood, Brady, ‘11 

Kawamura, Akito D., ‘11 

Khare, Lauren E., ‘11 

Kim, Tae, ‘11 

Kim, Wonkyu, ‘11 

Layden, Emily M., ‘11 

Liaghati, Hassan R., ‘11 

Lis, Tomasz, ‘11 

McCool, Alexander A., ‘11 

Tanaka, Hiroaki, ‘11 

West, William C., ‘11 

Young, Madison M., ‘11 

Zhao, Lulu, ‘11 

Alabama, University of 

Fowler, Bruce W., ‘69 

Andrews University 

Barrett, Christopher A., ‘12 

Clausen-Brown, Eric R., ‘12 

Easton, Samantha J., ‘12 

McMearty, Michael E., ‘12 

Tritch, William T H., ‘12 

Angelo State University 

Cavness, Brandon, ‘12 

Desai, Vikesh, ‘12 

Gonzales, Daniel L., ‘12 

Johnson, Jeremy A., ‘12 

Mccracken, Blake T., ‘12 

Popnoe, Dawn O., ‘12 

To, David, ‘12 

Appalachian State University 

Brewbaker, Aaron, ‘12 

Clark, Kathryn, ‘12 

Hansen, Austin, ‘12 

Ivey, Jonathan, ‘12 

King, Giles, ‘12 

Miller, Peter, ‘12 

Perez, Adrian, ‘12 

Pinilla, Brayam, ‘12 

Pruett, Zachary, ‘12 

Thompson, Michael, ‘12 

Vanderplate, Zach, ‘12 

Villanova, John, ‘12 

Warren, C Keith, ‘12 

Arkansas-Fayetteville, 

University of 

Brown, Lucas M., ‘12 

Buffington, Jesse A., ‘12 

Cook, Cameron T., ‘12 

Horvath, Cedric M., ‘12 

Ivanoff, Thomas A., ‘12 

Kovach, Kristin N., ‘12 

Sieck, Stephen, ‘12 

Stith, Christine N., ‘12 

Walter, Raymond T., ‘12 

Wilson, Derrek, ‘12 

At Large 

Elkafrawy, Tamer M., ‘11 

Auburn University 

Daughhetee, Jacob D., ‘08 

Denison, Joe C., ‘12 

Donnan, Patrick H., ‘12 

Everett, Evan J., ‘08 

Fisher, Alissa P., ‘12 

Gill, Nathanael M., ‘12 

Gilmore, Kevin A., ‘12 

Hurt, Jennifer L., ‘08 

Mccord, John J., ‘12 

Price, Phillip L., ‘12 

Righter, Brenda J., ‘12 

Sartor, James D., ‘12 

Shaw, Joseph, ‘12 

Timmerman, Jackson, ‘08 

Augustana College of 

Sioux Falls 

Wussow, Matt W., ‘12 

Austin College 

Holcomb, Michael C., ‘12 

Wescott, Matthew T., ‘12 

Austin Peay State University 

Berghel, Mark W., ‘12 

Brock, Casey N., ‘12 

Gordon, Bradley A., ‘12 

Harper, Tristan A., ‘12 

Hayes, Christopher R., ‘12 

Head, Hillary H., ‘12 

Jensen, Elijah R., ‘12 

Jones, Jerry D., ‘12 

Kerr, Andrew D., ‘12 

Kovalskyy, Andriy P., ‘12 

Murtha, James I., ‘12 

Wood, Dylan M., ‘12 

Ball State University 

Cutright, James B., ‘12 

Duncan, Nick J., ‘12 

Ingram, Dale J., ‘12 

Kindt, Joseph D., ‘12 

McClellan, Sam A., ‘12 

Ranatunga, Imendra P., ‘12 

Teye, Vida, ‘12 

Thompson, Dayna L., ‘12 

Thompson, Sarah K., ‘12 

Tipton, Camrin R., ‘12 

Underwood, James K., ‘12 

Baylor University 

Barnes, Will, ‘12 

Bauer, Evan, ‘12 

Beasley, Nathan, ‘12 

Phillips, Forrest, ‘12 

Bethel University 

Boyd, Tristan P., ‘11 

Burand, Tony J., ‘11 

Eberly, Luke D., ‘11 

Jentoft, Stefan L., ‘11 

Klemme, Daniel J., ‘11 

Lake, Jonathan J., ‘11 

Leventry, Derek D., ‘11 

Olson, Stephen A., ‘11 

Ortmann, Joshua T., ‘11 

Peterson, Tim A., ‘11 

Zabel, Andrew J., ‘11 

Bloomsburg University 

Davis, Edward E., ‘12 

Faust, Timothy W., ‘12 

Grib, Stephen W., ‘12 

Higgins, Kyle J., ‘13 

Hinkle, Steven P., ‘12 

Mason, Ariel E., ‘12 

Sandt, Emily N., ‘12 

Serencsits, Brian E., ‘12 

Woy, Meredith, ‘12 

Brigham Young University - 

Idaho 

Baird, Lorin, ‘12 

Cameron, Kayla, ‘12 

Carmack, Joseph M., ‘12 

Clark, Steven, ‘12 

Decker, Karl S., ‘12 

Hill, Joe, ‘12 

Nestor, Steffanie, ‘12 

Pyper, Brian A., ‘12 

Scott, Phillip, ‘12 

Tolman, Malachi, ‘12 

Bucknell University 

Sokolowsky, Benjamin D., ‘12 

Winkelman, Susanne R., ‘12 

Buffalo State College 

Sprow, Aaron P., ‘12 

Buffalo, University at 

Cheney, Alec, ‘11 

Gorfien, Matthew C., ‘11 

Gorman, Connor T., ‘11 

Kwan, Chun Pui, ‘11 

Spoth, Katherine A., ‘11 

California State University- 

Chico 

Kilpatrick, Kristopher N., ‘12 

McDougall, Patrick G., ‘12 

Rolapp, Rebecca L., ‘12 

Wallace, Thomas A., ‘12 


Fresno 

Anderson, Hank A., ‘12 

Angulo, Emmanuel , ‘12 


Fresno (cont.) 

Duncan, Michael J., ‘12 

Egger, Adam , ‘12 

Mushegan, Jessica S., ‘12 

Somsanuk, Banchong , ‘12 

Summers, Anthony, ‘12 

Thompson, Johnathon, ‘12 

Trelawny, Dillon, ‘12 

Vargas, Felipe, ‘12 

Ward, Daniel, ‘12 

Wilburn, Steve, ‘12 

Wilson, Brent, ‘12 

Yanovsky, Laura, ‘12 


Northridge 

Khodadad, Raika, ‘12 

Patel, Hiral N., ‘12 

Priest, Jeremie D., ‘12 

Sherman, Benjamin L., ‘12 


Sacramento 

Bauers, Sage R., ‘11 

Dhananjayan, Nithin, ‘11 

Moskaleva, Alexandra, ‘11 

Sisneros, Arthur J., ‘11 

California State University-San 

Marcos 

Echeverria, Marcos, ‘12 

Jensen, Anne Marie, ‘12 

Lopez, Melinda C., ‘12 

California-Davis, 

University of 

Alcorn, Leo, ‘12 

Barry, Nichole A., ‘12 

Chase, Tyler, ‘12 

Kinghorn, Todd, ‘12 

Pasner, Jacob M., ‘12 

Powell, Meredith, ‘12 

Proudian, Andrew, ‘12 

Smith, Justin, ‘12 

Thorngren, Daniel, ‘12 

Wagner, Peter, ‘12 

Carthage College 

Bakkum, Amber, ‘12 

Schultz, Kimberly A., ‘12 

Central Florida, University of 

Bergmann, Richard C., ‘12 

Georgiopoulos, Michael, ‘12 

Lee, Jonathan D., ‘12 

Ordonez, Antonio J., ‘12 

Richardson, William E., ‘12 

Wearne, Adam J., ‘12 

Williams, Zachary R., ‘12 

Central Washington 

University 

Choe, Kevin K., ‘12 

Deshano, Bradley R., ‘12 

Forsman, Halli V., ‘12 

Grist, Richard D., ‘12 

Lumpkin, Bryce M., ‘12 

Central Washington 

University (cont.) 

Minor, Bryan M., ‘12 

Minor, Nathan C., ‘12 

Powell, Adam, ‘12 

Shearer, Stetson V., ‘12 

Zencak, Peter, ‘12 

Charleston, College of 

Bertel, Jeffrey R., ‘12 

Gainey, Kevin M., ‘12 

Kozakis, Thea, ‘12 

Randich, Joseph M., ‘12 

Vanderweyen, Davy C., ‘12 

Vaveris, Matthew K., ‘12 

Christian Brothers University 

Clarke, Ted, ‘12 

Holmes, Brent J., ‘12 

Moats, Kyle A., ‘12 

Schill, Thomas M., ‘12 

Cincinnati, University of 

Campos, Phillip, ‘12 

Hancock, Benjamin, ‘12 

Kightley, Eric, ‘12 

Martens, Daniel, ‘12 

Rose, Daniel, ‘12 

Stefanko, Alexa, ‘12 

Theroux, Cheryl, ‘12 

Citadel, The 

Berman, Eric S., ‘12 

Pittman, Daniel K., ‘12 

Porter, Djordon L., ‘12 

Coe College 

Crist, David, ‘12 

Dulal, Prabesh, ‘12 

Hershey, Kyle, ‘12 

Khristenko, Victor, ‘12 

Lower, Nathan P., ‘12 

Maldonis, Jason, ‘12 

Nie, Craig, ‘12 

Colby College 

Beatty, Jennifer, ‘12 

Curcuru, Todd J., ‘12 

Duncanson, Austin, ‘12 

Grant, Sam, ‘12 

Hoag, Austin , ‘12 

Hoder, Chris, ‘12 

Jensen, David G., ‘12 

Lindemann, Anika J., ‘12 

Momma, Kent, ‘12 

Pennachio, Dan, ‘12 

Poudel, Nirakar, ‘12 

Colgate University 

Ashwell, Adam, ‘12 

Gibson, Luke, ‘12 

Guo, Sean, ‘12 

Lasker, Eric, ‘12 

Miller, Max, ‘12 

Pearson, David, ‘12 

Roesler, Danny, ‘12 

Solomon, Danielle, ‘12 

Williams, Peter, ‘12 


Initiates List 2011-12 

Colorado Mesa University 

Black, Zachary J., ‘12 

Heath, Caitlin, ‘12 

Schulze, Peter A., ‘12 

Colorado School of Mines 

Brawand, Nicholas P., ‘11 

Hinnegan, Sarah C., ‘11 

Hunt, Heather B., ‘11 

Hurst, Hilary M., ‘11 

Knoll, Blake A., ‘11 

Miller, Levi, ‘11 

Munn, Jeff, ‘11 

Niedringhaus, Andrew J., ‘11 

Patton, Marie A., ‘11 

Seward, Kenton, ‘11 

Stillwell, Matt, ‘11 

Concordia College 

Johnson, Dustin L., ‘12 

Krautbauer, Kevin G., ‘12 

Livers, Amanda J., ‘12 

Perreault, Brent, ‘12 

Connecticut College 

Maret, Elizabeth L., ‘12 

Murphy-Hagan, Clare M., ‘12 

Creighton University 

Armbruster, Matthew A., ‘12 

Bank, Jarrod K., ‘12 

Borchers, Erin L., ‘12 

Enriquez, Jhenieve Chanelle, ‘12 

Gruberg, Barak R., ‘12 

Hester, Adam G., ‘12 

Holman, Nathan S., ‘12 

Malik, Mohammad S., ‘12 

Medvar, Barbara L., ‘12 

Ross, James, ‘12 

Schnell, Stanley E., ‘12 

Wang, Yuli, ‘12 

Ward, Kristina G., ‘12 

Davidson College 

Lightsey, Harry M., ‘12 

Lim, Kyung Taek, ‘12 

Ruckle, Leah J., ‘12 

Smith, Anna M., ‘12 

Denison University 

Esarey, Samuel, ‘12 

Johnson, Ryan, ‘12 

Meier, Eric J., ‘12 

Ogilvie, Jack G., ‘12 

Yang, Yubo, ‘12 

Zhao, Jinxuan, ‘12 

Depauw University 

Brauer, Ethan, ‘12 

Chang, Ningxiaoxi, ‘12 

Chawla, Akanksha, ‘12 

Collins, Joseph, ‘12 

Good, Brian, ‘12 

Hickey, Anne, ‘12 

Ma, Ruizhe, ‘12 

Rohm-Ensing, Drew, ‘12 

Dickinson College 

Bonomo, Melia E., ‘11 

Kim, Sung Woo, ‘11 

Laughrey, Loretta E., ‘12 

Margolis, Joshua T., ‘11 

McCarthy, Trevor R., ‘11 

Rodriguez, Miguel A., ‘11 

Stearrett, Ryan A., ‘11 

Updike, Adria C., ‘11 

Drew University 

Hoffman, Melissa M., ‘12 

Lamont, Mary G., ‘12 

Mascia, Christopher P., ‘12 

Shah, Ashish P., ‘12 

Drexel University 

Burke, Kevin, ‘12 

Chessey, Mary, ‘12 

Doyle, Marc M., ‘11 

Harris, Wendy B., ‘11 

Kruczek, Nick E., ‘11 

Mui, Kenneth, ‘11 

Netherton, Kaatrin A., ‘11 

Rifki, Othmane, ‘11 

Wasson, Ryan D., ‘11 

Zettlemoyer, Jacob, ‘12 

Duquesne University 

Arrico, Alexander, ‘12 

Bushunow, Vasilii, ‘12 

Cohen, Jonathan D., ‘12 

Dibucci, Paul A., ‘12 

Dignazio, John L., ‘12 

Goodwill, Jonathan M., ‘12 

Krupa, Sean J., ‘12 

Marks, Andrew A., ‘12 

Pierce, Thomas V., ‘12 

Wang, Yang, ‘12 

Witchger, Andrew, ‘12 

East Central University 

Davis, Brianna, ‘12 

Giem, Jared J., ‘12 

Vanderzee, Tyler P., ‘12 

Wright, Caleb B., ‘12 

East Stroudsburg University 

Gunderson, Ross, ‘12 

Heller, Lucas R., ‘11 

Eastern Illinois University 

Carroll, Meghan D., ‘12 

Jones, Jonathan D., ‘12 

Jurkowski, Don L., ‘12 

Mullins, Nathan K., ‘12 

Shevlin, John P., ‘12 

Taylor, William F., ‘12 

Eastern Kentucky University 

Canafax, Nancy B., ‘12 

Ingram, Wesley, ‘12 

Ray, Kari, ‘12 

Williams, Molly, ‘12 

Elizabethtown College 

Fraccica, Anthony V., ‘12 

Hasik, Vaclav, ‘12 

Janssen, Christopher H., ‘12 

Kelly, James A., ‘12 

Layng, Brian M., ‘12 

Le, Tuyen, ‘12 

Lowy, Ellen S., ‘12 

Young, Nicholas O., ‘12 

Elon University 

Argue, Robert, ‘11 

Carroll, James, ‘11 

Deatsch, Alison, ‘12 

Gremminger, Lyssa , ‘12 

Lahue, Robert W., ‘12 

Mcvicker, Andrew T., ‘11 

Summers, Aaron, ‘12 

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical 

University (AZ) 

Carnes, Alexander, ‘12 

Corpuz, Alexander A., ‘12 

Costache, Derek L., ‘12 

Loew, Kevin, ‘12 

Mangeri, John, ‘12 

Rhoades, Elaine, ‘12 

Rice, Victor D., ‘12 

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical 

University (FL) 

Estante, Frederico E., ‘09 

Evansville, University of 

Dibenedetto, Alexander, ‘12 

Greene, Wolfe S., ‘12 

Fairfield University 

Arzumanov, Grant, ‘12 

Deangelo, Bianca, ‘12 

Shanley, Patrick, ‘12 

Florida Institute of 

Technology 

Arabshahi, Shahab, ‘11 

Avachat, Sayali, ‘11 

Bourque, Matthew K., ‘11 

Cramer, Eric S., ‘11 

Cwikla, Mary E., ‘11 

DeBoth, David M., ‘11 

Deschenes, Nicholas D., ‘11 

Fave, Xenia J., ‘11 

Fischer, Johanna-Laina, ‘11 

Rakes, Colin H., ‘11 

Sadighi, Samaneh, ‘11 

Vilalva, Jennifer M., ‘11 

Young, Aleida K., ‘11 

Florida International 

University 

Andina, Richard, ‘12 

Angarita, Maria-Paula, ‘12 

Ayuso, Catherine, ‘12 

Chiarella, Melissa, ‘12 

Dilascio, Joseph, ‘12 

Falcone, Karina, ‘12 

Jones, David, ‘12 

Kuryla, Christine, ‘12 

Moncion-Baez, Alexander, ‘12 

Ramos, Andira, ‘12 

Sagastume, Luis G., ‘12 

Stewart, Sean, ‘12 

Fort Hays State University 

Gustafsson, Linnea, ‘12 

Kitzis, Naomi L., ‘12 

Fort Lewis College 

Burnham, Lars G., ‘12 

Yarbrough, Patrick M., ‘12 

Franklin & Marshall College 

Anella, Ryan, ‘12 

Carr, Henry, ‘12 

Dormer, James D., ‘11 

Gilpin, Claire E., ‘11 

Kharel, Pradosh, ‘12 

Klimuszka, Matthew, ‘12 

Penfield, Allison C., ‘11 

Schmidt, Deborah R., ‘11 

Waquar, Wassam, ‘12 

Frostburg State University 

Huntley, Andrew J., ‘12 

Stevenson, Michael H., ‘12 

Furman University 

Crain, Catherine E., ‘12 

Hathaway, David T., ‘12 

Maurice, Olivia J., ‘12 

Picardi, Robert N., ‘12 

Smith, Roddey B., ‘12 

Georgia Southern College 

Barr, James, ‘12 

Benton, Brandon, ‘12 

Danley, Tyler, ‘12 

Hall, Martin, ‘12 

Jacobs, Samantha, ‘12 

Just, Matthew, ‘12 

Stevens, Phillip J., ‘12 

Georgia State University 

Bentz, Misty, ‘12 

Boyd, Mark, ‘12 

Cummings, Alan, ‘12 

Gasatdo, Christopher, ‘12 

Hosey, Altonio, ‘12 

Lee, Kwang Youl, ‘12 

Lurie, John, ‘12 

Mclaughlin, Justin, ‘12 

Michel, Annette, ‘12 

Quinn, Samuel, ‘12 

Rehm, Jennifer, ‘12 

Gettysburg College 

Deangelis, Dylan, ‘12 

Giannini, John , ‘12 

Peters, Alexander , ‘12 

Gordon College 

Aulie, Alegra, ‘12 

Capalbo, Zach, ‘12 

Collins, Stephen, ‘12 

Darrell, Montonera, ‘12 

Davidson, Ethan, ‘12 

Duggins, Danielle, ‘12 

Haire, Melissa, ‘12 

Halik, Max, ‘12 

Landis, Brian, ‘12 

Ratzloff, Jeff, ‘12 

Shook, Morgan, ‘12 

Stark, Megan, ‘12 

Umemura, Cole, ‘12 

Grand Valley State University 

Bednarsky, Jonathan, ‘12 

Bowerman, Samuel, ‘12 

Della Pia, Matthew, ‘12 

Lenters, Geoffrey T., ‘12 

Oliver, Keith W., ‘12 

Schnyders, Harold S., ‘12 

Grove City College 

Carbone, Elizabeth A., ‘12 

Scheie, Allen O., ‘12 

Wespetal, Matthew, ‘12 

Wolinski, Jeffrey P., ‘12 

Guilford College 

Seyb, Hannah J., ‘12 

Williams, Kiel T., ‘12 

Gustavus Adolphus College 

Atkins, Nick, ‘12 

Beaver, Nathaniel M., ‘12 

Chouanard, Ryan A., ‘12 

Ferguson, Jared O., ‘12 

Furey, Brandon J., ‘12 

Higano, Nara S., ‘12 

Pray, Trenton S., ‘12 

Hampton University 

Campbell, Miles T., ‘11 

Chabwera, Minnae P., ‘11 

Forman, Eric, ‘11 

Gunter, Thoth K., ‘11 

Hayes, Anderson L., ‘11 

Williams, Sharae M., ‘11 

Henderson State University 

Benzi, Amy E., ‘12 

Buck, Jeremy C., ‘12 

Horton, Timothy M., ‘12 

Hunt, Logan R., ‘12 

Krc, Kristian, ‘12 

Morrison, Kayla, ‘12 

Mutuyimana, Leonce, ‘12 

Pourjavad, Payam K., ‘12 

Richardson, Daniel, ‘12 

Scales, Haley, ‘12 

Swiger, Kenneth, ‘12 

Tarlton, Taylor W., ‘12 

Torix, Garrett, ‘12 

Wood, Adam, ‘12 

Hillsdale College 

Becker, Adam, ‘12 

DiGiovanni, Domenic, ‘12 

Rozsa, Viktor F., ‘12 

Schmitt, Paul D., ‘12 

Hofstra University 

Bantegui, Michael J., ‘12 

Fallica, Joseph G., ‘12 

Halpin, Jackson, ‘12 

Holy Cross, College of the 

Defrancisco, Justin R., ‘12 

Recker, Friederike H., ‘12 

Richardson, Craig, ‘12 

Solman, Nicole L., ‘12 

Houston Baptist University 

Ghosn, Jean, ‘12 

Haddand, Matthew M., ‘12 

John, Julie, ‘12 

Kabiru, David K., ‘12 

Khan, Taymour, ‘12 

Mirza, Asma, ‘12 

Truong, James, ‘12 

Valentine, John, ‘12 

Illinois Benedictine College 

Horsley, Robert K., ‘12 

Khomtchouk, Bohdan, ‘12 

Wadowski, Alexis, ‘12 

Illinois Institute of 

Technology 

Beck, Matthew, ‘12 

Hommerding, Emily R., ‘12 

Majernik, Nathan, ‘12 

Miller, Mitchell N., ‘12 

Otten, Matthew, ‘12 

Ruth, Anthony, ‘12 

Sanders, Michael, ‘12 

Schwartz, Zach, ‘12 

Illinois State University 

Abdulrehman, Mid-Hat, ‘11 

Gross, Alexander P., ‘11 

Gustafson, Jeffrey P., ‘11 

O’Toole, Sara A., ‘11 

Rogers, Benjamin J., ‘11 

Russell, Daniel L., ‘11 

Indiana State University 

Hasenour, Eryn, ‘12 

Owen, Courtney, ‘12 

Waters, Kevin, ‘12 

Indiana University South Bend 

Compton, John G., ‘12 

Cotter, Erica L., ‘12 

Hammer, William M., ‘12 

Klehfoth, Mark, ‘12 

Laurence, Jacques L., ‘12 

Morales, Luis A., ‘12 

Navarro, Julio, ‘12 

Spink, Ian, ‘12 

Ithaca College 

Adams, Joseph D., ‘12 

Backus, Emily, ‘12 

Hill, Heather L., ‘12 

Kiekel, Steven, ‘12 

Kornreich, David, ‘12 

Roberts, Mallory, ‘12 

Roberts, Tori, ‘12 

Jacksonville University 

Angel, Jay S., ‘11 

August, Ashley A., ‘11 

Jones, Robbie D., ‘11 

Krouppa, Brandon, ‘11 

Madariaga, Alejandro M., ‘11 



Jacksonville University (cont.) 

Rowley, Phillip C., ‘11 

Schnitker, Evan C., ‘11 

James Madison University 

Ahern, Renee, ‘12 

Bridstrup, John, ‘12 

Brown, Jason, ‘11 

Burton, Matthew, ‘12 

Chamberlin, Matthew , ‘12 

Chieco, Anthony, ‘11 

Durcan, Chris, ‘11 

Eskridge, Brandon, ‘12 

Foltz, Benjamin, ‘11 

Henderson, William, ‘11 

Herge, Nicholas, ‘11 

Mirenda, Nicholas, ‘12 

Mullins, Tyler, ‘12 

Swisher, Nora C., ‘11 

Vincent-Johnson, Anita, ‘11 

Visosky, Elizabeth, ‘12 

Wilson, Collin, ‘11 

Wolfe, Christopher, ‘12 

John Carroll University 

Duncan-Chamberlin, 

Katherine, ‘12 

McElroy, Andrew L., ‘12 

Moore, Carolyn A., ‘12 

Salata, Ryan R., ‘12 

Johns Hopkins University 

Bajaj, Prateek, ‘12 

Berman, Daniel, ‘12 

Kim, Jiyeong, ‘12 

Leith, Benjamin, ‘12 

Lowry, Lindsay, ‘12 

Mittal, Tushar, ‘12 

Sparks, Kathryn, ‘12 

Srinivasan, Keshau, ‘12 

Teo, Jonathan, ‘12 

Weiner, Adam, ‘12 

Juniata College 

Bauer, Nicholas H., ‘11 

Berguson, Timothy J., ‘12 

Garside, Sara M., ‘12 

Mustafa, Ismail J., ‘12 

Taylor, Lauren L., ‘12 

Kansas State University 

Blankenau, Brian, ‘12 

Brandt, Aimee, ‘12 

Burkett, Mitchell, ‘12 

Christiansen, Joel T., ‘12 

Fortmayer, Amelia, ‘12 

Gockel, Drue, ‘12 

Grommet, Angela, ‘12 

Jiang, Shuai, ‘12 

Nesley, Jordan, ‘12 

Niederlander, James, ‘12 

Ramm, Adam, ‘12 

Ramzel, Heidi, ‘12 

Tillotson, Mattithyah, ‘12 

Weaver, Abigail, ‘12 

Kansas, University of 

Briggs, Koan E M., ‘12 

Fensholt, Edward J., ‘12 

Ims, Jeremy H., ‘12 

Ivanov, Yasen, ‘12 

Krutty, Brittany N., ‘12 

Markway, Taylor L., ‘12 

Orcutt, Eddie J., ‘12 

Osler, Arlo R., ‘12 

Stockham, Jessica G., ‘12 

Stockham, Mark, ‘12 

Weintrub, Ben I., ‘12 

Wille, Logan J., ‘12 

Kent State University 

Akers, Scott M., ‘12 

Bhatta, Sandip, ‘12 

Bohrer, Christopher H., ‘12 

DiVincenzo, Kevin W., ‘11 

Frutig, Chad M., ‘12 

Mckaige, Stuart, ‘12 

Milluzzi, Vincent M., ‘12 

Minkowski, Fred, ‘11 

Stickel, Ben H., ‘11 

Kenyon College 

Child, Hillary L., ‘11 

Dahlburg, Elizabeth M., ‘11 

Deskins, Jennings T., ‘11 

Fine, Robert D., ‘11 

Meyers, Patrick M., ‘11 

Murphree, Joseph D., ‘11 

Somers, David A., ‘11 

Watts, Carolyn, ‘11 

Kettering University A 

Anderson, Micah, ‘12 

Haase, John R., ‘11 

Hutson, Isaac, ‘12 

Kippe, Jacob T., ‘11 

March, Luke A., ‘11 

Rood, Shawn, ‘12 

Schreiber, Michael, ‘11 

Tilocco, Franklin Z., ‘11 

Kutztown University 

Bailey, Matthew J., ‘12 

Boyer, Ryan K., ‘12 

Coleman, Thomas P., ‘12 

Domsic, James G., ‘12 

Grim, Tyler S., ‘12 

Koufalis, Peter, ‘12 

Watton, Clinton W., ‘12 

Yuhas, Bernard J., ‘12 

Lafayette College 

Avidon, Jaclyn A., ‘12 

Payne, Ryan M., ‘12 

Stein, Nicholas, ‘12 

Lewis University 

Andorf, Matthew B., ‘11 

El-barqa, Alaa T., ‘11 

Turk, Michael C., ‘11 

Louisiana Tech University 

Bishop, Thomas C., ‘12 

Brown, Joshua, ‘11 

Coody, John M., ‘12 

Genov, Dentcho A., ‘12 

Gragston, Mark, ‘11 

Hobbs, Jacob, ‘11 

Lopez, Eduardo, ‘12 

Mitchell, Kevin, ‘11 

Riser, Kewaynethian F., ‘12 

Simicevic, Neven, ‘12 

Stroud, Andrew J., ‘12 

Trischler, John, ‘12 

Wallace, Nathan, ‘11 

Walters, Jonathan, ‘11 

Louisiana University at 

Lafayette 

Gaudet, Chase J., ‘12 

O’Connor, Caleb, ‘12 

Sylvester, Alex J., ‘12 

Louisville, University of 

Blohm, Christopher M., ‘12 

Effinger, Jason M., ‘12 

Forsthoefel, Matthew K., ‘12 

Lichtenberger, Jenna M., ‘12 

Mullaney, Patrick J., ‘12 

O’Flaherty, Joshua N., ‘12 

Thorson, Timothy R., ‘12 

Wojno, Jennifer L., ‘12 

Loyola Marymount University 

Brunter, Steven H., ‘12 

Garoutte, Alexander P., ‘12 

Robertson, Jeffrery S., ‘12 

Loyola University of Chicago 

Banaszak, Christopher, ‘12 

Bartolameolli, Matthew, ‘12 

Bayrak, Aysel, ‘12 

Brennan, Shane, ‘12 

Bush, Nick, ‘12 

Chin, Jamie, ‘12 

Dluhy, Philip, ‘12 

Doolin, Timothy, ‘12 

Duggan, Jefferson, ‘12 

Fridline, Roman, ‘12 

Grzetic, Shelby, ‘12 

Hlevyack, Joseph, ‘12 

Hollowed, Michael, ‘12 

Hopkins, Tyler, ‘12 

Irvine, Benjamin, ‘12 

Jagadessan, Aravindakshan, ‘12 

Kabat, Christopher, ‘12 

Kim, Hwi Seon, ‘12 

Moertl, Stefanie, ‘12 

Panfil, Joshua, ‘12 

Patel, Poonam, ‘12 

Patel, Yogi, ‘12 

Pflederer, Nicolas, ‘12 

Policht, Veronica, ‘12 

Rutherford, Cari, ‘12 

Tlusty, Jeffrey, ‘12 

Varty, Ted, ‘12 

Wilson, Charles, ‘12 

Loyola University, New 

Orleans 

Birch, Leah, ‘11 

Garrity, Patrick L., ‘11 

Kammer, Michael N., ‘11 

McHugh, Martin P., ‘11 

Radosti, Whitney V., ‘11 

Shanks, Edward, ‘12 

Vumbaco, David J., ‘11 

Luther College 

Lee-Brown, Donald, ‘12 

Storlie, Christina, ‘12 

Zarling, Jonathan, ‘12 

Maine, University of 

Beal, Leslie B., ‘11 

Breen, Michael G., ‘11 

Collette, John L., ‘11 

Doiron, Jennifer M., ‘12 

Fitzgerald, Michael R., ‘11 

Haller, James C., ‘12 

Jones, Nicholas, ‘12 

Meulenberg, Robert W., ‘11 

Perkins, Erin A., ‘11 

Rier, Conrad A., ‘12 

Sell, Julia C., ‘12 

Shyduroff, Alexander J., ‘12 

Stetzer, Mackenzie R., ‘12 

Theriault, Nathan J., ‘11 

Waye, Calvin G., ‘11 

Whitney, Daniel J., ‘11 

Manchester College 

Ehlerding, Emily B., ‘12 

Nguyen, Tri M., ‘12 

Marquette University 

Calvopina, Benjamin, ‘12 

Gee, Timothy, ‘12 

Hirsch, William, ‘12 

Kimminau, Kyle, ‘12 

Koch, Preston, ‘12 

Maltas, Jeffrey, ‘12 

Searfoss, Abigail, ‘12 

Yang, Sihui, ‘12 

Marshall University 

Hernandez, Anthony, ‘12 

Sheler, Stephen, ‘12 

Thompson, Jonathan, ‘12 

Mary Baldwin College 

Boyer, Alexandra, ‘12 

Radford, Michelle, ‘12 

Rosborough, Victoria, ‘12 

Maryland-Baltimore 

County,University of 

Gates, S J., ‘11 

Litwak, Daniel R., ‘12 

Massachusetts College 

Barley, Ryan M., ‘12 

Bartlett, Caroline, ‘12 

Eve, David M., ‘12 

Nesti, Daniel, ‘12 

O’Keefe, Bryan G., ‘12 

Seguin, Craig, ‘12 

Simon, Marc G., ‘12 

Testa, Michael R., ‘12 

Watroba, Stephanie E., ‘12 

Massachusetts Institute of 

Technology 

Bulmash, Daniel S., ‘12 

Chan, Tucker R., ‘12 

Chao, Hui Xiao, ‘12 

Davis, Emily J., ‘12 

Fisher, Zachary K., ‘12 

Ho, Ying-Yu, ‘12 

Houston, Matthew A., ‘12 

Janish, Ryan J., ‘12 

Katzin, Dustin, ‘12 

Lau, Gregory Kang R., ‘12 

Ng, Jonathan, ‘12 

Phillips, Eleanor K., ‘12 

Ramasesh, Vinay V., ‘12 

Randeria, Mallika, ‘12 

Roxlo, Thomas Q., ‘12 

Ruszczynski, John K., ‘12 

Steinhorn, Benjamin S., ‘12 

Tan, Longzhi, ‘12 

Wang, Chun-Kai, ‘12 

Zhu, Yan, ‘12 

McDaniel College 

Donders, Michael S., ‘12 

Miami University 

Ciccone, Matthew R., ‘11 

Dahliah, Diana Faraj, ‘12 

Kangara, Jayampathi C., ‘12 

Kissick, Kyle, ‘12 

Konyk, William, ‘12 

McNally, Douglas M., ‘12 

Schick, Neal Paul, ‘12 

Michigan State University 

Brown, Michael D., ‘11 

Derris, Monica M., ‘11 

Dombrowski, Dave V., ‘12 

Dunn, James W., ‘12 

Egan, Hilary, ‘11 

Gross, Johnathan L., ‘12 

Hamilton, Stephanie J., ‘12 

Hawk, Jodi L., ‘11 

Santia, Marco, ‘12 

Stefanek, Benjamin A., ‘11 

Stewart, Cameron, ‘12 

Valverde, Adrian A., ‘11 

Weinberg, Phillip E., ‘12 

Michigan Technological 

University 

Adler, Michael C., ‘12 

Plamondon, Tyler, ‘12 

Sutton, Katelyn P., ‘12 

Vanderlaan, Derek J., ‘12 

Michigan-Ann Arbor, 

University of 

Affeldt, Gregory D., ‘12 

Albertson, Theodore G., ‘12 

Anderson, Christopher P., ‘12 

Anderson, Kassandra R., ‘12 

Bartlett, Rebekah, ‘12 

Blankenship, Britney E., ‘12 

Bonofiglo, Phillip J., ‘12 

Carruth, Celeste, ‘12 

Davis, Christopher P., ‘12 

Hac, Nicholas E., ‘12 

Harris, Christine L., ‘12 

Hegazy, Kareem H., ‘12 

Hunacek, Jonathan R., ‘12 

Lichko, Emily R., ‘12 

Lundquist, Karl P., ‘12 

Maher, Nicholas J., ‘12 

Moreland, Blythe S., ‘12 

Murdock, William E., ‘12 

Roncaioli, Connor A., ‘12 

Sherman, David A., ‘12 

Tan, Eugene, ‘12 

Zhou, Li, ‘12 

Middle Tennessee State 

University 

Bonior, Daniel D., ‘12 

Bunnell, Benjamin F., ‘12 

Frank, Brian W., ‘12 

Locke, Rory A., ‘12 

Wallin, John F., ‘12 

Midwestern State University 

George, Clynt, ‘12 

Hazel, Raul, ‘12 

Love, Kagan, ‘12 

Millersville University 

Davis, Luke S., ‘11 

Heck, Daniel A., ‘11 

Lewis, Matthew R., ‘11 

Savastinuk, John P., ‘11 

Minnesota State University- 

Moorhead 

Froehle, Scott, ‘12 

Honetschlager, Victoria, ‘12 

Karki, Pragalv, ‘12 

Moore, Chris, ‘12 

Teo, Wesley, ‘12 

Mississippi, University of 

Bader, Kenneth B., ‘11 

Rashed, Ahmed, ‘11 

Shuttlesworth, Erik M., ‘11 

Watson, Brian M., ‘11 

Missouri-Columbia, 

University of 

Andrade, Michael S., ‘12 

Buffard, Alexander S., ‘12 

De Souza, Nelson, ‘12 

Frey, Nathan C., ‘12 

Godwin, Linda M., ‘12 

Goree, Zachary A., ‘12 

Grayer, Justin S., ‘12 

Lucero, Jessica, ‘12 

Lutsch, Christopher M., ‘12 

Schnase, Paul D., ‘12 

Stevenson-Grund, Amanda, ‘12 

Missouri-Kansas City, 

University of 

Dallstream, Brian, ‘12 

Driver, Marcus S., ‘12 

Keck, Chris, ‘12 

Middleton, Robert C., ‘12 

Rosier, Amanda, ‘12 

Scott, Paul R., ‘12 

Thomas, Patrick R., ‘12 

Zhang, Jessica, ‘12 



Montana State University 

Colomb, Warren A., ‘12 

Conder, Derek, ‘12 

Green, Brett, ‘12 

Lindquist, Jake, ‘12 

Peck, Courtney L., ‘12 

Price, Virginia E., ‘12 

Ricker, Russell, ‘12 

Moravian College 

Phillips, Cassandra E., ‘11 

Morgan State University 

Kc, Amit, ‘12 

Poudel, Mahansa, ‘12 

National University of 

Singapore 

Aw, Chixiong, ‘12 

Han, Weiding, ‘12 

Lee, Kang Hao, ‘12 

Leong, Qixiang, ‘12 

Lim, Jia Jia, ‘12 

Lim, Wei Jun, ‘12 

Ma, Rui, ‘12 

Mah, Jingyi, ‘12 

Mo, Lan, ‘12 

Moria, Kelvin, ‘12 

Ng, Shao Chin, ‘12 

Ng, Wei Khim, ‘12 

Singh, Sarabjit, ‘12 

Soo, Yue Han John, ‘12 

Stavrakas, Camille, ‘12 

Tan, Guang Ting Ryan, ‘12 

Tan, Hong Qi, ‘12 

Tan, Peng Kian, ‘12 

Tang, Aren M., ‘12 

Teng, Po-Wen Ivan, ‘12 

Tham, Benjamin, ‘12 

Ting, Yuan Sen, ‘12 

Wen, Di, ‘12 

Yau Loong, Chong, ‘12 

Zheng, Kaiyuan, ‘12 

Nebraska Wesleyan 

University 

Dorenbach, Paul H., ‘12 

Harvey, Benjamin J., ‘12 

Hotchkiss, Alexandra C., ‘12 

Prenosil, Jayme K., ‘12 

Smrcina, Jacob L., ‘12 

Whigham, Alex B., ‘12 

New Hampshire, University of 

Lindgren, Erik A., ‘12 

New Mexico State University 

Bernstein, Lauren S., ‘12 

Castellano, Jose, ‘11 

Courtney, Robert C., ‘12 

Delgado, Fernando, ‘12 

Kowalczyk, William J., ‘12 

Moon, Jarrett S., ‘12 

Neakrase, Jennifer J., ‘11 

Nortier, Liese-Marie, ‘11 

Ochoa-Franco, Allan- 

Daniel, ‘12 

Ramesh, Eric C., ‘12 

Rossi, Vitor, ‘11 

Short, Daniel J., ‘11 

Silkwood, Corinne, ‘12 

Towry, Amanda M., ‘12 

Willet-Gies, Travis, ‘11 

Yuen, Andrew R., ‘11 

Zella, Leo W., ‘12 

New Orleans, University of 

Lam, Harris, ‘11 

Nolting, Westly, ‘11 

Rossmanith, David A., ‘11 

Sapkota, Sanshrut, ‘11 

New Orleans, University of 

(cont.) 

Sicinschi, Stefan, ‘11 

Siqueira, Sunni A., ‘11 

Tiwari, Ganesh, ‘11 

New York University 

Abraham, Michael, ‘12 

Bernat, Natalie, ‘12 

Burdick, Benjamin M., ‘11 

Dia, Omar, ‘12 

Gat, Ilana B., ‘11 

Glantz, Zachary A., ‘11 

Goullaud, Charles F., ‘12 

Korpics, Mark C., ‘11 

Laderman, Bezia, ‘12 

Lemberskiy, Gregory, ‘12 

Polin, Abigail E., ‘11 

Scerbo, Mikelann, ‘11 

Xu, Tianyou, ‘11 

North Carolina State 

University 

Banerjee, Oindree, ‘12 

Barkett, Kevin, ‘12 

Blumers, Ansel, ‘12 

Burkey, Mary, ‘12 

Combs, Matthew, ‘12 

Kakaley, Daniel, ‘12 

Leininger, Dustin, ‘12 

Mauney, Alexander W., ‘12 

Melton, Cody A., ‘12 

Mustin, Jonathan, ‘12 

Phipps, Phillip H., ‘12 

Rogers, David, ‘12 

Rowland, James, ‘12 

Ruble, Joel A., ‘12 

Younts, Robert A., ‘12 

North Carolina-Asheville, 

University 

Babaie, Galareh, ‘12 

De Los Santos, Darwin, ‘12 

Farmer, Jennifer M., ‘12 

Fullager, Daniel B., ‘12 

Giglio, Nicholas C., ‘12 

Goldthwaite, John R., ‘12 

Harris, Anthony J., ‘12 

Herring, Charles A., ‘12 

Karami, Morteza, ‘12 

Moore, Raymond, ‘12 

Peters, Joseph L., ‘12 

Redmond, Kayla J., ‘12 

Savage, Luke J., ‘12 

Singer, Christopher M., ‘12 

Thomas, Joseph C., ‘12 

North Carolina-Wilmington, 

University 

Andrews, Sam D., ‘12 

Baker, Kurt C., ‘12 

Heiskell, Matthew C., ‘12 

Varamo, Vincent J., ‘12 

Northern Arizona University 

Jehle, Wolf, ‘12 

Siegel, Ross, ‘12 

Stavlo, Adam, ‘12 

Zanazzi, John ‘J.J.’, ‘12 

Northwestern University 

Braden, Sarah E., ‘07 

Chilcote, Jeffrey K., ‘07 

Choe, Jesse M., ‘12 

Haynie, Andrew D., ‘07 

Kahn, Yonatan F., ‘07 

Knoff, Elissa N., ‘07 

Lee, Aaron T., ‘07 

Mills, Jennifer V., ‘12 

Muratov, Alexander L., ‘07 

Okoniewski, Stephen R., ‘12 

Northwestern University 

(cont.) 

Rao, Shiva, ‘12 

Sias, John R., ‘12 

Srisuwananukorn, Andrew, ‘12 

Tam, Kevin, ‘12 

Yu, Susan, ‘12 

Notre Dame, University of 

Alongi, Adam J., ‘12 

Anthony, Matthew D., ‘12 

Aprahamian, Ani, ‘12 

Bell, Christopher T., ‘12 

Berryman, Jeffery M., ‘12 

Cass, Julie A., ‘12 

Catanach, Thomas A., ‘12 

Consiglio, Santina M., ‘12 

Eskildsen, Morten, ‘12 

Howk, Christopher, ‘12 

Kocurek, Alex W., ‘12 

Kolda, Christopher, ‘12 

Passucci, Giuseppe, ‘12 

Paul, Nancy A., ‘12 

Occidental College 

Brown, Caitlin A E., ‘12 

Churchman, Scott A., ‘12 

Limm, Drew T., ‘12 

Monte, Alissa E., ‘12 

Munoz, Jorge I., ‘12 

Pinsky, Lianne M., ‘12 

Reutrer, Kyle S., ‘12 

Seagren, Daniel T., ‘12 

Soto Leytan, Kliah N., ‘12 

Ohio Northern University 

Davis, Caleb R., ‘12 

Dunn, Zachary L., ‘12 

Grieser, Nathan A., ‘12 

Hille, Joshua A., ‘12 

Pleshinger, Donald J., ‘11 

Spatney, Russell L., ‘11 

Syrigos, Jonathan C., ‘11 

Szekely, Joshua E., ‘11 

Weiss, Philip A., ‘11 

Witt, Suzanne E., ‘12 

Ohio State University 

Albrecht, Benjamin, ‘12 

Byrum, Tyler, ‘12 

Canaday, Daniel, ‘12 

Moe-Curtis, Brittney, ‘12 

Patel, Kishan, ‘12 

Schnaible, Christian, ‘12 

Sedlock, Nickolas, ‘12 

Timcheck, Jonathan, ‘12 

Vajas, Tim, ‘12 

Wagoner, Erika, ‘12 

Zweier, Joe, ‘12 

Ohio University 

Dewald, Andrew S., ‘12 

Hawkins, Keith, ‘12 

Kaisen, Josh K., ‘11 

Kerr, John, ‘12 

Saunders, Arianne, ‘11 

Turner, Nathan A., ‘11 

Way, Austin, ‘12 

Wood, Austin W., ‘12 

Ziegler, Brooks, ‘11 

Ohio Wesleyan University 

Letson, Benjamin G., ‘12 

Storms, Michelle L., ‘12 

Pennsylvania State University 

Banavar, Samhita, ‘12 

Bradley, Stephen, ‘12 

Breysse, Patrick, ‘12 

Delaney, Kyle, ‘12 

Elmslie, Timothy, ‘12 

Pennsylvania State University 

(cont.) 

Ferri, Christopher, ‘12 

Grinshpon, Michael, ‘12 

Jiang, He , ‘12 

Long, Clay, ‘12 

Marshall, Daniel, ‘12 

Norcini, Danielle, ‘12 

Robbins, Sean , ‘12 

Salameh, Tarik, ‘12 

Scheiner, Brett, ‘12 

Shaffer, Nathaniel, ‘12 

Su, Stephanie, ‘12 

Tang, Qishun, ‘12 

Vishnubhotla, Ramya, ‘12 

Weldon, Robert , ‘12 

Pennsylvania State 

University, Erie 

Hoard, Brittany R., ‘12 

Portland State University 

Bouma, Timaeus, ‘12 

Dunn, Laurel, ‘12 

Hoffman, Sabrina, ‘12 

Johnson, James, ‘12 

Owen, Laura J., ‘12 

Stankus, Katherine, ‘12 

Straton, Jack, ‘12 

Presbyterian College 

Bentley, Morgan G., ‘12 

Carson, Hannah, ‘12 

Dement, Taylor C., ‘12 

Isaac, Mitchell J., ‘12 

Reynolds, Jay T., ‘12 

Vineyard, Victoria R., ‘12 

Woodard, Ethan R., ‘12 

Providence College 

Quinn, Thomas P., ‘11 

Puget Sound, University of 

Clausen, David, ‘12 

Farley, Matt, ‘12 

Peaden, Brooke, ‘12 

Schertz, Amy, ‘12 

Radford University 

Collignon, Maxell, ‘12 

Dahal, Eshan, ‘12 

Eaton, Marc A., ‘12 

Jaronski, Walter W., ‘12 

Randolph College 

Asinugo, Chiamaka, ‘12 

Aung, Thawda, ‘11 

Hunt, Colton, ‘11 

Kwon, Yong Jun, ‘12 

Slesinger, Timothy, ‘12 

Randolph-Macon College 

Dominquez, Rachele, ‘12 

Kang, Kryston, ‘12 

Midwinter, Tyler W., ‘12 

Nelms, Amanda M., ‘12 

Radeka, Zachary R., ‘12 

Sartor, Eduardo D., ‘12 

Sears, Jessica N., ‘12 

Rensselaer Polytechnic 

Institute 

Bechtel, Torrin A., ‘12 

Berger, Ted J., ‘12 

Bishop, Brian F., ‘12 

Boccuzzi, Krysta A., ‘12 

Caragine, Christina M., ‘12 

DeLaunay, James J., ‘12 

Fox, Craig A., ‘12 

Gingrich, Ian C., ‘12 

Hansen, Erin V., ‘12 

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 

(cont.) 

Iwamoto, Konosuke, ‘12 

Kinch, Brooks E., ‘12 

Lovell, Amy, ‘11 

Martin, Charles H., ‘12 

Montalbano, Alyssa R., ‘11 

Morse, Jon A., ‘12 

Olyha, Amanda L., ‘12 

Rawson, Jake, ‘12 

Spivey, Robert F., ‘12 

Umbright, Christine K., ‘12 

Wilke, Ingrid, ‘12 

Rhode Island, University of 

Bianchi, Nicholas, ‘12 

Johnson, Matthew, ‘12 

Rosa, Kevin, ‘12 

Wyatt, Linden, ‘12 

Rhodes College 

Badger, Charles S., ‘12 

Badger, Nick, ‘12 

Chu, Colin T., ‘12 

Duan, Yutong, ‘12 

Gilley, Stephen L., ‘12 

Jackson, Jacob L., ‘12 

Li, Rui, ‘12 

Mccravy, Matthew S., ‘12 

Milazzo, Stephanie M., ‘12 

Miller, Joseph N., ‘12 

Miller, Matthew D., ‘12 

Minhas, Ahmed A., ‘12 

Nelsen, Evan F., ‘12 

Rupke, David S. N., ‘12 

Wilson, Anne R., ‘12 

Wolpert, Brian P., ‘12 

Yarbrough, David C., ‘12 

Rice University 

Dahlstrom, Erin K., ‘12 

Eastwood, Michael W., ‘12 

Einav, Tal, ‘12 

Richard Stockton College of NJ 

Bailey, Christopher, ‘12 

Bassler, Scott, ‘12 

Fisher, Barbara D., ‘12 

Gryger, Kevin, ‘12 

Hada, Ethan, ‘12 

Holmer, Philip E., ‘12 

Jenkins, Robert, ‘12 

King, David, ‘12 

Lenhardt, Erik, ‘12 

Nusbaum, Edwin C., ‘12 

Shields, Austin, ‘12 

Richmond, University of 

Frandsen, Samantha M., ‘12 

Good, Erin C., ‘12 

Lee, Robert B., ‘12 

Luginbuhl, Molly A., ‘12 

Moshos, James M., ‘12 

Murray, Liam G., ‘12 

Tarlow, Thomas D., ‘12 

Yavari, Shahin M., ‘12 

Yewer, Tabitha E., ‘12 

Roanoke College 

Dahche, Ahmad, ‘12 

Fleenor, Matthew C., ‘12 

Guynn, David T., ‘12 

Hrinya, Edward T., ‘12 

Kyner, Anne F., ‘12 

Rochester Institute of 

Technology 

Battaglia, Patrick W., ‘11 

Beaumariage, Jonathan, ‘12 

Bennett, Mitchell F., ‘11 

Caprino, Joseph G., ‘11 



Rochester Institute of 

Technology (cont.) 

Ek, Bryan, ‘12 

Heberle, Dylan, ‘12 

Howard, Zachary, ‘12 

Jacob, Colin J., ‘11 

Jonesch, Gregory S., ‘11 

Kahn, Joshua M., ‘11 

Karl, Robert, ‘12 

Lindine, Jonathan, ‘12 

Loheac, Andrew, ‘12 

Long, Keko, ‘11 

Newbolt, Joel, ‘12 

Quinn, Sean P., ‘11 

Shi, Hao, ‘12 

Ulrich, Steven V., ‘11 

Wahila, Matthew J., ‘11 

Rochester, University of 

Baum, Louis W., ‘12 

Bradt, Joshua, ‘12 

Breindel, Alexander J., ‘12 

Cai, Xiaowei, ‘12 

Cong, Zhilin, ‘12 

Degner, Brian C., ‘12 

Emily, Lawson N., ‘12 

Erba, Christiana R., ‘12 

Hasan, Imran S., ‘12 

Karen, Farbman A., ‘12 

Lanman, Adam E., ‘12 

Murugan, Sathrukhan, ‘12 

Pershing, Ian V., ‘12 

Quick, Andrew J., ‘12 

Rothenberg, Jacob M., ‘12 

Stuart, Rachel E., ‘12 

Swartz, Stephanie L., ‘12 

Vogt, Ryan F., ‘12 

Young, Jeremy, ‘12 

Saginaw Valley State 

University 

Baiyasi, Rashad I., ‘12 

Culver, Cody L., ‘12 

Saint Vincent College 

Helbling, Emily, ‘12 

Karasack, Caleb, ‘12 

Meyerhofer, Phillip, ‘12 

Rigone, Joshua, ‘12 

Sawyer, Caitlin, ‘12 

Surovec, Kyle, ‘12 

Wesolowski, Sarah, ‘12 

San Diego, University of 

Garamella, Jonathon T., ‘12 

Mallin, David J., ‘12 

Vesci, Andrew J., ‘12 

Santa Clara University 

Brenninkmeijer, Joseph, ‘12 

Hodun, Andrew J., ‘12 

Jones, Austin T., ‘12 

Mefford, Theodore E., ‘12 

Seattle University 

Hanson, Derrik, ‘11 

Kirn, Adrian, ‘11 

Terrell Martinez, Bernice, ‘11 

Seton Hall University 

Acheson, Austin, ‘12 

Barrientos, Jimmie G., ‘12 

Guerrero, Dan, ‘12 

Klump, Andrew, ‘12 

Kubilus, Norbert, ‘12 

Manjikian, Raffi M., ‘12 

Sahiner, Mehmet A., ‘12 

Shojania-Feizabadi, Mitra, ‘12 

Troha, Anthony, ‘12 

Wang, Weining, ‘12 

Winton, Carly, ‘12 

Yurko, Michael, ‘12 

Shippensburg University 

Barnes, Christopher S., ‘11 

Burkett, Blake A., ‘11 

Carroll, Jason C., ‘11 

Hoyer, Chad E., ‘11 

Long, Aaron D., ‘11 

MacIntyre, Samantha S., ‘11 

Spangler, Brian D., ‘11 

Waddell, Abraham L., ‘11 

Siena College 

Berish, Danielle E., ‘12 

Earle, Alissa M., ‘12 

Harrington, Meghan I., ‘12 

Kinney, Stephanie L., ‘12 

Loman, David H., ‘12 

Purcell, David A., ‘12 

Ropri, Ali S., ‘12 

Tilley, Cortney L., ‘12 

Tran, Chan S., ‘12 

Truong, Nguyen V., ‘12 

Villanueva, Liza M., ‘12 

Slippery Rock University 

Armour, Brian B., ‘12 

Benzie, Chelsea J., ‘12 

Dolbashian, Cory J., ‘12 

Goncalves, Tierney N., ‘12 

Hoover, Stephanie M., ‘12 

Igims, Josh K., ‘12 

Lama, Tenzing C U., ‘12 

Lapkowicz, Joseph D., ‘12 

Logue, Daniel A., ‘12 

Muron, John A., ‘12 

Neilly, Ellis A., ‘12 

Ramirez, Michael J., ‘12 

Wilt, Jayme S., ‘12 

Wozniak, Matthew C., ‘12 

South Dakota State 

University 

Byambadorj, Tsenguun, ‘12 

Halstrom, Alan P., ‘12 

McMahon, Sarah, ‘12 

Phelps, Haaken S., ‘12 

South Florida, University of 

Ruiz, Ramon A., ‘12 

South, University of the 

Campbell, Paul T., ‘12 

Fricke, Wilson C., ‘12 

Irakoze, Bertrand N., ‘12 

Palisano, John R., ‘12 

Roberts, Caroline A., ‘12 

Southeast Missouri State 

University 

Ansberry, Stephen P., ‘12 

Forcherio, Greg T., ‘12 

Groom, Hannah, ‘12 

Marsh, Skyler C., ‘12 

McColloch, Nathan L., ‘12 

Southeastern Louisiana 

University 

Ghimire, Bishwas, ‘12 

Huggett, Daniel j., ‘12 

Jeandron, Michael, ‘12 

Libi, Sumit, ‘12 

Nepal, Roshan, ‘12 

Shrestha, Ramesh, ‘12 

Southern Nazarene 

University 

Rains, Michael D., ‘12 

Southwestern Oklahoma State 

University 

Overton, James T., ‘12 

Yimfor, Yimfor, ‘12 

St. John’s University-NY 

Campanello, Leonard J., ‘12 

Capeau, Daniel B., ‘12 

Colanduoni, John M., ‘12 

Czerwin, Benjamin J., ‘12 

Dueringer, Matthew J., ‘12 

Grana, Lauren E., ‘12 

He, Guangyue, ‘12 

Hossain, Nabila K., ‘12 

Lee, Daniel M., ‘12 

Mandurano, Sean M., ‘12 

Mistretta, Nicholas, ‘12 

Nikolov, Daniel K., ‘12 

Ortiz, Luis F., ‘12 

Persaud, Amy S., ‘12 

Wengler, Kenneth T., ‘12 

St. Lawrence University 

Caffry, Isabell C., ‘12 

Goodsell-Soo Tho, Mykael, ‘12 

Groenewald, Roelof E., ‘12 

Knoll, Alexander G., ‘12 

St. Olaf College 

Bialke, Severin, ‘12 

Burson, Hannah, ‘12 

Earls, Ashley N., ‘12 

Forman, David, ‘12 

Frank, Michelle M., ‘12 

Jacobson, Anne E., ‘12 

Keisling, Benjamin A., ‘12 

Mccarthy, Micheala I., ‘12 

Ruda, Kiersten M., ‘12 

Sivanich, Sarah Beth M., ‘12 

Tawel, Justine N., ‘12 

Weeks, Christian M., ‘12 

Whitmore, Charles A., ‘12 

Stephen F Austin State 

University 

Alders, Nolan B., ‘12 

Belew, Jonathan D., ‘12 

Charles, Kisha J., ‘12 

Coleman, Arthur R., ‘12 

Conn, James W., ‘12 

Frenzel, Thomas J., ‘12 

Stetson University 

Carter, Maya J., ‘12 

Ethier, Jacob J., ‘12 

Morel, Danielle, ‘12 

Stevens Institute of 

Technology 

Arouh, Stephanie J., ‘12 

Barresi, Nicholas P., ‘11 

Brandsema, Matthew J., ‘12 

Catania, Nicholas P., ‘11 

Coronel, Juan C., ‘01 

Diggins, Christopher J., ‘12 

Donovan, Sean T., ‘11 

Dzevel, Boris, ‘11 

Englehardt, Steven, ‘11 

Esposito, Nicholas C., ‘11 

Glassman, Matthew S., ‘11 

Hawkins, Patrick, ‘11 

Horton, Spencer, ‘11 

Kaston, Zachary, ‘11 

Konarski, Stephanie G., ‘12 

Madonna, Jeffrey E., ‘12 

Moakler, Robert T., ‘11 

Natale, Joseph L., ‘11 

Phan, Nhan, ‘11 

Sagona-Stophel, Steven A., ‘12 

Sorrentino, Christopher, ‘11 

Sproul, Taylor J., ‘11 

Thielke, David W., ‘11 

Worthmann, Brian M., ‘12 

Stony Brook University 

Chiraz, Timothy , ‘12 

Chonigman, Benjamin, ‘12 

Dotsenko, Andriy, ‘12 

Hassinger, Julian , ‘12 

Hicks, Shannon, ‘12 

Kim, Jae Hong, ‘12 

Kim, Junho, ‘12 

Kubo, Takashi, ‘12 

Kulinich, Yakov, ‘12 

Li, Keren, ‘12 

Lu, Hong Wen, ‘12 

Lunden, William, ‘12 

Meltzer, David , ‘12 

Mittiga, Thomas, ‘12 

Orvedahl, Ryan, ‘12 

Ross, Austin , ‘12 

Rusch, Christopher, ‘12 

Sackel, Kevin , ‘12 

Shelton, Siddhartha, ‘12 

Tan, Lizhen, ‘12 

Yakimenko, Evgeny, ‘12 

Zvezdzin, Anton, ‘12 

SUNY at Binghamton 

DiPalma, Amelia M., ‘12 

Gochan, Matthew, ‘12 

Khaladj, Dimitrius A., ‘12 

Lotto, Gabriel C., ‘12 

Osterhoudt, Gavin B., ‘12 

Park, Sungoh, ‘12 

Pohling, Ross, ‘12 

Senger, Mikell H., ‘12 

Stanke, Melissa A., ‘12 

Stern, David R., ‘12 

SUNY at Brockport 

Grossman, Kevin, ‘12 

Hathaway, Stephanie M., ‘12 

Larkin, LeighAnn S., ‘12 

SUNY at Fredonia 

Ferrante, Jacob R., ‘12 

Hoch, Michelle A., ‘12 

Maimone, Vincent M., ‘12 

Milton, Elizabeth M., ‘12 

SUNY at Geneseo 

Barnard, Chelsea M., ‘11 

Bomeisl, Lauren P., ‘11 

Cox, Cory M., ‘11 

Crompton, Kyle R., ‘11 

Fallica, Jacob A., ‘11 

Gole, Daniel A., ‘11 

Jensen, Graham H., ‘11 

Kalet, Marie B., ‘11 

Krieger, Michael J., ‘11 

Lafountain, Jarrod D., ‘11 

Magnus, Robert H., ‘11 

McEvoy, Molly E., ‘11 

Miller, Hannah, ‘11 

Payne, Daniel A., ‘11 

Polsin, Danae N., ‘11 

Porter, Luke H., ‘11 

Reiss, Austin S., ‘11 

Shea, Evan J., ‘11 

Stillman, Collin R., ‘11 

Van Slyke, Alexander L., ‘11 

Vaughn, James D., ‘11 

Zeng, Jian Cong, ‘11 

SUNY at Plattsburgh 

Dilcox, Joseph A., ‘11 

McCaffery, Matthew F., ‘11 

Tennessee Technological 

University 

Chambers, Erin L., ‘12 

Fry, Cathleen E., ‘12 

Long, Kenneth D., ‘12 

Robe, Dominic M., ‘12 

Tennessee-Knoxville, 

University of 

Al-Binni, Usama A., ‘09 

Bartkoski, Dirk, ‘11 

Carney, Daniel J., ‘09 

Chertkow, Merek A., ‘11 

Crawford, Steven D., ‘11 

Duffy, Geome A., ‘10 

Feldbruegge, Adam, ‘11 

Finan, Emily R., ‘12 

Goodman, Robert W., ‘11 

Guo, Hangwen, ‘09 

Hitchcock, James D., ‘11 

Hus, Saban, ‘09 

Lambert, Jason M., ‘10 

Langhon, Geoff, ‘11 

Lillard, Cole, ‘11 

Martashvili, Irakli, ‘11 

Martin, Eric W., ‘11 

Mason, Philip J., ‘11 

Mccaskey, Alexander J., ‘10 

Miller, Rachel A., ‘11 

Netherton, Tucker, ‘12 

Ovchinnikov, Oley S., ‘10 

Perhac, Alex, ‘11 

Preece, Kyle M., ‘11 

Redding, Caleb J., ‘12 

Sanchez, Adrian A., ‘09 

Sinclair, Ryan P., ‘12 

Smith, Byron H., ‘11 

Tate, Christopher G., ‘09 

Vence, Nick, ‘11 

Weitering, Bart, ‘11 

White, Meagan K., ‘09 

Yeter, Kubra, ‘12 

York, Andrew D., ‘10 

Texas Lutheran University 

Bungula, Wako T., ‘12 

Fernandez, Melissa, ‘12 

White, Jessica K., ‘12 

Texas Tech University 

Baker, Brittany B., ‘11 

Docaj, Andris, ‘11 

Dominguez, Daniel, ‘11 

Henderson, Lawrence E., ‘11 

Hilsabeck, Tyler A., ‘11 

Hirsch, Rachel A., ‘11 

Jayarathna, Ganga S., ‘11 

Lee, Sung-Won, ‘11 

Mengyan, Patrick W., ‘11 

O’Brien, Greg E., ‘11 

Patel, Dipika S., ‘11 

Russell, Tyler A., ‘11 

Ryberg, David S., ‘11 

Sandy, John, ‘11 

Verlage, Kenneth R., ‘11 

Texas-Arlington, University of 

Allen, Robert C., ‘10 

Baldelomar, Edwin J., ‘10 

Baral, Swapnil, ‘10 

Boone, Christie L., ‘11 

Bourbeau, James R., ‘11 

Brandt, Andrew G., ‘11 

Cockrell, Sophia J., ‘10 

Corbin, Jimmy E., ‘10 

Dawson, William D., ‘11 

Hiller, Bethany R., ‘11 

Jackson, Christopher B., ‘11 

Koymen, Ali R., ‘10 

Lord, Robert W., ‘10 

Murphy, Elijah R., ‘11 

Narcisse, Cezanne D., ‘11 

Villalobos, Alexander, ‘11 

Yu, Jaehoon, ‘10 

Texas-El Paso, University of 

Corralez, Demetrio S., ‘09 

Keith, Jason P., ‘09 

Rodriguez Lopez, Jose A., ‘09 



Texas-San Antonio, 

University of 

Boulineau, Angela, ‘12 

Texas-San Antonio, 

University of 

Durke, David, ‘12 

Elliott, Zakary, ‘12 

Hoffmann, Nathalie, ‘12 

Mcmaster, David, ‘12 

Mcmaster, Laura, ‘12 

Rightsell, Christopher, ‘12 

Toledo, University of 

Belcik, Kevin, ‘12 

Deitz, Julia, ‘12 

Kanchibotla, Bhargava, ‘12 

Kwiatkowski, Luke, ‘12 

Simanton, Lesley, ‘12 

Towson University 

Benigno, Gina, ‘12 

Day, Jesse, ‘12 

DeVanzo, Michael J., ‘12 

Di Fatta, Christopher, ‘12 

Everett, Ryan, ‘12 

Ghavamian, Parviz, ‘12 

Glenn, William, ‘12 

Goehringer, Tyler, ‘12 

Sezen, Aslie, ‘12 

Shanholtz, Eugene, ‘12 

Thibodeau, Christopher, ‘12 

Yan, Jia-An, ‘12 

Trinity College 

Handali, Jonathan, ‘12 

Trinity University 

Cahill, Stephen C., ‘12 

Hafner, Jason H., ‘12 

Hargrave, Alan D., ‘79 

Tuli, Santona, ‘12 

Walker, Christopher, ‘12 

Truman State University 

Gerling, Bradley M., ‘12 

Laugeman, Eric C., ‘12 

Niraula, Dipesh, ‘12 

Whitener, Jordan D., ‘12 

Union University 

Lam, Michael Y., ‘12 

Lewoczko, Jeffrey A., ‘12 

Morriss, Grace C., ‘12 

Poore, Geoffrey M., ‘12 

United States 

Military Academy 

Bieletto, Eliot P., ‘12 

Federwisch, Tyler G., ‘12 

Rachel, Patrick D., ‘12 

Schmidt, William J., ‘12 

Smith, Jordan A., ‘12 

Titzel, Howard C., ‘12 

Yeager, Kurt B., ‘12 

United States Naval Academy 

Cavey, Jacob M., ‘12 

Gear, Christopher S., ‘12 

Laurin, Jonathon A., ‘12 

Maskell, Nicholas D., ‘12 

Utah State University 

Allred, Isaac J., ‘12 

Berg, David G., ‘12 

Butler, Jared J., ‘12 

Cai, Xuguang, ‘12 

Erickson, Gregory, ‘12 

Gish, Tyler, ‘12 

Mckinnon, Darren V., ‘12 

Moody, Malea M., ‘12 

Utah State University (cont.) 

Negale, Michael, ‘12 

Picardo Marcano, Manuel, ‘12 

Richardson, Joseph M., ‘12 

Rozum, Jordan C., ‘12 

Sox, Leda, ‘12 

Wittwer, Christina M., ‘12 

Valdosta State University 

Culpepper, Kyle W., ‘12 

Vermont, University of 

Abrams, Daniel L., ‘12 

Anderson, Roy A., ‘12 

Diamond, Brad M., ‘11 

Glenn, Darcy E., ‘11 

Howard, Thomas J., ‘12 

Kenyon, Richard W., ‘12 

Laird, Evan W., ‘12 

Lamarche, Cody J., ‘11 

Villanova University 

Bisol, Alexandra C., ‘11 

Burnham, Philip S., ‘11 

Cardin, Andrew, ‘11 

Durbin, Allyn J., ‘11 

George, Christopher P., ‘11 

Joshi, Keshav M., ‘11 

Moreno, Jackeline, ‘11 

Mudrick, Mark S., ‘11 

Myszka, Janine A., ‘11 

Turvey, Mackenzie W., ‘11 

Virginia Military Institute 

Allen, David M., ‘12 

Armstrong, Cameron R., ‘12 

Matthews, George E., ‘12 

Virginia Tech 

Lutz, Stephen, ‘12 

Virginia, University of 

Burket, Jonathan W., ‘12 

Cardoza, Aaron A., ‘12 

Charles, Anthony M., ‘12 

Hall, Joshua, ‘12 

Khan, Ahsan, ‘12 

Loomis, Ryan A., ‘12 

Morton, Daniel H., ‘12 

Nguyen, Eric L., ‘12 

O’Donnell, Christine, ‘12 

Virginia, University of (cont.) 

Olund, Christopher T., ‘12 

Shelton, Cameron, ‘12 

Shih, Cheng-Yu, ‘12 

Tran, Kha, ‘12 

Wilson, David A., ‘12 

Wralstad, Evans C., ‘12 

Yang, Xiafei, ‘12 

Wake Forest University 

Bates, Jason D., ‘12 

Cantin, Kristine D., ‘12 

Conwill, Eliot M., ‘12 

Hicks, Bradley B., ‘12 

Kreutzfeldt, Tim, ‘12 

Payne, Margaret E., ‘12 

Powers, Jonathan Q., ‘12 

Snyder, Matthew J., ‘12 

Ward, Jeremy W., ‘12 

Wartburg College 

De Quadros, Oliver, ‘12 

Egts, Courtney, ‘12 

Heine, Justin M., ‘11 

Kringle, Loni M., ‘11 

Masterson, Paul, ‘12 

Osbeck, Joshua W., ‘89 

Rector, Benjamin R., ‘11 

Washington & Lee University 

Absher, Benjamin F., ‘12 

Amine, Mohamad S., ‘12 

Balkonis, Matthew E., ‘12 

Bargar, Alicia M., ‘12 

Bisharat, Dia’aaldin J., ‘12 

Bourne, William T., ‘12 

Chapnick, Max L., ‘12 

Cobb, Camille M., ‘12 

Digiovanni, Emilia R., ‘12 

Ehsan, Upol, ‘12 

Finnegan, Alex I., ‘12 

Frith, Hugh D., ‘12 

Gerbo, Robert C., ‘12 

Gilfillan, Taylor W., ‘12 

Gragg, John S., ‘12 

Hamed, Ali M., ‘12 

Hristov, Martin P., ‘12 

Hudson, Emily C., ‘12 

Kim, Vincent O., ‘12 

LaFleur, Alexander P., ‘12 

Mait, Alexander R., ‘12 

Mensch, Rachel E., ‘12 

Mitchell, Jared D., ‘12 

Pope, Brenton K., ‘12 

Reichel, Nathaniel A., ‘12 

Seredinski, Andrew M., ‘12 

Suminski, Braedon M., ‘12 

Thomas, Michael W., ‘12 

Wasden, Wiley A., ‘12 

Wilson, Katy B., ‘12 

Young, William T., ‘12 

Washington University- 

Saint Louis 

Anderson, Alexander G., ‘12 

Cole, Daniel C., ‘12 

Washington University- 

Saint Louis (cont.) 

Dutcher, Daniel P., ‘12 

Ferrer, Francesc, ‘12 

Friedlein, Jacob T., ‘12 

Hynes, Kathryn M., ‘12 

Jager, Marieke F., ‘12 

Lam, Hiu Yue M., ‘12 

Onken, Allison M., ‘12 

Orlofsky, Nicholas D., ‘12 

Washington, University of 

Godwin, Patrick J., ‘12 

Henson, Alex, ‘12 

Herman, Gregory, ‘12 

Johnson, William J., ‘12 

Lestz, Jeff B., ‘12 

Riedell, Thomas J., ‘12 

Sidhom, Benjamin, ‘12 

Tran, Angelia C., ‘12 

West Florida, University of 

Beck, Samuel D., ‘12 

Bobbitt, Nicole, ‘12 

Deluca, Giovanni, ‘12 

Renfroe, Chloe, ‘12 

Weckerly, Chris, ‘12 

Western Illinois University 

Dada, Oluwaseye O., ‘12 

Heille, Alexander M., ‘12 

Walwema, Godrey B., ‘12 

Westminster College 

Avril, Ryan L., ‘12 

Whittier College 

Htet, Zaw M., ‘12 

Mcaloon, Liam C., ‘12 

Zaerpoor, Faraz, ‘12 

Wichita State University 

Bonde, Richard E., ‘12 

Onstott, Matthew J., ‘12 

Widener University 

Curlett, Amanda, ‘12 

Dudley, Preston, ‘12 

Grobaker, James, ‘12 

Heleniak, Frank, ‘12 

Mcgouldrick, Matthew, ‘12 

Nathan, Matthew, ‘12 

Pagano, Steven, ‘12 

Santosusso, Daniel, ‘12 

Squicciarini, Patricia, ‘12 

Wijesinghe, Maneesha, ‘12 

William Jewell College 

Giannetti, Shane, ‘12 

Lampe, Samantha, ‘12 

Pollpeter, Brandon, ‘12 

Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 

University of 

Accola, Roxanne H., ‘12 

Fahey, Samuel J., ‘12 

Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 

University of (cont.) 

Johnson, Curtis, ‘12 

Nevins, Thomas, ‘12 

Olson, Erik J., ‘12 

Paffel, Frederick, ‘12 

Salmonson, Cheryl Ann, ‘12 

Wisconsin-Platteville, 

University of 

Cole, Veronique H., ‘12 

Einsweiler, Dirk, ‘12 

Niehaus, Chad, ‘12 

Rue, Timothy, ‘12 

Scriven, Elijah, ‘12 

Swanke, Roy, ‘12 

Wisconsin-River Falls, 

University of 

Bauer, Derek S., ‘12 

Biros, Noah G., ‘12 

Brudzinski, Peter, ‘12 

Decarlo, Joey B., ‘12 

Frank, Daniel, ‘12 

Hanson, Jedith M., ‘12 

King, Sharon M., ‘12 

Lengyel, Thomas W., ‘12 

Olson, Jacob D., ‘12 

Ryan, William M., ‘12 

Schmitt, Matthew J., ‘12 

Wisconsin-Stevens Point, 

University of 

Albertin, Anthony, ‘12 

Broehm, Micah, ‘12 

Kent, Alex, ‘12 

Lynch, Edward, ‘12 

Wittenberg University 

Engdahl, Susannah, ‘12 

Isaacson, Sven, ‘12 

Kiser, Savannah, ‘12 

Li, Peiqian, ‘12 

Mcgowan, Megan, ‘12 

Mckean, Lucas, ‘12 

Mcneal, Kathryn, ‘12 

Pavlatos, Elias, ‘12 

Pozderac, Jonathan, ‘12 

Price, Jonathan, ‘12 

Troy, Meredith, ‘12 

Wright State University 

Karjala, Gregory A., ‘12 

Kash, Gary W., ‘12 

Reilly, Kathryn R., ‘12 

Weaver, Kent M., ‘12 

Wyoming, University of 

Katein-Taylor, Kristy, ‘12 

Xavier University 

Bertsch, Frank A., ‘11 

Gravelle, Sean, ‘12 

Kaiser, Laura, ‘12 

Smith, Peter A., ‘11 


The Director's Space 


ence of working with the SPS national 

office to organize that special session 

that set me on the course through space 

and time that brought me to this new 

space. Following that affirming influence, 

I knew that someday I would be a 

zone councilor like Mary Beth. SPS and 

Sigma Pi Sigma were my initial gateways 

into the influence of professional organizations 

and the impetus for much of the 

professional service in which I have been 

involved over the course of my career. 

But I had no inkling that someday I 

would occupy the SPS director’s space. 

It is because of the historically strong 

and lengthy list of Sigma Pi Sigma 

members, now over 80,000 names, that 

these kinds of connections continue to 

influence the lives of young students. As 

a faculty member, to be connected with 

an organization whose mission focuses 

on serving the needs of students, their 

futures and the future of the professional 

community of physics was a natural 

fit. The change for me now is one only 

of perspective. I am now privileged to 

be a member of the team that I and 

my students depended on for so many 

years. And while in this space I am not 

technically a chapter advisor, this space 

allows me the great honor of working 

with inspiring chapter advisors all over 

the country and of being a first-hand 

witness to the connections SPS is making 

across the world, with new chapters 

in China, India, and a recent request 

from an eager group of students in 

Kazakhstan. So, while I am no longer 

occupying the space or the station of an 

on-the-ground, in-the-trenches chapter 

advisor, I remain connected to the 

students that I serve. 

Like the air that surrounds all of 

us, the connections around the country 

and now around the world that come 

through affiliations with SPS and 

Sigma Pi Sigma are indisputable. We, 

as Sigma Pi Sigma members, have in 

common a background in physics and 

ties to a community whose goals are to 

make the world a better place through 

understanding nature. Maybe more 

importantly, we share the mission of 

supporting and encouraging interested 


people from all kinds of backgrounds to 

do the same. As we approach the coming 

Sigma Pi Sigma Quadrennial Congress 

with the theme of “Connecting Worlds,” 

we might pause to note the connections 

through space and through time that a 

passion for physics has produced in each 

of our lives. The connections are many, 

no matter what space you occupy. r 

i 

Gary White is now serving as a rotator 

at the National Science Foundation in 

the Division of Undergraduate Education. 

I am on a sabbatical from Angelo 

State University, Department of Physics. 

ii 

The biannual joint meeting of the Texas 

sections of the APT, AAPT, and zone 13 

of SPS began in 1982. 

Message from the President 


and also from Brazil, France, Mexico, 

the Netherlands, Iran, China, Ukraine, 

Switzerland, and Croatia. Coupled 

with the friendships one develops in the 

virtual United Nations that is graduate 

school, I belong to a network that spans 

the globe. I have found great professional 

and personal pleasure in working on 

problems and sharing ideas with people 

from around the world. 

While I’m happy that I’ve been able 

to contribute to the understanding of 

ultracold collisions and high-resolution 

atomic spectroscopy, what I’m most 

proud of is the opportunity that I have 

to share my knowledge with others. As 

a professor at an undergraduate-focused 

institution, there are lots of things that 

I look forward to as we proceed through 

the year—Reassuring nervous students 

and their parents at orientation that they 

have made a fine decision to pick physics 

as a major. Standing in front of a class 

talking about a complex topic and seeing 

eyes of students light up when everything 

suddenly clicks. Serving as the 

advisor to a Society of Physics Students 

(SPS) chapter and helping to guide their 

activities. The unexpected visits, emails, 

or letters from former students who 

just wanted to say “Thank you.” Sitting 

with students during commencement 

and sharing in their accomplishments. 

Outside of the university, I’ve enjoyed 

volunteering with science demos at my 

son’s school, judging at a regional Science 

Olympiad, meeting with local business 

and government leaders, and even 

using my physics knowledge to explain 

things to my local homebrew club. 

Of course, every path is unique. 

Some Sigma Pi Sigma members follow 

the academic path that I have; the twists 

and turns will, of course, be different. 

Some find themselves working in 

national laboratories, in industry, or in 

their own companies. Others are school 

teachers, and there are many that have 

moved into careers that are perhaps 

very different from what they imagined 

that they would do at the outset of their 

studies. What they all have in common 

is their physics training. They have all 

honed outstanding problem solving and 

critical thinking skills. 

In 2003–09 I had the pleasure to 

serve the wider physics community as a 

member of the SPS National Council. 

This group steers the programs, policies, 

and procedures of SPS and Sigma Pi 

Sigma. Through my participation in this 

group, I met lots of members of Sigma Pi 

Sigma. They all have a slightly different 

story. I encourage all of our “senior” 

members to take the time to reach out 

to a local chapter with an offer to share 

your story with our newest members. 

The highlight of my department’s 

year is Awards Night. Students, faculty, 

staff, alumni, and emeriti convene to 

recognize our students as various awards 

are announced and students are inducted 

into Sigma Pi Sigma. For the last ten 

years I’ve played the role of host of this 

event, very much like Professor Morehouse 

did at my induction. When I read 

the charge to new members, I hope that 

they realize that if they take those words 

to heart, they have an opportunity to 

find a path that has been as rewarding as 

mine. 

I look forward to seeing some of you 

in Orlando. If our paths cross, please 

take some time to tell me about yours. 

r

Spotlight on Hidden Physicists 

Share your story at www.sigmapisigma.org 

Randy Kleinman 

Boston Scientific, Ramsey, MN 

When I graduated 

from Bethel University 

in St. Paul, 

Minnesota, in 2003 

with a bachelor of 

science degree in 

physics, I knew 

that I wanted to 

use as many skills as I could in my next 

adventure. I went on to pursue a PhD 

in applied mechanics from the University 

of Illinois, studying computational 

fluid dynamics, specifically, turbulent 

noise generation from high-speed jets. 

An education in the core physics areas 

of acoustics, mechanics, and thermodynamics 

prepared me well for studying 

multiphysics phenomena such as jet 

turbulence. Moreover, during my undergraduate 

physics courses, I also was able 

to take advantage of new curricula that 

taught computer programming in the 

context of the physical sciences. Since I 

thoroughly enjoyed writing code to solve 

physics problems in my undergraduate 

courses, I knew that I wanted to do 

more of that, and indeed, spent most of 

my time developing code for my doctorate, 

whether that was writing programs 

to solve fluids equations or developing 

data-processing scripts to handle all of 

the data created. 

As time progressed, my interests 

began to include various medical technologies 

and software engineering. Since 

2009 I have been working in the medical 

device industry at Boston Scientific 

as a software engineer. I currently lead 

small teams of software engineers in 

developing infrastructure to test remote 

patient-monitoring software that is used 

directly by patients and their physicians. 

I am the lead architect of several 

software testing automation tools and 

real-time web applications. Every day I 

code with the same leading-edge technologies 

that are used by some of the 

biggest websites out there (think Google, 

Facebook, Twitter, etc.). 

The opportunities really are limitless 

when it comes to software. Writing 

a software application is like building 

a Rube Goldberg machine without the 

physical parts. Every time you begin 

writing code, there is an invention in 

the works and a list of experiments to 

conduct. Just like the physics lab, the 

software development environment 

quickly becomes the play place of the 

imagination. With the level of computing 

power and complexity that is 

currently available, a physicist can be 

exceptionally well prepared to take on 

and solve those complex problems. 

Juan Carlos Coronel 

Analyst, Johnson & Johnson 

New Brunswick, NJ 

I graduated as a 

physics engineer 

from the Stevens 

Institute of Technology 

and consider 

myself to be a hidden 

physicist. Maybe 

it is the fact that 

I work in the IT department of a large 

company, but I have come to notice the 

best line to introduce myself is, “Hello, 

I graduated with a bachelors in physics.” 

This completely throws everyone off and 

I see the mix of thoughts and assumptions 

that go through their heads. Those 

moments make me happy to call myself 

a hidden physicist. r 

Science and Service, 

Appreciation and Awareness 


liam Morrow & Co., New York, NY, 1974, 

1999), p. 12. 

[20] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctic_National_Wildlife_Refuge_drilling_controversy 

for an accessible history of the ANWR 

controversy. Oil production numbers 

come from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ 

World_oil_consumption. Global consumption 

exceeds 80 million barrels per day. Thus 

the USA, with 5% of the world’s population, 

consumes about 25% of the petroleum. The 

figures quoted there are similar to those given 

to me by the petroleum exploration geologist 

Douglas K. Strickland. 

[21] Not to mention the effects of exponential 

growth with its doubling time. Consult 

M. King Hubbert (1903–1989) and “Hubbert’s 

Peak,” and Albert Bartlett (1923–). For 

several decades Bartlett has done an inspiring 

job of showing the consequences of exponential 

growth in a finite environment, in clear 

ways that the audience in a public lecture can 

immediately appreciate. 

[22] Report of the Presidential Commission 

on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident; Appendix 

F (by R.P. Feynman)–“Personal Observations 

on Reliability of Shuttle.” http:// 

history.nasa.gov/rogersrep/v2appf.htm]. 

[23] The deforestation rate comes from http:// 

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deforestation_by_region. 

A field biologist, Leo Finkenbinder, 

whose career has engaged this issue, confirms 

to me this number from his sources. See also 

D.N. and L. Finkenbinder, “The Chainsaw 

and the White Oak: From Astrobiology to 

Environmental Sustainability,” Radiations 

(Spring 2001), 5–11. 

[24] No, I am not making this up. See http:// 

dickdestiny.com/blog1/2012/08/10/roadkillpaint-over/. 

[25] Nina Tannenwald, “The Threat of 

Weapons in Space,” Radiations (Spring 2007), 

6–9; see also “Weapons in Space: Should 

Anyone Care?,” p. 5. There are a few public 

discussions; see Tim Weiner, “Air Force Seeks 

Bush’s Approval for Space Weapons Programs,” 

NY Times (May 18, 2005). 

[26] Temple Grandin, Animals Make us 

Human: Creating the Best Life for Animals 

(Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Boston, MA, 

1999); Eric Schlosser, Fast Food Nation 

(Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, MA, 

2001). 

[27] Parker J. Palmer, The Courage to Teach: 

Exploring the Inner Landscape of a Teacher’s 

Life (Jossey-Bass, San Francisco, CA, 1998, 

2007), Ch. 1. 

[28] Freeman Dyson, “To Teach or Not to 

Teach,” Am. J. Phys. 59(6), 491–495 (1991). 

[29] See, for example, Jamie Kitman, “Car 

and Driverless: Save the Steering Wheel,” 

Automobile (November 2011), 22–23; Neil 

Postman, Amusing Ourselves to Death (Penguin 

Books, New York, NY, 1985). 

[30] Albert Schweitzer, Out of My Life and 

Thought (Ref. 18), 93–94. r 


The Puzzle Corner 

This edition’s crossword puzzle celebrates 

"Connecting Worlds through 

Science & Service," the theme of the 

2012 SPS Quadrennial Physics Congress 

(PhysCon). SPS communications 

specialist Elizabeth Hook constructed 

this delightful brainteaser. 

Prizes 

For each physics puzzle, the submitter 

of the first correct answer, and a second 

chosen at random from all correct answers 

will be awarded a $25 gift card for 

a book vendor of each winner’s choice, 

and the winners’ names will appear in 

the next issue of Radiations. 

Last month’s wrapping puzzle 

winner was Stephan Bernacki of MIT, 

Cambridge, MA. 

Please submit your answers to the 

physics puzzles by surface mail to ΣΠΣ 

Puzzle Corner, One Physics Ellipse, 

College Park, MD 20740, or by email to 

tolsen@aip.org. 

Deadline 

31 December 2012 

Answers 

Answers will appear at 

www.sigmapisigma.org/radiations/ 

puzzlecorner/ on 7 January 2013. 

Contribute a Puzzle 

We welcome any interesting puzzles you 

may have to share with your fellow ΣΠΣ 

alumni. Please submit your puzzles to 

the previously mentioned address. 

2012 Congress Prize Contest 

Results 

Representatives of these chapters submitted 

complete solutions of the crossword 

on the theme of service: 

University of Wisconsin–River Falls 

Wesley Barnes 

Emily Dvorak 

Brendan Reed 

Marquette University, 

Milwaukee, WI 

Kyle Kimminau 

Rebecca McAuliffe 

Abigail Searfoss 

Carthage College, 

Kenosha, WI 

Eli Favela 

Seth Schofield 

Danielle Weiland 

Grove City College, Grove City, PA 

DJ Wagner 

Scan with a QR code 

reader on your smart 

phone or tablet to 

see the puzzles and 

answers online. 

The SPS chapter at Eastern Michigan 

University carefully conducted a lottery 

to determine the winning chapter. The 

Marquette University chapter is receiving 

$1,000 in travel funds to attend PhysCon, 

thanks to the extraordinary generosity of 

past president Diane Jacobs. 

Each of the other three schools was 

awarded $100 in travel funds for the 

congress. 

Physics Puzzle 

Shortly after the Sigma Pi Sigma 

Congress on Tuesday 13 November, 

awed viewers in Northern Australia will 

experience a total solar eclipse. It is 

important to observe these while we can, 

as the earth’s tides are gradually increasing 

the size of the moon’s orbit, and in 

1.4 billion years, the moon will appear 

smaller than the sun, ending the era of 

total eclipses. Laser ranging measurements 

indicate that the earth–moon 

distance is increasing about one meter 

every century. 

2010 Eclipse, Composite Image 

Credits: Williams College Eclipse Expedition -- Jay M. Pasachoff, Muzhou Lu, and Craig 

Malamut; SOHO’s LASCO image courtesy of NASA/ESA; solar disk image from NASA’s 

SDO; compositing by Steele Hill, NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. 

A. Approximately how much potential 

energy does the moon gain in a century 

due to this effect? 

B. Approximately how much kinetic 

energy does the moon lose in a century 

due to this effect? 

C. As the angular momentum of the 

earth–moon system is conserved, approximately 

how much rotational kinetic 


energy does the earth lose in a century 

due to this effect? Please ignore the 

rotation of the moon. 

D. If the remaining energy is dissipated 

as heat as the earth rotates under 

the tides, by approximately how many 

degrees Celsius does the earth’s temperature 

rise over a century due to this 

effect? Try assuming that the specific 

heat of the earth is half that of water. 

Moon 

Earth

Crossword Puzzle: Connecting Worlds 

by Elizabeth Hook, SPS Communications Specialist 1 

2 

3 

4 5 6 7 8 

9 

10 11 12 13 

14 15 

16 17 

18 19 

20 21 22 

23 

24 

25 

26 

27 

28 

29 

Across 

2 Earth’s natural satellite 

3 Earth’s largest artificial satellite 

5 PhysCon speaker & exoplanet expert 

9 Ceres 

10 Worldwide 

12 Globe 

16 Half of last Radiation’s theme 

17 European equivalent of NASA 

18 Link to 

21 The theme of the 2012 PhysCon 

23 Convey 

24 The Universal Language 

25 Object like the sun 

26 Milky Way 

27 Close or attach securely 

28 In 2006, the IAU redefined this 

29 Blend 

Down 

1 The cosmos 

4 “__________ Golden Record” contains 

sounds and images to represent Earth 

for intelligent extraterrestrials 

6 Community enrichment program 

7 The systematic study of the physical 

& natural world through observation & 

experiment 

8 This agency’s mission is to “pioneer 

the future in space exploration, scientific 

discovery, & aeronautics research” 

11 The world’s largest and highest energy 

particle accelerator 

13 PhysCon speaker talking about interdisciplinary 

applications of tomography 

14 Connect with something else in one’s 

mind 

15 To span 

16 People who study 

19 “Blue __________ ” hint: Apollo 17 

20 Equilibrium 

21 Inclusive 

22 Correspond to 

23 Amalgamate 


Radiations 

American Institute of Physics College Park 

One Physics Ellipse 

College Park, MD 20740 

Non-Profit Org. 

US Postage 

PAID 

Columbus, OH 

Permit No. 4416 

Get Involved: Reconnect with Sigma Pi Sigma 

For many Sigma Pi Sigma 

members, the days of latenight 

homework sessions 

and 8:00am classes are 

gone, perhaps replaced 

with long work hours or leisurely 

golf games enjoyed 

during retirement. This fall 

we invite you to reconnect 

with your student self and 

reconnect with Sigma Pi 

Sigma by getting involved 

in the life of a Sigma Pi 

Sigma chapter near you. 

It doesn’t need to be 

a big commitment—you 

might call up a local chapter 

and offer to give a talk 

or colloquium about your 

type of work, or just let the 

chapter know that you are 

available to visit with students 

interested in pursuing 

a career like yours. You 

might offer to give a tour of 

your laboratory or provide 

advice to students applying 

for jobs or graduate programs. 

You might ask if the 

chapter has any outreach 

events in need of volunteers, 

or drop off some 

pizza the week of finals. 

The Sigma Pi Sigma 

national office is happy to 

help you connect with a 

chapter near you, or with 

the chapter at which you 

were inducted. Please address 

requests to: 

Sigma Pi Sigma National 

Office 

One Physics Ellipse 

College Park, MD 20740 

Tel: 301-209-3007 

Email: sps@aip.org 

Sigma Pi Sigma is a community 

of physics students 

and alumni that spans geographic 

regions and generations. 

Let’s stay connected! 

Sigma Pi Sigma exists to honor outstanding scholarship in physics; to 

encourage interest in physics among students at all levels; to promote an 

attitude of service of its members toward their fellow students, colleagues, 

and the public; and to provide a fellowship of persons who have excelled 

in physics. Sigma Pi Sigma’s mission is not completed in the induction 

ceremony with the recognition of academic accomplishment. In the four 

dimensions of honor, encouragement, service, and fellowship, the mission 

of Sigma Pi Sigma takes a longer view.

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