Lawrence professor receives physics honor

APPLETON - An emeritus professor at Lawrence University has been named a fellow in the American Physical Society.

David Cook retired from Lawrence in 2008 after 43 years of teaching.

According to the university, the fellowship program recognizes members who have made contributions to physics through research, applications of physics, leadership or service, or contributions to education.

The APS cited Cook for "the prominent roles he has played in developing and disseminating outstanding computational elements for undergraduate physics courses, in building an exemplary undergraduate physics program and in executive leadership of the American Association of Physics Teachers."

During his teaching career, Lawrence University says Cook taught nearly every undergraduate physics course while leading the development and incorporation of computers into the physics curriculum. Beginning in 1985, he designed and built Lawrence's computational physics laboratory.

The author of two textbooks - "The Theory of the Electromagnetic Field” and "Computation and Problem Solving in Undergraduate Physics,” Cook was recognized with Lawrence's Excellence in Teaching Award in 1990.