J. Scott Steckenrider

Assistant Professor
Department of Physics

Education: The Johns Hopkins University, B.S. 1987; M.S. 1989; Ph.D. 1992

Courses: General Physics (I&II); Concepts in Physics; Modern Physics; Thermodynamics; Introduction to Engineering; Electricity and Magnetism I: Circuits

Research Interests: Remote sensing and nondestructive evaluation; computer-based optical metrology; advanced ceramics; biomedical sensors

Professor J. Scott Steckenrider makes a lot less money than he did a few years ago and he is working harder—but he is having much more fun.

"I enjoy research, and I'm good at it, but I felt it wasn't what I was primarily made to do," says Steckenrider, who joined Illinois College after almost a decade as a materials scientist in the private sector. "I want my work to have a positive impact on people, not just technology. I want the measure of my life to be my investment in people and teaching is the best way to achieve that."

Steckenrider came by his desire to teach honestly. His mother and grandmother were teachers. His wife is a teacher. Steckenrider got a taste of academia after earning his Ph.D. in 1992 from The Johns Hopkins University. He accepted a position as a post-doctoral appointee at Argonne National Laboratory, where, in addition to his research into non-destructive testing, Steckenrider served as a technical advisor to undergraduate students.

In 1995, Steckenrider joined Northwestern University as a research assistant professor. There he supervised graduate student research into optical fiber interferometry and holographic methods. He spent four years as a part-time assistant professor at the Illinois Institute of Technology before joining Cabot Microelectronics Corp. in 1996 as a materials scientist and metrologist. Steckenrider's research there led to five patents.

When he decided to seek a full-time position in academia in 2004, Steckenrider chose Illinois College because of its size. He wanted a school where he could engage with his students personally and intellectually, and where he could use research as a teaching tool.

"I wanted to be in an environment where I was viewed primarily as a teacher, not a researcher," says Steckenrider. "I believe I'm here to serve the best interests of the students. My goal is to help them understand that while the math behind physics may seem complicated, there are underlying theories they already know. For example, you know if you drive around a corner too fast on loose gravel you're going to go off the road. You may not know why but you know you'll end up in a ditch. I help students connect the dots between their life experiences and fundamental concepts."

Interestingly, Steckenrider says, one of the most important ideas he hopes to instill in students has nothing to do with physics. It has to deal with the bigger things in life.

"When you're young you get the idea that your success is measured in the number of zeros on the end of your paycheck," says Steckenrider, the father of three children. "Students find it fascinating that I took such a pay cut to teach. Yes, you need to make a living but you can support a family without selling your soul or giving up what's meaningful to you. Finding that balance is a challenge and I'd like to think I serve as an example of someone who is trying."

   

 

Illinois College
1101 West College Avenue
Jacksonville, IL 62650
217.245.3030

Web Site Powered by
ActiveCampus
Software by LiquidMatrix