| I am working on laser-induced fluorescence sensors of airborne pathogens for the purposes of national defense, homeland security, and public health applications. The courses I have found most useful in the 20 years since graduating from SSU are optics and electromagnetism. |
| Geoffrey Wilson, Ph.D., Scientist |
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| Before venturing out with our own business I was the engineering manager for Spectra Physics Lasers-Optics Division. The personal attention in addition to the diverse and flexible curriculum provided me with an extensive knowledge base. This would ultimately prove invaluable to my success in the optics industry and in life. |
| David Goldkind, Consultant |
|
| I wanted to thank you again for all your efforts and for the great
educational experience I received from the SSU Physics Department. I
also wanted to let you know that UCSC has offered me full tuition and a
$4330 quarterly stipend in the form of graduate student research... The research will be on the brain computer
interface as we test the electrical properties of neurons grown on micro
electrode arrays. |
| Jeremy Hieb, Graduate Student |
|
| I am at the VLA right now working my new job. Just thought I'd share that I've been published! You can tell your astronomy students that an undergrad from SSU who took your Astronomy 100 class had her summer project results published :) |
| Tiffany Borders, Radio Telescope Operator |
|
| I cannot think of any class that I have taken that is not beneficial to what I do now. It even goes all the way back to Phys 114. Thanks for the high quality education! |
| Tom Bittancourt, Optics Technician |
|
| Matt Davis is in his ninth year as physics teacher at Santa Rosa High. The physics program has grown a great deal at SRHS during this time. This is a credit to the excellent physics education Mr. Davis received at SSU. |
| Matt Davis |
|
| SSU was THE BEST place to get a degree ... if it is STILL that way I cannot say. I am optimistic that it is, because you and most everyone I remember is still there! |
| Ken Ritley, Ph.D., Consultant, Hewlett-Packard |
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| I will be retiring on December 16 of this year.
...
I was 30 years old when I graduated from SSU.
I cannot think of anything I learned there that I have not found useful. Above all else, I was left with a much improved insight into the world we live in. |
| David Nielsen (’74), Programmer, Utah Dept. of Public Safety |
|
| My BS in Physics from Sonoma State gave me a solid theoretical background from which to grasp and understand technical concepts and acted as a springboard to reach more advanced subjects. |
| Fred Arioli, Software Systems Engineer, Lockheed Martin |
|
| I've been working on emerging material device physics &
technology development for over 20 years now, starting with GaAs, moving
into more exotic III-V's, and now SiC. Thank you for the excellent start
into all of this (or should I curse you? lol).
|
| Bruce Odekirk, Ph.D., Director of Silicon Carbide Engineering, Advanced Power Technology |
|
| I've been teaching college physics and a variety of other courses on a part-time basis over the past 30 years... I've come to deeply appreciate the quality of education that was provided for me at SSU. |
| Steve Williamson, M.A., Business Consultant |
|
| My SSU physics degree gave me many of the fundamentals I need. |
| James M. Eyer, M.B.A., Energy Consultant |
|
| Am currently managing network architecture for the BioScience Division of Baxter Healthcare supporting clinical trials for new medical products. ... It was the computer classes I took at Sonoma State that fueled my life long interest in computers and programming which has been very beneficial in every phase of my professional career. |
| Tom Barbour, Manager |
|
| Studying physics teaches a method of learning and looking at problems that is beneficial in many areas of work and study. Simply holding a degree in physics provides opportunities that may not have otherwise been available. SSU's program at the time provided small class sizes and direct access to outstanding professors - a significant advantage over larger Universities and programs. |
| Jeff Sandberg, Program Coordinator, Portland Bureau of Water Works |
|
| I will be teaching chemistry, physics, and mathematics. I have found that the physics, astronomy, and math preparation I received at Sonoma State to be excellent preparation for my work with students. |
| Rodney Lee, M.S. |
|
| I'm currently a
clinical anesthesiologist and an Assistant Professor of the Department of
Anesthesia and Critical Care at the University of Pittsburgh. My education
at SSU has definitely helped me succeed. I'll elaborate more on the web page
you sent. Feel free to include me on your publications/web page.
It’s good to hear that SSU is doing well. I greatly appreciate your role in
my education and wish you and the rest of your staff the best.
. |
| Stephen Mosier, M.D. |
|
| SSU does a particularly excellent job teaching physics. |
| Peter Rooney, Ph.D., Deputy Staff Director, House of Representatives Committee on Science |
|
| I think that the reason my education at SSU (and especially in Physics) was so fundamental to my success was because this is where I learned how to think, and how to see and analyze from multiple perspectives. |
| Stephan Crandall, Engineering Manager |
|
| Within 90 days of hiring I have been promoted from Optics Engineering Technician to Optical Engineer. Classes related to optics, photonics, electronics, and experimental physics prepared me well for the work I'm doing. |
| Jerilynn Schisser |
|
| The most important thing I learned at SSU was problem-solving. In my business, there is no history to look at — we're on the "bleeding edge" of technology. Physics trained me to look for the proper connections and formulate novel answers. |
| Scott Anderson, Programmer and Author |
|
| My physics degree from SSU really has been of EXCELLENT value. Starting with some mathematics and an introduction to physics that the BS gave me, I've been able to learn what's needed to do research and applications development in a very diverse and interesting number of areas.
A "problem solving" approach to learning that many of my teachers used was a great start for solving real world problems. |
| John Nelson, Senior Research Specialist, 3M Microreplication Technology Center |
|
| I currently lead the data mining unit at the Global Payment Systems Division at Grupo Santander banking group. The greatest benefits from my physics background at SSU have been the solidity and versatility of the education I received. |
| Fausto Morales, M.S. |
|
| Just completed master’s degree in Environmental Geography from San Francisco State University. Most useful: Capacity to undertake analytical/mathematical challenges in my field and in my life. Also very useful were the courses and seminars that explored the connection between physics and the world, physics and the environment, and physics and people.
|
| Andrew Peri, M.A., Marine Species/Public Health Advocate |
|
| Looking back, I'm very impressed at just how good and well-rounded a program
you (and the others) have been able to put together. I see that a lot of things have changed since I was there. But still, I can’t say enough good things about my experience at SSU.
|
| Tomas Vera, Software Developer |
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