Lillian C. McDermott
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History
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Appendix E:
Influence on Astronomy Education Research
(Note to LCM from Edward E. Prather in June 2009)
My experience as a student in the course for underprepared students (my first course in life) along
with my having been a student in the calc-physics course at UW during the time tutorials were
being developed, and then my involvement as a peer instructor in the tutorial sections the
following year while I was still an undergrad –– all contributed strongly to my choice to pursue a
Ph.D. in PER, and have guided all my work in Astronomy Education Research.
---- Ed
Lillian C. McDermott
81
History
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Acknowledgments
Arnold Arons’ views on what it means to understand physics have remained
with me and are reflected in the standards and methods that characterize the UW
Physics Education Group.
I feel fortunate to have been able to work with colleagues
whose commitment, cooperation, and collegiality have created a productive working
environment.
We have greatly benefited from collaborations with our colleagues at
UW and at other universities, especially our pilot sites.
Support from the National
Science Foundation has made our accomplishments possible.
I thank Paula Heron, Peter Shaffer, and Joan Valles – long-term members of our
group – not only for all they have done on our projects but also for their personal support.
I appreciate the many contributions of Donna Messina and MacKenzie Stetzer.
Others
within (or closely associated with) the Department whose friendship made a big difference
during a difficult period are David and Beverly Bodansky and Genevra Gerhart.
I am very
grateful to Bruce, Melanie, and Connie for their enthusiastic support, helpful advice, and
the warm welcome that they unfailingly extended to my colleagues in the group.
Finally, our group owes a great debt to Mark N. McDermott.
His encouragement
and assistance before, during, and after his time as Chair (1984-1994) went beyond any
official responsibility.
He was an informal mentor to our junior faculty, post-docs, and
senior graduate students.
All appreciated his straightforward manner and knew that they
could trust his good judgment and thoughtful advice.
Mark provided the same level of
support to everyone in the Physics Department.
His enthusiastic, optimistic, and “can do”
attitude extended beyond the Department to the wider University community.
His
steadfast support at the University and at home made it possible for me to devote the time
and effort required to help our group be as productive as it has been.
Postscript
Seemingly very strong and healthy, Mark inexplicably contracted a rare illness,
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
There is no
known cause, no known cure, and no known treatment.
He died in November 2006, exactly one
year after the diagnosis.
Throughout his illness, he was as stoical and cheerful as he had always
been.
Increasingly unable to move or breathe, he never complained.
He remained considerate of
others, intellectually sharp, and interested as ever in physics, nature, music, art, and world events.
