Texas Section News

Texas Section News
Updated September 18, 2007

Summer 2007 Meeting
Texas A&M University will host the joint fall meeting of TSAPS/TSAAPT/SPS.
Meeting Dates: October 18-20
Meeting Website: http://txaps07.physics.tamu.edu/

For more section news visit the Texas Section's website.

Submitted by Dan Bruton.



Spring 2007 Meeting
James Crawford, our most recent Robert N. Little Awardee, received this award at our Spring 2007 Meeting posthumously. The Robert N. Little Award is given for lifetime professional contributions to physics from an individual at a higher education institution in Texas. Dr. Crawford is the 13th recipient of the Little Award in its 31-year history. Remarks were given by Dr. Charles Manka, of the Naval Research Laboratory, a longtime friend. The twoattended the University of Arkansas at the same time and began collaborating through the Texas Section of AAPT when Manka taught at Sam Houston State University and Jim at Southwest Texas State University.
RECIPIENT OF TS-AAPT ROBERT LITTLE AWARD
Dr. James Crawford

(Once again it is an honor, but very sad privilege, to be asked to make these remarks.)

I can think of no award more fitting for our late friend, Jim Crawford. If you look at the criteria for the Robert Little award I believe you can simply write James Crawford after each of those criteria. I may not have them all, nor in the proper order, but consider some:
  • TEACHER – That “T” in AAPT that distinguishes this organization from many other science organizations. Jim epitomized the style of teaching that places the teacher as a guide to knowledge and understanding and NOT as an obstacle to be overcome. Few, if any, professors enjoy the success and accomplishments of their students more than Jim did. I don’t know if it is, indeed, possible for anyone to do that. The number of students who maintained contact with Jim over the passing years testifies to the enduring bond established between teacher and student.

  • PROFESSIONAL – Jim loved teaching, and learning physics as a life’s work. There was no other “job” for him. Physics was about the way the world worked and there was no part of the physics “world” he was not interested in…….well, maybe String Theory! His joy in his chosen profession was readily, almost instantly communicated to others. It simply radiated from him. He would not allow himself to be unprepared for a lecture or an administrative task as that would show a lack of respect for the work he loved.  

  • RESEARCH - We were fortunate to have Jim work with us at the Naval Research laboratory for a few summers and a sabbatical. The ultimate team player, he was immediately appreciated not only for his contributions in optics and spectroscopy but for his positive attitude and sense of humor. It is no small irony that just this morning I presented a brief summary of a laser driven “jet” project that he and I had pursued several summers ago (UNSUCCESSFULLY, I must add). I know he would have been delighted at the finally successful results that built upon that initial effort. Sometimes it is almost as important to know what NOT to do as it is to know what TO do. I can hear his jovial query now “Well…….what took you so long?”
AAPT – The TS-AAPT was an integral part of Jim’s academic life from the start of his career at SFA and continued when he came to (then) SWT. He was an advocate for attending meetings, bringing students, encouraging presentations. Then as an officer, treasurer, he was unfailing in his duties including the care and preservation of the famous unusable fused ball of stamps. The announcement at the end of each treasurer’s report “and a ball of stuck together stamps” became a highly anticipated event at each TSAAPT business meeting.

I know that Jim would have so deeply appreciated this award. He (and I) knew and worked in the TS-AAPT with Bob Little.  As I look at the group here today and observe that somehow the folks Jim and I started with in TSAAPT have become older and greyer, I realize that we will soon be without any who knew Bob. The presentation of this award from time to time preserves Bob’s great legacy within this organization and Jim Crawford joins a very select group. I believe that both Bob and Jim are smiling.

Submitted by Thomas O'Kuma
Acting Section Representative


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