Physics and Astronomy Councilors
=Councilor's Homepage

term expires 2008	term expires 2009	term expires 2010
Mark Biermann Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, KY	Beth Cunningham  Illinois Wesleyan University Bloomington, IL	Vijendra (VJ) Agarwal University of Wisconsin - La Crosse La Crosse, WI
Michael Jackson Central Washington University Ellenburg, WA	Ted Hodapp American Physical Society College Park, MD	Dan Caton Appalachian State University Boone, NC
Marty Johnston University of St. Thomas Saint Paul, MN	Chris Hughes James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA	Terry Oswalt Florida Institute of Technology Melbourne, FL
Linda Ramball Jones College of Charleston Charleston, SC	Catherine Mader Hope College Holland, MI	Stephen Padalino State University of New York at Geneseo, NY
Sally Koutsoliotas Bucknell University Lewisburg, PA	John Mateja Murray State University Murray, KY	Marlann Patterson University of Wisconsin Platteville, WI
Jay Newman Union College  Schenectady, NY	Shannon Mayer University of Portland Portland, OR	Kevin Riggs Stetson University Deland, FL
Kenneth Rumstay Division Secretary Valdosta State University Valdosta, GA	Duncan McBride National Science Foundation Arlington, VA	Gubbi Sudhakaran University of Wisconsin La Crosse WI
Linda Winkler Minnesota State University - Moorhead Moorhead, MN	David Schaefer Towson University Towson, MD	Hank Yochum Sweet Briar College Sweet Briar, VA

HISTORY

In 1985, about seven years after the establishment of CUR as a society for promoting undergraduate research primarily in chemistry, a disciplinary council in physics and astronomy became a formal part of CUR. Physicists at predominantly undergraduate institutions (PUIs) were responsible for bringing physics into the mix. This group included Jim Cederberg, St. Olaf College, David Peak, then at Union College, and John Van Zytveld, then at NSF on leave from Calvin College. It was a critical crossroads in the development of CUR as we know it today. Currently, the Division of Physics and Astronomy includes 223 members from 137 PUIs ( 86 private and 51 public). The Division has been very active in supporting research with undergraduates in physics and astronomy:

GOVERNANCE

Every year, eight new members are elected to the 24-member Divisional Council. Each Divisional Council (and there are seven other discipline-based councils--Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Geology, Mathematics & Computer Science, Psychology--and an interdisciplinary At-large Council) represents the membership of that division. The Council meets once a year to make recommendations to the Executive Board on policy issues and programming, through its general assembly and its various committees.  An Executive Board oversees the financial aspects of the organization as well as overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Executive Board.  

MISSION & GOALS

TO SUPPORT UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH IN PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY BY ...

• Gathering and sharing information about undergraduate research funding

• Gathering and sharing information about curricular opportunities

• Identifying and delivering support services to departments and faculty, both junior and senior

We do these by offering the following programs and services to our members a part of a CUR-wide effort to promote research with undergraduates.  Our division advances the mission of CUR by focusing on undergraduate research issues in the areas of physics and astronomy.

• CUR student summer fellowships: The Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) awards summer fellowships to students interested in pursuing their research interests at primarily undergraduate institutions.  CUR fellowships provide a unique opportunity for undergraduate students and their faculty mentors to engage in approximately ten weeks of full-time research in a laboratory setting at their home institution.  

Summer fellowships history in Physics and Astronomy
Faculty, Institution, State
Edward Meyertholen, Ball State University, IN
John Smedley, Bates College, ME
Roger Yu, Central Washington University, WA
Mario Affatigato, Coe College, IA
Arlan Mantz, Connecticut College, CT
Michael Monce, Connecticut College, CT
Michael Cherney, Creighton University, NE
Calvin Stubbins, Franklin & Marshall College, PA
Carl Helrich, Goshen College, IN
Andy Rundquist, Hamline University, MN
Ted Hodapp, Hamline University, MN
Lyle Roelofs, Haverford College, PA
Walter Smith,  Haverford College, PA
Gabriel Spalding, Illinois Wesleyan University, IL
Toufic Hakim, Jacksonville University, FL
Susan Matts, Mary Washington College, VA
Janice Hudgings, Mount Holyoke College, MA
Robert Marande, Penn State Erie Behrend College, PA
Anthony Calamai, Saint Joseph's University, PA
Martin Nikolo, Saint Louis University, MO
Joseph Spizuoco, Shippensburg University, PA
Daniel Spiegel, Trinity University, TX
David Hough, Trinity University, TX
Perry Yaney, University of Dayton, OH
Marty Johnston, University of St. Thomas, MN
L. Cindy Krysac, University of the Pacific, CA
Gubbi Sudhakaran, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, WI
Michael Jackson, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, WI
Richard French, Wellesley College, MA0
David Butcher, Western Carolina University, NC

• Grant and tenure portfolio reviews (our Mentoring Service): Experienced faculty helping others along - this is the essence of CUR.  Contact Beth Cunningham and she will match you with someone close to your interests, with whom you can discuss job applications, grant applications, tenure documents, or whatever professional mentoring needs you may have.
  
  

• Departmental reviews and consultations: The various divisions of CUR offer consulting services, whereby selected members of undergraduate faculties serve as consultants to primarily undergraduate science, mathematics and engineering departments, divisions, or faculty members.  If your department/division is undergoing review, consider a CUR review.  Contact the CUR National Office who will put you in touch with the appropriate person.  For more information on the CUR's Consulting Program click here.
  
  

• CUR National Conference in even-numbered years: You will have a chance to meet other faculty in your field and share ideas and learn of funding opportunities for undergraduate research from representatives of major granting agencies.  Many workshops are offered and led by members of our division.  Examples: Designing Webpages to Showcase Research with Undergraduates, Undergraduate Research in Astronomy, and How to Help Undergraduates Successfully Complete Senior Independent Projects.  For more information on CUR's next National Conference click here.
  

• Posters on the Hill: Very much a PR event designed to impress upon our legislators and federal agencies the importance of undergraduate research, this is  a wonderful opportunity for you and your student to interact with your representatives in Washington.  Highly competitive, only 60 posters are chosen from among more than 300 applications.  For more information on the Poster Session click here.
  

• "How to" booklets: 

  • How to Develop and Administer Institutional Undergraduate Research Programs, by Toufic Hakim, current President of CUR and a member of the Physics/Astronomy Division

  • How to Get Started in Research, now in its second edition

  • How to Get a Tenure-track Position at a Predominantly Undergraduate Institution, by Patricia Videtich, Deborah Lycan and Michelle Bushey.

  • How to Mentor Undergraduates, 2002, by Carolyn Ash Merkel and Shenda M. Baker.

  • Reinvigorating the Undergraduate Experience, 2004, by Janet Stocks and Linda Kauffman.

  For more information or to order these publications click here. 
  

• CUR Institutes: CUR currently runs the following institutes:

  • Institutionalizing Undergraduate Research

  • The Vital Faculty: Issues After Tenure

  • Proposal Writing

  • Mentorship, Collaboration and Undergraduate Research in the Social Sciences and Humanities

  For more information or to apply click here.

CUR's Physics & Astronomy Division is an AIP Affiliated Society. Our members qualify for reduced subscription prices on AIP's magazines, Physics Today and Computing in Science & Engineering, and journals. To learn more, visit the AIP Affiliated Societies Web page.