History of Loras College Physics and Engineering
The program has been offering a full physics degree since 1954, a pre-engineering program since the 1940s, and a full engineering degree (a B.S. in Engineering Physics) since 1983. The degree in Engineering Physics consisted of the pre-engineering program followed by a mixture of upper-level engineering courses (materials science, strength of materials, thermodynamics, analog circuits, digital circuits, senior engineering design) and upper-level physics courses (optics, modern atomic physics, theoretical mechanics, electricity & magnetism, quantum mechanics). To find out about professors who have taught in the department in the past, please visit the faculty page.
The B.S. in Engineering Physics was replaced by the B.S. in Electromechanical Engineering in 1998.
The B.S. in Physics was discontinued in 1999.
1. Engineering Program (1940s-1971)
The history of physics and engineering at Loras began with two separate programs. An Engineering Program was launched in the 1940s. It offered a pre-engineering curriculum. It was part of the Division of Professional Studies and was housed in what is now Hoffmann Hall (it was then called Saint Joseph Hall). Names associated with the engineering department included: Msgr. LeRoy J. Enzler, Fr. Stanley J. Hayek, Corwin Hellmer (at Loras from 1967-1974), Kenneth Switzer, Donald Manor (1968-1970), and Gerald Guy (1971-72).
2. Physics Program (1914-1971)
For many years, the Physics Program was a one-man operation. William Heitkamp was the sole instructor from 1914 until 1954, when Father Hutchinson joined the program. Bill Heitkamp taught courses in physics, geology, and meteorology. Father "Hutch" Hutchinson created the Physics major in 1954, just after he obtained his Ph.D. in physics from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. He taught at Loras until 1985.
Edward A. “Ed” Garbaty became the third member of the program in 1959. He was replaced by Jay Kopp in 1961.
A fourth faculty member was added to the program in 1963. Dan Cash was at Loras from 1963 until 1967, and again from 1968-1969.
In 1964, Bill Heitkamp died and Jay Kopp went to Northwestern University to pursue his Ph.D. in Physics. The two were replaced by Joe Schaefer and Frank Miller.
The Heitkamp Planetarium was opened in 1965. Frank Miller and Thomas Goodman (from the Public Relations Department) devoted a great deal of effort and time to the planetarium. At the same time, Joe Schaefer obtained NSF (National Science Foundation) grants to equip both the Analog Circuits (Electrical Measurements) Laboratory and the machine shop.
Joe Schaefer left Loras in 1967 to pursue his Ph.D. at Northwestern University. He was replaced by John Baum. In the same year (1967), Dan Cash was replaced by Jerry Cupal.
Jay Kopp obtained his Ph.D. in 1967 and worked as a research associate at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zürich from 1967 until 1969. After that he returned to Loras, replacing Jerry Cupal.
Joe Schaefer returned to Loras with his Ph.D. in 1972; he replaced John Baum.
3. Physics & Engineering Sciences Program (1974-1998)
The departure of Corwin Hellmer from the Engineering Program in 1974 was the impetus for the merger of the departments of physics and engineering. The new Physics and Engineering Sciences Program offered a B.S. degree in Physics, and a two-year Pre-Engineering Program. Engineering graphics and design courses were taught by adjunct faculty or one-year appointees from 1974 until 1977. The instructors were Steve Strong (1974-1975), Jerry Dassler (1975-1976), and Samuel Fox (1976-1977).
Joe Walton began teaching at Loras in 1977. Dr. Schaefer went on a sabbatical to learn about digital electronics. This resulted in a new course on digital circuits.
In 1978, Jay Kopp and Joe Walton worked with Ed Cawley (Biology) to write a CAUSE grant. The purpose of the grant was to provide the college with computers, and faculty with training on the use of computers in teaching. The grant allowed the college to purchase a number of Apple computers, and to establish a faculty training center.
In 1983, the department launched its first full engineering degree, a B.S. in Engineering Physics, based on the initiative of Joe Walton. The degree in Engineering Physics consisted of the pre-engineering program followed by a mixture of upper-level engineering courses (materials science, strength of materials, thermodynamics, analog circuits, digital circuits, senior engineering design) and upper-level physics courses (optics, modern atomic physics, theoretical mechanics, electricity & magnetism, quantum mechanics). The engineering courses were taught by Joe Schaefer and Joe Walton. The physics courses were taught by Father Hutchinson, Jay Kopp, Joe Schaefer, and Frank Miller.
Father Hutchinson left Loras in 1985, and he was replaced by Dr. Ali Shahshahan. Dr. Shahshahan developed a new fluid dynamics course for the department.
In 1989, Dr. Joe Schaefer and Dr. Jay Kopp obtained a NSF (National Science Foundation) grant to integrate computers into the teaching of general physics laboratories. They purchased Macintosh computers and interface boards for the General Physics Laboratory. This made it possible to use the computers to collect experimental data. The lab was further improved when Dr. Joe Schaefer obtained licenses of National Instruments' LabView software through an alumni appeal.
In 1994, Frank Miller retired and Joe Walton left Loras. Dr. MaryJane Taylor replaced Frank Miller, and Dr. Christoph Hiemcke replaced Joe Walton. At this time, physics courses were taught by Dr. Jay Kopp (calculus-based classical physics, meteorology) and Dr. MaryJane Taylor (introductory classical physics, modern physics, optics, astronomy). Engineering courses were taught by Dr. Joe Schaefer (statics, dynamics, analog circuits, digital circuits), Dr. Ali Shahshahan (statics, dynamics, FORTRAN, thermodynamics, fluids, theoretical mechanics), and Dr. Christoph Hiemcke (graphics/CAD, first-year design, materials science, senior design).
In 1995, Dr. Joe Schaefer obtained four new IBM computers for the Graphics/CAD Laboratory through an alumni appeal.
In 1996, Dr. Shahshahan left Loras College in order to attend medical school at the University of Iowa. Due to tight budgets caused by low student enrollments, he was not replaced. He is now in his residency in cardiology at the University of Florida.
In 1997, Dr. MaryJane Taylor left Loras in order to pursue a career in programming. Also, Dr. Joe Schaefer spent the summer of 1997 at NASA Lewis Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio, doing research on aircraft wing icing. Dr. Schaefer also spent the 1997-1998 school year on sabbatical working with the Dubuque Community School District to reform their science program. Dr. Taylor was replaced by Dr. Jeff Zweerink (Ph.D. astrophysics, Iowa State; originally from St. Joseph, MO), and Dr. Schaefer was replaced by Dr. Rod Milbrandt (Ph.D. medical physics, University of Wisconsin - Madison; originally from Rochester, MN; married to Cheresa). Both Drs. Zweerink and Milbrandt were on one-year contracts.
In 1998, Dr. Ken McLaughlin replaced Dr. Zweerink. Also, Dr. Joe Schaefer returned to replace Dr. Rod Milbrandt.
3. Physics & Engineering Program(1998-...)
In 1998, the program decided to shorten its name to the department of Physics & Engineering, and to replace the B.S. in Engineering Physics with a new engineering degree. One problem with the old Engineering Physics degree was that graduates found it difficult to explain the degree's name and focus to potential employers. The new degree is the B.S. in Electromechanical Engineering.
In 1999, Dr. Joe Schaefer left Loras College in order to be closer to his daughters in central Iowa. He and Carol now live in Ankeny, and Joe teaches at Iowa State University. Joe was replaced by Professor Todd Swift.
Low enrollments in the Physics degree program resulted in the termination of the B.S. in Physics (which had been in place since 1954) in 1999.
Dr. Christoph Hiemcke left Loras College in 2001 in order to pursue a career in the aerospace industry. He, Audra, and Adley now live in New Hampshire.
Dr. Jay Kopp retired from Loras College in 2002 after 40 years of service. He plans to remain in Dubuque to enjoy his well-deserved free time.
In 2006, Mr. Todd Swift left Loras College to join Thermo-Fisher Scientific in Dubuque. He has since been relocated to Ashville, NC. That same year Dr. Dan Williams left Loras College to return to John Deere Dubuque Works. Dan Williams was replaced by Dr. Joseph Joseph who joined the faculty at Loras from Oregon Institute of Technology in Klamath Falls, OR. Joseph is an Electrical Engineer and is helping to improve the electronics portion of the program. The following year, 2007, Dr. Clark Merkel came to Loras from Rose-Hulman IT with a PhD in Mechanical Engineering.
