An interview with: James (Jim) Justin Beatty
Family:
Spouse: Anne Beatty, Deloitte & Touche Chair in Accounting at OSU
Children: Linus is 17 and Zoe is 14.
Research area: Experimental Particle Astrophysics -dealing with the highest energy particles in the Universe.
Title at OSU: Chair and Professor of Physics and Professor of Astronomy
Number of years at OSU: 10
Favorite foods: Chicago style pizza, and Indian food. When a trip to Chicago is not possible, he makes the Chicago style pizza at home, but is working on perfecting the crust.
Hobbies: Musician - has played the guitar for 40 years, and the bass for 4. He is bassist and occasional vocalist in his band The Dealio -which will play a show at O’Tooles on Broad St. Dec. 5th 7-10:00 PM
What was your first job? - At 14 or 15 I worked in a small college cafeteria making toast for 1,000 people every morning at 5AM for the 7:00 AM breakfast crowd. I fed bread into a toast machine and then buttered it with a paintbrush when it came out. Then I moved up to dishwashing.
What is the most interesting place you’ve ever visited? - Hanoi or Antarctica -“In Antarctica everyone wears the same clothes, so you can’t tell scientists apart from anyone else. Everyone became very equal. I liked to hang out with the ‘fuelies’ who operate the generators; they were a fun group. And at capacity 60% of the people there are to keep the place running.”
If you weren’t a physicist, what would you be doing as a career? - Rockstar! musician)
What is your favorite place on campus (Not PRB)? - I go to the top floor of the library if I want a quiet place and a great view.
If you could stay a certain age forever, what would it be? - Right now - I don’t want to go back, you learn so much; and I don’t want to go much further downhill.
What is your most memorable experience or proudest accomplishment?
Proudest Accomplishment: Making the Pierre Auger Observatory work. I headed the electronics group that turned on the first detectors. (http://www.auger.org/)
Most Memorable Experience: Flying High Altitude Balloons. It’s a gas.
When did you start wearing Hawaiian shirts? - In the 90’s, before they became trendy.
Why did you start wearing Hawaiian shirts? - I went to Hawaii and liked them, and they’re comfortable.
Do you have a favorite Hawaiian shirt? – I have a favorite designer: Tori Richard.
Where would we find you on the morning of a home football game? - Watching College Game Day at home with the family.
What do you think you will do after you retire? - Hang out on the beach of Hawaii’s Big Island, play lots of Rock and Roll, and travel.
Any other interesting facts? – 1) I was awarded a French knighthood in 2009 for working with the French on the Auger project. My title is: Officier, Ordre des Palmes Académiques; 2) I’ve been to all seven continents, but still haven’t seen everything.