Give it up for great teachers. I’m often asked how I came to major in physics. It’s because of an excellent high school science teacher who truly inspired each and every one of us in his class. Not all of us were interested in science but there was something about his enthusiasm, teaching style, and his class presentations that made fairly complex physics concepts easy to understand. We all came out learning something and some of us went on to college to become physics majors.

Hi, I’m Ian Detamore and I’m from northeast PA and a graduate of Wallenpaupack HS. Wow, physics is a lot harder at the college level but given the small classes and the close relationships I have with my profs I’m getting it done. Doesn’t matter which Physics prof you have—Fisher, Erickson, or Kulp, they’re all good. My favorite course so far is the one I’m taking now—quantum mechanics. Quantum mechanics looks at the behavior of energy and mass of atoms and tiny particles. It’s incredibly difficult but after each completed assignment or lab experiment I feel a genuine sense of accomplishment.

We have a lot of fun at Lycoming. A few of my friends and I belong to a club we call ULTAC—the Unofficial Lycoming Travel Adventure Club. It’s basically a spontaneous road trip club. Our last trip was to Niagra Falls. With gas prices so high we’re basically in a holding pattern but we’re thinking about the Grand Canyon next. I’m also big into the Dance Club. Surprisingly, Dance Club is one of Lycoming’s largest organizations. You can find a different step taught each night of the week. I teach country line dancing and the swing. Every Fall and Spring we perform a major all-campus show before sold out audiences in Clarke Chapel.

So there you have it, living proof that physics majors do have fun. Hope to see you on campus.