Gustavus is well known for its Department of Physics and the professors who create the strong base for the program. Professor of Physics Chuck Niederriter, or “Chuck” to students and fellow professors, is among the group that has worked to get the physics program to the level it is today.
In addition to teaching responsibilities and performing research, Niederriter has recently been named the new Director of the Nobel Conference.
The Nobel Conference is a huge event for Gustavus and all who attend, and being in charge of it is an honor. “My duties include organizing faculty committees to determine speakers’ topics, getting speakers lined up, setting a budget, fundraising and whatever else it takes to do it,” said Niederriter.
Niederriter has been a professor of physics and astronomy at Gustavus since 1985. He completed his undergraduate studies at Gannon College in Pennsylvania and was hired as an assistant professor at Gustavus immediately after receiving his Master’s and Ph.D. from Ohio University.
He first considered pursuing physics as a career during his senior year of high school, but he said, “I took an intro course to physics my freshman year of college, and by the end of that year I knew for sure that physics would be my major.”
Besides being fascinated by nearly every area of physics, Niederriter’s interests expand to the general categories of engineering and materials science. More specifically, his research focuses on experimental solid state physics, surface science and materials science. “Currently it has been energy-related things catching my interest,” said Niederriter. “Things like wind and solar energy.”
Niederriter is also the faculty adviser for the Society of Physics Students (Physics Club) and the Newman Center, the organization for Catholic students on campus. Niederriter’s involvement isn’t limited to on-campus organizations.
“My wife and I have been involved in the St. Peter chapter of Habitat for Humanity since it was founded. She serves on the family selection committee of the board, I work on houses and together we maintain the contact database for the organization,” said Niederriter.
He also does astronomy programs for groups of younger students, such as Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.
Science is a major part of Niederriter’s life, but so is his family and love for being active outdoors. He has been married to his wife Debbie, a fellow physicist, for 28 years and has five kids-four boys and one girl. Niederriter enjoys canoeing, hiking, biking and sailing during the summer months. He and his family own a 16-foot sailboat that they like to take out on the nearby lakes.
During the winter, Niederriter also enjoys two sports very popular to Minnesotans: cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.
This January, Niederriter will combine his love of being with family and the outdoors when he heads “down under.” He and his wife Debbie will teach a January Interim Course in Australia and New Zealand-Astronomy of the Southern Skies-for the fourth time.
At Gustavus, Niederriter has taught all the physics courses offered in the department at least once, with the exceptions of thermal and statistical physics and nuclear physics. Some of these courses include: First Term Seminars, Curriculum II-Natural World, Classical Physics (with lab), Astrophysics, General Physics (with lab) and Electronics Lab.
There’s no question as to why Niederriter is a popular and respected professor; he has many outstanding achievements. But maybe the most recognizable one is his contribution of time, effort and energy to his students, Gustavus and research furthering the knowledge of physics.