The response to my reunion letter of last July has been very gratifying. A large number of you will be returning to Coe during the weekend of July 11-13, 2008. At this time I ask that you respond using the enclosed postcard to officially let me know that you are coming—or, if it is necessary, to decline our invitation.
We’d like friends from the past to meet, tell stories of the good old days, inspire the new generation with your successes, see our much improved research facilities, and eat well (of course). We are interested in seeing alums of all ages. We’d like to learn of the department’s past and need help from all of you for this.
We’d like to tell you, with our students leading the way, what is current in the physics department at Coe. We know that we will have over twenty current Coe physics students joining us for the reunion, and we plan to have a poster session so that they will have a chance to tell you what they are doing. Our research involves optical properties of matter, atomic structure and properties of glass, and musical acoustics. The students are using many advanced research-grade instruments. These include a brand-new scanning electron microscope, a dual laser Raman spectrometer, a scanning probe microscope, a brand-new modulated DSC (For the glass types, this means we now have two DSCs.), a laser desorption time-of-flight mass spectrometer, a laser vibrometer for acoustics, and much more with the promise of yet more to come in the near future. We are bursting at the seams with both students and equipment.
This past summer Peterson Hall received a nice cosmetic face lift. We do need more space and the plans for the renovation and expansion of Peterson as part of the Deciding Moment campaign have just been announced by President Phifer. When you come, I’m sure we’ll show you our dreams for the future Peterson Hall.
Please plan to come. I am enclosing some practical details as well (where to stay, a rough schedule, and a price estimate). If you have any questions or suggestions for the reunion, feel free to call me at 319-399-8633 or email me at
Feel free to visit http://www.public.coe.edu/departments/Physics/. Of course, you may use regular mail as well. Be sure to save July 11-13, 2008 for a special time back at Coe and Peterson Hall. For more information please visit:
