PHYSICS @TLU
VOLUME I / ISSUE 1 / SUMMER 2016
Determined to Succeed scientific meetings, and an increased effort to build a
some significant changes since fall 2014.
thriving community of learners inside and outside of
Dr. Toni Sauncy joined the department in
the classroom.
August 2014, after spending two years as the
Regular Connections
director of the Society of Physics Students
The SPS group meets for lunch every Tuesday, so if
Honor Society at the American Institute of
For TLU Physics Alumni, Current Students and Friends of the Department
In This Issue
The Physics Department has undergone
(SPS) and Sigma Pi Sigma National Physics
DEPARTMENT NEWSLETTER
. Determined to Succeed
. Women in Physics . Sigma Pi Sigma
you’re ever in the area please stop by and meet our outstanding students.
. Faculty Updates
Physics. Sauncy was previously a member
. TLU Family
of the physics faculty at Angelo State
Physics Night
University, home to a nationally recognized physics program.
. New Applied
One of the most important aspects of the
Physics Degree
department’s transformation has been the growth in activity of the TLU SPS chapter. Sauncy’s years
. Homecoming
of experience in SPS leadership at all levels have brought new energy to students. Physics majors
. Students are committed to building a thriving TLU
and in the state and national physics community
Physics program. Through leadership development, campus and community outreach, and scholarship, TLU SPS is making a difference in the lives of students.
With National Awards
. Student Spotlight
. PhysCon
Women in Physics
2 3
. TLU SPS Honored
have become increasingly active on campus with national awards, participation in professional
1
Sigma Pi Sigma
. Conferences,
4
Research, & Site Visits
For the second year in a row, students took part in
The TLU
the annual Conferences for Undergraduate Women
chapter of
in Physics. This year, seven women attended
Sigma Pi Sigma,
the conference at the University of Texas at San
the national
Antonio—one of eight nationwide events.
physics honor
. Stephen Bratz, Dr. Calvin Berggren,
society, was
Dr. Jerry Carr, Professor Erin Scanlon, and Jeffrey Breitschopf are the most recent group of TLU Sigma Pi Sigma inductees.
installed in April
. Fundraising Efforts
2010 with the induction of five
students and one faculty member. Coincidentally, Dr. Sauncy who was—at the time—serving as the SPS National Council president, carried out the chapter installation. The group has grown substantially since its inaugural year. Other members include: Stacey Laubach, Andrew Jastram, Curtis Lee, Dirk Lorenz, Talitha Muehlbrad,
. Pictured from left: Back: Taylor Fulkerson, Emily Churchman, Jaclyn Lewis, Maegen Idrogo, Dr. Toni Sauncy; Front: Brianna Rios, and Vanessa Espinoza.
Kimberly Ray, Wako Bungula, Melissa Fernandez, Jessica White, Derek Kanas, Matthew Mittelstadt, Tyler Bull, and Sandra Roberts.
b
We Want To Hear From You! Email any updates or career advancements to
[email protected]
Connect with us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/tlusps Join our group: www.facebook.com/ groups/tluphysics
PHYSICS@TLU VOLUME I / ISSUE 1 / SUMMER 2016
2
Faculty Updates The TLU Physics faculty is new and energetic. If you don’t know them, we encourage you to reach out and contact them to say hello.
Chair & Associate Professor Toni Sauncy
[email protected] Dr. Sauncy came to TLU in August 2014 following a two-year term as the SPS and Sigma Pi Sigma director at the American Institute of Physics. Her area of expertise is optical spectroscopy and optoelectronic materials, with a strong interest in physics education reform. Prior to that, Dr. Sauncy was a faculty member in the nationally acclaimed Angelo State University Physics Department. She holds a Ph.D. in physics from Texas Tech University.
Assistant Professor Calvin Berggren
. Family Physics night has become an established and anticipated annual event that draws hundreds of visitors to campus each fall. Here, young physics enthusiasts check out the Faraday’s Law Table.
TLU Family Physics Night Physics Phun For Everyone
University and collaborator on the ATLAS
[email protected]
For the past four years, the Physics
project at CERN. Dr. Rogan discussed the
Dr. Berggren also arrived at TLU in August 2014, after completing his Ph.D. in physics at the University of California Berkeley. Dr. Berggren specializes in theoretical physics with a concentration in particle physics. He researches topics in computational physics and particle physics.
Department has paused for a flurry of activity
recent discovery of the Higgs particle and
that involves science enthusiasts from around
engaged students in a lecture about the future
the region. Professor Erin Scanlon started
of high-energy particle physics.
social media channels, and the university’s
The 2015 SPS Public Lecture in Physics
Adjunct Professor Erin Scanlon
marketing team, students and groups from
brought Ginger Kerrick, NASA Flight Director
around the area now look forward to the
for the International Space Station, to campus.
[email protected]
event. Some high school physics teachers
Kerrick inspired students, urging them to let
Professor Scanlon is the most “senior” member of the department, having served in some part- or full-time capacity since August 2012. Professor Scanlon is a Ph.D. candidate at Texas State University with a focus on developmental math and physics education research. She holds a master’s degree in physics from Georgia Tech University.
even use the night as an enriching addition
their excellent preparation in physics be a
to their curriculum. The fall 2015 session had
foundation for their dreams.
the event in 2012 and it has been gaining
Watch his presentation:
momentum ever since. Promoted through
bit.ly/christopherrogan
personal contacts, distribution of posters,
more than 500 visitors filling the Jackson Park
Watch her presentation:
Student Activities Center to capacity.
bit.ly/gingerkerrick
A New Dimension The fall 2014 Family Physics Night event included the addition of
Assistant Professor (Visiting) Dr. Steven Mielke
a special guest lecture and reception before
[email protected] Dr. Mielke is a former SEGRF fellow (Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory), NASA Postdoctoral Program fellow (Goddard Institute for Space Studies), and research associate of Rockefeller University. His interests include physics education and communication, and interdisciplinary research in molecular biophysics emphasizing the structure and dynamics of macromolecular systems with applications in the areas of renewable energy, astrobiology, and cancer biology. He holds a Ph.D. in biophysics from the University of California Davis.
the hands-on activities. With help from an anonymous donor, the department was able
. The theme for the 2015 Family Physics Night was
. Dr. Christopher
to host Dr. Christopher
Rogan
Rogan—Society of
the International Year of Light with all stations devoted to some aspect of light or its use in science and technology. Students demonstrated the wonders of light and optics to the record crowd.
Fellows at Harvard
Save The Date: Family Physics Night 2016 Thursday, October 27 5:00 – 6:30 pm: SPS Public Lecture in Physics 6:30 – 9:00 pm: Family Physics Night
PHYSICS@TLU VOLUME I / ISSUE 1 / SUMMER 2016
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New Applied Physics Degree Offers Array of Career Options During the spring 2015 semester, the Faculty
keeping options open for pursuing a career
Association unanimously approved the new
trajectory in an engineering field. The applied
Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics degree.
physics degree plan includes additional lab
The new degree is designed to accommodate
courses with the option of including a design
the wide range of career paths typically
component during senior thesis to designate
followed by physics graduates. This includes
a pre-engineering focus. Lab courses also
trajectories toward entering the workforce
include a new freshman seminar, “Tools
TLU SPS Honored With National Awards
directly after graduate school. Nationally,
for Success in Science and Engineering,”
For the first time ever, TLU SPS was
more than 40 percent of all graduates with
along with a revised advanced lab sequence
named a 2014-15 Outstanding Chapter by
bachelor’s degrees in physics go directly into
of courses.
the SPS National Council. We were one of
The program has been popular among both
only six university chapters in Texas to be
existing students and incoming freshman,
recognized. Additionally, the chapter was
with more than 85 percent of existing majors
awarded its first Marsh White Award for
The B.S. in applied physics takes the place
pursuing the applied physics degree. This
community outreach in January 2015. This
of the previous Bachelor of Arts in Applied
is encouraging as the department seeks to
award provided a small amount of funding
Science program. The change was based on
provide excellent preparation for a diverse
for students to increase the variety of
a desire to have a path for those who wanted
group of students headed toward a variety
demonstrations like the ones featured
to complete a marketable degree, while
of careers.
during shows at Seguin High School. The
the workforce after graduation. At TLU, the percentage is slightly higher when averaged over the history of the department.
group also received the Future Faces of Physics Award in January 2016 for its effort in partnering with Seguin Youth Services for an extended afterschool outreach
Homecoming Homecoming is an especially important time for our students to connect with alumni. Over the past two years, our students have stepped into the Homecoming festivities with a “cool” new addition to the day. Though we may have fewer alumni than some of the other departments, we are certainly not less enthusiastic. In 2015, we treated tailgaters to liquid nitrogen-made ice cream cones.
program during the spring 2016 semester. This national recognition serves not only as a strong motivator for students amid tough classes and lots of homework, but as a satisfying outreach activity.
Read More: . Outstanding Chapter & Future Faces of Physics Awards: bit.ly/tlusps
. Marsh White Award: bit.ly/tlumarshwhite
We also partnered with the chemistry and biology programs for some fun, hands-on science displays. We hope that physics alumni will also make this an annual event, joining with our enthusiastic group of current students for a day of fun.
Student Spotlight Physics and chemistry double major Vanessa Espinoza served as associate councilor for Zone 13 on the SPS National Council for 2015-16. As part of her duties,
Join Us for Tailgating and Lunch
Espinoza represented Texas at the 2016 Science, Engineering, and Technology
Saturday, October 8, 2016
Congressional Visits Day where she
RSVP to:
[email protected]
made personal visits to senators and representatives from South Texas in support of funding for undergraduate research activities in the sciences.
& LUNCH
PHYSICS@TLU
Image courtesy of SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, a confirmed tour site at PhysCon 2016.
VOLUME I / ISSUE 1 / SUMMER 2016
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Conferences, Research, & Site Visits
ENGAGE WITH HUNDREDS OF SOCIETY’S BRIGHTEST, MOST ENTHUSIASTIC PHYSICS STUDENTS AND ALUMNI
We have been diligently expanding our efforts to be part of the larger community of physics professionals including our attendance at the joint meetings of the Texas Section of the AAPT, the Texas Section of the APS, and Zone 13 of the SPS. In fall 2014, four students attended the conference at Texas A&M University in College Station, and the numbers have continued to increase. This past spring, 17 students proudly represented TLU at Lamar University in Beaumont. At each
TLU Physics Aims to Send Students to PhysCon Every four years, physics students,
The Quadrennial Physics Congress (PhysCon) brings together physics students, alumni, and faculty members for three days of frontier physics, interactive professional development workshops, and networking. It is the university Sponsored by SPS, cutting-edge meeting largest gathering of undergraduate physics this students in the world!
of these meetings, several students and faculty presented original research and outreach.
faculty, and industry leaders gather for thePhysCon 2016 will immerse participants in the 2016 theme will be a cutting-edge, life-changing meeting where partici-
in theme “Unifying Fields: Science DrivingInnovation.” Innovation.” Quadrennial Physics Congress or PhysCon.pants will be immersed “Unifying Fields: Science Driving This meetingStudents happens justwill oncealso every get four behind-the-scenes years, and presents unique tours Physics faculty and students are looking toopportunities for attendees to: of the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, join around 1,000 undergraduate physicists on ● Bond with fellow physics students from across the United States the NASA Ames Research Center, and Google and beyond. November 2016 in SiliconValley Valley for an November 3-5,3–5, 2016, in Silicon ● ExploreX—birthplace graduate programs,of summer opportunities, the research self-driven car. and Host Hotel: Hyatt Regency-San Francisco Airport entire www.sigmapisigma.org/congress/2016 weekend of professional development, workforce options. ● Be inspired by renowned physicists and tours of labs at the foreWe are counting on our alumni to help front of science and technology. Hosted by Sigma Pi Sigma, through workshops on communication, incluspeakers, debating common concerns for the● Grow professionally support this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the physics honor society sion, and leadership. physics community and society, and visiting ● Expandstudents to engage international stage. their understanding of physicson andthe its variety of applications. ● Present their research to fellow students, potential graduate school iconic scientific venues. All students who attend will present original advisors, and potential employers.
interacting with scientists and distinguished
. In October 2014, students toured the NASA Michoud Assembly Facility. Invited by Dr. Rene Horton, the group explored the latest NASA efforts in space travel.
research and outreach.
ANYONE INTERESTED IN PHYSICS IS INVITED TO ATTEND
Here’s How You Can Help
Fundraising Goals:
We’re determined to offer our students the opportunity to engage with hundreds of bright, enthusiastic physics students and alumni across the nation. With the generous help of Physics alumni and friends, we can make that goal a reality.
Help us send a student to PhysCon 2016!
SPS works with the Student Government Association to obtain funding for day-to-day operations but that funding doesn’t cover all of the expenses that will be incurred with an event like PhysCon.
You can give online now by visiting www.tlu.edu/giving. Select The Texas Lutheran Fund, allocate to OTHER, and reference 17PHYS. This will ensure your donation is directed toward TLU Physics.
For $1,100 per student, we can give our students an experience that will help them network with other professionals before they graduate. This is a request that can be filled by many of our Physics alumni coming together to sponsor a student or even just a student’s lodging or airfare for the conference.
Email Toni Sauncy at
[email protected] for details.
. Instruments for Analog Electronics . Equipment for Applied Optics Lab: $12,000
. Computational Physics Equipment: $15,000
. Refurbish Intro Physics Labs: $20,000 . Optical & Materials Lab Equipment Acquisition & Maintenance: $25,000
. Instrumentation for Advanced Lab:
$ PhysCon 2016 $1,100
Opportunity: $5,000per student Lab: $8,000
. Give Online
Expenses
. Support a Student’s Summer Research
$40,000
. Update & Refurbish Machine Shop: $50,000
$500 Airfare
Estimated Travel Costs Per Student
$400 Lodging
Thank you for your support of TLU Physics.
$200
Registration
