The organizers would like to dedicate this Joint Meeting of the Chesapeake and North Carolina Sections of the AAPT to the memories of two dear friends who left us in 2024.
Rev. Frank Haig, S.J. (September 11, 1928 - February 28, 2024),
professor emeritus of physics, Loyola University Maryland
Rev. Frank Haig in his lab. Photo courtesy of Loyola University.
Rev. Frank Haig, Jesuit priest and physics professor at the University of Loyola Maryland, was a highly respected and loved teacher of physics and astronomy. He was also an ardent meeting attendee and supporter of the Chesapeake Section. He served as our section president several times (1976-1977, 1991, 1992), and was our long-time representative to the Washington Academy of Sciences. He supported a cash prize for the best presentation by a four-year-college teacher at our section meetings for more than twenty years.
Those of us who have met him remember his strong presence. Whether it was a casual conversation or listening to one of his presentations, it was clear that he loved physics and loved teaching physics! Even though he was granted emeritus status at Loyola in 2005, his advocacy for physics did not stop. He continued to participate in section activities and even hosted a few meetings at Loyola (2006S, 2011F, 2014F).
After his brother, former Secretary of State Alexander Haig, Jr., passed away in 2010, in addition to creating the $1 million Alexander M. Haig Jr. Endowment for Science, Faith, and Culture at Loyola University from his brother’s estate, he made a sizeable donation to the Chesapeake Section which continues to help fund our meetings today.
We are deeply indebted to his legacy in many ways.
Further tributes to, and details of Prof. Haig's life and legacy can be found in the following articles:
Prof. Edward “Joe” Redish (April 1, 1942 - August 24, 2024),
professor emeritus of physics, the University of Maryland College Park.
Prof. Edward "Joe" Redish. Photo courtesy of Dr. Ginny Redish
Prof. “Joe” Redish was a world-renowned researcher in the field of physics education research, and a frequent contributor to the CSAAPT Meetings.
He was extremely well recognized and respected with his work in physics education research, which initially focused on developing models of cognition within physics education and later focused on re-envisioning the physics courses for life sciences students. His recent series of articles in the Physics Teacher on how students think in terms of mathematics are instant classics. Joe left a lasting mark on Physics Education Research by serving as an editor of the American Journal of Physics section on physics education research.
Joe was honored with many awards including the Lillian McDermott (changed from Millikan) Medal (1998) and the Oersted Medal (2013), an NSF Directors Award for Distinguished Teaching Scholars (2005), the ICPE Medal (2012), and many more.
We will always remember his cheerful positive attitude and his unyielding desire to improve learning for students. But above all, what Joe did was to enthusiastically spread the word about physics education research to all who would listen and to set the standard by which such research is performed as a benefit to all learners and teachers of physics.
Please see the following page from the Department of Physics at the University of Maryland College Park for more information on his legacy:
We will miss them both very much.
Tatsu Takeuchi (CSAAPT President)
Muge Karagoz (CSAAPT Vice President)
James Freericks (CSAAPT Section Representative)
Carl Mungan (CSAAPT Treasurer)
Jason Sterlace (CSAAPT Secretary)
Rachel Dominguez (CSAAPT former President)
Deonna Woolard (CSAAPT former President)
on behalf of everyone who were fortunate enough to have known them.
