Physics Department
Dr. Richard W. Peterson
Senior Staff Physicist
| Dick Peterson received his Ph.D. in physics at Michigan State University, followed by postdoctoral and summer positions in optical plasma diagnostics in the Physics Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Since coming to Bethel University, he has worked with students in continuing to develop new methods of performing highly transient interferometric and holographic measurements. He was awarded the 1998 American Physical Society's (APS) Prize for outstanding research at an undergraduate school in the U.S. and was elected a Fellow of the APS in 2005. During 2005 – 2007 he served as national President/Past President of the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) and has also served 4 years as a Director on the AIP Governing Board. In 2010 the Optical Society of America (OSA) recognized him with Senior Member status for outstanding professional work and service in optics and photonics. He especially enjoys the development of new apparatus for interactive physics demonstrations and laboratories and loves to share these demonstrations with young and old. In 2006 he was appointed the first University Professor at Bethel University for his research, teaching, and physics community service. Following a grant to Bethel, he currently serves as a Program Director in the National Science Foundation’s Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE) in Arlington, VA concurrent with a Senior Staff Physicist appointment at Bethel. |
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