EAU CLAIRE — A University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire faculty member was one of two recipients of the Excellence in Teaching Physics at the University Level award from the Wisconsin Association of Physics Teachers.
          Dr. J. Erik Hendrickson, associate professor of physics and astronomy, was recognized for his participation at the WAPT annual meetings, participation in administrative activities and his physics teaching credentials.
          “It was rather surprising,” Hendrickson said of receiving the award. “Many of the people who I have seen win this award in the past have been my role models. Thus, I feel very honored to receive an award that many of the people I look up to have also received.”
          Hendrickson’s high school physics teacher and active member of WAPT, Milo Oppegard, nominated him for the award. Hendrickson thought Oppegard’s nominating him was one of the greatest honors of receiving the award.
          “Milo was the one who initially saw my potential as a physics student, nurtured that potential successfully, and then steered me towards physics as a career,” Hendrickson said. “I owe everything to him. He has always been an inspiration to me.”
          Oppegard said as a high school student, Hendrickson was enthusiastic and liked to get involved with all aspects of physics, including demonstrations, problem solving and helping others. During his graduate school years, Hendrickson and other graduate students conducted popularized science shows that were held in shopping malls and in public schools.
          “These shows were always student-centered and designed to excite students for physics and science,” Oppegard said. “Erik brings a great gift to physics and science education to the benefit of students at UW-Eau Claire.”
          Hendrickson received an award plaque at the WAPT annual meeting Oct. 27-28 at UW-River Falls.
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Updated: Nov. 22, 2000