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Bethel University Professor of Physics Emeritus Richard (Dick) Peterson has been named to the Minnesota Science and Technology Hall of Fame. Peterson is one of eight inductees who will be honored at the Annual Tekne Awards celebration on November 3.

The Minnesota Science and Technology (MST) Hall of Fame, created by the Minnesota High Tech Association and the Science Museum of Minnesota, honors individuals whose achievements in science and technology have made lasting contributions to Minnesota and the world. The hall is a permanent exhibit at the Science Museum of Minnesota and can be found online at www.msthalloffame.org.

Peterson is currently serving in a two-year position as program director in physics and astronomy education at the National Science Foundational (NSF) headquarters, thanks to a prestigious grant from the NSF Division of Undergraduate Education. In addition, he continues to be involved with the advanced laboratory work within Bethel’s physics and engineering programs.

Nominated by colleagues at Bethel, Peterson was recognized for leading “Bethel’s physics department to national recognition as one of the top undergraduate physics programs in the country. He has established a culture in the department in which faculty/student research collaboration and highly interactive projects are embraced and expected throughout the curriculum.”

Peterson’s achievements include:

• Work featured in Scientific American and on the covers of the American Journal of Physics and the Physics Teacher, resulting in two patents;
• 1998 American Physical Society (APS) national prize for outstanding undergraduate research;
• Fellow of the APS in 2004, president of the American Association of Physics Teachers from 2005-2007, and senior member of the Optical Society of America (OSA);
• Bethel University Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award and first University Professor recognition;and
• Grants from the McKnight and Blandin foundations to support high school physics initiatives in rural Minnesota.

According to his nomination, a motto in Peterson’s offices at Bethel and NSF recalls the Yeats quote, “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.”

“He believes STEM educators should not only emphasize the quality of teaching concepts and skills, but also instill the excitement and human dimensions of participating in science,” his nominators said.