Gray skies did not prevent anyone from enjoying the Annual Physics Picnic on May 22.  Hundreds of students, faculty, staff and friends joined together for great grilled items and other picnic food.  A great big thank you goes to Kent Ludwig and his crew for all of their hard work in planning, procuring, setting up, grilling and cleaning up this department-wide event.  The food was great.  How does Kent know just how much to order??

Our dear friend, John Whitcomb, returned along with his wife, Dorothy, to join in the festivities.  John made the announcement of the Physics Distinguished Staff Awards that bear his name.  This year's winners were Stephanie Arend, Lindsey Thaler and Mark Reed.  Honorable mention was given to John Heimaster and Arnay Tate. 

A surprise visit from the Office of Human Resources University Distinguished Staff committee proved a real surprise to Terry Bradley, who was awarded a 2012 University Distinguished Staff Award.  This is the second year in a row that the Department of Physics has had a winner in this rigorous competition.  Congratulations Terry! 

Additionally, Teaching awards and special scholarships were announced:

Jon Pelz, Vice Chair for Graduate Studies and Research announced the winners of the named scholarships for graduate students:

Esther Heer, widow of long-time physics professor, Clifford Heer, was on hand to congratulate the winners of the Clifford Heer Scholarship.  This year's awardees are:  Archana Anandakrishnan and Justin North.

The David DeMartini Scholar for 2012 is David Gohlke with Megan Herberts receiving Honorable Mention.

The Bunny and Tom Clark Scholarship was awarded to Marci Howdyshell.

The Outstanding Graduate Faculty Teaching Award was presented by the PGSC to Richard Furnstahl.

The Outstanding Undergraduate Faculty Teaching Award will be presented later this week as the faculty member was unable to attend.

Evan Sugarbaker, Vice Chair for Administration announced the winners of the various awards for teaching assistants.  Awardees are listed below:

AAPT 2010 Outstanding Teaching Assistant of the Year:  Omar Tabbaa and Cameron Teichgraeber

Hazel Brown Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award: Brian, Dailey, Kenneth Patton, William Ruane, Jai Salzwedel, Joseph Snyder, Omar Tabbaa, Cameron Teichgraeber. (Undergraduate Jacob Larkin was also recognized for excellence in lab instruction).

William R. Riley Excellence in Teaching Physics Award:  Jonathan Zizka

The event ended with a trip to the CD101 Ice Cream Truck for a cool taste of Velvet Ice Cream.

Keep your eyes open for the date next year as with semester conversion we will meet in April.

Thanks again to all who helped in any way, big or small.  It takes lots of help to make this big event a success!