Panel of Industrial Physicists

• Steven E. Morin, Director of Research, Development & Engineering; Acting Director of Finance, Omega Optical
• John Sunderland, Technical Operations Director and Medical Physicist, Biomedical Research Foundation of Northwest Louisiana
• Stephen Cobb, Chair, Department of Physics & Engineering Physics, Murray State University
• Amanda J. McDonald, Actuary, American Fidelity

Breakout Sessions & Topics

I. "Process, Content, and the Physics Major."
Alumni have the perspective of post-degree experience. In light of your experience, how should we tweak the physics major's curriculum? How should we be "selling the major," including extracurricular professional development & mentoring? How can we recruit and retain more physics majors? What skills and habits of mind, learned in one's physics education are transferable to diverse professions? What should be taught in the physics department that is not now being taught? How can physics graduates better make their skills known to industry? Tell us your personal stories! The advice of both Hidden Physicists and Explicit Physicists are solicited.

II. "The Public Faces of Physics"
We invite papers that describe working with local schools, in hands-on personal efforts to make a difference locally in science education; influencing education policy at the district and state levels; influencing attitudes of physics departments and employers about "who is a physicist." How do we respond to stereotypes of "scientists" and "physicists" in the public consciousness?

III. "Why Doesn't the U.S. Physics Community Mirror America's Demographics?"
We invite papers on ideas and programs for reaching out to under-represented groups, especially women and minorities.

IV. "The Range of Sigma Pi Sigma Member's Creativity"
All Sigma Pi Sigma members would like to learn about the work of their colleagues in other fields. Are there any physicist-historians, physicist-artists,...out there? What kinds of problems are solved by engineers, actuaries, medical doctors, software developers, patent lawyers, policy advisors...whose physics education has led them into diverse professions? Who knows where this cross-fertilization of ideas could lead?

Panel of Retired Physicists

• Warren W. Berning, Atmospheric Physicist, Government/Industry; Moderator
• Phillip W. Mange, Space Scientist, Government
• Eugenie V. Mielczarek, Biophysicist, Academia
• James H. Fahs, Military Operations Specialist, Industry
• Charles I. Judkins, Executive, Industry
• James F. Goff, Materials Scientist, Government
• John R. Gonano, Research Manager, Government