Department of Chemistry & Physics
Physics
Announcements
Kenneth Elkins to Speak at the 2013 Physics Spring Alumni Banquet
The SWOSU Division of Physics will host its annual Physics Spring Alumni Banquet on Saturday, April 6, 2013, at 7:00 P.M. in the SWOSU Student Center Ballroom. Kenneth Elkins, Director of the Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division in McAlester, OK, will be our speaker.
Ken Elkins graduated from SWOSU in 1982, with a B.S. in Physics. He joined the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) in Port Hueneme, CA, initially as an Electronic Engineer working on the Armored Box Launcher. Beginning in 1987 he was Lead Engineer for the Tomahawk AUR Team, and served as the Team Leader for this group from 1998-2003. Ken received his M.S. in Systems Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School in 2003, and was named Branch Manager for Missile Operations, Maintenance & Training. He completed the USDA Graduate School Management Succession Program in 2005, and in 2006 he moved to McAlester, OK to serve as the Engineering Management Division Manager, and became the Director of the NSWC Indian Head Division (McAlister Detachment) in 2008.
Ken has received many awards and recognition during his long career with the NSWC. He is certified as a Navy Acquisition Professional, received several Outstanding Ratings, On-the-Spot Awards, Special Act Awards, Special Achievement Awards, Sustained Superior Performance Awards, Bravo Zulu messages, and Letters of Appreciation. He has also received Certificates of Appreciation for Mobil Bay Shock Trials, Desert Storm, Philippine Sea Restrained Firing investigation, and USS Cole attack emergency support. Ken is a member of the SWOSU Chapter of Sigma Pi Sigma, the national physics honor society.
Ken lives in McAlister, OK with his wife Karma Ingraham Elkins who is also a SWOSU alumnus and has two daughters, Heather and Michelle.
Prior to Ken’s address, the Physics Division will induct new members to Sigma Pi Sigma, the national physics honor society, and award honors and scholarships to recognize academic achievement and contributions to the department.
Tickets are $20 each and may be paid for at the door, but we need a head count by Wednesday, April 3, so we ask that you make reservations by email (physics@swosu.edu), phone (580/774-3109), FAX (580/774-3115), snail mail (100 Campus Dr, Weatherford, OK 73096), or in person. We look forward to seeing you there!
Shish-Kebab! (The Only One You Need to Know About)
Join us for the Physics Shish-kebab at Crowder Lake on Saturday, May 4, 2013. You remember how good it is, and there’s always plenty of food and fun to go with it. This is a great time to relax and visit with old friends (bring ‘em along!) or to enjoy the activities at the lake. There are nature trails to walk, wildlife to observe, and canoes are available at no charge.
We’ll serve up the food around 6 p.m., but come on out early—we’ll be here by 5 p.m. As usual, the new Physics Club officers will be inducted after dinner, swearing the time-honored (okay, we usually make these up on the spot) oaths of office. And then there are the “other awards” to be given. No need to make a reservation, but a heads-up if you plan to attend will help us on planning the food. Hope to see you!
