WKU Department of Physics and Astronomy Photo Album

Faculty, staff and friends of the WKU Department of Physics and Astronomy are encouraged to take photographs of activities involving students and members of the department. These photos may be featured on our home page and will be archived here in our photo album. Send submissions to webmaster@physics.wku.edu

. Thank you.

	Photographer:	Kyle Cook
	Date:	October 2009
	Caption:	Schuyler Wolff and Kyle Cook prepare their costume, a body centered cubic Bravais lattice of cessium chloride, for halloween.

	Photographer:	Kyle Cook
	Date:	October 2009
	Caption:	Schuyler Wolff and Kyle Cook show off their costume, a body centered cubic Bravais lattice of cessium chloride, for halloween.

	Photographer:	Keith Andrew
	Date:	May 2009
	Caption:	May 2009 graduates. Alison Rohde, Christopher McGrath, and Joshua Peerce.

	Photographer:	Keith Andrew
	Date:	April 2009
	Caption:	WKU Physics and Astronomy students receive awards at the 2009 Ogden College Awards banquet. Dr. Keith Andrew, Kyle Cook, Chris McGrath, Matthew Nichols, and Dr. Doug Harper. April 19th of 2009.

	Photographer:	Keith Andrew
	Date:	February 2009
	Caption:	WKU Physics Olympics 2009.

	Photographer:	Curtis Boles (ORNL)
	Date:	February 2009
	Caption:	Students in Dr. Harper’s PHYS-318 course are working on a class project to develop a software control system for an Automated Gas Environment System (AGES) that is being built at the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The students will write software in LabVIEW to allow a user to safely direct a specified flow of a mixture of gases to a sample under investigation at the SNS. The completed system will be used for experiments at the SNS by Dr. Kintzel and other users. Pictured from left to right along with the AGES hardware are Jonathan Craft, Jacob Baxley, Doug Harper, and Ed Kintzel from WKU and Landon Solomon of the ORNL SNS Sample Environment Group.

	Photographer:	Mike Carini
	Date:	January 2009
	Caption:	Kyle Cook presented at the American Astronomical Society's 213th Meeting in Long Beach, CA January 2009 and received an honorable mention from the Chambliss Astronomy Achievement Student Awards for his undergraduate research of Optical Observations of Fermi LAT Monitored Blazers. Kyle is currently at senior in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. He has been working with Dr. Michael Carini for the past year and a half as a student researcher and telescope operator. He is originally from Louisville, KY and has had an interest in astronomy from a young age. Abstract: For the past 8 years the Bell Observatory at Western Kentucky University has been conducting R band monitoring of the variability of approximately 50 Blazars. A subset of these objects are being routinely observed with the LAT instrument on-board the Fermi Space Telescope. Adding the Robotically Controlled Telescope (RCT) at Kitt Peak National Observatory and observations with the AZT-11 telescope at the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory (CRAO), we are intensively monitoring the Blazars on the Lat monitoring list. We present the results of our long term monitoring of the LAT monitored Blazars, as well as the recent contemporaneous optical R band observations we have obtained of the LAT Blazars.


	Photographer:	Curtis Boles (ORNL)
	Date:	February 2009
	Caption:	Students in Dr. Harper’s PHYS-318 course are working on a class project to develop a software control system for an Automated Gas Environment System (AGES) that is being built at the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The students will write software in LabVIEW to allow a user to safely direct a specified flow of a mixture of gases to a sample under investigation at the SNS. The completed system will be used for experiments at the SNS by Dr. Kintzel and other users. Pictured from left to right along with the AGES hardware are Landon Solomon of the ORNL SNS Sample Environment Group and Gordon Gameson, Keith Andrew, and Nathan Campbell from WKU.

	Photographer:	John Inman
	Date:	January 2009
	Caption:	API and CDL Support 2008 Kentucky FIRST LEGO League State Robotics Championship.

	Photographer:	John Inman
	Date:	January 2009
	Caption:	API and CDL Support 2008 Kentucky FIRST LEGO League State Robotics Championship.

	Photographer:	Mike Carini
	Date:	January 2009
	Caption:	Jacob Baxley presented at the American Astronomical Society's 213th Meeting in Long Beach, CA in January of 2009. Abstract: A Generalized Cosmological Reduced Void Probability Distribution Function and Levy Index Louis-Gregory Strolger, Keith Andrew, Jacob Baxley, Armin Smailhodzic, Brett Bolen, James Gary, Lisa Taylor We use data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, the DEEP2 survey and numerical runs of the Gadget II code to analyze the distribution of cosmological voids in the universe similar to the model proposed by Mekjian. The general form of the Void Probability Function focuses on a scaling model inspired from percolation theory that gives an analytical form for the distribution function. For large redshifts the early universe was smooth and the probability function has a simple mathematical form that mimics the two point correlation results leading to a Zipf's Law probability distribution indication an ever decreasing probability of larger and larger voids, we determine Zipf form of the scaling power law for void counts in the associated volume, the number density of these regions is such that the universe has a large scale "sponge-like" apperance with voids of all scales permeating the field of observation, hinting at the existence of an underlying scaling law. For these data sets we examine the range of critical void probability function parameters that give rise to the best fit to the numerical and observational data. The resulting void probablility functions are then used to determine the Levy index and the Fisher critical exponet within the context of a grand canonical ensemble analysis viewed as a percolation effect. We wish to thank the Kentucky Space Grant Consortium for providing the NASA grant funding this research.

	Photographer:	Keith Andrew
	Date:	February 2009
	Caption:	WKU Physics Olympics 2009.

	Photographer:	Keith Andrew
	Date:	February 2009
	Caption:	WKU Physics Olympics 2009.

	Photographer:	Keith Andrew
	Date:	February 2009
	Caption:	WKU Physics Olympics 2009.

	Photographer:	Keith Andrew
	Date:	February 2009
	Caption:	WKU Physics Olympics 2009..

	Photographer:	Keith Andrew
	Date:	February 2009
	Caption:	WKU Physics Olympics 2009.

	Photographer:	Keith Andrew
	Date:	February 2009
	Caption:	WKU Physics Olympics 2009.

	Photographer:	Keith Andrew
	Date:	April 2009
	Caption:	WKU Physics and Astronomy students receive awards at the 2009 Ogden College Awards banquet. Chris McGrath with his grandparents. April 19th of 2009.

	Photographer:	Keith Andrew
	Date:	April 2009
	Caption:	WKU Physics and Astronomy students receive awards at the 2009 Ogden College Awards banquet. Kyle Cook, Chris McGrath, and Matthew Nichols. April 19th of 2009.

	Photographer:	Keith Andrew
	Date:	May 2009
	Caption:	May 2009 physics graduates. Christopher McGrath and Alison Rohde.

	Photographer:	Steven Gibson
	Date:	September 2008
	Caption:	Dr. Steven Gibson is a new Assistant Professor at the Department of Physics and Astronomy. His research interests are in the area of astrophysics. He will be teaching introductory Physics courses during the Fall 2008 Semester.

	Photographer:	Ting-Hui Lee
	Date:	September 2008
	Caption:	Dr. Ting-Hui Lee is a new visiting Assistant Professor at the Department of Physics and Astronomy. She will be teaching introductory Astronomy and Physics courses during the Fall 2008 Semester.

	Photographer:	Vladimir Dobrokhotov
	Date:	September 2008
	Caption:	Dr. Vladimir Dobrokhotov is a new Assistant Professor at the Department of Physics and Astronomy. His research interests are in the area of nanoscience. He will be teaching Introductory Mechanics during the Fall 2008 Semester.

	Photographer:	Keith Andrew
	Date:	September 2008
	Caption:	API Receives Homeland Security Grant for Threat Prevention API was awarded with a $350,000 homeland security grant under the topic area of threat prevention. The project is titled “Waterborne Threat Interdiction Utilizing Underwater Impulse Generation” and will be lead by Dr. Phillip Womble. The proposed project will provide an acoustic impulse generator that can deter or defeat a wide range of threats approaching our nation’s harbors and waterways. While there are highly developed technologies for detecting and monitoring hostile intruders in restricted waters, there is currently no viable way to stop a terrorist or a group of terrorists with intent on delivering a powerful explosive charge to a vulnerable target from underwater. WKU will be developing computer models and creating special sensing devices to monitor the performance.

	Photographer:	Katie Moore
	Date:	September 2008
	Caption:	Melinda Humphrey is a new member of Applied Physics Institute. She is originally from Bowling Green, Kentucky. She received her Bachelor of Science in Physics from WKU as a non-traditional student in 2001. Ms. Humphrey then worked for WKU shortly after graduation as a Research Assistant. She then went on to work for Vanderbilt University as a Health Physics Safety Technician, and in 2002, she was awarded as the Radiation Safety Officer for Centennial Medical Center in Nashville. In 2006, Humphrey returned back to Bowling Green where she worked as a full-time Chief Physicist at NorthWest Nuclear, LLC. Now, she has joined the API staff as a Research Administrator where she will help with the coordination of various projects along with assisting Prof. Phillip Womble, so that assignments can run more smoothly.

	Photographer:	Edward Kintzel
	Date:	September 2008
	Caption:	Dr. Edward J. Kintzel is the newest addition to the Physics and Astronomy faculty. Dr. Kintzel went to SUNY at Buffalo where he received his Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Physics in 1998. He then went on to Florida State University where he received a Master of Science in Physics in 1999 along with his Doctor of Philosophy in Physics in 2002. Dr. Kintzel then began working as a Postdoctoral Research Associate with the Spallation Neutron Source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory until 2007. Recently after, he went on to work at Washington University Medical School as a Research Fellow and Staff Scientist with the Department of Radiation Oncology. Currently, Dr. Kinzel has become a member of API faculty. During his time at the Department and API he will be exploring research interests which include materials for alternative energy sources, biomaterials, thin films, neutron imaging and nanoscopic structures.

	Photographer:	Alex Barzilov
	Date:	May 2008
	Caption:	API Awarded Homeland Security Grant for Response and Recovery. API was awarded a Homeland Security grant for response and recovery. The project titled “A Portable Community Infrastructure Resiliency System” is a $971,103 project. It has a year long time period and is lead by head researcher Dr. Phillip Womble. The idea of the project is to develop a portable system that would replace electrical power substations after a catastrophe and would also provide communications to the temporary substation as well as an area of one square mile around it. This Portable Community Infrastructure Resiliency System (PCIRS) will be developed for rapid response to a crisis in our nation’s electrical-energy infrastructure. More specifically, the PCIRS will be capable for replacing a damaged substation or distribution transformer with relative ease. More...

	Photographer:	Phil Womble
	Date:	May 2008
	Caption:	API receives Homeland Security grant to develop underwater threat detection system. API professors Ivan Novikov and Alex Barzilov awarded $796,736 Homeland Security grant in the area of threat detection. The project is titled “A Compact Neutron Interrogation System for Underwater Threat Detection and Identification”. May 12, 2008. Awards ceremony at The National Institute for Hometown Security. Shown from left to right: U.S. Rep. Harold Rogers, R-KY; Dr. Keith Andrew, Head of WKU Department of Physics and Astronomy; Dr. Alexander Barzilov; Dr. Ivan Novikov; Dr. Sadiq Shah, WKU Vice-President for Research and Development; Undersecretary Jay Cohen, Head of the Science and Technology Directorate of U.S. Department of Homeland Security. More...

	Photographer:	Doug Harper
	Date:	May 2008
	Caption:	Congratulations to the 2008 graduates of the WKU Department of Physics and Astronomy. Shown from left to right are Jason Smith, Jason Carson, and Noah Kapley. Also graduating but not shown is Eric Houchins.

	Photographer:	C.Y.B.O.R.G.S Team
	Date:	Apr 2008
	Caption:	As part of our outreach activities, Applied Physics Institute and Cyber Defense Laboratory helped to support the 2008 Kentucky FIRST LEGO League Robotics Tournament. The competition was held on January 19, 2008 at WKU’s Diddle Arena. This year’s theme was Power Puzzle – Alternative Energy. Teams were to build a Lego Mindstorms robot and program them to complete certain tasks concerning the theme. Each team is made up of 4 to 10 children between the ages of 9 to 14 years old. More...

	Photographer:	Richard Gelderman
	Date:	Apr 2008
	Caption:	Western Kentucky Physics Olympics 2008 champions, representing Warren Central High School, from left to right: Matt King, Jared Ray, Tyler Norris, Tim Lim, and coach Kenny Lee.

	Photographer:	Richard Gelderman
	Date:	Apr 2008
	Caption:	Warren Central High School students Tim Lim and Jared Ray competing in the Molecular Transfiguration event during the 2008 Western Kentucky Physics Olympics.

	Photographer:	Richard Gelderman
	Date:	Apr 2008
	Caption:	The Greenwood High School 2008 Western Kentucky Physics Olympics teams competing in the Order of Magnitude Quiz.

	Photographer:	Alex Barzilov
	Date:	Mar 2008
	Caption:	Congratulations to Dr. Phillip Womble, recipient of the 2008 Ogden College Faculty Research / Creativity Award. This award is a recognition among colleagues in the discipline for productive research and creative work. It can be given annually to one professor for each college that makes a concerted effort toward the advancement of his or her scholarly discipline, typifying the highest ideals of scholarship, fostering the intellectual growth of students, and contributing to the institutional welfare of the University. More...

	Photographer:	Rico Tyler
	Date:	Mar 2008
	Caption:	The International Space Station, followed closely by the Space Shuttle, as they pass the constellation Orion (labeled and outlined) on March 25, 2008.

	Photographer:	Anessia Loveless
	Date:	Nov 2007
	Caption:	Mr. Ronald Hopper, an undergraduate student researcher from the WKU Applied Physics Institute, is working with the computer clusters in the API's CyberDefense Laboratory. The Applied Physics Institute has collaborated with Mississippi State University, University of Arizona, EdAptive Computing, Inc. and Electronic Warfare Associates to create the new laboratory. The CyberDefense Lab contains a quarantined "sandbox" where viruses that originate network attacks can be released and studied in hopes of achieving faster, effective detection and prevention of future attacks. "With the opening of the CyberDefense Lab, a new era has embarked at WKU that provides unique opportunities in research and education, as well as helping our national defense efforts," said Dr. Phillip Womble, Director of both the Applied Physics Institute and CyberDefense Laboratory. More...

	Photographer:	Roger Scott
	Date:	Nov 2007
	Caption:	Comet 17P Holmes observed by Dr. Roger Scott on Nov. 9, 2007 (bottom panel) and Nov. 17, 2007 (top panel). Note its movement relative to comparison background stars (labeled A and B for convenience), its change in size, and its change in brightness.

	Photographer:	Mike Carini
	Date:	Oct 2007
	Caption:	Comet 17P Holmes as seen through 4 different filters (from top left B,V,R and I) imaged with the 12" TCCW rooftop telescope equipped with a CCD camera by Dr. Carini's Honors Astronomy 214 class on October 30, 2007. On October 23rd, this otherwise unimpressive comet suddenly brightened by a factor of 1 million times, and is now easily visible to the naked eye, shining as brightly as the stars in the constellation Perseus, where it can currently be found.

	Photographer:	Robbie Phelps
	Date:	Oct 2007
	Caption:	Two API's undergraduate student researchers, Matt Nichols and Robbie Phelps, traveled to Newport News, Virginia on October 10 - 13 for the Annual Meeting of the APS Division of Nuclear Physics. More...

	Photographer:	Matt Nichols
	Date:	Oct 2007
	Caption:	Two API's undergraduate student researchers, Matt Nichols and Robbie Phelps, traveled to Newport News, Virginia on October 10 - 13 for the Annual Meeting of the APS Division of Nuclear Physics. More...

	Photographer:	Anessia Loveless
	Date:	Oct 2007
	Caption:	Mr. Jason Smith, an undergraduate student researcher from the Applied Physics Institute, traveled to Boston, Massachusetts for the Third Annual International COMSOL Conference (October 4 - 6, 2007). The COMSOL MultiPhysics software models real life situations using partial differential equations. This is beneficial because real world phenomenon can be represented mathematically and studied in details with computers. Mr. Smith, who is working on a defense-related project, presented a benchmark test to analyze how accurately sound propagates through walls in the COMSOL acoustic module. His project is called "Modeling Results for Environmental Acoustic Pressure Obstructions" (Faculty advisor: Dr. Phil Womble). "I was able to do a lot of networking while I was there, and received valuable feedback about our project from everyone who attended," said Mr. Smith. Many participants presented and offered introductory tutorials and mini-courses for use in other COMSOL modules. Yale University, Intel, IBM, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are only a few of the many institutions that presented research at this conference. More...

	Photographer:	Mike Carini
	Date:	Sep 2007
	Caption:	The Ring Nebula, imaged by Dr. Carini's Honors Astronomy 214 class on September 18, 2007. The Ring Nebula is the remains of the outer atmosphere of a star, blown off during the last stages of the stars life and is at a distance of 2300 light years. This image was obtained using the 12.5 telescope on the roof of TCCW with a CCD camera. Sadly, the explosive growth of unshielded lighting across campus will soon make it impossible for WKU undergraduates to view these wonders of the universe from the TCCW observatory.

	Photographer:	Richard Gelderman
	Date:	Aug 2007
	Caption:	Congratulations to Dr. Richard Gelderman, recipient of the 2007 University Faculty Award for Public Service.

	Photographer:	Rico Tyler
	Date:	Aug 2007
	Caption:	The lunar eclipse early morning Aug 28, 2007, with Pearce-Ford Tower in the foreground.

	Photographer:	Richard Gelderman
	Date:	Aug 2007
	Caption:	Lunar eclipse captured early morning Aug 28, 2007.

	Photographer:	Doug Harper
	Date:	May 2007
	Caption:	Eric Haley and Jeremy Board on the 2007 WKU commencement ceremony. Congratulations!

	Photographer:	Alex Barzilov
	Date:	April 2007
	Caption:	WKU Physics Students Received 2007 Awards. Sarah McMurray receives 2007 Dr. George V. and Sadie Skiles Page Award for Excellence in Scholarship from Dr. Mike Carini. Read full story

	Photographer:	Phil Womble
	Date:	April 2007
	Caption:	WKU Physics Students Received 2007 Awards. Jeremy Board receives 2007 Douglas Humphrey Award for Outstanding Service in Physics from Dr. Douglas Harper. Read full story

	Photographer:	Doug Harper
	Date:	April 2007
	Caption:	WKU Physics Students Received 2007 Awards. Ian Rice receives 2007 Randall Harper Award for Outstanding Research in Physics and Astronomy from Dr. Phil Womble. Read full story

	Photographer:	Joshua James
	Date:	August 2006
	Caption:	Why Study Physics and Astronomy at WKU? "I obtained the necessary physics training and experience I needed in order to be accepted into and to be successful in a highly respected medical physics graduate program." Joshua James, B.S., Physics, Western Kentucky University, Summa Cum Laude, 2003, is currently a Clinical Medical Physicist at the Radiation Oncology Department of the University of Louisville Brown Cancer Center. Read full story

	Photographer:	Sheryl Hagan-Booth
	Date:	August 2006
	Caption:	Why Study Physics and Astronomy at WKU? "WKU physics department knows how to teach you how to present research. I improved my technical writing while there." Lindsay Hopper, B.S., Physics, Western Kentucky University, Cum Laude, 2003, is currently Applications Engineer at the WKU Applied Physics Institute. Read full story

	Photographer:	Julie Wathen
	Date:	August 2004
	Caption:	Why Study Physics and Astronomy at WKU? "Studying Physics at WKU was a real treasure because of the small class sizes and opportunities to get involved in additional projects." Julie Wathen, B.S., Physics, Western Kentucky University, 1997, is currently ARPA Long Range Tracking and Instrumentation Radar (ALTAIR) Lead System Engineer, Kwajalein Range Services on the Reagan Test Site, Kwajalein Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands. Read full story

	Photographer:	Jordan Lindsay
	Date:	October 2006
	Caption:	Why Study Physics and Astronomy at WKU? "I feel that my degree in physics from WKU helps me everyday in my job by allowing me to communicate with a wide variety of scientific disciplines." Jordan Lindsey, B.S., Physics, Western Kentucky University, 2002, is currently Robotics Flight Controller at Mission Control at the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Read full story

	Photographer:	Sheryl Hagan-Booth
	Date:	June 2006
	Caption:	WKU Department of Physics and Astronomy announces Applied Physics option: a new track leading to Bachelor of Science in Physics degree. The curriculum blends together the fundamental science and practical aspects of physics. Students combine a solid background in physics with an extensive introduction to the applications of physics. Hands-on internships prepare students for careers in the high-technology industries, national laboratories, and academy. If you are interested in obtaining high-tech job immediately after graduation with B.S. degree in Physics, the Applied Physics track is your choice! More...

	Photographer:	Ivan Novikov
	Date:	November 2006
	Caption:	WKU physics students attended the seventeenth annual Argonne Symposium for Undergraduates in Argonne, IL. Student researchers, Eric Houchins, Chris McGrath, Matt Nichols, Ian Rice, Jeremy Board, Kyle Moss, Sarah McMurray, and Jeremy Maune shared their latest research projects with other students as well as professionals. Students were accompanied by Dr. Ivan Novikov, assistant professor in the Department of Physics. More...

	Photographer:	Alex Barzilov
	Date:	October 2006
	Caption:	Students at the Division of Nuclear Physics Conference of the American Physical Society : Kyle Moss, Matt Nichols, Jeremy Board, Eric Houchins, Chris McGrath, and Dr. Phil Womble standing in front of research project posters. More...

	Photographer:	Phil Womble
	Date:	September 2006
	Caption:	Students at the Nuclear Physics Laboratory: Radiation Safety introduction.

	Photographer:	Sarah McMurray
	Date:	September 2006
	Caption:	The WKU Department of Physics and Astronomy welcomes Dr. Michael McPherson to the department. As Visiting Assistant Professor, he will be teaching Physics 441/404 (Optics and Optics Laboratory), and Physics 232/233 (Physics and Biophysics Laboratory I, II) this semester.

	Photographer:	Sarah McMurray
	Date:	September 2006
	Caption:	The WKU Department of Physics and Astronomy welcomes Dr. Ivan Novikov to the department. Dr. Novikov will join the research effort at the Applied Physics Institute. He will be teaching Physics 250 this semester. More...

	Photographer:	Dennis Artman
	Date:	August 2006
	Caption:	The Applied Physics Institute is giving students real-world experience across the country. API student researchers participated in the remediation of a storage facility located at the Indian Head Naval Facility in Indian Head, MD this past August. Jeremy Board, Christopher McGrath, Prof. Phillip Womble, Kyle Moss, Matthew Nichols, Christopher Davenport, and Jon Paschal (Senior applications engineer, API). More...

	Photographer:	Doug Harper
	Date:	April 2006
	Caption:	The Department of Physics and Astronomy congratulates the recipients of student awards for the 2005-06 academic year. Pictured from left to right are Richard Walters (recipient of the Randall Harper Award for Excellence in Rescearch), Charles Poteet (recipient of the Doug Humphrey Award for Excellence in Service), and Tim Morgan (recipient of the George Page award for excellence in Scholarship).commencement/2006-Spring/walters.jpg

	Photographer:	Sarah McMurray
	Date:	November 2005
	Caption:	WKU Physics major Jonathan Craft delivers his presentation at the 2005 Undergraduate Research Symposium at Argonne National Laboratory.

	Photographer:	Sarah McMurray
	Date:	November 2005
	Caption:	WKU Physics major Ian Rice delivers his presentation at the 2005 Undergraduate Research Symposium at Argonne National Laboratory.

	Photographer:	Sarah McMurray
	Date:	November 2005
	Caption:	WKU Physics major Richard Walters delivers his presentation at the 2005 Undergraduate Research Symposium at Argonne National Laboratory.

	Photographer:	Sarah McMurray
	Date:	November 2005
	Caption:	WKU Physics major Shelly Smith delivers her presentation at the 2005 Undergraduate Research Symposium at Argonne National Laboratory.

	Photographer:	Dara Hardin
	Date:	November 2005
	Caption:	WKU Physics major Sarah McMurray answers questions following her presentation at the 2005 Undergraduate Research Symposium at Argonne National Laboratory.

	Photographer:	Sarah McMurray
	Date:	November 2005
	Caption:	WKU Physics and Astronomy students, led by Dr. Phil Womble, approach the Advanced Photon Source facility at Argonne National Laboratory during the 2005 Undergraduate Research Symposium.

	Photographer:	Michael Maier
	Date:	September 2005
	Caption:	The WKU Department of Physics and Astronomy welcomes Dr. Brett Bolen to the faculty. Dr. Bolen, a visiting assistant professor, comes to WKU from the University of Mississippi where he recently completed his Ph.D. in Theoretical General Relativity. Dr. Bolen is shown assisting students in his Biophysics II Laboratory.

	Photographer:	David Barnaby
	Date:	July 9, 2005
	Caption:	Physics majors Shelly Smith and Charles Poteet represented the Hilltopper Astronomy Club at WKU's recent "Club and Activity Day" in front of the Preston Center. Shelly and Charles set up and displayed the Club's Personal Solar Telescope, shown on the left, and helped passersby to aim the telescope and scrutinize the sun. The sun cooperated by producing a spectacular prominence, an arc of hot gas at the surface which was larger than several Jupiters.

	Photographer:	Sarah McMurray
	Date:	April 2005
	Caption:	Congratulations to Dr. Doug Humphrey and Mr. Clarence Wolff who retired from the WKU Department of Physics and Astronomy at the end of the 2004-05 academic year. Together these two faculty members provided more than 75 years of service to students at WKU. They are shown being recognized at the 2005 Sigma Pi Sigma banquet for their significant contributions to the department.

	Photographer:	Sarah McMurray
	Date:	September 2005
	Caption:	The WKU Department of Physics and Astronomy welcomes Dr. Lou Strogler to the faculty. Dr. Strogler, shown above at the WKU Astrophysical Observatory, comes to WKU from the Hubble Space Telescope Institute.

	Photographer:	Sarah McMurray
	Date:	September 2005
	Caption:	WKU physics major Tim Morgan reviews documentaion for the Van de Graaff particle accelerator which is being assembled and tested at the Applied Physics Institute.

	Photographer:	Unknown
	Date:	June 15, 2005
	Caption:	WKU Physics and Astronomy graduate Jordan Lindsey (BS Physics, 2002) currently works for United Space Alliance in Cape Canaveral Florida and is pursuing his PhD in Aerospace Engineering at the Florida Institute of Technology. He works as a Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) Project Engineer at USA where he searches for new ways to inspect the integrity of the Orbiter, SRB's and the External Tank. He is shown in in a June 15, 2005 photo with the Shuttle Discovery prior to its most recent mission.

	Photographer:	Dara Hardin
	Date:	May 2005
	Caption:	WKU's 2.5 million volt particle accelerator arrives from the Army Research Lab and is being moved into position at the Applied Physics Institute.

	Photographer:	Dara Hardin
	Date:	May 2005
	Caption:	Major Kong (Slim Pickens) in Dr. Strangelove (1964): "Well, I've been to one World Fair, a picnic and a rodeo and that's the stupidest thing I ever heard come over a set of earphones." Kenny Purcell (WKU Physics, 2002) is the winner of the Photo Caption Contest. Kenny is currently completing his Ph.D. in condensed matter physics at Florida State University.

	Photographer:	Dara Hardin
	Date:	May 2005
	Caption:	Dr. Womble addresses the audience during the grand opening of the WKU Center for Research and Development.

	Photographer:	Sarah McMurray
	Date:	April 2005
	Caption:	WKU physics major Tim Morgan is shown signing the membership roster during his April 2005 induction into the national physics honor society Sigma Pi Sigma.

	Photographer:	Dr. Harper
	Date:	May 2005
	Caption:	The WKU Department of Physics and Astronomy congratulates Spring 2005 graduates Sarah Witten and Derek Stice.

	Photographer:	Dr. Harper
	Date:	May 2005
	Caption:	The WKU Department of Physics and Astronomy congratulates Spring 2005 graduate Sarah Witten. Sarah received the Scholar of Ogden College Award and the Ogden Trustees Award at commencement.

	Photographer:	Dr. Harper
	Date:	February 2003
	Caption:	Participants in the 2003 Western Kentucky Physics Olympics from Warren Central High School are shown attempting to build an electromagnet in the Impromptu Team Physics Activity. The 2005 Western Kentucky Physics Olympics will be held on April 30, 2005.

	Photographer:	Dr. Harper
	Date:	February 2004
	Caption:	A participant in the 2004 Western Kentucky Physics Olympics from Warren Central High School is shown preparing to launch his team's seige engine in the Siege of Osgiliath (Plan Ahead Project) Activity. The 2005 Western Kentucky Physics Olympics will be held on April 30, 2005.

	Photographer:	Dr. Harper
	Date:	February 2004
	Caption:	The overall winners of the 2004 Western Kentucky Physics Olympics from Warren Central High School are shown along with WKU Vice President Luther Hughes and their teacher/coach Doug Jenkins. The 2005 Western Kentucky Physics Olympics will be held on April 30, 2005.

	Photographer:	Dr. Harper
	Date:	February 2004
	Caption:	All the participants in the 2004 Western Kentucky Physics Olympics are shown in the above photo. The 2005 Western Kentucky Physics Olympics will be held on April 30, 2005.

	Photographer:	Dr. Carini
	Date:	January 2005
	Caption:	WKU Physics major Richard Walters is shown in front of his poster presentation at the 205th meeting of the American Astronomical Society in San Diego January 10-14.

	Photographer:	Dr. Carini
	Date:	January 2005
	Caption:	WKU Physics major Charles Poteet is shown in front of his poster presentation at the 205th meeting of the American Astronomical Society in San Diego January 10-14.

	Photographer:	Dr. Harper
	Date:	December 18, 2004
	Caption:	The Faculty of the Department of Physics and Astronomy congruatulate Byron Pennycuff for completing the requirements for his undergraduate degree in Physics and Mathematics. The photo shows Byron being congratulated following Fall 2004 commencement exercises by Dr. Keith Andrew, head of the Department of Physics and Astronomy.

	Photographer:	Dr. Womble
	Date:	October 2004
	Caption:	It seems that Big Red has found a new home on top of the experimental area at the Applied Physics Institute.

	Photographer:	Dr. Harper
	Date:	November 5, 2004
	Caption:	Sarah Witten presented results from her Summer REU project at University of Wisconsin on Positron Emission Tomography at the 15th Annual Argonne Symposium for Undergraduates on November 5, 2004.

	Photographer:	Sarah Witten
	Date:	November 5, 2004
	Caption:	Derek Stice presented results from his research project entitled "Heavy Metal Contamination Detection Near a Former Magnet Plant" at the 15th Annual Argonne Symposium for Undergraduates on November 5, 2004.

	Photographer:	Unknown
	Date:	November 5, 2004
	Caption:	The Society of Physics Students attended the 15th Annual Argonne Symposium for Undergraduates on November 5, 2004. Pictured from left to right are Sarah Witten, Shelly Smith, Derek Stice, Dr. Harper, Michael Holcomb, Ryan Moore, and Earl Wood.

	Photographer:	Lee Florea
	Date:	October 2004
	Caption:	Lee Florea (WKU, BS Physics and Mathematics, 1995) is presently completing his PhD in Geology at the University of South Florida in Tampa. His dissertation is a study of matrix permeability within the Floridan Aquifer System and its impact on karst morphology and springflow behavior. Lee says that he uses his physics background everyday in numerical modeling, groundwater studies, and applications of basic principles. The photos display his current research interests which span limestones and caves surrounding the Gulf of Mexico including sites in Florida, the Bahamas, Cuba, Belize, Mexico, and Guatemala. At the bottom-right is the coring apparatus he uses for taking limestone samples from cave and quarry walls. Upper-left is a shot of Lee at a field site preparing to drill samples. Upper-right shows Lee at a present research site in Eastern Kentucky. The photo at the lower-right is from Viñales, Cuba.

	Photographer:	Doug Harper
	Date:	October 22, 2004
	Caption:	Sarah Witten, a senior physics major and vice-president of SPS, represents the Society of Physics Students and Hilltopper Astronomy Club as a candidate for Homecoming Queen in the 2004 Homecoming Parade.

	Photographer:	Doug Harper
	Date:	October 22, 2004
	Caption:	Amy Jo Ransdell and Derek Stice are pictured with the float entered into the 2004 WKU Homecoming Parade by the Society of Physics Students and Hilltopper Astronomy Club.

	Photographer:	Doug Harper
	Date:	October 22, 2004
	Caption:	Amy Jo Ransdell and Derek Stice are pictured with the float entered into the 2004 WKU Homecoming Parade by the Society of Physics Students and Hilltopper Astronomy Club.

	Photographer:
	Date:	October 2004
	Caption:	Sarah Elizabeth Witten, a senior physics major and vice-president of SPS, has been nominated for Homecoming Queen 2004 by the Society of Physics Students and Hilltopper Astronomy Club. Sarah is the daughter of Danny and Darlene Witten of Elizabethtown. Voting for Homecoming Queen takes place on TopNet on Tuesday, October 19.

	Photographer:
	Date:	October 2004
	Caption:	Sarah Elizabeth Witten, a senior physics major and vice-president of SPS, has been nominated for Homecoming Queen 2004 by the Society of Physics Students and Hilltopper Astronomy Club. Sarah is the daughter of Danny and Darlene Witten of Elizabethtown. Voting for Homecoming Queen takes place on TopNet on Tuesday, October 19.

	Photographer:	Julie Wathen
	Date:	August 2004
	Caption:	Julie Wathen (BS Physics and Mathematics, WKU, 1997) now works as a System Engineer/Test Director with the radar facility at the U.S. Army Space and Missle Defense Command on the Kwajalein island in the Pacific. Shown in the top left is the ALTAIR radar (shown in the stow position) on Roi-Namur. The photo on the right shows a re-entry mission that was monitored at the facility. The bottom left photo shows Julie diving with a bat fish (note the WKU T-Shirt). On a side note, Dr. Gerald Lehmacher, formerly a visiting assistant professor at WKU, is one of four principal investigators that use ALTAIR to scan and study the ionosphere.

	Photographer:	Phil Womble
	Date:	August 2004
	Caption:	Can you guess who these two Physics Majors are?

	Photographer:	Dr. Richard Hackney
	Date:	December 13, 2003
	Caption:	The WKU Department of Physics and Astronomy congratulates Fall 2003 graduate Whitney Wills.

	Photographer:	Dr. Richard Hackney
	Date:	November 20, 2003
	Caption:	This image of the Aurora Borealis was taken by Dr. Richard Hackney on the evening of November 20, 2003 from Bowling Green, KY.

	Photographer:	Doug Harper
	Date:	October 24, 2003
	Caption:	Members of the WKU Department of Physics and Astronomy attended the Fourteenth Annual Argonne Undergraduate Research Symposium held at the Argonne National Laboratory in Chicago, IL. Pictured from left to right are Ian Rice, Michael Holcomb, Ryan Moore, Whitney Wills, Earl Wood, and Jonathan Craft.

	Photographer:	Doug Harper
	Date:	October 24, 2003
	Caption:	Ryan Moore delivers his presentation entitled "Development of a Method to Measure Low-Intensity Fast Neutron Sources" at the Fourteenth Annual Argonne Undergraduate Research Symposium held at the Argonne National Laboratory in Chicago, IL. Other WKU student presenters included Earl Wood, and Whitney Wills.

	Photographer:	Doug Harper
	Date:	October 24, 2003
	Caption:	Whitney Wills delivers her presentation entitled "Multicolor Microvariability Observations of BL LAC Objects: 1ES 1959+650 AND OJ 287" at the Fourteenth Annual Argonne Undergraduate Research Symposium held at the Argonne National Laboratory in Chicago, IL. Other WKU student presenters included Earl Wood, and Ryan Moore.

	Photographer:	Dr. Michael Carini and Whitney Wills
	Date:	October 22, 2003
	Caption:	This image was taken around noon on October 22, 2003 from the TCCW rooftop observatory by Dr. Michael Carini and Whitney Wills using an a STV CCD camera and an 8" Celestron telescope. It shows one of the largest sunspots in years, currently bigger than Jupiter. For more on sunspot 484 visit www.spaceweather.com.

	Photographer:	Dr. Richard Hackney
	Date:	Midnight CDT August 23-24, 2003
	Caption:	This image was taken at midnight CDT August 23-24, 2003 with a digital camera looking through an 8" Celestron. Various surface features are annotated on the image at the bottom. Astronomers at Western Kentucky University, along with the Hilltopper Astronomy Club, will be providing free-of-charge telescope viewing opportunities of Mars during the evenings around its closest approach. Sessions are scheduled for August 26, 27, and 28th.

	Photographer:	Dr. Richard Hackney
	Date:	August 16, 2003
	Caption:	This image, taken on August 16, 2003 with a digital camera looking through an 8" telescope, shows what to expect when viewing Mars with a small telescope during its current close apparition. Astronomers at Western Kentucky University, along with the Hilltopper Astronomy Club, will be providing free-of-charge telescope viewing opportunities of Mars during the evenings around its closest approach. Sessions are scheduled for August 26, 27, and 28th.

	Photographer:	Dr. Richard Hackney
	Date:	May 15, 2003
	Caption:	Lunar eclipse photographed by Dr. Richard Hackney from the TCCW rooftop observatory on May 15, 2003.

	Photographer:	Doug Harper
	Date:	May 10, 2003
	Caption:	The WKU Department of Physics and Astronomy congratulates its "Class of 2003" graduates. Lindsay Hopper Tala Monroe Josh James Wes Ryle Ashley Atkerson (not pictured)

	Photographer:
	Date:	Summer 2004
	Caption:	WKU Physics major Tim Morgan gave a poster presentation at the Summer 2004 meeting of the American Association of physics teachers.

	Photographer:
	Date:	Summer 2004
	Caption:	WKU Physics major Tim Morgan gave a poster presentation at the Summer 2004 meeting of the American Association of physics teachers.

	Photographer:
	Date:	Summer 2004
	Caption:	Dr. Scott Bonham gave a poster presentation at the Summer 2004 meeting of the American Association of physics teachers.

	Photographer:	Richard Gelderman
	Date:	August 2004
	Caption:	The WKU Department of Physics and Astronomy welcomes Dr. Keith Andrew to the department! Dr. Andrew will be serving as the new Department Head and will be teaching Physics 270 this semester.

	Photographer:	Richard Gelderman
	Date:	August 2004
	Caption:	The WKU Department of Physics and Astronomy welcomes Dr. Alexander Barzilov to the department. Dr. Barzilov will join the research effort at the Applied Physics Institute. He will be teaching Physics 250 and 251 this semester.

	Photographer:	Richard Gelderman
	Date:	June 8, 2004
	Caption:	The Hilltopper Astronomy Club gathers at the TCCW rooftop observatory after observing the June 8, 2004 transit of Venus across the face of the rising Sun. Standing, from left to right are: Allen Redden, Jim Myers, Chris Winfield, Rico Tyler, Mark Everett, Charles Poteet, Bobby Zimmerman, Terry Regan, Shelly Smith, Richard Walters, and Earl Wood. Kneeling, froom left to right, are: David Barnaby, Mike Carini, and Richard Gelderman.

	Photographer:	Richard Hackney
	Date:	June 8, 2004
	Caption:	A view of the June 8, 2004 transit of Venus across the face of the rising sun taken by Dr. Hackney from the top floor of a Nashville hospital parking garage, using a small Celestron 90mm telescope with a full-aperture solar filter and a handheld digital camera behind the eyepiece. An inset of the predawn Nashville skyline is shown below the image.

	Photographer:	Gordon Smith
	Date:	January 2004
	Caption:	WKU Physics major Joe McDaniel is shown hard at work assembling the new electronics interface toolkits designed by Dr. Smith for College Physics II (Physics 202/208).

	Photographer:	Richard Gelderman
	Date:	January 2004
	Caption:	Bobby Zimmerman, co-winner of the undergraduate research presentation at the November 2003 meeting of the Kentucky Academy of Sciences.

	Photographer:	Richard Gelderman
	Date:	January 2004
	Caption:	Earl Wood, co-winner of the undergraduate research presentation at the November 2003 meeting of the Kentucky Academy of Sciences.

	Photographer:	Doug Harper
	Date:	May 10, 2003
	Caption:	The WKU Department of Physics and Astronomy congratulates its "Class of 2003" graduates. Lindsay Hopper Tala Monroe Josh James Wes Ryle Ashley Atkerson (not pictured)

	Photographer:	Doug Harper
	Date:	May 10, 2003
	Caption:	The WKU Department of Physics and Astronomy congratulates its "Class of 2003" graduates. Lindsay Hopper Tala Monroe Josh James Wes Ryle Ashley Atkerson (not pictured)

	Photographer:	Doug Harper
	Date:	May 10, 2003
	Caption:	The WKU Department of Physics and Astronomy congratulates its "Class of 2003" graduates. Lindsay Hopper Tala Monroe Josh James Wes Ryle Ashley Atkerson (not pictured)

	Photographer:	Doug Harper
	Date:	May 10, 2003
	Caption:	Department of Physics and Astronomy graduate Josh James is congratulated by Dr. Roger Scott during the Faculty Honor Guard at the 2003 WKU commencement.

	Photographer:	Doug Harper
	Date:	May 10, 2003
	Caption:	Department of Physics and Astronomy graduate Wes Ryle is congratulated by faculty members during the Faculty Honor Guard at the 2003 WKU commencement.

	Photographer:	Doug Harper
	Date:	May 10, 2003
	Caption:	Department of Physics and Astronomy graduate Tala Monroe is congratulated by faculty members during the Faculty Honor Guard at the 2003 WKU commencement.

	Photographer:	Doug Harper
	Date:	May 10, 2003
	Caption:	The WKU Department of Physics and Astronomy congratulates Wes Ryle and Josh James. Wes and Josh, who each graduated with 4.0 GPAs, were honored at the 2003 WKU commencement exercises as Scholars of Ogden College and recipients of the Ogden Trustees Award.

	Photographer:	Doug Harper
	Date:	May 10, 2003
	Caption:	Wes Ryle and Josh James, recipients of the Ogden Trustees Award and Scholars of Ogden College, pose with members of the WKU Physics and Astronomy faculty following commencement exercises.

	Photographer:	Joe Imel, Park City Daily News
	Date:	March 1, 2003
	Caption:	Students from Warren Central High School display their "Potato Launchers" at the start of the 2003 Western Kentucky Physics Olympics. The teams were coached by Mr. Doug Jenkins and Mr. Kenny Lee.

	Photographer:	Tricia Harper
	Date:	October 25, 2002
	Caption:	Members of the WKU Department of Physics and Astronomy attended the Thirteenth Annual Argonne Undergraduate Research Symposium held at the Argonne National Laboratory in Chicago, IL. Pictured from left to right are Josh James, Wes Ryle, Whitney Wills, Byron Pennycuff (in front), Michael Holcomb, Lindsay Hopper, Bobby Zimmerman, Sarah Witten, Dr. Doug Harper, and Tala Monroe.

	Photographer:	Tricia Harper
	Date:	October 25, 2002
	Caption:	Members of the WKU Department of Physics and Astronomy attended the Thirteenth Annual Argonne Undergraduate Research Symposium held at the Argonne National Laboratory in Chicago, IL. Pictured from left to right are Wes Ryle, Josh James, Whitney Wills, Robin Page (now a student at Milwaukee School of Engineering), Sarah Witten, Bobby Zimmerman, Tala Monroe, Michael Holcomb, Lindsay Hopper, Byron Pennycuff and Dr. Doug Harper.

	Photographer:	Dr. Harper
	Date:	January 2003
	Caption:	As part of the Applications in Modern Physics II Laboratory (PHYS 403), Wes Ryle and Josh James recieve Radiation Safety training where they learn the prodedure that is required to dress-out before entering a contaminated work site.

	Photographer:	Dr. Harper
	Date:	January 2003
	Caption:	As part of the Applications in Modern Physics II Laboratory (PHYS 403), Wes Ryle and Josh James recieve Radiation Safety training where they learn the prodedure that is required to dress-out before entering a contaminated work site.

	Photographer:	Dr. Harper
	Date:	January 2003
	Caption:	Our departmental secretary, Ms. Susan Livesay, greets students and visitors who have business with the WKU Department of Physics and Astronomy.

	Photographer:	Dr. Barnaby
	Date:	January 2003
	Caption:	In early January 2003, Allen Glass, a WKU freshman, received his telescope operator certification from Drs. Carini and Barnaby of the Department of Physics and Astronomy . Allen completed the 40-hour training course and is now a member of the observatory staff. He will remotely operate the 0.6m telescope one night per week gathering data for the department's long-term survey projects.

	Photographer:	Wes Ryle
	Date:	October 25, 2002
	Caption:	Lindsay Hopper delivers her presentation entitled "Optical Photometric Monitoring of Gamma-Ray Bright BL Lacertae Objects" at the Thirteenth Annual Argonne Undergraduate Research Symposium held at the Argonne National Laboratory in Chicago, IL.

	Photographer:	Doug Harper
	Date:	October 25, 2002
	Caption:	Wes Ryle delivers his presentation entitled "Radioactivity in Supernova Remnants" at the Thirteenth Annual Argonne Undergraduate Research Symposium held at the Argonne National Laboratory in Chicago, IL.

	Photographer:	Doug Harper
	Date:	October 25, 2002
	Caption:	Tala Monroe delivers her presentation entitled "Determining Metallicities of Stars with Planets" at the Thirteenth Annual Argonne Undergraduate Research Symposium held at the Argonne National Laboratory in Chicago, IL.

	Photographer:	Doug Harper
	Date:	October 25, 2002
	Caption:	Whitney Wills delivers her presentation entitled "Long Term Monitoring of Active Galactic Nuclei with the Bell Observatory 0.6m Telescope at the Thirteenth Annual Argonne Undergraduate Research Symposium held at the Argonne National Laboratory in Chicago, IL.

	Photographer:	Doug Harper
	Date:	October 25, 2002
	Caption:	Whitney Wills delivers her presentation entitled "Long Term Monitoring of Active Galactic Nuclei with the Bell Observatory 0.6m Telescope" at the Thirteenth Annual Argonne Undergraduate Research Symposium held at the Argonne National Laboratory in Chicago, IL.

	Photographer:	Doug Harper
	Date:	October 25, 2002
	Caption:	Joshua James delivers his presentation entitled "Development of Film Analysis Tool for Dose Verification" at the Thirteenth Annual Argonne Undergraduate Research Symposium held at the Argonne National Laboratory in Chicago, IL.

	Photographer:	Dr. Barnaby
	Date:	September 2002
	Caption:	Lindsay Hopper (physics major and technical officer for the Hilltopper Astronomy Club) explains how to find planets just after sunset. The Astronomy Club is open to the public and meets at 6:00 PM each second Wednesday of the month durng the academic year. For more information, view the club's web site at hac.wku.edu or call the Physics & Astronomy Department office at 745-4357.

	Photographer:	Dr. Gelderman
	Date:	August 2002
	Caption:	The WKU Department of Physics and Astronomy welcomes its newest faculty member, Dr. Gordon Smith. Dr. Smith is teaching University Physics III this semester and is establishing a research laboratory in the area of thermoacoustics.

	Photographer:	Dr. Barnaby
	Date:	May 2002
	Caption:	Dr Tom Bohuski points the roof top telescope at Jupiter for a visitor to the Department's Telescope Viewing Night on 8 May 2002. The Department hosts these "star parties" for the public during the regular academic year on the second Wednesday of each month. Next public-night will be hosted in September 2002. For more information, call 270-745-4357.

	Photographer:	Dr. Barnaby
	Date:	May 2002
	Caption:	Members of the public enjoy a great view of the planets from the roof top telescope during the Department's recent Telescope Viewing on 8 May 2002. The Department hosts these "star parties" during the regular academic year on the second Wednesday of each month. Next public-night will be hosted in September 2002. For more information, call 270-745-4357.

	Photographer:	Dr. Harper
	Date:	May 11, 2002
	Caption:	Commencement 2002 The WKU Department of Physics and Astronomy congratulates its Spring 2002 graduates: Angela Adams (pictured), Gavi Begtrup (pictured), Michael Farinelli, Srdan Hrkalovic, Jordan Lindsey, Scott Little, Sylvester Onyishi, Kenny Purcell and Robert Taylor.

	Photographer:	Dr. Harper
	Date:	May 11, 2002
	Caption:	Commencement 2002 The WKU Department of Physics and Astronomy congratulates its Spring 2002 graduates: Angela Adams, Gavi Begtrup (pictured with Dr. Ransdell), Michael Farinelli, Srdan Hrkalovic, Jordan Lindsey, Scott Little, Sylvester Onyishi, Kenny Purcell and Robert Taylor.

	Photographer:	Dr. Harper
	Date:	May 11, 2002
	Caption:	Commencement 2002 The WKU Department of Physics and Astronomy congratulates its Spring 2002 graduates: Angela Adams (pictured), Gavi Begtrup, Michael Farinelli, Srdan Hrkalovic, Jordan Lindsey, Scott Little, Sylvester Onyishi, Kenny Purcell and Robert Taylor.

	Photographer:	Dr. Harper
	Date:	May 11, 2002
	Caption:	Commencement 2002 The WKU Department of Physics and Astronomy congratulates its Spring 2002 graduates: Angela Adams, Gavi Begtrup, Michael Farinelli, Srdan Hrkalovic, Jordan Lindsey (pictured), Scott Little (pictured), Sylvester Onyishi, Kenny Purcell and Robert Taylor.

	Photographer:	Dr. Harper
	Date:	May 11, 2002
	Caption:	Commencement 2002 The WKU Department of Physics and Astronomy congratulates its Spring 2002 graduates: Angela Adams, Gavi Begtrup, Michael Farinelli, Srdan Hrkalovic, Jordan Lindsey, Scott Little, Sylvester Onyishi, Kenny Purcell (pictured) and Robert Taylor.

	Photographer:	Dr. Harper
	Date:	April 6, 2002
	Caption:	WKU Physics majors Wes Ryle, Angela Adams, Jordan Lindsey, Tala Monroe and Lindsay Hopper gave presentations at the Thirty-Second Annual Sigma Xi Student Research Conference.

	Photographer:	Dr. Gelderman
	Date:	February, 2002
	Caption:	Bobby Zimmerman, Josh James and Angela Adams work on the Order of Magnitude problems in the trial Physics Olympics.

	Photographer:	Dr. Hackney
	Date:	February, 2002
	Caption:	Western Kentucky Physics Olympics Scenes from the Egg Drop competition in the 2002 Western Kentucky Physics Olympics.

	Photographer:	Dr. Hackney
	Date:	February, 2002
	Caption:	Western Kentucky Physics Olympics Scenes from the Laser Zap competition at the 2002 Western Kentucky Physics Olympics.

	Photographer:	Dr. Hackney
	Date:	February, 2002
	Caption:	Western Kentucky Physics Olympics The Warren Central #1 team is shown with their winning result for the "no-holds-barred" tie-breaking competition of HangTen to earn Third Place in the overall competition. Team members include: Chris Franz, Melinda Lalonde, Heather Moran, and John Cline; coached by Mr. Doug Jenkins.

	Photographer:	Dr. Hackney
	Date:	February, 2002
	Caption:	Western Kentucky Physics Olympics The Overall winners of 2002 Western Kentucky Physics Olympics, representing Warren Central High School: Lauren Sledge, Kent Carson, Tommy Rippy, Willie Bucklew; coached by Mr. Kenny Lee.

	Photographer:	Dr. Carini
	Date:	January 10, 2002
	Caption:	Jordan Lindsey, Tala Monroe, and Whitney Wills presented results of their research at the 2002 Posters at the Capital Conference.

	Photographer:	Dr. Carini
	Date:	January 10, 2002
	Caption:	Jordan Lindsey presented a poster entitled An External Calibration Device for Rocket Borne Langmuir Probes at the 2002 Posters at the Capital Conference.

	Photographer:	Dr. Carini
	Date:	January 10, 2002
	Caption:	Tala Monroe presented a poster entitled Tracking the Mass in Galaxy Cluster 2A 0335+096 at the 2002 Posters at the Capital Conference.

	Photographer:	Dr. Carini
	Date:	January 10, 2002
	Caption:	Whitney Wills presented a poster entitled Observations of Active Galactic Nuclei via a Student Operated Remote Observatory at the 2002 Posters at the Capital Conference.

	Photographer:	Dr. Lehmacher
	Date:	December 5, 2001
	Caption:	Ozonesonde Balloon Launch Al Waller, NASA Wallops Flight Facility, ties the inflated helium balloon together. The net lift force will be 1500 grams * 9.8 m/s² assuring an ascent velocity of 330 meters per minute. More...

	Photographer:	Dr. Lehmacher
	Date:	December 5, 2001
	Caption:	Ozonesonde Balloon Launch George Brothers, NASA Wallops Flight Facility, performs the last checks on the ozonesonde, while Dr. Richard Hackney watches. More...

	Photographer:	Dr. Lehmacher
	Date:	December 5, 2001
	Caption:	Ozonesonde Balloon Launch Rebecca Tenpenny, a Geography/Meteorology senior, waits for the signal to release the balloon. More...

	Photographer:	Dr. Lehmacher
	Date:	December 5, 2001
	Caption:	Ozonesonde Balloon Launch Devin Lehmacher, 4, watches the inflation of the natural rubber balloon with helium, which takes a few minutes. More...

	Photographer:	Dr. Harper
	Date:	October 2001
	Caption:	Dr. Bonham provides assistance with a Physlet problem in the College Physics I (PHYS 201) course.

	Photographer:	Dr. Gelderman
	Date:	November 2001
	Caption:	Ashley Atkerson delivers her presentation at the 2001 joint meeting of the Kentucky and Tennessee Academies of Science Meeting. Aslhey received a first place award in the Science Education category for her presentation.

	Photographer:	Dr. Gelderman
	Date:	November 2001
	Caption:	Tala Monroe delivers her presentation at the 2001 joint meeting of the Kentucky and Tennessee Academies of Science Meeting.

	Photographer:	Dr. Gelderman
	Date:	November 2001
	Caption:	Ashley Atkerson delivers her presentation at the 2001 joint meeting of the Kentucky and Tennessee Academies of Science Meeting. Aslhey received a first place award in the Science Education category for her presentation.

	Photographer:	Dr. Harper
	Date:	October 2001
	Caption:	Dr. Bonham provides assistance with a Physlet problem in the College Physics I (PHYS 201) course.

	Photographer:	Dr. Harper
	Date:	October 2001
	Caption:	Students in Dr. Bonham's College Physics I course (PHYS 201) study collisions using a Physlet problem on the internet.

	Photographer:	Dr. Harper
	Date:	October 2001
	Caption:	Dr. Gelderman discussing magnetic fields in the University Physics II (PHYS 260) course.

	Photographer:	Dr. Harper
	Date:	October 2001
	Caption:	Dr. Gelderman discussing the right-hand rule in the University Physics II (PHYS 260) course.

	Photographer:	Dr. Gelderman
	Date:	November 17, 2001
	Caption:	Scenes from the Fall 2001 SPS Game Day held at TCCW.

	Photographer:	Dr. Gelderman
	Date:	November 17, 2001
	Caption:	Scenes from the Fall 2001 SPS Game Day held at TCCW.

	Photographer:	Wes Ryle
	Date:	November 17, 2001
	Caption:	Scenes from the Fall 2001 SPS Game Day held at TCCW.

	Photographer:	Dr. Gelderman
	Date:	November 17, 2001
	Caption:	Scenes from the Fall 2001 SPS Game Day held at TCCW.

	Photographer:	Dr. Gelderman
	Date:	November 2001
	Caption:	Dr. Roger Scott delivers a presentation at the 2001 joint meeting of the Kentucky and Tennessee Academies of Science Meeting.

	Photographer:	Dr. Bryant
	Date:	November 17, 2001
	Caption:	Scenes from the Fall 2001 Open House for Prospective Physics Majors.

	Photographer:	Dr. Gelerman
	Date:	November 17, 2001
	Caption:	Scenes from the Fall 2001 Open House for Prospective Physics Majors.

	Photographer:	Dr. Bryant
	Date:	November 17, 2001
	Caption:	Scenes from the Fall 2001 Open House for Prospective Physics Majors.

	Photographer:	Dr. Bryant
	Date:	November 17, 2001
	Caption:	Scenes from the Fall 2001 Open House for Prospective Physics Majors.

	Photographer:	Dr. Harper
	Date:	October 2001
	Caption:	Dr. Richard Hackney's PHYS 350 students work on a Classical Mechanics exam in the new physics and astronomy classroom.

	Photographer:	Dr. Gelderman
	Date:	October 2001
	Caption:	The Department of Physics and Astronomy welcomes new faculty member Dr. Mihir Sejpal to the department. Dr. Sejpal is shown here in the University Physics Laboratory.

	Photographer:	Drs. Harper, Gelderman & Hackney
	Date:	August 2001
	Caption:	Funds from the offices of the Provost and the Ogden Dean helped create this student-centered, technology-enhanced classroom. This classroom will be used for a number of introductory physics courses beginning in the Fall 2001 semester.

	Photographer:	Dr. Gelderman
	Date:	August 2001
	Caption:	Dr. Bonham provides assistance to his Physics 201 students in the new interactive engagement classroom.

	Photographer:	Dr. Gelderman
	Date:	August 2001
	Caption:	The Department of Physics and Astronomy welcomes new faculty member Dr. George Levin to the department. Dr. Levin's expertise is in the field of superconductors. He is currently teaching College Physics II and several laboratories.

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	Date:	August 2001
	Caption:	In August, Drs. Carini and Barnaby presented Miss Whitney Wills with a certificate upon completion of training for remote operation of Bell Observatory. Miss Wills is the first WKU student to complete this training, and she is now qualified to observe with the Bell 0.6-meter telescope both at the observatory and from the remote observing lab in Thompson Complex Center Wing. Congratulations Whitney!

	Photographer:	Dr. Harper
	Date:	March 2001
	Caption:	SPS Students Gavi Begtrup, Kenny Purcell, Wes Ryle and Angela Adams were recently awarded a $2000 Undergraduate Student Research Grant from the American Institute of Physics. The photo was taken in front of the cryostat in Dr. Harper's laboratory where they will make measurements of resistivity versus temperature of various superconductors.

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	Date:	March 2001
	Caption:	Dr. Womble's Nuclear Physics Class performed experiments at the University of North Texas during Spring Break.

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	Date:	March 2001
	Caption:	Rob, Krisztian, and Angela analyze data at the University of North Texas.

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	Date:	March 2001
	Caption:	Angela, Krisztian, Jenee, and Gavi analyzing data at the University of North Texas.

	Photographer:	Dr. Richard Hackney
	Date:	April 2001
	Caption:	The photo shows sunspot group #9393, noted by NASA as the largest sunspot group seen in ten years, with a combined area equal to 13 times the earth's surface area. On Monday, April 2, the active region surrounding and associated with SS9393 produced the largest solar flare ever recorded. Fortunately for the earth, the region was near the solar limb and the ejected particles were not directly aimed at earth. Details are available at SpaceWeather.com.

	Photographer:	Gavi Begtrup
	Date:	April 11, 2001
	Caption:	Kenny Purcell receives an award for Outstanding Undergraduate Presentation from Dr. Ken Crawford, president of the WKU chapter of Sigma Xi. Kenny's presentation, entitled "Creation of a system to measure the transport properties of superconducting materials" was given on March 31, 2001 at the WKU/Sigma Xi Student Research Conference.

	Photographer:	Dr. Womble
	Date:	April 19, 2001
	Caption:	Mr. Doug Jenkins (Dr. J to his students) of Warren Central High School gives a demonstration at the Spring Physics Alliance Meeting.

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	Date:	March 2001
	Caption:	Dr. Womble after spending a day in the van with his Nuclear Physics class.

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	Date:	November 2000
	Caption:	Drs. Carini and McGruder at the WKU Astrophysical Observatory with Senator Mitch McConnell and WKU President Dr. Gary Ransdell.

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	Date:	November 2000
	Caption:	WKU Physics major Rob Taylor makes a presentation at the Kentucky Academy of Science Meeting. Rob's presentation was chosen as the Best Undergraduate Paper.

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	Date:	November 2000
	Caption:	Dr. Bohuski demonstrates the use of a small telescope at the dedication of the WKU Astrophysical Observatory.

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	Date:	November 4, 2000
	Caption:	Physics and Chemistry students attend the Eleventh Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium at Argonne National Laboratory

	Photographer:	Dr. Doug Harper
	Date:	November 4, 2000
	Caption:	Josh James presents his research paper at the Argonne National Laboratory Undergraduate Research Symposium

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	Photographer:	Dr. Lehmacher
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	Photographer:	Dr. Lehmacher
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