AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PHYSICS TEACHERS INC

Beth Cunningham became AAPT’s 12th Executive Officer on January 1, 2011. Dr. Cunningham’s career has provided her with admirable preparation to serve as AAPT’s next Executive Officer and help us all achieve our mission “to enhance the understanding and appreciation of physics through teaching.”  Physics and AAPT are in her blood. (Her father was a physicist who, in fact, was quite active in AAPT.) She pursued her B.A., M.A.  and Ph.D. degrees, all with majors in physics, at Kent State University.  Her Ph.D. thesis focused on biological liquid crystals. After a two-year post-doctoral appointment at the Hormel Institute of the University of Minnesota, she taught physics for one year at Gettysburg College before moving to Bucknell University, where she taught physics for seventeen years, advanced through the academic ranks to full professor and, during the last six of those years, served as Associate Dean of the Faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences.  In 2006, she assumed her present position as Provost, Dean of the Faculty, and Professor of Physics at Illinois Wesleyan University.

Some of the most important people in my life have had AAPT as a part of their lives.&nbsp; I have seen first hand the value of AAPT to their professional and personal development as physics educators.&nbsp; My father, who was a physicist, first introduced me to AAPT by taking me to a meeting when I was still an undergraduate student.&nbsp; He taught at a regional campus of Kent State and was the only physicist on his campus.&nbsp;He became very involved in AAPT at the local and national level.&nbsp; Why did he value AAPT membership? <ul type="disc"> <li>AAPT's resources supported his teaching</li> <li>He established a network of like minded colleagues who shared the goal of excellence in student learning</li> <li>He believed AAPT's mission is part of a larger, important initiative, to advance the greater good through physics teaching</li> <li>He had a strong connection to the AAPT circle of members and friends</li> </ul> <p>I&#8217;ve learned over many years that these same values are held by many other AAPT members.</p> <p>In my position as Executive Officer I&#8217;ve discovered a number of things:</p> <ul type="disc"> <li>The AAPT staff is very dedicated, talented, and resourceful.</li> <li>AAPT's high quality programs that have an impact on physics education.<br /> </li> <li>Other STEM associations value our work and want to collaborate with us to improve STEM education (K-16 and beyond).<br /> </li> <li>The membership and Executive Board are passionate in their commitment to the Association. They deeply believe in AAPT&#8217;s mission and never hesitate to volunteer. They have great ideas that have&nbsp;changed physics education in the US and across the globe.&nbsp; Not only are they very passionate, but they enjoy what they do and make physics fun.&nbsp; </li> </ul> <p>I feel very lucky to be a part of this association and help shape the future of physics education.&nbsp; I look forward to working with you in the years to come.&nbsp; </p> <p align="right">&#8212;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Beth A. Cunningham, Ph.D.<br /> Executive Officer</p>