Physics provides theatrical commentary

It's not often that PAMS is involved with theatre, but members of our Physics faculty recently participated in a symposium about the critically acclaimed Broadway play, Copenhagen . The play appeared at Raleigh's BTI Center as part of a national tour.

Copenhagen is inspired by actual events that have baffled and intrigued historians for more than 50 years - a 1941 meeting between two brilliant physicists and longtime friends whose work together had opened the way to the atom, but who ended up on opposite sides of World War II. German physicist Werner Heisenberg made a risky trip to see his Danish friend, Niels Bohr and his wife in Copenhagen, but the meeting ended in disaster. What happened between these two men?

While the play explored the historical possibilities of this meeting, the symposium explored the science of the day, ideas presented in the play, and personal reminiscences of the early days of atomic research. More than 100 people attended the symposium, which was co-sponsored by PAMS and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Discussion leaders included Drs. Chris Gould and Worth Seagondollar of our Physics Department, as well as others from NC State, UNC-CH and Duke.

A news release about the event can be found at the following URL: http://www2.ncsu.edu/ncsu/univ_relations/news_services/press_releases/02_03/62.htm

PAMS Alumnus wins prestigious Watauga Medal

Jim Goodnight was one of three recipients of the prestigious Watauga Medal at the 27 th Annual Founder's Day celebration. Goodnight earned his bachelor's, master's and Ph.D. degrees from NC State and is the founder of SAS Institute.

The medal was established in 1975 by the Board of Trustees to honor individuals for significant contributions to the advancement of NC State. The name of the medal derives from the Watauga Club, an organization founded in Raleigh in 1884. Comprised of men all under the age of 30, the club promoted the educational, agricultural and industrial development of the state. "Watauga" is a Native-American word meaning, "the land beyond," an appropriate representation of NC State's forward-thinking tradition.

A news release about the award and this year's recipients can be found at the following URL:
http://www2.ncsu.edu/ncsu/univ_relations/news_services/press_releases/02_03/64.htm

MEAS - Geology professor and students combine science with James Bond

Dr. Michael Kimberly and his students are experimenting with aerial digital photography for use in geographic information systems. They are testing tethered helium balloons and - like something out of the James Bond movies - one-man motorized parachute units. Their methods may be useful in monitoring geologic processes such as beach erosion or flooding. These methods are also much less expensive than fixed-wing, helicopter or satellite imaging.

Recruitment

We recently received new undergraduate recruitment brochures, which will be distributed to students who indicate an interest in studying the sciences on their PSAT exams. The brochures feature many new photographs of our faculty and students at work on campus and in the field.

Undergraduate Science Teaching Laboratory Building (USTL)

Demolition of the greenhouses on Brooks Avenue has begun. Soon, the area will be completely cleared and prepared for laying a new foundation for excellence in the experimental sciences - the new USTL building. In fact, Chancellor Marye Anne Fox will kick off the pouring of the foundation at a special ceremony to be held May 17.

The new building is one of the many building projects included in the recent bond referendum. The USTL will provide state-of-the-art laboratory facilities for chemistry, physics and horticulture. The labs will replace the facilities in Withers Hall.

PAMS receives $2 million anonymous gift

The College recently received a $2 million gift from an anonymous donor. But it's not just the size of the gift that has folks at the College feeling happy, it's the fact that the donor wants the gift to boost its unrestricted endowment funds. Such an unrestricted gift is rare but highly prized for its ability to maximize an institution's ability to respond to promising opportunities and to meet pressing needs as they arise.

Alumnus honored as outstanding environmental attorney

Charles Case (B.S. Physics, '73) was recently featured in Business North Carolina magazine, after being voted to be the state's most outstanding environmental attorney by 6,000 North Carolina attorneys. The magazine conducted the vote, which asked attorneys to identify leaders in several legal specialties.

PAMS receives first-time student advocacy award

NC State's First Year College, an academic program that offers intensive one-to-one advising, special courses and social support to freshmen uncertain about academic majors, presented its annual Student Advocate Awards to faculty and staff who provide exemplary services to first-year students. These awards are normally presented to individuals, but for the first time, the program honored a college - PAMS.

The intent of the award is to celebrate the quality of interaction between students and faculty/staff, which, research shows, is one of the most influential factors in the retention, satisfaction and learning of first-year students.

Recent news releases

Following is a list of recent news releases, and the URL where they are located on the NC State Web site.

1. New Web Site to Review Science Textbooks, Track Their Errors
http://www2.ncsu.edu/ncsu/univ_relations/news_services/press_releases/02_03/69.htm

2. Cosmic Ray Theory Tested in NASA Balloon Flight
http://www2.ncsu.edu/ncsu/univ_relations/news_services/press_releases/02_02/42.htm

3. NC State Scientists Share $3 Million NSF Grant
http://www2.ncsu.edu/ncsu/univ_relations/news_services/press_releases/02_02/37.htm

4. Study Puts NC State's Yearly Economic Impact in N.C. at $2.3 Billion
http://www2.ncsu.edu/ncsu/univ_relations/news_services/press_releases/02_02/33.htm