Additional objects and topics of interest to me
The Astronomical Lyceum
There is nowhere like this place. It is full of historical astronomical
artifacts, and its owner and curator is a master storyteller. Located in
Magdalena, New Mexico and owned by John Briggs, I bring students here to
experience some of the rich lore of astronomical heritage during JanTerm
courses (see Favorite Classes).
- See some great photos of the Lyceum by Robert Fugate.
- Take a video tour of the Lyceum, narrated by John.
Interdisciplinary Pursuits
My interest in ancient astronomical views causes me to rub shoulders with
people across campus.
- I have used my time teaching JanTerm to delve into literature of
diverse cultural perspectives of the night sky, and Dr. Brian Watkins
in Anthropology has been kind enough to share his insights with me
and my students. - With Dr. Bob Cape in Classics I have spoken with students at the
Texas State Junior Classical League, and we still share an interest in
poets like Hyginus, objects like the Antikythera device, and
understudied fields like surviving documents on Roman building and
engineering techniques.
Service Across Campus
There are many things that one can do to support an academic village. Here
are some things that I particularly enjoy (or have enjoyed) doing.
- Mock interviews: Several of us members of faculty work to offer pre-
med and pre-dental students with feedback on interviewing skills. - Austin College Scholars Conference (ACSC): This is an opportunity to
showcase student scholarly activities from across campus in a three
day conference each spring. Coordinating this effort has afforded me
the opportunity to witness the work of students across disciplines. - Engineering Pathways: I have done several more or less innovative
things, and many more mundane but necessary ones over the years
to support our pre-engineering students as their primary advisor. - Public Nights: Offering observing nights at Adams Observatory to the
campus and Texoma communities is always a joy. The night sky is a
shared treasure. - Catholic Student Association: Acting in an advisory capacity to our
Catholic students on campus means facilitating student travel to
Mass, working with the local parish on engaging with our students on
campus, and helping to create a shared sense of community between
Catholic students, faculty, and staff. - Johnson Center lunches and talks: This is Austin College's faculty
enrichment arm, and there is nothing else like it. It is over lunch with
faculty colleagues from across campus that I have some of my most
stimulating conversations, and it is through them that we sometimes
receive some of the best guests to campus.
In Astronomy, but Not Research
Sharing One Sky, White papers, NSF panelist, journal reviewer
- Sharing One Sky: We organized three intercontinental meeting
-of-the-minds to share astronomy/science outreach initiatives.
(I've always liked the name we chose for these meetings.) - Taking a Stance on Astronomy Education: As graduate students
attending a Town Hall Meeting, we were shocked when an Ivy League
professor blamed his students' lack of interest in observing for his
own preference to work with survey data. We wrote a White Paper for
the 2010 Decadal Survey supporting hands-on education with
telescopes in direct response. Ten years later, for the 2020 Decadal
Survey, I authored a similar paper to argue the same point again. - NSF Review Panelist: I have reviewed applications for funds written to
the National Science Foundation's Star Formation Review Panel. - Paper Reviewer: Reviewing manuscripts submitted to journals, as
part of the so-called peer-review process.