Miller
energizes Physics
By Laurie
Mellas-Ramirez
Bill
Miller is not from Roswell, but he has an eye for unidentified
flying objects all the same. On a morning stroll recently, the
Farmington native had a physics encounter of the Albuquerque
kind.
I
saw a bright light, said Miller, department of physics
and astronomy teaching lab supervisor. On second glance,
I saw that a sprinkler had gotten the sidewalk wet and the streetlight
was reflecting the light. It wasnt a UFO.
Miller
brings similar real world examples to the laboratory and classroom.
If you smell chocolate chip cookies while you walk past
Regener
Hall, its coming from his solar oven demonstration.
It shows students yes, you can actually do something
with solar energy. And they get a cookie at the end of
class.
In the
past few years he assisted in revamping three physics and one
astronomy lab as well as the course Physics 106, light and color,
which he teaches.
Physics
is the study of the forces of nature. We cant avoid interactions
with it. We teach where nature pushes and whats going
to push back. We convey concepts so the students learn the basics,
but they dont have to work out the equations at the 100
levels. We try to take away the mystery, but not the wonder.
Miller
graduated from Farmington High School in 1967. He moved to Portales
and then to Dallas where he worked for Texas Instruments before
deciding to return to school.
I
wanted to work with people, not machines, he said.
He enrolled
at UNM and focused on sociology and economics. He developed
an interest in many different subjects and later chose to earn
a bachelor of university studies.
I
claim to have three credits from every department, he
said.
Advisors
noted that with a few more political science courses under his
belt he would be perfect pre-law, but Miller ruled for the U.S.
Peace Corps instead. He traveled to West Africa and for two
years worked at the University of Cape Coast in the Physics
Department.
While in
New Zealand holding another position he met and married Jeanine,
a nurse. After more travels, in 1986, with a brand new son,
Travis, the family moved to Albuquerque.
At UNM
for little less than 17 years, Miller says he still enjoys travels
with his family, which includes Aaron, 13, at least once a year
both in the U.S. and abroad.
He is working
on a masters degree in the College of Education Department
of Educational Thought and Sociocultural Studies.
Being a
man who likes to be on the move, he frequently walks for causes.
So keep an eye peeled for Miller -- in training -- he might
be sighted at a department near you.
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