The department of physics honored seven students with awards for excellence earlier this semester.
Recognition as Outstanding Teaching Assistants in the department has been awarded to senior Deborah Denby of Westmont, Ill.; senior Joanna Gundersen of Bolingbrook, Ill.; senior Christopher Hall of Pataskala, Ohio; senior Ricky Kelley of Burton; and junior Christopher Ploch of Redford.
Seniors John McNutt of Elgin, Ill., and Gregory Pavlak of Hopkins have been inducted into the Hope College chapter of Sigma Pi Sigma.
The Outstanding Teaching Assistant recognition is presented through the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT), and includes a certificate of achievement and a gift membership in the AAPT. The AAPT is the world leader in promoting physics education at all levels. Dr. Catherine Mader, professor of physics and chairperson of the department, presented the awards.
Sigma Pi Sigma is the physics honorary society, and the invitation to join is extended to members of the Hope community that have demonstrated outstanding scholarship in physics. Current members Christopher Hall, Dr. Peter Gonthier, Kevin Gardner, Dr. Jennifer Hampton, Dr. Graham Peaslee and Dr. Catherine Mader were present at the induction ceremony and welcomed Pavlak and McNutt to the community.