Spectrum
The University of Utah
115 South 1400 East, 201 JFB Salt Lake City, UT 84112-0830 www.physics.utah.edu
INSIDE:
Newsletter for friends and alumni of
Department of Physics & Astronomy
Department Renamed New Faculty Awards Renovations College of Science Alumni Association Growing Astronomy Program
CALENDAR August 22, 2009 Common Exam August 24, 2009 Fall Semester Begins September 2, 2009 “Here We Go Again“ BBQ
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September 24, 2009 Employee Appreciation Day
Oc tober 21, 2009 Frontiers of Science Influenza: Why Can’t We Get Rid of It?
2009-2010 Conferences & Workshops Astronomy Film Festival
September 30, 2009 Frontiers of Science The Calculus of Friendship Oc tober 12-17, 2009 Fall Break
New Student Leadership
Story suggestions, upcoming events & comments always welcome. Contact us at newsletter@physics.utah.edu or contact Kathrine Skollingsberg at (801) 585-0182.
© 2009 University of Utah
Adam’s Demonstrations
SPECTRUM Volume 1, Issue 1 Summer 2009
Name change reflects evolution in curriculum, research and department as a whole.
S
peaking to students at the Spring 2009 Undergraduate Seminar, department Chairman Dave Kieda declared, “None of you here will ever receive a degree from the Department of Physics.” The room filled with shocked silence as Kieda continued, “The Department of Physics is officially the Department of Physics and Astronomy!” The change was approved by the Board of Regents on March 23 and was celebrated on June 3 in the James Fletcher Building. Physicists and astronomers alike came together over an assortment of space cake, Starbursts, Milky Way candy bars, and Starlight mints, to celebrate the landmark achievement. Kieda and Pierre Sokolsky, dean of the College of Science, both spoke briefly, highlighting the department achievements of the last year. Recognition was given to Zeke Dumke of the E.R. & E.W. Dave Kieda (right) after presenting a certificate of appreciation to Steve Denkers. Dumke Foundation, and to Steve Denkers of the Willard L. Eccles Foundation. Generous funding from both foundations have helped establish and develop the current astronomy program and its research. Astronomy courses were first taught on campus in the 1890s, as a part of the math department, and the university has had an on-campus observatory of one form or another for the last 50 years, but there was never a dedicated astronomy program until now. Within the department, astronomy research started with the discovery of a nova, by Professor Don Groom, and has continued for more than 35 years. For students, the department now offers a major degree program in Astronomy, and a minor as well. The title ‘Department of Physics’ is now a thing of the past. However, for the ‘Department of Physics and Astronomy’, when looking towards the future, the stars are the limit.