Physics
professor to give 'Last Lecture' on complexity
HONORS LECTURE:
Dr. David Peak will lecture on "Complexity and the New
Academy: They Put My Office Where?"
By Cameron Salony
March 25, 2008 | The Utah State University Honors
Program has announced that Dr. David Peak, professor
of physics, will give the 33rd annual Last Lecture at
12:30 p.m. April 2 in the Taggart Student Center Ballroom.
His title is "Complexity and the New Academy: They Put
My Office Where?"
Peak was chosen in part because of his dedication
to student learning, according to the selection committee.
Student committee member and Goldwater Scholar Jennifer
Albretsen said, "I always look forward to attending
Dr. Peak's Modern Physics class. I don't think I've
laughed harder or learned more in any other class."
The committee was impressed by "his eagerness to give
the lecture" and his interesting topic. The committee,
composed of Honors students Joshua Pineault, Sarah Isert
and Albretsen, was excited about Peak after their initial
interview with him.
"He prepared his entire presentation before our selection
interview and unfolded his intriguing topic right before
our eyes at our first meeting," Pineault said.
Peak has been professor of physics at USU since 1996,
serving 10 years as assistant department head. During
his tenure at USU he has taught 16 different courses,
10 of which he introduced into the curriculum.
Some of his classes include: Orders and Chaos, Physics
of Complexity, Chaos Under Control, the Physics of Living
Systems, Qualitative Methods in Physics and Profession
on Physics.
Peak has mentored the research of seven graduate students
and 13 undergraduates during the last 12 years. He was
recognized by the 1996 American Physical Society Prize
for Research Done with Undergraduates for his efforts.
He has been named the College of Science's Teacher (2003),
Undergraduate Research Mentor (2005) and Faculty Advisor
(2008) of the Year.
Peak is also a founding member of the national Council
on Undergraduate Research and Chair of the Board of
Directors of the National Conferences on Undergraduate
Research.
This past year, he and his wife, Terry, associate professor
and program director of social work, established an
endowment to support the University's annual Undergraduate
Researcher of the Year awards.
Last Lecture is an Aggie tradition that is entirely
student focused. Toward the end of every fall semester,
Honors asks students to nominate those professors who
have had a memorable impact on them inside and outside
the classroom. Last Lecture candidates must be full
professors.
A committee then reviews each nominee's qualifications
and narrows the list of nominees. The committee then
interviews those candidates and chooses the Last Lecturer.
"Dr. Peak is a truly talented teacher and has made
a lasting impact on Utah State University. His approach
towards teaching exemplifies the ideals of the Honors
Program," said Dr. Christie Fox, Honors Program director."His
lecture will no doubt be tremendous!"
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