vol. x spring 2008–2009 modern physics lab dedicated to f

On March 14, 2007, Felix John Kerrigan diedat the age of 81. At the time that he completedhis bachelors degree at Creighton University

in 1948, majoring in mathematics with minors inphysics and philosophy, he could not have imaginedthat there would someday be a physics laboratory atCreighton University bearing his name. But indeedthere is one, thanks to his son Patrick who made adonation for renovation of the Modern Physics Lab inthe remodeled Rigge Science Building.

Fortunately the dedication of the Kerrigan ModernPhysics Laboratory took place before Felix died, in aprivate ceremony on Thanksgiving Day in 2005. Aftera morning Mass in St. John’s Church, Felix “Finn”and his wife Juanita “Nita,” accompanied by a groupof Kerrigan family members, strolled from St. John’sChurch to the lower level of the Rigge ScienceBuilding where the Lab is located. A member of thePhysics faculty, Fr. Thomas S. McShane, S.J.,blessed the Laboratory filled with members of theKerrigan Family. (See photo at the top of page 2.)

Felix Kerrigan served in the US Navy from July1943 to July 1946. He spent his career after graduat-ing from Creighton University as a civilian mathe-matician for the Air Force. In the 1960’s he did somecontract computer work at Creighton University andthe Special Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine and

Vol. X Spring 2008–2009

Modern Physics Lab Dedicated to F.J. Kerrigan

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Biology of the Omaha VA Hospital. He authored andco-authored papers on work in which he contributedthe statistical analysis and computer programmingrequired to analyze the research data.

Felix “Finn” Kerrigan is remembered by thosewho knew him as a friendly and engaging man, onewho touched many lives – and continues to do so.

Meet Patrick...One of ten children of Felix and Juanita

Kerrigan, Patrick Kerrigan shared his father’s love ofmath and physics. In 1973 he completed a bachelorsdegree with a double major in mathematics andphysics at the University of Nebraska–Omaha.

Starting in 1977 as a software developer and thefirst hired employee for Information Technology, Inc.,Pat ultimately rose to Chief Operating Officer beforehis retirement in 1999.

In addition to remaining active as a consultant,Pat Kerrigan’s philanthropic ventures are advancingteaching and research through generous donationsto UNO, The University of Nebraska Foundation, and Creighton University. The Physics Department is grateful for his support. –THZ

Finn Kerrigan is seen here with his son, Pat, standing by theroom sign outside the Kerrigan Modern Physics Laboratory.

Finn with his wife Nita are seen here surrounded by grand-children outside the Kerrigan Modern Physics Laboratory.

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2 Physics Newsletter l Creighton University

More physics labs dedicated in 2008!

Members of of the Kerrigan Family are seen in the Modern Physics Laboratory following the 2005 dedicationceremony (see page 1). All are gathered around Finn and his wife Nita (both seated at a lab table). Fr. Tom McShane, S.J., a member of the Physics Department faculty, is standing behind Finn. The candle atfar right was used by Father McShane in the room blessing.

Thanks to the generosity of adonor who wished to remainanonymous, on March 30,

2008, in a ceremony beginningwith Sunday morning Mass at St.John’s Church, four physics labswere dedicated. Not all those hon-ored were Creighton alums, butthey shared a connection to eachother and with the Creighton alumfor whom the Modern Physics Labwas dedicated earlier (see above).

The five friends –– VinceMcAndrew, Bob Reilly, KevinO’Connor, Dave Shanahan andFinn Kerrigan –– all grew up inOmaha. “All found common causein being Irish and Catholic,”according to Lisa Calvert, Creigh-

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ton’s Vice President for UniversityRelations and master of ceremonyfor the event. “They shared a deepbelief in the value of the Jesuiteducation that Creighton provides.And none of them could conceiveof a Heaven without good golfcourses.”

Emeritus Dean of the Collegeof Arts and Sciences, Dr. RobertKennedy, introduced four speak-ers representing the honorees.David Shanahan, the only honoreestill alive, was one of the speakers.

After the opening ceremony inthe Hixson-Lied Lecture Hall, theattendees divided into familygroups and proceeded to the labthat was to be named after their

loved one on the lower level of theRigge Science Building. Eachgroup was guided to the correctlab by a faculty member and astudent from the Physics Depart-ment. The guides explained therole of the lab and fielded ques-tions about its use. Meanwhile Fr. Tom Shanahan, S.J. greetedthe families in each of the labs,blessed the room, and unveiledthe room dedication plaque. Thesigns mounted outside the fourrooms are shown below.

After the room dedicationswere completed, the families gath-ered together in the Hixson-LiedAtrium to enjoy refreshments.

–THZ

3Physics Newsletter l Creighton University

The Physics Newsletter ispublished periodically bythe Creighton UniversityDepartment of Physics.Principal writing, pagelayout and editing by:

Thomas H. Zepf, Ph.D.Physics DepartmentCreighton University 2500 California PlazaOmaha, NE [email protected] Voice: (402) 280-2134Fax: (402) 280-2140

the main shop and the materials room was removed.The new space houses a Southwest Industries SLX1630 CNC lathe, funded by the expansion project,and a K2 CNC milling machine purchased previously.Our Piranha P-50 ironworker and our 49” hydraulicsheet metal shear have also found a place in theexpanded area. Total shop space now exceeds 2000square feet.

As part of remodeling being done in the RiggeScience Building, the Physics DepartmentMachine Shop recently underwent significant

enhancements. In the Summer of 2008, donationsenabled expansion of the shop into adjacent spaceformerly occupied by the building’s heat-exchangeequipment, giving the shop 416 square feet of newspace. Renovation of the old space included changesneeded to ensure conformity with Federal environ-mental health and safety guidelines. Those includedremoval of floor tiles containing asbestos, increasingthe flow rate of room air exchange, enhancing theoverhead lighting, etc. Also, the wall that separated

Physics shop expanded – joins the computer age!

Visit our websiteGet the latest news and more

information about our PhysicsDept. and Creighton University byvisiting the Creighton home pageat: www.creighton.edu and navi-gating from there. Or go directly tothe physics home page at:http://physicsweb.creighton.edu.

Places to visit on the physicswebsite include: News, Programs,Course Information, Faculty,Students, Research, Resources,and Student Financial Support.

Here you will also find the latestresults and photos of several annualPhysics Department events: Physnik(picnic), Physics Field Day forHigh School Students, PhysicsRetreat, and Eve of Reflection – alltraditions, some going back to 1963!

Click on Newsletters in the dropdown menu under News for access,in pdf format, to all issues of thePhysics Newsletter published to date.

Questions, corrections, or com-ments about our physics websiteshould be directed to the webmaster,Dr. Mike Nichols.

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The remodeling and expansion work was doneunder the watchful eye of Mr. Brad D. Walters,Science Research Technician recruited by Dr. Zepf in1991. The new lathe and milling machines, bothwith CNC (Computer Numeric Control), bring ourshop into the computer age and present our stu-dents with the possibility of yet another fascinatinglearning experience. –THZ

Views insidethe PhysicsMachine Shop.

Above: The remodeled space lookingnortheast.

Far left: Brad Waltersstanding by theCNC lathe.

Near left:View of the CNCmilling machine.


From left: Udara Abeysekara, Roberto Fabian, Ben Rizzo, Jessica Changstrom, Hans Wrage, Jeff Tonniges, Stephanie Schuk, Joseph Butterworth, Steve Hansen, Maria Hansen, Dr. Sam Cipolla (Program Director for 28 years), and Mark Durante.

Program started in 1968 –– Photo taken on April 20, 2008

Physics Graduate Students in 2008 ...40th Anniversary year of our Masters Degree Program

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Junior physics major Katherine Garrett was oneof four Creighton students to receive the highlycompetitive Barry Goldwater Scholarship award!

No more than four may apply from one university. In2008 Creighton was one of only nine universities tosee all four of its nominees chosen (see Summer 2008

Congratulations to Katie and Sandra ....reaching for the stars!

Issue of Creighton Univer-sity Magazine, pp. 22-25).

The possibility of doingresearch was one of Katie’sreasons for coming toCreighton. On a campusvisit some physics majorsshowed her the lab inwhich they worked. “That’swhen I learned undergrad-uates could be involved inresearch,” she said, “whichsounded perfect for me.”

Katie’s research interestis dark matter, sparked by

Creighton astrophysicist Dr. Gintaras Duda after sheapproached him about possible research tracks (seep. 20, Spring 2008 Issue of Creighton UniversityMagazine). Katie has given a presentation at an APSMeeting, “something that typically only faculty andgraduate students do,” noted Dr. Michael Cherney,Creighton’s Goldwater faculty representative.

Katherine Garrett

Senior physics major Sandra Behncke has beennamed the NASA International Year ofAstronomy Student Ambassador for Nebraska!

During 2009, the International Year of Astronomy,ambassadors actively participate in, and help coordi-nate, their own outreach programs within the localcommunity and beyond.

Since January 2008,Sandra has been doingbroad absorption linequasar research withCreighton astrophysicist,Dr. Jack Gabel. Shehopes to determine "ifmass outflow is character-istic of all quasars, settlingthe battle between the orientation and evolutiontheories.”

Sandra has also beenawarded a NASA Nebraska

Sandra Behncke

Space Grant Fellowship to participate in a Summer2009 Internship at the NASA Jet Propulsion Lab.And she won the American Astronomical Society"Chambliss Student Achievement Award" which isgiven to recognize exemplary research by undergrad-uate and graduate students who present at one ofthe AAS poster sessions. –THZ

Dr. Patricia Soto grew up inBogota, Colombia whereshe received her BS and

Patricia is the proud wife ofHarold and mother of Simon, 3years old, and Samara, 9 months.

computational molecular bio-physics. Patricia says her scholar-ly purpose is to seek excellence inteaching through research. Sheaims at a “transformative learningexperience in the student, framedin an active and collaborativeenvironment.” She says her cross-cultural training inspires her “touniquely foster a sense of ethicsand stewardship in my students.”


Meet the newest additions to our faculty family

Dr. Patricia Soto is seen here with her husband,Harold, and their two children, Samara and Simon.

MS degrees in Physicsfrom Los Andes University.She then went to theUniversity of Groningen inGroningen, TheNetherlands, where sheearned her Doctorate inMathematics and NaturalSciences. In 2004 shemoved to the University ofCalifornia in SantaBarbara to pursue post-doctoral training, partiallyfunded by an internationalfellowship from theAmerican Association ofUniversity Women.

Patricia joined theDepartment of Physics atCreighton University inAugust 2007. Her scien-tific expertise falls in thebroadly defined field of

Dr. Soto prepared the follow-ing brief description of herresearch for our readers.

“Alzheimer’s disease, Mad Cowdisease, CJ disease, Parkinson’sdisease, Huntington’s disease: allthese apparently unrelated amy-loid diseases result when proteinsdo not attain the shape theyshould have.

“What are proteins? Proteins

are the biological nanomachinesthat perform specific functions toensure the well being of every liv-

ing cell. How do proteinsattain the right shape?Much is known aboutthis process but themystery still remains.

“My research usesphysics theories andhigh-performance com-puter methods toadvance our under-standing of the processof protein folding (or howproteins attain the rightshape). The link betweenmisfolded proteins (orproteins with the wrongshape) and amyloid dis-eases is addressedtogether with potentialavenues for the rationaldesign of therapeutics.Interestingly enough,similar physical princi-

ples may lay foundations fordesign of bio-inspired nanoassem-blies.”

Clearly the students who workwith Dr. Soto are exposed to cur-rent and exciting challenges in thefields of biomolecular sciences andbiotechnology. They have theopportunity to be part of a world-wide computational biophysicscommunity. –THZ

Dr. Kennedy Honored by Promotion

Dr. Robert E. Kennedy waspromoted from AssociateProfessor to Professor

Emeritus of Physics and DeanEmeritus of the College of Artsand Sciences at the Founders DayConvocation on Feb. 12, 2008. The Rev. John P. Schlegel, S.J.,University President, conferred the promotion in appreciation of Dr. Kennedy’s service, includingPhysics Chair (1973-1981 and1993-2006), extensive College andUniversity committee work, two

terms as Faculty President, andtwo years as Interim Dean of theCollege of Arts and Sciences(2006-2008).

Dr. Kennedy is on sabbatical(2008-2009) writing a textbookabout the life and works of AlbertEinstein, based in part on acourse he created and taught formany years at Creighton. He willbe retiring on July 1, 2009. Lookfor an article on his life and worksin a future issue of the PhysicsNewsletter. –THZ P

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Bazil Newton Lazure dies at 96

Bazil N. Lazure, AssociateProfessor Emeritus ofNatural Science, died at his

Omaha home on January 1, 2009at the age of 96. Bazil had a pas-sion for science, teaching, hunt-ing, fishing, and concern for pro-tecting the environment. He grewup with Creighton University! Itwas here that he completed a B.S.in 1934 and an M.S. in 1939,both in chemistry. (The firstCreighton student to complete amajor in physics was Thomas I.Gilroy, deceased, who graduated

in 1948.) In 1941 Bazil was off to war,

immediately after marryingGeraldine who would be his wifefor 67 years. After experiencingOkinawa as a lieutenant colonel inthe U.S. Army Signal Corps, hereturned to Creighton to teachphysics for a year in 1946-47,eventually returning in 1953 toremain until his retirement as anassociate professor emeritus ofnatural science in 1977.

Although his degrees were inchemistry, Bazil taught physicsdue to the shortage of physicsteachers at the time. For awhile he

Above: Bazil “Baz” Lazure and his wife Geraldine “Gerry” areseen here at a Creighton Retirees picnic in the summer of 2002.Right: A younger Lazure is demonstrating radioactivity at aMath-Physics Field Day for High School Students in May, 1963.

was the only physics teacher atCreighton University. Eventually,however, our physics faculty grewin number and Bazil turned toteaching Natural Science. Hedesigned a two-semester, 8 credithour, lecture/laboratory course:“Physical and Life Sciences.”Intended primarily for ElementaryEducation majors, it satisfied thescience requirement for teachercertification, treating the basicprinciples of physics, chemistry,earth sciences, biology, ecologyand environmental science.

Although he preferred teachingphysics, Bazil was the obviousperson on our faculty to developand teach the course. He was ableto draw upon his wide-rangingknowledge and interests in all ofthe sciences. Just as important, ormore so, he had a kindly, sympa-thetic approach that put hisstudents at ease, many of whomwere afraid of taking a sciencecourse. He was available to workindividually with his strugglingstudents, even at odd hours.

Bazil did volunteer work formany local scientific, social andreligious groups. After retiring, he

continued to help our physicsdepartment in a variety of ways.

In 2001, Bazil received the Fr. Clarence M. Wagener, S.J.Award for Outstanding Service to the Department of Physics.Normally this award goes to agraduating senior, but it wasdecided that the first-ever awardshould go to Bazil Lazure, a formerCreighton student, for his lifetimeof service to Creighton Universityand our Physics Department.

Two years later, In 2003, anew student award was created,

the Bazil N. Lazure Award.On March 4, 2009, Bazil’s wife

Geraldine (Parvin) Lazure died atthe age of 93. Baz and Gerryspent the early days of their mar-riage, during his military trainingat Fort Knox, exploring Kentuckycountryside on a motorcycle. Overthe years since then, and on intoretirement, they continued to domuch the same: volunteer workfor church and community, camp-ing, fishing, cooking, horsebackriding, motorcycling, and in manyother ways enjoying life to thefullest with their five children and15 grandchildren. –THZ


Rev. John M. Scott, S.J.Prolific writer and popular high school teacher dies at 94

NSF-funded Summer Institutes inPhysical Science for ElementarySchool Personnel.* Each year 30upper-elementary teachers wereselected from around the countyto attend the five-week Institute.Their travel, tuition, and a stipendwere funded with NSF grantsobtained by Dr. Don Cannon inEducation with Dr. Tom Zepf inPhysics. The Institutes were wellreceived and in 1967 Fr. Scott waschosen one of 40 national “ImpactTeachers.”

Bob Stoffel Retiresafter 40 years! of service to the Physics Department

Robert F. Stoffel, PhysicsLaboratory Supervisor since1987, began as a full-time

Shop Technician in March 1968.He was recruited by Dr. Tom Zepfto set up and operate a physicsmachine shop in the newly com-pleted Rigge Science Building.Dr. Zepf had been introduced toBob by Art Bucknell (BSPhy ‘67)in the summer of 1967.

Bob worked as the PhysicsShop Technician for 19 years,until he was appointed PhysicsLaboratory Supervisor by Dr. Zepfin 1987, replacing Joe Conlon

who had replaced Dave Jaksha(BS ‘74, MS ‘77). Bob’s son Chrisfilled the vacated Physics Shop position until he left to became a farrier in 1991.

No doubt many of our formerstudents have fond memories ofworking with Bob, perhaps as a student in the physics shop, or atnighttime “stargazing” sessions, oras a laboratory teaching assistant.

Although Bob didn’t want aretirement party, a surprise onewas pulled off successfully (?) onApril 30, 2008. Faculty, staff, students, and Bob’s wife, Sharon,

Some of the PhysicsDepartment associatesof Bob Stoffel are seenhere with him at a sur-prise retirement partyin the Fr. WagenerConference Room.

From left: Dr. Jack Gabel Dr. Tom Zepf Dr. Mike Cherney Dr. Patricia Soto Mr. Brad Walters Mr. Bob Stoffel Dr. Dave SidebottomDr. Janet Seger Dr. Sam CipollaMrs. Michelle Pope.

Fr. John Scott died on Dec.27, 2007 in Wauwatosa, WIat the age of 94. From 1948

to 1978 he was a popular physicsteacher at Campion Jesuit HighSchool in Prairie du Chien, WI. In1959 he was named Wisconsin’sPhysics Teacher of the Year.

In summers of the 1950’s andearly 1960’s, Fr. Scott taught analgebra-based General Physicscourse at Creighton. Then, in1964, 1965 and 1966, he was theprincipal lecturer at Creighton for

were there for food, refreshments,and the presentation of a beautifulplaque of appreciation by ourPhysics Department Chairperson,Dr. Janet Seger. Other gifts willbest go unnamed.

At an Annual Faculty and StaffConvocation, on Sept. 18, 2008,Bob was honored for his 40 yearsof distinguished service with a for-mal presentation by the UniversityPresident, John P. Schlegel, S.J.

Bob is now free to experiencethe good life with Sharon, relaxingand enjoying visits with manychildren and grandchildren. –THZ

(Continued on Page 12)


Family of physics alums grows by twenty-five

From left:Nishant Chauhan, B.S.5/12/07Joseph Butterworth, B.S.Mth* 5/12/07Brandon V. Rodenburg, B.S.Phy*5/12/07Russell Wolfe, B.S.*5/12/07Benjamin J. Kopecky, B.S.*5/12/07Not shown:Brian Atkinson, B.S.*5/12/07Bradley E. Parker, B.S.Phy8/10/07

*Member of Sigma Pi Sigma, theNational Physics Honor Society

BS Degree - Class of 2007

MS Degree - Class of 2007

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Twenty-five of our physics students graduatedwith a bachelors or masters degree in the May,August or December graduations of 2007 and

2008. This is eight more than in the previous two-year period. Most are continuing their studies leadingto graduate degrees at various universities with finan-cial support in the form of scholarships, fellowshipsor assistantships. Others entered professional schoolsor are employed in a variety of occupations.

In the year 2007, seven of our physics studentscompleted a Bachelors Degree: Brian Atkinson is doing software development forhealthcare information technology with the Cerner

Corporation, Joseph Butterworth is in the M.S.Physics program at Creighton University, NishantChauhan is in a Doctor of Dental Medicine pro-gram (DMD) at the A.T.S.U. Arizona School ofDentistry and Oral Health, Benjamin Kopecky is amedical student in the Creighton University Schoolof Medicine, Bradley Parker is doing somethinggood somewhere but was out of touch during thetime this was being written. Brandon Rodenburgis in a Ph.D. Optical Physics program at theUniversity of Rochester, and Russell Wolfe is on aPh.D. track in Biomedical Engineering at TulaneUniversity.

From left:Nagitha Ekanayake, M.S.*5/12/07Fr. Andrew E. Ekpenyongy, S.J., M.S.*12/15/07George C. Reifenberger, M.S.* 8/17/07Ryan M. W. Collins, M.S.*8/17/07Mohammed K. Zakaria, M.S.*8/17/07


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Physics Newsletter l Creighton University 9

Medicine, Meg Marquardt is going to Johns HopkinsUniversity for their graduate program in science writ-ing, Carolyn Posey is entering the NeurosciencePh.D. program at Arizona State University, and AlexWigger is doing something good somewhere but wasout of touch at the time of this writing.

In 2008 seven completed our Masters Degree: Hakan Armagan is teaching physics at Burke HighSchool in Omaha, Jessica Changstrom is in a Ph.D.Physics program at Kansas State University, MarkDurante is teaching at Omaha Westside MiddleSchool, Kimberly Kirchner is in Bozeman, Montanaweighing graduate school and employment options,Benjamin Rizzo is a physics lecturer at MarquetteUniversity, Lyle Sass is working with Fr. McShane inthe Cosmic Ray Observatory Project, and EricWatson is with Clear Channel Communications inNebraska. ––THZ

From left:Eric S. Watson, M.S.* 5/10/08 Benjamin Rizzo, M.S.* 12/20/08Jessica Changstrom, M.S.*8/15/08Hakan S. Armagan, M.S.*8/15/08 Lyle Sass, M.S.*8/15/08Kimberly Kirchner, M.S.*12/20/08Mark Durante, M.S.*12/20/08


MS Degree - Class of 2008

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In 2007 five completed our Masters Degree:Ryan Collins is working on a Ph.D. in Physics atMontana State University in Bozeman, NagithaEkanayake is working on a Ph.D. in Physics at theUniversity of Deleware, Fr. Andrew Ekpenyong wasaccepted for a Ph.D. program in Biomedical Physicsat East Carolina University and more recently for aPh.D. program at Cambridge University, GeorgeReifenberger is working on a Ph.D. in Physics atFlorida Atlantic University, and Mohammed Zakariais working on a Ph.D. in Physics at the University ofFlorida.

In 2008 six completed our Bachelors Degree: Jennie Burns is on the Ph.D. track in BiomedicalEngineering at Tulane University, Nicholas Busch isapplying to medical school and the US Army HealthProfessions Program, Daniel Hames is a medicalstudent at the Creighton University School of

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From left:Jennie M. Burns, B.S.Phy*5/10/08 Meg Marquardt, B.S.*5/10/08Daniel L. Hames, B.S.Phy*5/10/08Carolyn L. Posey, B.S.Phy*12/20/08Not shown:Nicholas J. Busch, B.S.*5/10/08Alex Wigger, B.S.12/20/08


BS Degree - Class of 2008

–– News from and about our Alums ––


Richard E. Keating, (BS ‘63)died on October 5, 2006 inSilver Springs, MD. Word of

his death came only recently withno further information. DuringOctober 1971, while in the TimeService Department of the U.S.Naval Observatory in Washington,D.C., he and Joseph C. Haefle ofWashington University in SaintLouis conducted the first macro-scopic test of Einstein’s time-dila-tion prediction. They flew fourcesium beam atomic clocks twicearound the world, once east andonce west, on regularly scheduledcommercial airline flights. Theirpositive results are summarized inScience (July 14, 1972, pp. 166-170). As a student, Dick enjoyedworking with Father Vaske in theCreighton Observatory, where hehelped to renovate the solar andsidereal clocks that Father Riggehad installed many years earlier.

David W. McLaughlin, Ph.D.(BSPhy ‘66). We were pleased tohear, from a mutual acquaintance,that Dave is now a Professor ofMathematics and Neural Scienceat New York University. He is alsothe Provost (chief academic officer)of NYU, a position he has held

Terrence J. Sullivan, Ph.D.(BSPhy ‘68) attended the 40thannual reunion of the Class of ‘68.Terry has been consulting on hisown with nuclear plants in Floridafor several years. Most of his workis with Florida Power & Light. FPLalso owns two midwestern plants(Duane Arnold, Cedar Rapids, IAand Point Beach, near Green Bay,WI) which have extensive windand solar generation capability.FPL also owns Seabrook in NewHampshire. Terry visits each ofthe plants as part of their inde-

Rt. Rev. (James) MichaelLiebl, OSB (BS ‘74) was installedas the third Abbott of MountMichael Abbey on Sept. 29, 2007.Omaha Archbishop Elden Curtispresided at the Solemn AbbatialBlessing. The Abbey is the homeof the Benedictine Monks whooperate and teach at MountMichael High School in Elkhorn,Nebraska. Father Mike is wellknown as an exceptionally effec-tive and popular physics teacherat Mount Michael. He was a pio-neer in using desktop computersin his teaching, interfacing themto apparatus in the physics lab fordata collection and analysis. Histeams have consistently scored at

or near the top in our annualPhysics Field Day for High SchoolStudents. He has also been along-time member and activeleader in the Nebraska Section ofthe American Association ofPhysics Teachers. For many yearshe served as secretary/treasurerof the organization, and has alsobeen its president. We wish AbbottMike godspeed as he takes on hisnew administrative and, no doubt,fund-raising responsibilities––inaddition to continuing at leastsome part-time physics teaching!

Abbott Michael Liebl, OSB

pendent oversight committee.Terry says he’s considered anindustry “grey? beard” which is anapt description since “there’s notmuch hair on top anymore.” Readmore about Terry in the Winter1996-97 Physics Newsletter.

since 2002. Dave was elected tothe prestigious National Academyof Sciences in 2002. His prolificinterdisciplinary research is high-lighted in an article “Profile ofDavid W. McLaughlin” publishedin the May16, 2006 Proceedings ofthe National Academy of Sciences.Dave is one of the first to receiveour concentrated B.S. in PhysicsDegree (BSPhy) started in 1964.He completed an M.S. and a Ph.D.in physics at Indiana University.An active member of our PhysicsClub, he was elected president inhis senior year. Dave met his wife,Ruth Aubuchon, at Creighton.They have four children.

David W. McLaughlin

When the Physics Club was start-ed in the Fall of 1962, he waselected its first president. Dickwas one of four Creighton stu-dents in his senior class to beawarded the highly competitiveWoodrow Wilson Scholarship foradvanced study. Only 1000 of thescholarships were awarded annu-ally. A native of Saint Paul, NE, hechose the University of Marylandfor graduate study in astronomy.

Keating on the right is seen here withHaefle and the cesium clocks on boarda commercial aircraft preparing tobegin their “twin paradox” experiment.


Nan Marie Jokerst, Ph.D.(BSPhy ‘82) moved several yearsago from Georgia Tech to DukeUniversity where she is the J.A.Jones Distinguished Professor ofElectrical and Computer Engin-eering and the Executive Directorof the Duke Shared MaterialsInstrumentation Facility. A recentvisit to her Duke faculty websiterevealed a remarkable record ofaccomplishments. For example,Nan is a Fellow of the IEEE, andhas served as an elected memberof the IEEE LEOS Board ofGovernors. She is also a Fellow ofthe Optical Society of America,and has served as Chair of theOSA Engineering Council. Her

Nan Marie Jokerst

awards include an NSFPresidential Young InvestigatorAward, an IEEE Third MillenniumMedal, the IEEE/HP Harriet B.Rigas Medal, and the Alumni inAcademia Award from theUniversity of Southern CaliforniaViterbi School of Engineeringwhere she earned her doctorate.Nan has published over 200 refer-eed journal and conference publi-cations, and has 6 patents. In herpersonal life, she is married toMartin Brooke, also a professor inthe ECE Department at Duke, andthey have two children, Nathanieland Joanna. Nan says she is anenthusiastic naturalist, organicgardener, and vegetarian cook,and enjoys hiking, bird watching,astronomy, reading, and cookingwith her family and friends on aregular basis. She has manysuperb memories of CreightonUniversity and hopes that every-one in the Physics Dept. is great.

Mark E. Mildebrath (MS ‘83,BSPhy ‘81) wrote to Dr. Cipolla,and sent a family photo. Mark iscontinuing to work at Essilor inFlorida, where he is involved inthe design and manufacture ofeyeglass lenses and other visionoptics. In the photo, below, Mark(almost hidden) and his wife,Dana, are in the back, behindtheir children, Nick, Anna, David,and Amy, and their dog Sequoia.

David B. Jaksha (MS ‘77, BS‘74) works as an engineer for theNational Solar Observatory projectSOLIS (Synoptic Optical Long-term Investigations of the Sun) atKitt Peak, AZ. Dave played a majorrole in getting the SOLIS Tower

instruments up and running. Hiswork has taken him to far reachesof the world, including Antarctica.He enjoys free time with his wife,Pat, who retired in May fromteaching. They have a secondhome in Mexico where they enjoysailing their 34-foot catamaran.Son, Zach, is an auto dealer anddaughter, Mandy, a Ph.D. studentin marine science at Arizona U.

David B. Jaksha

Hakan S. Armagan (MS ‘08)teaches at Omaha Burke High. Hewas named a “Flight of TeacherLiaison” for 2009 by The SpaceFoundation. The 29 recipientswere recognized at the NationalSpace Symposium in ColoradoSprings “for promoting space andscience education in their class-rooms and communities.” Earlier, in November 2008, at anAmerican Nuclear Society meetingin Reno, Hakan presented a paperon a course that he designed andteaches at Burke H.S. It begins byidentifying the world energy prob-lem, the pros and cons of variousenergy sources as solutions, then

Andrew T. LaCroix (BSPhy‘05), is on a Ph.D. track in CivilEngineering at North CarolinaState University. He came back tovisit and share his experience as acivil engineering graduate student.

Alicia Dwyer Cianciolo, M.S.(BSPhy ‘99) is a NASA aerospaceengineer. She described her workon Mars missions and met withstudents afterwards to share heradvice on breaking into that field.

Peter R. Colarco, Ph.D. (MS‘97) is employed at the NASAGoddard Space Flight Center. Hedescribed use of satellite data toreveal Earth’s aerosol distribution.

Seminar Presentations by Alums

leads into an in-depth study ofnuclear energy. It generated muchinterest in Reno, leading to a coverphoto and interview of Hakan inthe February 2009 Nuclear News.Hakan worked for three summersat the Oak Ridge National Lab andgave a paper on part of that workat an APS Meeting in April 2007.

Hakan Armagan

Physics Newsletter l Creighton University12

Graduate Student Awards

Outstanding Scholarship Award

Mohammed K. Zakaria (‘07)Benjamin M. Rizzo (‘08)

Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award (AAPT)

Jessica R. Changstrom (‘07)Mark L. Durante (‘07,’08)

Outstanding Research Award

Nagitha Ekanayake (‘07)Jessica R. Changstrom (‘08)

Fr. Andrew E. Ekpenyong (‘08)

Bazil N. Lazure Award for Outstanding Service to the Department of Physics

George C. Reifenberger (‘07)Mark L. Durante (‘08)

Clare Boothe Luce Scholarship for Women in Science

Jennie M. Burns (‘07-‘08)Meg M. Marquart (‘07-‘08)Carolyn L. Posey (‘07-‘09)

Nebraska Academy of SciencesScholarship

Meg M. Marquart (‘07)

Ferlic Summer Research Scholarship

Carolyn L. Posey (06)Jennie M. Burns (‘07)

Physics Depar tment AwardsClasses of 2007 and 2008

External & University AwardsClasses of 2007 and 2008

Senior Recognition Awards

Thomas H. Zepf Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Research

Brandon V. Rodenburg (‘07)Daniel L. Hames (‘08)Carolyn L. Posey (‘09)

Outstanding Scholarship Award

Brian C. Atkinson (‘07)Benjamin J. Kopecky (‘07)

Nicholas J. Busch (‘08)

Outstanding Research Award

Russell P. Wolfe (‘07)Meg M. Marquardt (‘08)

Fr. Clarence M. Wagener, S.J. Award for Outstanding Service to the Department of Physics

Nishant Chauhan (‘07)Jennie M. Burns (‘08)

The Schrodinger Cat Scholarship

Meg M. Marquardt (‘05-‘06, ‘06-‘07)Jennie M. Burns (‘07-‘08)

The Alumni Scholarship

Brandon V. Rodenburg (‘06-‘07)Nicholas J. Busch (‘07-‘08)

Only award recipients who graduated in ‘07 and ‘08 are listed here, with the award year(s) in parentheses.

Only award recipients who graduated in ‘07 and ‘08 are listed here, with the award year(s) in parentheses.

Rev. John M. Scott, S.J. (Continued from Page 7)

When Campion closed in 1978, Fr. Scott moved tothe Creighton Jesuit Community. He requested thatthe Campion physics equipment be given to theCreighton Physics Department. This was approvedand the apparatus was transferred to Creighton.

Fr. Scott’s move to Creighton was not to teach. Hedid parish work while still physically able, and contin-ued his prolific writing which included textbooks andlearning guides, numerous pamphlets, and hundredsof inspirational books and articles, many on the beauty of God’s creation as revealed by science andscientists. A number of his articles have appeared inissues of the Creighton University Window and theCreighton University Magazine. Not surprisingly, andwith his Superior’s approval, Fr. Scott donated hisbody to medical science. –THZ

*The Physics Department conducted other teacher-training Institutes during the mid-1960’s as well:Process Approach for junior high, Harvard Project andPSSC for high school teachers. The faculty involvedwere Fr. McShane, Fr. Wymelenberg, Mr. Lazure,Dr. John and Dr. Zepf. Sizable overhead income fromthe NSF Institute grants, along with large NSF andAEC grants for equipment, some of which had to gointo storage for lack of space, all helped to supportthe successful case that Dr. Zepf was able to make formore faculty and more space for physics in the new(1968) Rigge Science Building. The lesson learned isnot lost on us today.

vol. x spring 2008–2009 modern physics lab dedicated to f

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