College of Arts and Sciences: Physics
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  • 1950 - Robert S. Hanson
    • B.S. Physics and Mathematics, Xavier U., 1950
    • M.B.A. Industrial Management, Xavier U., 1968
    • Employer: Frigidaire Div. GMC
    • Job Title: Eng. Mgr. Product Engineering (Retired)
    • "Physics/Math education gave me opportunity to qualify for an engineering job after entering the company engineer training program at Frigidaire Co., a GMC Div. The Liberal Arts education from Xavier helped in my ability to advance to the management level."
  • 1957 - William K. Sandke
    • B.S. Physics, Xavier U., 1957
    • M.S. Systems Management, USC
    • Naval War College
    • Employer: Self employed
    • Job Title: Systems Engineer
    • Acceptance into Navy flight training. Aviation career (25 years). Developmment of the Naval Tactical Data System. Underwater vehicle subject matter expert. (ASW) USC Masters Degree in Systems Management. System Engineering career with Loral & Lockheed Martin. Formation of my small business. Consulting contracts for land,sea and air military targets. Continuing interest in "applied" Philosophy, aviation and science.
  • 1957 - Jack P. Costigan
    • B.S. Physics, Xavier U., 1957
    • Employer: Harris Semiconductor
    • Job Title: Engineering Leader (Retired)
    • "The Xavier Physics degree opened the door for virtually any position in engineering or engineering related jobs back in 1957. It allowed me to start as an entry level Engineer with RCA upon graduation. ...RCA (like many other companies) found it necessary to move production off-shore. Helping to facilitate this move resulted in my taking 5 around the world trips and visiting 20 or so different countries."
  • 1961 - Ronald J. Koch
    • B.S. Physics, Xavier U., 1961
    • Ph.D. Physics, The Johns Hopkins University, 1969
    • Employer: AK Steel Research Center, Middletown, OH
    • Job Title: Manager, Supporting Technologies, AK Steel Research Center
    • "Physics training enabled me to get into any technical area; the rest of my Xavier training enabled me to deal with people."
  • 1961 - Terry Toepker
    • B.S. Physics, Xavier U., 1961
    • M.Ed. (Physics), 1964
    • M.S. Physics, 1968; Ph.D., 1978
    • Professor Emeritus - retired from Xavier in 2008.
  • 1963 - Gerald L. Gels
    • B.S. Physics, Xavier U., 1963
    • M.S. Physics, U. of Tennessee
    • Job Title: Project Manager
    • Areas of interest: Health Physics and Environmental Radioactivity
  • 1963 - Leo Heile
    • B.S. Physics, Xavier U., 1963
    • M.B.A. Quant. Bus. Analysis, I.U.
    • PMD, Harvard Univ.
    • Employer: ITT Corp. Ret.
    • Job Title: CIO
  • 1968 - Dick Toohey
    • A.B., Xavier U., 1968
    • M. S.
    • Ph.D.
    • Employer: Oak Ridge Associated Universities
    • Job Title: Director, NIOSH Dose Reconstruction Project
    • "I'm a nuclear physicist by training, and a health physicist by profession. I'm directing the work on a $75M contract from NIOSH to estimate radiation doses received by workers at DOE weapons facilities. Since the NIOSH office is in Cincinnati, so am I most of the time, but still live in Oak Ridge."
  • 1970 - Dennis O'Brien
    • B.S. Physics, Xavier U., 1970, M.S. 1971
    • M.S. Environmental Engineering
    • Ph.D. Industrial Hygiene
    • Employer: UAW
    • Job Title: Industrial Hygienist
    • "Retired 3 years ago from the US Public Health Service (NIOSH) where I was Director of Physical Sciences and Engineering; now living in Michigan where I have my retirement job with the UAW and enjoy sailing on Lake Erie. Physics taught me to think."
  • 1972 - Richard (Dick) Rigling
    • B.S. Physics, Xavier U., 1972
    • M.B.A.
    • Employer: Tompkins Associates
    • Job Title: Director - Engineering
    • "My education taught me how to think. The physics program taught me to break complex problems into simple pieces and solve them one at a time."
  • 1972 - Tom Vonderbrink
    • B.S. Physics, Xavier U., 1972
    • M.S. Physics
    • M.B.A.
    • Employer: Seven Hills Consulting
    • Job Title: President
  • 1973 - Michael J. Dennis, Ph.D.
    • B.S. Physics, Xavier U., 1973
    • M.S., Radiological Physics
    • Ph.D., Medical Physics
    • Job Title: Associate Professor of Radiology
    • "Xavier provided a great technical background plus the encouragement and attitude that one can put this knowledge into use (and into a career). Besides dealing with the various technical aspects of medical imaging, I enjoy applying the principles of physics to sailing on Lake Erie. Now if I could only decipher my old quantum mechanics notes!"
  • 1974 - Barry S. Riehle
    • B.S. Physics, Xavier U., 1974
    • M.Ed. in Physics, Xavier U., 1989
    • Employer: Turpin High School
    • Job Title: Physics Teacher; Science Department Chair
    • "My Xavier education was very beneficial. After Xavier I went to Mt. St. Mary's Seminary in Cincinnati to study for the priesthood. I taught physics and religion at Catholic Central High School in Springfield, Ohio for three years and then religion for another year in Hamilton at Badin High School. The physics faculty at Xavier has been very helpful."
  • 1975 - Dave Ellerbrock
    • B.S. Physics, Xavier U., 1975
    • M.S. Mech Eng, Univ. Cincinnati
    • Employer: AK Steel Corp. - Research Center
    • Job Title: Sr. Staff Engineer
  • 1976 - Edward Sunderhaus
    • B.S. Physics, Xavier U., 1976
    • Employer: Cincinnati State
    • Job Title: Instructor
    • "I have been teaching Physics for 27 years now, 9 years at St. Xavier High School and the last 18 at Cincinnati State. I am currently involved with several high school activities through the college and very active in my parish."
  • 1976 - Linda Capano Dolan
    • B.S. Physics, Xavier U., 1976
    • M.B.A., Management
    • J.D., University of Florida
    • Employer: Allen, Dyer, Doppelt, Milbrath & Gilchrist, P.A.
    • Job Title: Attorney
    • "Besides presenting an integrated education in both the Sciences and the Humanities, my Xavier Physics degree prepared me for my first career, and now for my latest career as an intellectual property attorney. The faculty of XU Physics are top-notch and always encouraged me to fulfill my dreams."
  • 1977 - David Chester, Ph.D.
    • B.S. Physics, Xavier U., 1977
    • Job Title: Chief Architect
    • "I am now the chief architect of a Sunnyvale, CA new start specializing in rapidly reconfigurable wireless baseband processing chips. I am also the site manager for the company's east coast operation where we are doing the bulk of the systems and applications engineering. I also have a small consulting business specializing in aiding angel funded new starts put together business plans to get venture funding."
  • 1977 - Steve Browning
    • B.S. Physics, Xavier U., 1977
    • Ph.D. Optical Sciences, U. of Arizona
    • Employer: Ball Aerospace & Technologies
    • Job Title: Group manager in Optics Dept.
    • "My BS in Physics from Xavier paved the way to my graduate degree in Optical Sciences and an interesting career in optical thin films."
  • 1978 - Mark Greiner
    • B.S. Physics, Xavier U., 1978
    • M.S.E.E., Stanford University
    • Ph.D., Stanford University
    • Employer: CMC Electronics, Mason, Ohio
    • Job Title: Director of Engineering
    • "My physics degree from Xavier gave me a broad technical foundation that supports much of the development work I do in my current job. We design thermal imaging systems for night vision and I can tap into my training in thermodynamics (cryogenic coolers), optics (imaging lenses), atomic physics (thermal radiation), electronics (image processing electronics), and nuclear physics (radiation hardening). I find that employees with a physics background bring a unique ability to understand and analyze problems."
  • 1979 - Michael See
    • B.S. Physics, Xavier U., 1979
    • M.S. Electrical Engineering/Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University
    • Employer: Alcatel
    • Job Title: Vice President CTO, System Architecture - Enterprise Networking Division
  • 1979 - Christopher A. (Kent) Kantarjiev
    • B.S. Physics, Xavier U., 1979
    • Ph.D. Computer Science (Purdue Univ.)
    • Employer: Oracle Corporation
    • Job Title: Consulting Member of Technical Staff
    • "John Hart used to say that having a physics degree prepared you for anything - we all laughed. He was right. The physics work I did at XU prepared me for my career better than I could have imagined...the most important skill I learned at XU was to solve problems (and how to think). I wouldn't trade my time at Xavier for anything."
  •  1983 - Tony Martino
    • B.S. Physics, Xavier U., 1983
    • Ph.D., Optics, U. of Rochester, 1990
    • Employer: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
    • Job Title: Engineer
    • "I spend most of my work time on teams that design, build, and test instruments for astronomy, planetary science, and earth science. Most of my co-workers on these teams come from an engineering education, while most of our "customers" are the scientists who will use the instruments. With my Physics education, combined with more engineering-oriented graduate work, I often find myself in a good position to bridge the divide between these two groups."
  • 1984 - Steven Herbert
    • B.S. Physics, Xavier U., 1984
    • Ph.D. Condensed Matter Physics, Ohio State U.
    • Professor and Chair of Physics at Xavier University.
  • 1984 - Peter M. Geiger
    • B.S. Physics, Xavier U., 1984
    • M.Sc., Physics, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C., CANADA
    • Employer: ECOBRAIN, INC., Portland, Oregon
    • Job Title: President/Principal Environmental Scientist
    • "Although the majority of environmental professionals have academic backgrounds in the natural sciences, the geological sciences, or engineering, a physics degree provides the problem-solving and analytical skills to address many of the environmental issues that are being considered today. In addition, an education at Xavier ensures that excellent writing skills are established. There is no greater hindrance to professional advancement than being a poor writer."
  • 1985 - Christine Ruther
    • B.S. Physics, Xavier U., 1985
    • M.S. Biomedical Engineering
    • Employer: GE Medical Systems
    • Job Title: Compliance Engineer
    • "A degree in physics taught me to think. Although I rarely use the detailed concepts I learned in school, I use the idea of deriving information all the time. It's my job to challenge designs to ensure we release robust medical devices to our customers. I break things for a living. It's a ton of fun."
  • 1986 - Paul Rutt
    • B.S. Applied Physics, Xavier U., 1986
    • M.S. Physics, Michigan State U., 1988
    • Ph.D. Experimental Nuclear Physics, William & Mary, 1993
    • Employer: Helix Technology - Colorado Operations
    • Job Title: Chief Scientist
    • Post doc., U. of Georgia, 1993-1996 Research faculty, Rutgers U., 1996-1997
    • "My present work involves R&D in vacuum instrumentation, especially equipment which meets needs within the semiconductor industry."
  • 1987 - William Wester
    • B.S. Physics and Mathematics, Xavier U., 1987
    • Ph.D., UC Berkeley
    • Job Title: Associate Scientist on the CDF (Collider Detector at FermiLab)
    • "Xavier has prepared me in my professional career and in my other main job as 'Dad'."
  • 1987 - Jerri Naberhaus Wernke
    • B.S. Applied Physics, Xavier U., 1987
    • M. Ed.
    • Employer: Home
    • Job Title: Mom!
    • "I taught high school math for several years, and now fill my time with the incredible joy of helping to raise our son (a wonderful young man of 12!) and tutoring. I have found my Xavier education indispensible in answering his many questions and helping on this ever changing wonderful journey we call life!"
  • 1989 - Mary Jones
    • B.S. Applied Physics, Xavier U., 1989
    • Employer: Virginia Mason Research Center
    • Job Title: Facilities Assistant
    • "Though I don't directly use my physics education daily, it has come in handy when dealing with technical snafus at my regular job, where almost everyone's some sort of biologist. As a video producer (weekly vegetarian cooking show, upcoming pirate radio documentary), and microradio broadcaster, I'd like to add that the social values taught at Xavier are as valuable as the academics. So thanks y'all."
  • 1989 - Rodney Michael
    • B.S. Applied Physics, Xavier U., 1989
    • Ph.D. Medium Energy Nuclear Physics, Ohio University, 1995
    • Job Title: Associate Professor
  • 1990 - Susan L. McGimpsey
    • B.S. Applied Physics, Xavier U., 1990
    • M.S. Nuclear Engineering, Univ. of Cincinnati
    • Employer: Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory
    • Job Title: Radiation Physicist
  • 1991 - James Abston
    • B.S. Physics, Xavier U., 1991
    • Employer: Alion Science & Technology
    • Job Title: Senior Chemist
  • 1991 - Phil Summe
    • B.S. Physics, Xavier U., 1991
    • Job Title: Venture Capitalist
    • "Although I did not pursue a career in physics, I have become a venture capitalist where I invest in early stage information technology companies. My physics/computer science skills combined with an ability to problem solve have proven to be very valuable to me in my career."
  • 1992 - Steve Mancini
    • B.S. Applied Physics, Xavier U., 1992
    • Employer: United States Navy
    • Job Title: Meteorology and Oceanography Officer
  • 1995 - Joseph Sicking
    • B.S. Physics and Mathematics, Xavier U., 1995
    • M.Ed. Agency & Community Counseling
    • Ed.D. Counselor Education and Supervision
    • Job Title: Pastoral Care Coordinator/Webmaster
      "Though I have ended up in a field far from physics (in fact, people are always impressed and a little scared that I loved all that math and science), I still see my physics education as quite valuable. One of the faculty once remarked that physics is the liberal arts major for a technological age, and I wholeheartedly agree! "
  • 1996 - Melissa Carr-McDonald
    • B.S. Physics, Xavier U., 1996
    • Job Title: Technical Staff Member
    • "XU physics was a challenge for me. The professors brought it to life and made it a passion for me. In another life I would still be in school, however my physics degree, military experience, and family have given me more opportunities than I could have dreamed."
  • 1996 - Brian Tent
    • B.S. Physics, Xavier U., 1996
    • M.S. Material Science & Engineering
    • Juris Doctorate
    • Job Title: Lawyer
  • 1996 - Dallas Trinkle
    • B.S. Physics and Mathematics, Xavier U., 1996
    • Ph.D., Physics, Ohio State University, 2003
    • Postdoc: Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Lab, 2004-2006
    • Employer: University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
    • Position: Assistant Professor of Materials Science and Engineering
  • 1997 - Natalie Crabtree
    • B.S. Applied Physics, Xavier U., 1997
    • Job Title: Quality Assurance Dosimetrist
    • "My current work is troubleshooting linear accelerators that treat the cancer patients and various equipment to measure radiation exiting the accelerators. My physics education helped me to understand the basic physics of radiation."
  • 1997 - Kent A. Gifford
    • B.S. Physics, Xavier U., 1997
    • M.S. Medical Physics
    • Job Title: Graduate Research Assistant
    • "I cherish Xavier, as it has provided me with the foundation I needed for getting my M.S. in Medical Physics. Currently, I am working on my Ph.D."
  • 1997 - Greg Moulliet
    • B.S. Physics, Xavier U., 1997
    • "A degree in physics has opened a vast number of doors for me, as it looks quite nice on a resume. Right now I've tired of working, become unemployed & homeless and started a cross country motorcycle trip. You can check it out at moulliet.com."
  • 1998 - John Mattingly
    • B.S. Applied Physics, Xavier U., 1998
    • Employer: BroadJump, Inc.
    • Job Title: Senior Software Developer
    • "You're welcome Dennis. :)"
  • 1999 - Chris Kletecka
    • B.S. Physics (Math minor), Xavier U., 1999
    • Employer: University of New Mexico
    • Job Title: Optical Science and Engineering Graduate Student
    • "After studying at another university for several years, I have a greater appreciation for the approach that Xavier takes towards its students. The family-like atmosphere creates an environment highly conducive to not only learn, but also to grow as a person."
  • 1999 - Ray Lindemann
    • B.S. Physics/Engineering, Xavier U., 1999
    • Masters Degree in Civil Engineering/Construction Management
    • Job Title: Project Manager
    • "My Xavier education has enabled me to earn my masters degree from the University of Cincinnati and therefore realize my dream of managing a construction company."
  • 2000 - Rebecca Hankins
    • B.S. Applied Physics, Xavier U., 2000
    • Currently teaching physics and geometry at St. Mary's College High School and living in Berkeley, CA.
  • 2000 - Matthew Wagoner
    • B.S. Applied Physics, Xavier U., 2000
    • Employer: Army: Engineer
    • Job Title: Executive Officer
      Currently stationed at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.
  • 2001 - Paul Wesseling
    • B.S. Applied Physics, Xavier U., 2001
    • Job Title: Graduate Student in Materials Science and Engineering
    • "After physics at Xavier, engineering is easy."
  • 2002 - Joseph Brinkman
    • B.S. Physics, Xavier U., 2002
    • Job Title: Graduate Student in M.B.A. program, Xavier U.
    • "The physics program at Xavier not only gave me excellent technical knowledge, but more importantly, the problem-solving skills to better prepare me for anything I do in life."
  • 2002 - John Wittig
    • B.S. Physics and Mathematics, Xavier U., 2002
    • Job Title: Graduate Student
  • 2002 - Justin Link
    • B.S. Physics, Xavier U., 2002
    • Ph.D. The Ohio State University, 2008 
    • Job Title: Assistant Professor - Xavier University
    • "Xavier prepared me well for my graduate studies at OSU. The friends and faculty at Xavier made my experience worth every penny!"
  • 2002 - Sarah Blickenstaff
    • B.S. Physics, Xavier U., 2002
    • Employer: Air Force Research Laboratories, WPAFB, OH
    • Job Title: Student Trainee (Electro-Optics Engineering) / Master's Degree Candidate, U. of Dayton
    • "The optics and electronics labs I took at Xavier inspired my interest in opto-electronics. The preparation I received from the physics lectures is helping me to succeed in engineering courses at U. of Dayton and in my career."